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Evolving the US Youth Soccer
Elite Level Environment
February 2011
US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Coaching Committee
Chairman: Dr. Tom Turner, Ohio NorthRegion I Representative: Jim Kelly, Rhode IslandRegion II Representative: Ian Mulliner, IllinoisRegion III Representative: Mike Strickler, FloridaRegion IV Representative: Mike Smith, Oregon
Board Liaison: Bob Singer, North CarolinaCoaching Department Liaison: Sam Snow , Texas
Special At-Large Member: Dr. Lew Atkinson, Delaware
National League Committee
Chairman: Chris Christoffersen, KansasCommissioner: Paul Luchowski, Ohio North
Region I Representatives: Ann Thompson, Virginia; Sue Ryan, New YorkRegion II Representatives: Bud Manley, Ohio South; Tom Turner, Ohio NorthRegion III Representative: Lance Chapel, Georgia; Charlie Slagle, North CarolinaRegion IV Representatives: Dave Lamb, California-South; Nate Shotts, Colorado
Board Liaison: Larry Monaco, Virginia
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Your Presenter
Dr. Tom Turner (Education / Psychology / Exercise Physiology)
Ohio Youth Soccer Association North
Director of Coaching and Player Development (1993- Present)
US Soccer National Instructional Staff (1994 – Present)
US Youth Soccer National Instructional Staff (2002 – Present)
US Youth Soccer Region II Boy's ODP Head Coach (2007 – Present)
US Youth Soccer Region II Girl’s ODP Head Coach (1994 – 2004)
US Youth Soccer National Coaching Committee (2008 – Present)
US Youth Soccer National League Committee (2006 – Present)
US Youth Soccer Region II Midwest Regional League Committee (2002 – 2007)
Ohio Youth Soccer Association North State League Commissioner (2004 – 2006)
3554 Brecksville Rd. Richfield, OH 44286
Web: www.oysan.org
Office: (330) 659-0989 * Fax: (330) 659-0993 * Cell: (216) 496-4683
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Defining The Elite Level
Quality and Mentality of Players
Quality and Frequency of Competition
Quality and Structure of the Environment
Quality of Coaching
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Defining The Elite Level
Youth National Teams
US Soccer Development Academy
US Youth Soccer National Championship Series US Youth Soccer Regional & National Leagues
Elite Clubs National League
************
US Youth Soccer State Leagues
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Defining The Elite Level
The “Aspiring” Player
Changed Persona Emotionally Different
Self-MotivatedCommitted to Playing and Training
Prodigies / Age Factor
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Defining The Elite Level
One of the primary goals of elite level soccer is to prepare players to compete at the higher levels…
Senior National TeamsProfessional LevelAmateur Leagues College Level
Youth National TeamsRepresentative Teams Older Age Divisions
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Defining the Elite Level
No Development Without Peers!
Balanced competition with, and against like-skilled and like-motivated players improves
learning and development.
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Defining the Elite Level
Competing in too many games, or in too many meaningless games, dulls the thrill of anticipation and reduces the gains in emotional intelligence associated with preparing to compete against
talented opposition.
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Defining The Elite Level
The coaching and playing environment that challenges players to constantly operate on the boundary of their comfort zone best serves to promote learning and long-term development.
An elevated level of anxiety is important for learning. The prospect of playing good opposition
raises the anxiety necessary for optimal performance and improvement.
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Defining The Elite Level
US Youth Soccer values soccer as the “The Game For All Kids”
The US Soccer Development Academy was created to overcome inertia and raise the standard of play
in the boy’s youth soccer environment.
US Youth Soccer is no longer the main conduit for Boy’s Youth National Team or top Division I
college selections.
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Defining The Elite Level
US Youth Soccer values soccer as the “The Game For All Kids”
The Development Academy consists of 78 clubs.
The Development Academy has spawned an independent USCS U-14 pre-Academy / National Premier League that now threatens to further minimize US Youth Soccer’s connection to
elite level players.
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Defining The Elite Level
US Youth Soccer values soccer as the “The Game For All Kids”
The ECNL now threatens to erode US Youth Soccer’s role as the preferred soccer environment for elite level girl’s clubs and top Division I college
recruiting events.
On the international level, the dearth of top female American players is being exposed.
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Defining The Elite Level
US Youth Soccer values soccer as the “The Game for All Kids”
Requests for change have gone unanswered. Competition has now changed the landscape.
As a result, US Youth Soccer is in danger of losing the
ENTIRE LEVEL of elite level players.
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Defining The Elite Level
US Youth Soccer values soccer as the “The Game for All Kids”
Following formal membership approval at the Federation AGM in Las Vegas, US Club Soccer is now actively marketing to entry-level soccer
groups – primarily on the basis of Registrationsimplicity and ease of process!
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League
Structure
US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Competitive Triggers
Competing soccer organizations (USDA, ECNL, Y-League, USCS) have emerged for five reasons…
1. Poor Soccer Environment (USDA)2. Prohibitive / Obsolete Rules (USCS)3. Strategic College Marketing (ECNL) 4. Pace of / Ability to Change (All)5. Failure to Compete / Gain Access to Events (ECNL)
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Competitive Triggers
Poor Soccer Environment (USDA)
� Impact on NT Development� Training to Games Ratio� Volume of Games� Quality of Games� Style of Play� Style of Player � Style of Coaching� Purposeful Periodization
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Competitive Triggers
Prohibitive / Obsolete Rules (USCS)
� No voice for Professional Coaches� Required Paperwork / Petty Costs� Constraining Rosters / Transfer Fees� No Club Registration � Multiple Carding� State Association Borders � Travel Permissions � Phantom Insurance Restrictions� Multiple Coaching Passes
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Competitive Triggers
Strategic College Marketing (ECNL)
� Youth Soccer = College Scholarships� Control College Coaches = Player Monopoly� Small = Exclusive / Growth = Achilles Heel
� Parallel USDA Program� Clubs vs Teams vs Competitive Quality
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Competitive Triggers
Pace of / Ability to Change (All)
� Professional Club Coaches now drive all significant changes to the Youth Soccer Environment
� Single Registration System� Club Carding / Single Carding� Substitution Rules� Game Schedules� ODP Identification / Selection Process
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Competitive Triggers
Failure to Compete / Gain Access to Events
� There are 66 ECNL Clubs; not all are “Elite.”� Only 28 Clubs Play in Both USDA and ECNL.� MLS - Girls: FC Dallas (ECNL), Crew and Fire.
ECNL Clubs ECNL & USDA “Elite” Clubs
Region I 18 7 ~11 (60%)
Region II 12 5 ~4 (30%)
Region III 14 9 ~7 (50%)
Region IV 22 7 ~12 (55%)
66 28 ~50%
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Vision
The following presentation outlines the views (in whole or part) of the US Youth Soccer National League
Committee, the US Youth Soccer Coaching Committee, and the 55 State Association Technical Directors.
The goal is to create a vertically integrated league structure within US Youth Soccer that also addresses the
realities and promise of elite level players.
Much Of This Structure Already Exists!
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
The Root of our Problems!
US Youth Soccer ECNL USDA
League Structures Independent Integrated Integrated
Player ID Structures Independent Integrated Integrated
“Showcase” Events Independent Integrated Integrated
National Championships Independent Integrated Integrated
Governance Structures Independent Integrated Integrated
Marketing Structures Independent Integrated Integrated
Coaching Input Limited Integrated Semi-Integrated
Player Registration System Independent Integrated Integrated
Playing Rules Independent Integrated Integrated
Calendars and Events Independent Integrated Integrated
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
The National League Model
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
National League Structure
Level(B & G)
AgeGroups
Tiers DivisionsPer Tier
TeamsPer
Division
GamesPer
Season
SeasonDuration
State Leagues
U-13 U-18
As Needed 1 4-12 3-11 3-11 Weeks
Regional Leagues
U-14 U-18
2-3 2-4 8-10 7-9 Variable
National League
U-15U-17
1 4 8 7 Two Weekends(HS Season Issues)
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Regional Leagues National Landscape
AgeGroups
NumberOfTiers
Premier Divisions
Premier DivisionTeams
TotalPremier DivisionsTeams
Prom& Rel.
EntryPoints
Reg. WildCard
Total2nd Div.Teams
TotalTeams2010 /2011
Region I Premier League
U-14U-18
2 2 8 160 Yes NCS-RCRL
Yes 354 514
Region II Midwest Regional League
U-14 U-18
2 2 8-10 176 Yes NCS-SCNCS-RC
RL
Yes 569 745
Region IIIPremier League
U-14U-18
1 3 10-12 319 No NCS-SCNCS-RC
Yes 0 319
Region IV Far West Regional League
U-14U-18
1 2 12 238 No NCS-SCNCS-RC
RL
Yes 0 238
893 923 1816
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
By Comparison
ECNLClubs
USDAClubs
USCSMembers(Estimated)
US Youth Soccer Members(Rounded)
Region I 18 (27%) 24 (31%) ~80,000 (30%) ~1,050,000 (33%)
Region II 12 (18%) 14 (18%) ~50,000 (19%) ~633,000 (21%)
Region III 14 (21%) 23 (29%) ~50,000 (19%) ~658,000 (22%)
Region IV 22 (33%) 17 (22%) ~90,000 (33%) ~675,000 (23%)
66 78 ~270,000 ~3,017,000
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
State Leagues National Landscape
Conservatively…
250 Teams per State x
55 State Associations ~14,000 Teams
STATE LEAGUER-I R-II R-III R-IV Totals
Connecticut Indiana Alabama ArizonaMaine Iowa Arkansas California-North
New York-East Michigan Louisiana ColoradoPennsylvania-West North Dakota Mississippi Montana
West Virginia Ohio-North North Carolina OregonWisconsin Oklahoma UtahMinnesota South Carolina Washington
Tennessee WyomingTexas-South
Georgia
5 7 10 8 3033% 50% 83% 57% 55%
NO STATE LEAGUER-I R-II R-III R-IV Totals
Delaware Illinois Florida AlaskaMaryland Kansas Texas-North California-South
Massachusetts Kentucky HawaiiNew Hampshire Missouri Idaho
New Jersey Nebraska NevadaNew York-West Ohio-South New Mexico
Pennsylvania- East South DakotaRhode Island
VermontVirginia10 7 2 6 25
67% 50% 17% 43% 45%
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*Includes State Association Leagues and State Association Designated Leagues
US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
National League Potential?
Boys & Girls Boys & Girls Boys & Girls
4 Teams/State 6 Teams/State 8 Teams/StateU-13 (440) (660) (880)U-14 440 660 880U-15 440 660 880
U-16 440 660 880
U-17 440 660 880
U-18 440 660 880
Totals 2200 3300 4400
Boys & Girls Boys & Girls
4 Teams/Region 8 Teams/Region
2 Divisions x 8 4 Divisions x 8
U-15 32 64
U-16 32 64
U-17 32 64
Totals 96 192
Regional Leagues
National League
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
National Championship Series Wild-Cards
The Wild Card Concept
� Top Teams Need/Value Opportunities to Advance � One Loss and Out / Back Door Qualification
(League vs Cup Format / 4-team brackets with QF vs SF)
� Regional Leagues to Regional Championships� National League to National Championship
� Halted rise of Super-Y � Has kept US Youth Soccer in the Elite level – For Now!
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
National Championship Series Evolution
Year Competitions (Final Four)
1935 B-19
1976 B-16 + B-19
1980 G-19 + B-16 + B-19
1985 G-16 + B/G-16 + B-19
1991 B/G-17 + B/G-16 + B/G-19
1994 B/G-18 + B/G-16 + B/G-17 + B/G-19
2001 B/G-14 + B/G-15 + B/G-16 + B/G-17 + B/G-18 + B/G-19
2009 National League Wild Cards (2) for U-15 + U-16 + U-17
?? National League Wild Cards (4) for U-15 + U-16 + U-17
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
National League Integration with National Championship Series
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
National Championship SeriesRegional /National League Wild-Cards
States Per Region
Regional League Wild Cards
RC Odds1/16
RLOdds
NL Odds1/8
Region I 15
1U-15 through U-17
Best Teams
6%(5 games)
1/16 6%
(9 games)
13%(7 games)
Region II 14
2 U-15 through U-17
Best Teams
6%(5 games)
2/16-20 10%
(10 games)
13%(7 games)
Region III12
4U-15 through U-17
Geographical Winners
6%(6 games)
4/30-36 11%
(8 games)
13%(7 games)
Region IV14
2U-15 through U-17
Best Teams
6%(6 games)
2/25 8%
(11 games)
13%(7 games)
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Stand-Alone US Youth Soccer National League Championship
35
US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Solving the 16-Team Bracket?NL Showcase Event
Four Games in Five Days
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Consol.Finaland
4th Round
SemiFinalsand
3rd Round
QuarterFinalsand
2nd Round
Out-of-RegionSemi-Blind
Draw
QuarterFinalsand
2nd Round
SemiFinalsand
3rd Round
Champ.Finaland
4th Round
Sunday Saturday Thursday Wednesday Thursday Saturday Sunday
A vs I A (1) vs E (0) A (1) vs C (0) A (2) vs B (3) B (3) vs D (1) B (1) vs F (0) B vs P
E vs M I (2) vs M (1) E (2) vs G (1) C (0) vs D (1) F (2) vs H (1) J (2) vs P (3) D vs N
C vs K C (2) vs G (1) I (4) vs K (3) E (1) vs F (1) PK’s J (4) vs L (2) D (2) vs H (1) F vs J
G vs O K (1) vs O (0) M (2) vs O (0) G (2) vs H (5) N (1) vs P (4) L (2) vs N (3) H vs L
I (0) vs J (2)
K (3) vs L (4)
M (1) vs N (1) PK’s
O (1) vs P (3)
Top Eight (future) Seeds Determined by Point Totals
US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
National League Operating Principles
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Transparency
The most important consideration in the creation of a US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure is
qualification Transparency.
Admission by committee undermines the fundamental need for elite teams to compete on a level playing field.
To establish and maintain credibility, the qualification and subsequent movement of teams between levels must be
determined by Results on the field.
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Promotion and Relegation
The US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure integrates state, regional and national levels,
based on performance.
Promotion and Relegation is the accepted international norm for the organization of soccer leagues at all levels.
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Player and Team Advancement
Pyramid structures naturally filter the better players towards the most competitive levels.
Pyramid structures naturally serve to ability-match teams.
Pyramid structures clearly differentiate Performance from Marketing.
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Club Carding
Players Register to a Club, not a team.
The restrictive US Youth Soccer National Championship Series Roster Rules have been rendered obsolete by the
evolution of our youth soccer competitors.
Examples…National Inequities in Roster Formation
Roster InflexibilityNo Provision for Injured Players
No Provision for National Team Call-Ups Cup-Tied Definition
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
NCS Roster Deadlines
Round Current Base Roster (+/- 5)
Suggested Roster Freeze
State Championship 1st League GameAugust / September?April / May?
1st NCS-SC GameState-by-State
Regional Championship 1st League GameAugust / September?April / May?
1st NCS-RC GameJune
National Championship 1st League GameAugust / September?April / May?
1st NCS-NC GameJuly
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Cup-Tied
A player is cup-tied only..
� Within an “age group” when playing for the same club within the NCS.
� When competing for another club within the NCS.
� A Transfer is only cup-tied when they have played for another club in the NCS.
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Registration
The use of standard electronic processes (on-line registration, academy rostering, game rosters, tournament
rosters, player movement, marketing potential, ODP, coaching education, risk management, etc.,) must evolve to advance US Youth Soccer into the soccer-digital age.
A single National Registration System is essential.
Club Registration is essential.
Roster Flexibility is essential.
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Roster Size
The maximum game roster is 18 players.
The eligible pool of players for any game or event is determined by the number of age-appropriate players
registered to the club.
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Earned Status
Clubs qualify a team – not a roster - from season-to-season, or from year-to-year.
As a general operating practice, the national league’s member clubs retain their earned status at any level until
relegated or removed for disciplinary reasons.
This philosophy protects against player or team recruiting and accommodates the realities of losing players to the
Development Academy (eliminate 51% Rule).
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Substitution Rules
Until the national and regional level schedules provide for no more than one game per day and no more than three
games followed by a rest day, No Re-entry Per Half (NR/H) is the national standard for elite level competition.
NCS Regional League ODP Inter-Regionals
Region I NR/H NR/H FIFA-7
Region II NR/H NR/H ODP Regional Camp
Region III Unlimited Unlimited NR/H
Region IV NR/H NR/H
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
College Recruiting
Identification with college showcase events is a critical pressure for the top club teams.
Create Event(s)Build a College Database
Make Events Coach FriendlyManage the Quality of the Competitions
Manage the Quality of the Events
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Showcase Events
Fall (Thanksgiving) + National League Weekends
ODP Inter-Regional EventBoys and Girls
U14 / U15 / U16 / U17
National League Teams (Boys / Girls)
Regional League Teams (Priority to Best Placed)
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Coaching Education Standards
The quality of the coach is the most significant factor in the development trajectory of the aspiring soccer player.
Level Minimum Coaching Qualification
Projected Timeline
State Leagues D License 2012 / 2013 Season
Regional Leagues B License 2016 / 2017 Season
National League B License 2016 / 2017 Season
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Coaching Education Standards
Initial QualificationEstablished
Final Qualification Established
National League Yes (~100% / ?) No
Region I PL No No
Region II MRL Yes (89% / 50%) No
Region III PL No No
Region IV FWPL No No
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Governance and Administration
Professional CommissionerRegional Managers
Coaching Representation (Membership)Digital Support
One Set of Playing Rules One Set of Administrative Rules
52
US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
ODP Scouting Network
ODP is Primarily a National Team Identification Process.
ODP is Secondarily a Player Development Experience.
ODP is a Significant College Recruiting Program.
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
ODP Scouting Network
The national league structure must integrate with state and regional and national ODP programs to identify players not competing in the US Soccer Development Academy (assuming boys and eventually girls) and
provide national and international experiences of value.
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
ODP Funding
Geographically, incorporating more teams into the national league pyramid reduces travel costs, increases
local rivalries, and provides avenues for aspiring clubs to compete.
The upper tiers of the NL have the potential to accommodate ~4000 teams and provide for more varied
competition amongst clubs.
An ODP player surcharge is one solution to the rising cost of funding Regional / National ODP.
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Referees and Referee Development
The national league structure provides a natural opportunity to integrate referee training and development
programs at all levels.
The national league structure must enforce international standards for limited sideline coaching and strive to
eliminate player and referee abuse.
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
A Thought in Closing…
Mission Statement
US Youth Soccer is a non-profit and educational organization whose mission is to foster the physical, mental and emotional growth and development of America's youth
through the sport of soccer at all levels of age and competition.
US Youth Soccer values soccer as the “The Game for All Kids”
We are in danger of becoming “The Game for All but the Best Kids”
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Thank You For Your Interest In This Presentation.
Questions?Comments?Criticisms?Witticisms?
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