[Updated: 12/19/2011]

Midwest Regional League Coaching License Requirements

[7.15 Team Coaches – Licensing Requirement]

All Midwest Regional League (MRL) team coaches must hold a minimum USSF “D” license or equivalent. Beginning in the 2013-2014 season, all coaches must hold a minimum USSF “C” license or equivalent.

[excerpt below taken from the MYSA Policies & Rules Manual]

Midwest teams, boys and girls U14 through U18, are eligible to enter the Midwest Regional Leagues (MRL) based upon guidelines set down by the MRL Commission or governing body. The MRL is comprised of highly competitive teams from all states in US Youth Soccer Region II.

There may be instances where teams compete in the MRL, but do not participate in another MYSA state run league. In the event these teams wish inclusion into MYSA state run leagues, the Competitive Committee will determine league placement. The team roster playing in MRL must match at least 75% of the MYSA league team roster or the club gives up their MYSA slot/status. Competing at the MRL level does not in itself dictate placement into the MYSA Premier Leagues.

Note: MRL consists of two levels, Premier and Division I. Team placement will be decided by the Region II MRL Technical Committee after receiving all applications from each National State Association.

The Midwest Regional League (MRL) mission is to provide the highest standard of competitive play for youth teams in US Youth Soccer Region II (the Midwest Region) and to assure the continued growth and development of elite level players. The MRL features competition in five Age Groups (U14, U15, U16, U17, and U18) for both Boys and Girls. Two seasons are offered—Fall and Spring. Based on the number of teams in an Age Group, Premier and First Divisions are offered. Teams earn spots in the Premier Division by qualifying through their play in MRL competition. Within the Premier and First Division, sub-divisions may also be formed. A promotion and relegation system has been adopted ensuring that success on the field results in teams participating at the highest levels of the MRL. Teams in the Premier Division compete for the two Wild Card slots that are available in each age group at the US Youth Soccer Midwest Regional Championships. Each year, more than 100 MRL teams participate in the Midwest Regional Championships as either state cup champions or as MRL wild card entries. In essence, the MRL is an extension of elite team competition for US Youth Soccer affiliated teams in Region II situated between the US Youth Soccer National League and the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association Premier League.

• Minnesota teams interested in participating in the MRL can contact Ranae Orr at the MYSA office for a login and password to register online.
• Team Registration Deadlines: Fall 2011 (July 1, 2011) | Summer 2012 (November 9, 2011).
• Teams participating in the MRL must have competed in their state association's State Cup during the previous year in order to be eligible.

A Minnesota team registers via the MRL website using the online application. The Minnesota MRL Committee will review the application to ensure that the information provided online is accurate and correct. The MRL Committee will either approve the application or contact the team administrator. Once the registration deadline closes, each state director of coaching will rank the teams based on the performance of the team and the caliber of players on the roster, this is done by Minnesota State Director of Coaching. The MRL Technical Committee (a select group of state coaching directors) will determine which teams will play in the Premier Division and First Division. Per MRL rules, a maximum of eight (8) teams per age group per gender may be recommended by each state association to the MRL for each season of play.

Roberta Kruse is the Minnesota Representative to the Midwest Regional League. If you have any questions you can contact her at mysacomp@mnyouthsoccer.org or Ranae Orr, MYSA staff representative, at ranaeorr@mnyouthsoccer.org or 952-933-2384 (800-366-6972).

For more information regarding the league, please go to www.midwestregionalleague.com

* = teams are in the MRL Premer Division, all others are in the MRL First Division.