USYS Minnesota

US Youth Soccer National League & Conferences

OVERVIEW

The US Youth Soccer (USYS) National League is designed for the nation’s top teams in the 13U through 19U boys and girls age groups, offering additional exposure to collegiate, professional and U.S. National Team coaches, as well as highly competitive games. 

The National League operates three tiers of league competition, with options for both club-based and team-based leagues in the 13U-19U age groups. Additionally, National League Futures programming is available to the 9U-12U age groups.

Minnesota teams participate in both the Midwest & Great Lakes Conference depending on the team gender and age group.

It is a MYSA policy that Minnesota National League teams are required to participate in Minnesota State Cup or Minnesota Presidents Cup.

HelpFul Links

National League CONFERENCES
National league requirements
USYS National League Website
Midwest Conference Website
Great Lakes Conference website

Elite 64

  • Highest level of club-centric programming (i.e., Each club has a team in 13U, 14U, 15U, 16U, 17U & 19U age groups)
  • Geographically-based divisions
  • Yearly club evaluation and hosting standards
  • Qualification for National League Quarterfinals (national event)
  • Pathway to the National Championships

Premier 1

  • Highest level of team-centric programming
  • Geographically-based divisions
  • Promotion and relegation between tiers, if applicable
  • Qualification for National League Quarterfinals (national event)
  • Pathway to the National Championships

Elite 64 Regional League

  • Second level of club-centric programming (i.e., Each club has a team in 13U, 14U, 15U, 16U, 17U & 19U age groups)
  • Geographically-based divisions
  • Yearly club evaluation and hosting standards (for promotion into Tier 1)
  • May have qualification to National League Quarterfinals (national events)
  • May offer pathway to the National Championships
  • Opportunity for cross-divisional events

Premier 2

  • Second level of team-centric programming
  • Geographically-based divisions
  • Promotion and relegation between tiers, if applicable
  • May have qualification to National League Quarterfinals (national events)
  • May offer pathway to the National Championships

National League Qualifier

  • Ability to offer team-based and/or club-based programming within a state or other limited geographic area.
  • Alignment of standards and rules to National League
  • Opportunity for states to rebrand/create sanctioned leagues as National League Qualifiers
  • Promotion and relegation between tiers, if applicable

Futures

Programming for 9U-12U players

  • Strong emphasis on fun, localized league play
  • Maximize participation and inter-club collaboration
  • Alignment of standards and rules promoting the developmental needs of National League Futures players
  • Opportunity for current leagues to rebrand 9U-12U divisions as National League Futures
  • Opportunities for in-state or cross-state events/festivals with common branding
  • Club performance in National League Futures provides evaluation for appropriate placement into National League Tier 1, 2 or 3 for 13U age group.

Conferences

MYSA belongs to two conferences depending on age group. Within each conference, teams are placed into tiers: Premier I (highest tier), Premier II or First Division.

Participating teams must be highly committed as they are required to travel across the Midwest over several weekends during their respective seasons.

Midwest Conference

  • 13U–14U Boys & Girls
  • Boys 15U–19U
  • Fall and Spring seasons

Great Lakes Conference

  • 15U–19U Girls
  • Spring season only for states with fall high school soccer

National League Requirements

Teams who wish to enter National League Conferences are required to be registered with MYSA and played in a previous season (MYSA Fall, MYSA Summer or USYS National League Conference).

It is a MYSA policy that Minnesota National League teams are required to participate Minnesota State Cup or Minnesota Presidents Cup. 

Joining National League

Updated August 1, 2024

Aspiring USYS National League teams may try to enter the league at any age group, however, the application or acceptance process and requirements vary in each age group.

Once teams are accepted into the National League, they will be subject to promotion/relegation between the three tiers: Premier I, Premier II, and First Division.

MYSA teams may play in the National League from 13U Spring-19U Spring. Teams must apply to participate in National League every year 

NATIONAL LEAGUE APPLICATION

All teams that wish to play in the National League must apply each season, typically in June for the Fall and July/August for the Spring. All interested teams must be endorsed by MYSA. Additionally, the National League requires MYSA to rank these teams based on past performance.

Teams will be endorsed and ranked based on various metrics including but not limited to their past performance in MYSA leagues, State Cups, and other events.

Accepted teams will retain their status for the following season as long as teams do not finish in the bottom two of their National League Conference.