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Q: What is the Youth Premier Soccer League (YPSL) A: The YPSL is the official youth league of the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) and the men’s National Premier Soccer League (NPSL). Both leagues feature players from some of the nation’s top collegiate soccer programs as well as internationals and former professional players who have regained their amateur status. Q: What makes the YPSL different to other summer soccer options? A: Structure, development and exclusivity. The structure of YPSL league play is three games per weekend. These are structured so teams can travel on Saturday mornings, play one game on the Saturday afternoon, then one game early on Sunday, and one at Sunday lunchtime before travelling home Sunday afternoon at a reasonable time. Unlike tournaments that require accommodation at certain hotels, with early Saturday games necessitating multiple nights in hotels, this structure guarantees three quality games per weekend with a maximum of one night away. The development opportunities to YPSL players are unique, given the adult senior teams that exist at their own club. As well as having a natural development progression through to their senior team, all players at each YPSL weekend get free tickets to a WPSL or NPSL game of the host club on the Saturday evening, offering a first-hand exhibition of top-level soccer from outstanding role-model players, led by some of the top coaches in the country. YPSL entrance is exclusively for youth programs of organizations who are members of either the WPSL or NPSL. League memberships are not bought and sold to saturate and dilute the quality of the league. As territories from both leagues typically extend to a 40 mile radius, this means that each YPSL program has the opportunity to build a strong representative team from their area. Q: Who can enter teams in the YPSL? A: Membership in the YPSL is strictly limited to the youth programs of organizations who are members in good standing of either the WPSL or NPSL. For the inaugural 2008 season, competition will be offered in three double age groups (U12, U14, and U16) for both genders, although U11, U13 and U15 teams can also compete by playing up.

Q: When do YPSL games take place? A: The season runs mid-June to late July. Each festival weekend will consist of three games for each team, one on Saturday and two on Sunday. Weekends are hosted by a WPSL or NPSL organization with each weekend’s competition being capped by a match by the host organization’s senior team. Q: Why another summer league? A: Existing summer soccer options do not reflect the best interests of youth soccer players, so there is a need for something combining the best elements of each. While there are a number of options available to players who wish to play through the summer, they all have significant flaws, and that there is a need for something combining the best elements of each. Some regional leagues require considerable travel to play one game at a time, often including weekday evenings, with games as early as March. This huge travel commitment for limited game play is clearly not an efficient use of time, as well as conflicting with club teams. It is also unhelpful for player development, as some players inevitably travel considerable distances for limited time in individual games. Another typical summer offering is a tournament package, which typically involves competition against the same teams each week, often at the same central venues, sometimes playing five or six games in a weekend, culminating with tired and dehydrated players playing ‘showpiece’ finals late on Sunday. The YPSL lends itself to player development within a genuinely regional competition, offering more playing opportunities per weekend against different teams from across the region in a festival environment. These are packaged with sensible travel to varied central locations. YPSL rules and structure are defined by the teams, not imposed by the league, resulting in a new and exciting structure to summer play, better reflecting an ideal opportunity for players and families.

Q: Is the YPSL a sanctioned league? A: Yes. The league is sanctioned through US Club Soccer. Q: Will the YPSL interfere with my year-round club team? A: No. The league runs in June and July only, creating no conflict for year round travel teams. The league play-offs also finish in plenty of time for high school aged players to get a break before official pre-season training starts. Q: Do players in the league have access to development and progression to the national level through an identification program? A: Yes. Players in the YPSL are part of the US Club Soccer id2 program. ODP is not the only avenue for player identification, and ODP Program participation numbers and budgets dictate that key players with potential may be overlooked. In addition, some players cannot afford the expense or time involved. Other non-competitive issues are sometimes factored into the selection process as well. US Club Soccer has revolutionized the way the country’s top youth players are identified and developed with the id2 program. The program takes a fresh approach to identifying and developing the nation’s best players. Unlike ODP, parents do not have to assume the expense of multiple costly tryout camps (that also remove players from their club programs for significant periods of time) to ensure their players are seen by id2 scouts. id2 identifies players in their own environment as they compete with their club teams. Players are identified regardless of their affiliation (i.e. US Club Soccer, USYSA, AYSO, non-affiliated, etc.). Q: This sounds like a great opportunity - how can I find my local YPSL team? A: Look through the list of competing clubs, and contact the club closest to you. If you are unsure, contact the league at 609-272-9232.