Every parent wants to see their child achieve their wildest dreams and highest aspirations. For many kids, that means playing professional, college, or other high-level soccer. While these are great goals, how do you, as a parent, know if your child is on the right pathway to attain these goals? The best starting point is knowing what youth soccer level your child is currently competing at.
If your coach has told you that your child will be competing at the GCF, EDP, or FSPL level, your reaction has probably been similar to “Wow, that’s fantastic!… But what on earth does that mean?”
These leagues can often sound like a foreign language, but knowing what they mean is not nearly as important as knowing where they rank in relation to other leagues at the regional, state, and national levels. Knowing where they rank will help you, as a parent, understand how close they are to reaching high-level competition.
Top Tier National Leagues for Youth Soccer
1. MLS Next
MLS Next is the highest level a male youth soccer player can play at. MLS Next is a national league that offers the best pathway if you are looking to play for an MLS club or academy team. Participating at this level will offer excellent exposure to pro clubs from across the country that are looking to recruit young, talented players.
The reason is MLS clubs will look first to pull players up from their own academies and internal franchise teams. After all, they know these players have received top-tier coaching and have been coached under their respective development pathways.
2. ECNL (Elite Clubs National League)
ECNL (Elite Clubs National League) is the next highest soccer league for boys and the highest national level for girls. This is an excellent route for players looking to bring their soccer talents to the college level.
The ECNL level provides great exposure to college through their national showcases, regional competitions, and high-level tournaments. Players who compete at this level are in an excellent position to gain exposure to college coaches from all over the country.
3. USYS (United States Youth Soccer)
USYS (US Youth Soccer) is a national organization that encompasses a group of clubs that are already affiliated with their respective state leagues (i.e., FSPL). While this association acts more as a governing body for a collective of leagues, the key takeaway from this league is USYS’s Elite 64 and National P.R.O. leagues and tournaments. There is a unique pathway within USYS that is different for each state.
In Florida, a newer or mid-level club will more than likely begin with GCF or FYSA league play. From there, they may then apply to compete at the FSPL level. If a team finds success there, they can then qualify for the National League Conference. Finishing as or near the top team at the NLC level will produce a very high likelihood for consideration in the National League P.R.O. and Elite 64 levels.
While these programs are great for high-level competition, they offer lower exposure to college and professional programs due to the inconsistent quality throughout different regions. However, this is a great goal to reach for those looking for premier player development at a more affordable option when compared to ECNL.
Mid Tier Regional Leagues
In order to play at the national level successfully, it is best for a youth soccer player to find success at the state/regional level first
5. FSPL (Florida State Premier League)
FSPL (Florida State Premier League) offers elite competition to the top teams within Florida outside of the ECNL, MLS Next, and other national premier leagues. The highest-ranked club soccer teams in Florida compete at this level, battling for the chance to play in the USYS National League.
6. EDP (Elite Development Program)
EDP (Elite Development Program) is next on the list. Teams in this league play in the Midwest and Eastern Atlantic regions. Teams in this league hope to qualify for USYS’s National Championship series and National League P.R.O. High-level teams often use the EDP league as a stepping stone to reach the national platform. The EDP league has a series of tiered divisions that range from local and regional play to competing across the country in their national league conferences. While not as high as divisions like MLS Next and ECNL, college exposure can still happen at this level with NAIA, D3, and even some D2 schools recruiting from some of EDP’s showcase and combine events.
Foundational Tier Local Leagues
7. GCF (Greater Central Florida Soccer League)
GCF (Greater Central Florida Soccer League) is an excellent choice for beginner-level clubs, new teams, or teams still in development. Clubs in GCF use this as an intro to competitive travel soccer to help kids get acquainted with the demands it requires. Players in this league receive very little college exposure, and, thus, this league should be treated as a stepping stone for more serious players or youth teams. GCF typically fields U12 and below age groups. Players wishing to play at a competitive level ought to look for programs in the EDP or FSPL divisions.
8. Recreational Soccer
Recreational Soccer is best suited for those who are just starting in the sport or are just playing for fun! Recreational soccer is available for all age groups and should be looked at as a fun way to play the amazing sport. College attention is extremely minimal at this level, no matter the age group.
US Youth Soccer Progression Pathway
Finding where your child is placed on this pathway is key to understanding how they match up against their competition. The higher the level they can play at, the better their odds are of achieving their goals and dreams. Moving up in this ladder can be hard, but there are so many great tools available for helping them progress as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Training outside of mandated team practices is an absolute must if they hope to stand out against their opponents. Players should train on their own or with an experienced trainer multiple days a week to gain an absolute edge.
Every player has unique needs. Our Individual and Small Group Training sessions are built to sharpen those specific skills and boost progress faster than team practices alone. See how we tailor training to unlock your child’s full potential.
