Youth Soccer Levels in the U.S. Explained

Youth soccer in the U.S. has experienced significant changes over the past decade. But, let me tell you! It remains a highly confusing and fragmented system.

Where town travel used to rule the soccer scene, soccer clubs have advanced to support young athletes looking to play more competitively. 

With all the changes taking place in recent years, you may want answers. Here we go…

At the youth level, there are three dominant organizations: USYS, USSSA, and US Club Soccer. These soccer organizations have various leagues that they endorse and manage.

Choosing the right fit for your player is important to their overall development.

But, keep in mind that it’s fluid and you can always choose a different path at different stages of your soccer development. 

What is the U.S. Youth Soccer Pyramid?

In the U.S., the soccer pathway builds up as a pyramid at various levels and ages.  Here is the current breakdown for boys and girls youth soccer.

This is a general breakdown. The exact pathway will vary depending on a player’s soccer club and the area they are in.

Broken Down As (Tier / Boys / Girls)

1. Town Recreational Leagues
2. Town Travel Leagues
3. Youth Pre-Academy
4. NPL, USYS National League, Elite Academy, USL
5. National Academy League, GA Rising, ECNL Regional Leagues, MLS NEXT Tier 2
6. Development Player League (DPL) and ECNL Boys
7. Girls Academy (GA) or Elite National Club League (ECNL) Girls and MLS Next

Organizations of Youth Soccer in the U.S.

Because soccer has evolved, various organizations now sanction different levels. Let’s take a look at the sanctioning bodies in the U.S. 

United States Sports Specialty Association (USSSA): A non-profit entity whose mission is to develop and expand the game of soccer in the U.S. The USSSA has been affiliated with U.S. Soccer since 2001. It now sanctions the Development Player League (DPL) and Elite Academy League (EA). 

U.S. Youth Soccer (USYS): The nation’s largest youth sports organization, the USYS registers nearly 3 million soccer players and 10,000 clubs annually. They sanction multiple levels for boys and girls soccer including the MLS Next (in partnership with MLS), GA, and National League Conferences. 

U.S. Club Soccer: A national organization and member of the U.S. Soccer Federation, U.S. Soccer Club works to develop and support soccer clubs in the U.S. They endorse ECNL, ECNL Regional Leagues, NPL, and ENPL. 

What Are The Pathways for Youth Soccer in the United States?

Here is a breakdown and summary of each youth soccer club level.

Youth Academy

Most soccer clubs in your region will offer some type of youth academy soccer. From U8 through U10, these teams are more competitive than town travel and typically provide more advanced coaching. That is not always the case but you typically move from a volunteer coach to a salaried coach. 

Clubs are always looking for a bigger pool of youth players at this level to help identify talent at a younger age. 

This is often the stage where athletes can still play other sports, but the path becomes more focused for those committed to soccer.

National Premier League (NPL)

The NPL is sanctioned by U.S. Club Soccer and clubs can participate if they have teams in every age group. The NPL offers Showcase events and a playoff system for the top teams in each NPL member league. 

National League Conferences: Premier I is the top tier of the NLC, organized by region. In many cases, there is also a secondary division known as Premier II.

ECNL Regional Leagues (ECNRL)

The ECNRL was developed to improve coordination and collaboration between teams of different levels within the same ECNL club. ECNRL is typically limited to playing teams in their region, whereas ECNL teams play nationally. 

Development Player League (DPL)

DPL is an all-girls national league providing an elite competition for top youth soccer clubs in the U.S. Their motto is “To develop the player and empower the person in a purposeful and memorable environment.” 

The league is designed to bridge the gap between high-level regional competitions and the top-tier national leagues like the ECNL.

National Academy League (NAL)

The National Academy League is another newly formed league that almost feels like a takeover of ECNL in the east. Many clubs have made the switch to the competitive league. It’s only in its infancy but has shown a lot of promise to succeed as a top-level league in the U.S. 

Starting in the fall of 2025, many NAL teams will compete as part of the MLS NEXT Tier 2 program.

Elite Clubs National League (ECNL)

Originally formed specifically for girls, ECNL has expanded to include a competitive boy’s program as well. Each club member must maintain a high standard for facilities and coaching. 

ECNL is one of the most innovative youth soccer leagues in the U.S. and most large soccer organizations are part of it. 

Girls Academy (GA)

Sanctioned by the USYS, the GA was formed to replace Girls DA and aims to develop female players for college soccer and possibly the women’s National Team. 

In the winter of 2024, the GA and MLS NEXT announced a strategic partnership (read more here). In my opinion, this partnership is unlikely to change the structure of the two leagues. Players, coaches, and parents will likely not notice any significant impact.

MLS NEXT

Formerly known as the Development Academy (DA), MLS Next is the highest level for boys’ soccer teams. Starting at U13, MLS Next is affiliated with Major League Soccer (MLS) and can be a pathway for their respective professional teams.

Within MLS NEXT, there are MLS Academies (such as Philadelphia Union and Inter Miami) and non-MLS Academies (all other clubs). These teams compete within their respective regions, while also facing teams from outside their regions at national showcases like Fest and Flex.

Starting in the fall of 2025, MLS NEXT will have a second tier.

Middle School & High School Soccer

How does middle school and high school soccer fit into the club soccer landscape? I don’t think it does.

Playing for your school fits outside of the pathway of club soccer. With many leagues and teams to choose from, school soccer is supplemental for those players who choose to play. 

With that said, many players opt not to play for their schools because the top leagues have better competition. In addition, club soccer typically goes almost year-round while school soccer is only a fall sport. 

Those players that decide to play for their school usually join a club team for the winter and spring seasons.

What is the Best Pathway for a Youth Soccer Player?

Choosing the right club and league can be challenging, especially when considering how serious and committed your soccer player is. At younger ages, it’s often best to keep options open and allow for flexibility in their development.

Each of the above has its pros and cons. For example, the MLS Next pathway requires a good amount of travel. Players can sometimes be required to travel 5-6 hours for a single game in a fall or spring season. And, fly across the country to attend a MLS Next Fest Showcase. But, players are getting coached and competing at the highest level. 

You should consistently gauge your child’s interest in competitive soccer.

Players sometimes lose their passion when the games become more competitive. In these situations, it could be best to stick to town travel or a school team.

Not only should you consider your player’s needs and desires but take into account your family’s unique situation.

Club soccer in the U.S. can get expensive and the time commitment can be taxing on some families. Weigh out all the options before committing to a soccer club.

Remember, your kid probably won’t turn pro. Some kids will play college. But, all kids should have the opportunity to have fun playing the game of soccer!