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Youth Soccer In the US

Navigating the world of competitive soccer is difficult, especially if you are unfamiliar with the landscape.  With a little guidance, we will try to help you understand the largest governing bodies for competitive soccer in the United States - United States Youth Soccer (USYS) and United States Club Soccer (US Club).

It is important to understand that both US Youth and US Club fall under US Soccer. US Soccer is the official governing body of soccer in the United States as recognized by soccer's international governing body, FIFA.

US YOUTH SOCCER  

Mission - US Youth Soccer is a non-profit and educational organization whose mission is to make soccer the preeminent youth sport in the United States. 

Their membership is divided into four regions: EastMidwestSouth and West. 55 member State Associations make up US Youth Soccer with one in each state, and two in California, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas. Boys and girls then register to play with one of the 10,000+ clubs or leagues within the jurisdiction of the various Member State Associations.

US CLUB SOCCER 

Mission - US Club Soccer will foster the growth and development of soccer clubs throughout the United States to create the best possible development environment for players of all ages in every club.

US SOCCER DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY (DA) 

The U.S. Soccer Development Academy is one of the top tiers of youth soccer in the United States. Formed in 2007, the league features youth academies and youth clubs from various organizations. 
 
Mission - Is to the impact everyday club environment to develop world-class players. 

The Academy Program focuses on positively impacting everyday club environments to assist in maximizing youth player development across the country. The Academy values individual development of elite players over winning trophies and titles. The Academy sets the standard for elite environments for youth soccer clubs nationwide and is a part of U.S. Soccer's global leadership position in youth soccer that will impact thousands of players.
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Where do you start? 

For players, teams and clubs in PA West we have limited competitive options locally. This makes it important that we collaborate to provide the best opportunities for players in our area to limit travel and expenses, especially at younger ages. Top players and teams from the area will need to travel to find competition but if we work together we can delay at what age this travel needs to begin.
 
In your local club you have the opportunity to participate at the following levels of the game, below are those through PA West but Parks Departments, YMCA's, AYSO and SAY clubs also offer recreational opportunities. 

  
MDU was created to provide talented, committed players a consistent competitive soccer opportunity at an affordable price. At U13 we enter teams directly into Classic Div. 3 and then our teams move up from there.  Once teams have advanced to the top of Classic Div. 1 PA West offers a Regional Multi-State League. For us we start in the Great Lakes Conference. 


The US Youth Soccer National League Great Lakes Conference is one of 13 Conferences under the US Youth Soccer National Leagues Program in the Multi-State Tier. The Great Lakes Conference consists of teams primarily from New York West, Pennsylvania West, West Virginia, Ohio North, Ohio South, Indiana and Kentucky. The top teams in the Conference will earn advancement to the US Youth Soccer Regional Championships, part of the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series, as well as a chance to earn a coveted spot in the National Tier of the Leagues Program, the US Youth Soccer National League. 

If you want to play in ECNL or the DA what are your options in this area? 


 
EPYSA 
 
 DA

FC DELCO
  
West Chester, PA
 
Boys Only 
  
EPYSA 
 
DA
 
Lehigh Valley United
  
Whitehall, PA
 
Boys Only
  
EPYSA 
 
DA
 
PA Classics
  
Manheim, PA
 
Boys and Girls 
  
EPYSA 
 
DA
 
Penn Fusion Soccer Academy
  
West Chester, PA
 
Girls Only
  
EPYSA 
 
DA
 
Philadelphia Union
  
Wayne, PA
 
Boys Only
  
EPYSA 
 
ECNL
 
Continental FC
 
Northeastern - Girls 
Northeastern - Boys 
 
Downingtown, Pennsylvania
 
Boys and Girls 
  
EPYSA 

ECNL
 
FC Bucks 
 
Northeastern - Girls 
Northeastern - Boys
 
Newtown, PA
 
Boys and Girls
  
PA West
 
ECNL
 
Pittsburgh Riverhounds
 
Ohio Valley - Girls 
Midwest - Boys
 
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 
 
Boys and Girls 
  
EPYSA
 
ECNL
 
Penn Fusion Soccer Academy
  
Northeastern
 
West Chester, PA
 
Boys Only