YPSL

YOUTH PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE (YPSL)

The YPSL is the official youth league of the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL). Competition is offered in three double age groups (U111/12, U-13/14, U-15/16). The season runs mid-June to late July, creating no conflict for year round travel teams. Games are held in a ”festival” weekend consisting of three games. Weekends are hosted by a WPSL organization. 

The YPSL provides a great opportunity for the Mutiny to develop local talent for inclusion on the senior team and prepare them for collegiate and professional opportunities through our vast network. The goal is to dramatically increase the level of play by having players from outlying communities such as Hamden and Hampshire counties and the Northern district of Connecticut.

As well as having a natural development progression through the Mutiny, all players at each YPSL weekend get free tickets to a WPSL game of the host club, offering a first-hand exhibition of top-level soccer from outstanding role models, led by some of the top coaches in the country. YPSL entrance is exclusively for members of the WPSL or NPSL. This ensures that the quality of the league is not diluted.

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. 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 counter-productive 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 offering more playing opportunities per weekend against different teams. These are packaged with sensible travel to varied central locations. The league provides a new and exciting structure to summer play, better reflecting an ideal opportunity for players and families.

The league is sanctioned through US Club Soccer, a direct affiliate of the United States Soccer Federation. Players in the YPSL are part of the 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. id2 scouts identify players in their own environment as they compete with their club teams.

If you are interested in more information or to try-out for the New England Mutiny’s YPSL teams then contact us at info@mutinysoccer.com. For more on the YPSL, visit: http://www.youthpremiersoccerleague.com/