Charleston, SC & Plano, TX (April 24, 2026)
US Club Soccer and US Youth Soccer, in conjunction with the South Texas Champions League and the South Texas Youth Soccer Association, are clarifying the National 1 League competition pathway for the 2026-27 season and their intentions for defined pathways in the future.
South Texas Champions League, which operates East and West Divisions within its competition, is an approved National 1 League operator in the inaugural 2026-27 season. One of the strengths of the N1 platform is its connectivity in the youth soccer ecosystem, inclusive of the ECNL Regional League, as well as localized competition and state associations. To that effect, US Club Soccer and US Youth Soccer are committed to defining pathways into National 1 League from those local competitions and state associations, regardless of membership affiliation.
This includes the Western District Designated Operators Association (WDDOA) and Eastern District Players League (EDPL) and creating a potential pathway into N1 for the 2027-28 season. Pathways are an important way to grow the game and create clarity for parents and families. US Club Soccer and US Youth Soccer wish all these leagues and entities well over the remainder of this season, the 2026-27 season and beyond, and are always supportive of collaborative efforts – nationally, regionally and locally.
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