The National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) is an American men's soccer league. The NPSL is a semi-professional league, comprising some teams that have paid players and some that are entirely amateur. The league is officially affiliated to the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) and has automatic qualification for the U.S. Open Cup. It is the successor of the Men's Premier Soccer League, a regional league originally based in the Western United States, which has now expanded nationwide to encompass teams from 29 states. The league's motto is "A National League with a Regional Focus".
 | |
| Founded | 2003 |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Confederation | U.S. Soccer |
| Divisions | 14 conferences in 4 regions |
| Number of teams | 92 |
| Domestic cup(s) | U.S. Open Cup |
| Current champions | Tulsa Athletic (1st title) |
| Most championships | Miami FC (2 titles) |
| TV partners | YouTube (online streaming) |
| Website | www |
| Current: 2023 NPSL season | |
Competition format
The National Premier Soccer League is divided into four separate regions (Northeast, South, Midwest, and West). Each region is divided into conferences with a varying number of teams per conference. The regular season runs from May to July with the exception of the West Region that has historically started in late March or early April.[1]
The NPSL currently has automatic berths in the U.S. Open Cup where they gain eligibility towards the CONCACAF Champions League.
History
The National Premier Soccer League began in 2003 as the Men's Premier Soccer League (MPSL) initially as an offshoot of the Women's Premier Soccer League, and marked the first instance of a women's soccer league spawning a men's league. The league's first two champions were the Arizona Sahuaros, who had defected to the MPSL from the USL D-3 Pro League, and the Utah Salt Ratz.
The league expanded into the Midwest in 2005 with the addition of several new teams and a new conference, and changed its name to National Premier Soccer League to reflect its new national footprint; a team from the expansion conference – Detroit Arsenal – won the league in its first year after its eastward expansion. The NPSL expanded further in 2007 with the addition of a new Northeast Conference and five new teams from the eastern United States. The first team from the East to win the national NPSL title was the Pennsylvania Stoners in 2008. The league has since continued to expand, adding more teams throughout the entirety of the country.
Since its inception, the league has managed to place at least one team actively playing under its banner into U.S. Open Cup competition. Though the showing of the NPSL in US Open Cup play was typically only one or two teams in its first six years, the 2009 and 2010 cups have seen four and three, respectively, NPSL teams in each tournament. The recent success of the NPSL in USASA qualifying has encouraged a movement by which the league could have automatic berths in the final tournament.[2] The furthest a team from the NPSL has reached in the US Open Cup during the professional era (1997 and onward after the entry of MLS teams) has been the third round. However, the Brooklyn Italians have won the US Open Cup outright before the existence of either MLS or the NPSL.
Although no team has ever won the league twice, the Miami FC camp has won the championship twice as a club. Its reserve team (Miami FC 2) won the 2018 title, and its first team (Miami FC) won the 2019 championship.
Status
Officially the USSF does not recognize formal levels of the soccer pyramid below the professional 3rd tier. The USSF does not officially recognize distinctions between amateur soccer leagues in the United States. However, the USASA sanctions affiliated, but separately run, national leagues that are recognized in practical terms as playing at a higher level than the USASA state association leagues; for example, they receive automatic berths to the US Open Cup. In November 2022, USASA announced it had established a Tier 1, which would be its top national tier. This designation would be based on financial stability and sustainability. After 20 years of association with USASA, NPSL would become their first Tier 1 league.[3]
The National Premier Soccer League attracts top amateur talent from around the United States. NPSL does not have any age limits or restrictions, thus incorporating both college players and former professional players alike.
Organization
The NPSL is organized in a mostly decentralized structure and is managed as a team-run league. Each year the member clubs help elect a chairman, treasurer, and secretary and an eight-member board of directors. Each team is individually owned and operated, and is responsible for maintaining league minimum standards. New teams seeking membership into the NPSL are subject to approval from an executive committee of existing team owners. Member clubs have the right to make localized decisions for their respective markets, conferences, and regions based on what they believe is best for their particular region. Each conference is managed by the individual member clubs and elects a conference commission each year.
The current chairman is Kenny Farrell of the New Orleans Jesters.[4]
The costs to join the league as of 2016 are reported to be a one-time $15,000 franchise fee and a $5,250 annual league fee.[5] The low entry fee compared to USL League Two's of $50,000 has made the league an attractive alternative to teams looking to compete at the highest level of amateur play.
The league requires that all teams play in stadiums with at least 500 seats, a scoreboard, and locker rooms with showers for both teams and officials. The home team is also responsible for providing water and food for the visiting team, ensuring there is a trainer or doctor on-site for the match, and paying the referees fees at the end of each game.
Sponsorship and partnerships
Mitre Sports International provided the official ball for the NPSL starting in 2014. Global Scarves began providing custom soccer scarves throughout the league, and worked with the NPSL on various events and contests to increase awareness and fervor throughout the 2014 NPSL season. Renegade GK, hummel, MyCujoo, Passage, Carbon Athletics, GCG Sports, Activate Canopy, and HomeLight are all listed as current business partners (2021).[6]
Teams
Current teams
| Team | City | Stadium | Founded | First NPSL Season | Head coach |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Region TBD | |||||
| Keystone East Conference | |||||
| Atlantic City FC | Galloway Township, New Jersey | Stockton University | 2017 | 2018 |  Alexis Mendoza |
| Jackson Lions FC | Toms River, New Jersey | Donovan Catholic High School | 2014 | 2022 | William Fraley |
| FC Monmouth | Red Bank, New Jersey | Count Basie Park | 2017 | 2018 |  John Killick |
| FC Motown | Madison, New Jersey | Ranger Stadium | 2012 | 2013 | Dilly Duka[7] |
| Philadelphia Union Development Squad[8] | Wayne, Pennsylvania | YSC Sports Complex | 2023 | 2023 |  Fred da Silva |
| West Chester Predators | West Chester, Pennsylvania | West Chester United Turf Field | 1976 | 2024 | Blaise Santangelo |
| Keystone West Conference | |||||
| Electric City Shock | Scranton, Pennsylvania | Fitzpatrick Field | 2013 | 2014 | James Bell |
| First State FC | Wilmington, Delaware | Abessinio Stadium | 2019 | 2020 |  Chibsah Faisal |
| Hershey FC | Hershey, Pennsylvania | Hershey High School Stadium | 2013 | 2013 | Dustin Bixler |
| Pennsylvania Classics | Manheim, Pennsylvania | Spooky Nook Sports Lancaster | 2004 | 2022 | |
| Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Ukrainian American Sport Center | 1950 | 2022 | |
| West Chester United SC | West Chester, Pennsylvania | Ciccarone Field | 1976 | 2017 | Blaise Santangelo |
| Mid-Atlantic Conference | |||||
| Alexandria Reds | Alexandria, Virginia | Limerick Field | 1970 | 2022 | |
| Alexandria Rough Diamonds | Washington, D.C. | Catholic University of America | 2016 | 2023 | |
| Annapolis Blues FC[9] | Annapolis, Maryland | Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium[10] | 2022 | 2023 | Colin Herriot[11] |
| DMV Elite FC | Bladensburg, Maryland | Bladensburg High School | 2022 | 2024 |  Gustavo Onaindia |
| FC Frederick | Frederick, Maryland | Thomas Athletic Field | 1986 | 2015 |  Chris Spinks |
| Grove Soccer United | Glen Allen, Virginia | Deep Run High School | 2021 | 2022 | |
| Virginia Beach City FC | Norfolk, Virginia | Powhatan Field | 2013 | 2014 |  Stéphane Thys |
| Virginia Dream FC | Falls Church, Virginia | Meridian High School | 2022 | 2023 | TBD |
| North Atlantic Conference | |||||
| Hartford City FC | Hartford, Connecticut | Trinity Health Stadium | 2015 | 2017 | Nick Balistierri |
| Kingston Stockade FC | Kingston, New York | Dietz Stadium | 2015 | 2016 | Jamal Lis-Simmons |
| New Jersey United AC | Holmdel, New Jersey | Roggy Field | 2024 | 2024 | Fernando Barboto |
| New York Shockers | Albany, New York | Afrim's Sports Park | 2021 | 2021 | Matt Esposito |
| Syracuse FC | Syracuse, New York | David W. Murphy Field | 2017 | 2017 | Matt Tantalo |
| Valeo FC | Newton, Massachusetts | Solomon Schechter Day School | 2008 | 2020 | Corlton Simmond |
| TBD Region | |||||
| Gulf Coast Sunshine Conference | |||||
| Columbus United | Columbus, Georgia | Kinnett Stadium | 2024 | ||
| Global Soccer Pathways | Naples, Florida | Community School of Naples | |||
| Jacksonville Armada U-23 | Jacksonville, Florida | Southern Oak Stadium | 2010 | 2016 |  Tommy Križanović |
| Miami Dutch Lions FC | Olympia Heights, Florida | Tropical Park Stadium | 2019 | 2020 | Robert Stoutenburg |
| Naples United FC | Naples, Florida | Fleischmann Park | 2017 | 2017 | Vicente Sandoval |
| New Orleans Jesters | New Orleans, Louisiana | Pan American Stadium | 2003 | 2013 |  Kenny Farrell |
| Pensacola FC | Pensacola, Florida | Ashton Brosnaham Stadium | 2013 | 2020 |  Dean Logan |
| Tallahassee SC | Tallahassee, Florida | Gene Cox Stadium | 2018 | 2020 | Josh Bruno |
| Lone Star Conference | |||||
| Austin United FC | Round Rock, Texas | Round Rock Multipurpose Sports Complex | 2017 | 2020 | |
| FC Brownsville | Brownsville, Texas | Brownsville Sports Park | 2018 | 2018 | |
| CF10 Houston FC | Katy, Texas | British International School of Houston | 2017 | 2018 | |
| Denton Diablos FC | Denton, Texas | Texas Woman's University | 2018 | 2019 |  Armando Pelaez |
| Fort Worth Vaqueros FC | Fort Worth, Texas | W.O. Barnes Memorial Stadium | 2014 | 2014 | Tony Merola |
| Laredo Heat SC | Laredo, Texas | Texas A&M International University Soccer Complex | 2004 | 2018 | Johnny Clifford |
| Lubbock Matadors SC | Lubbock, Texas | Lowrey Field at Plains Capital Park (2022) / Pirate Stadium at First United Park (2023) | 2021 | 2022 | Paul Gilbert |
| West Texas FC[12] | Midland, Texas | Astound Broadband Stadium | 2023 | 2023 | Victor Domingues |
| Southeast Conference | |||||
| 865 Alliance[13] | Knoxville, Tennessee | TBD | 2008 | 2023 | Mike Meyer |
| Apotheos FC | Kennesaw, Georgia | Silverbacks Park[14] | 2021 | 2022 |  Bruno Kalonji |
| Appalachian FC | Boone, North Carolina | Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex | 2020 | 2021 | Dale Parker |
| Bristol Rhythm AFC | Bristol, Virginia | Gene Malcolm Stadium | 2024 | 2024 | Louis Sharp |
| Charlottetowne Hops FC[15] | Charlotte, North Carolina | OrthoCarolina Sportsplex | 2023 | 2023 | TBD |
| Greenville United FC[16] | Greenville, North Carolina | John Paul II Catholic High School Athletic Campus | 2020 | 2023 | Josh Horne |
| Hickory FC | Hickory, North Carolina | Moretz Stadium | 2024 |  Carlos Rubio | |
| Port City FC | Wilmington, North Carolina | Legion Stadium (North Carolina) | 2014 | 2024 | Nate Torbett |
| Midwest Region | |||||
| Gateway Conference | |||||
| Club Atletico Saint Louis | St. Louis, Missouri | Creve Couer Soccer Complex | 2016 | 2022 | Ricardo Garza |
| Des Moines United FC[17] | West Des Moines, Iowa | Valley Stadium | 2017 | 2023 | JR Fernandes |
| Ehtar Belleville FC[18] | Belleville, Illinois | Valley of the Kings Campus | 2023 | 2023 | Andrew Crawford |
| FC Milwaukee Torrent | Wauwatosa, Wisconsin | Hart Park | 2015 | 2016 | Steve Provan |
| Gio's Lions SC Chicago | 2024 | ||||
| Kansas City Sol[19] | Parkville, Missouri | Julian Field | 2023 | 2023 |  Huw Williams |
| Sunflower State FC | Overland Park, Kansas | Mill Valley High School Field | 2020 | 2022 | Nick McDonald |
| Wisconsin Conquerors FC | Marshfield, Wisconsin | Kenneth & Ardyce Heiting Community Stadium | 2024 |  Ricardo Jorge Oliveira Pedro | |
| Great Lakes Conference | |||||
| Akron City FC | Akron, Ohio | Green Street Stadium | 2021 | 2022 | Kia Zolgharnain |
| Cleveland SC | Berea, Ohio | George Finnie Stadium | 2018 | 2018 |  Vlad Muresan |
| Erie Commodores FC | Erie, Pennsylvania | Saxon Stadium | 2009 | 2009 |  Ashley Phillips |
| Flower City Union | Rochester, New York | Rochester Community Sports Complex Stadium | 2020 | 2024 | Jordan Sullivan |
| Michigan Rangers FC | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Davenport University Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex | 2024 | Stuart Collins | |
| Niagara 1812[20] | Niagara Falls, New York | 2024 |  Lucio Ianiero | ||
| Southern Indiana Guardians FC | 2024 | ||||
| Steel City FC (previously Pittsburgh Hotspurs) | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | The Ellis School | 2019 | 2019 | Tom Campbell |
| Heartland Conference | |||||
| Arkansas Wolves FC[21] | Little Rock, Arkansas | Scott Field | 2018 | 2021 |  Sabello Lwongwane |
| Demize NPSL | Springfield, Missouri | Cooper Stadium | 2014 | 2014 | Matthew Caley |
| OKC 1889 FC[22] | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Brian Harvey Field | 2017 | 2021 | Niall Burley |
| Tulsa Athletic[23] | Tulsa, Oklahoma | Hicks Park | 2013 | 2013 | Jason Rogers |
| North Conference | |||||
| Dakota Fusion FC | Fargo, North Dakota | Jim Gotta Stadium | 2015 | 2017 | Alex Trent |
| Duluth FC | Duluth, Minnesota | Public Schools Stadium | 2015 | 2017 |  Sean Morgan |
| Joy St. Louis Park[24] | St. Louis Park, Minnesota | Oriole Stadium | 2021 | 2021 | Arinze Ezirike |
| Minnesota Blizzard FC | Lakeville, Minnesota | Lakeville North High School Stadium | 2024 | Forrest Randall | |
| Minnesota TwinStars FC | Brooklyn Park, Minnesota | Park Center Senior High School | 1997 | 2022 | |
| Sioux Falls Thunder FC | Sioux Falls, South Dakota | Harrisburg High School | 2016 | 2016 | |
| Siouxland United FC | Sioux City, Iowa | Bishop Heelan Memorial Field | 2023 | 2024 | Robbie Carroll |
| TBD Region | |||||
| Golden Gate Conference | |||||
| California Odyssey SC[25] | Madera, California | Madera South HS Stadium | 2002 | 2023 | David Santesteban |
| El Farolito SC | San Francisco, California | Boxer Stadium | 1985 | 2018 | Santiago Lopez |
| Napa Valley 1839 FC | Napa, California | Dodd Stadium | 2016 | 2017 | Mark Corbett |
| Oakland SC | Oakland, California | Oakland Tech | 1974 | 2022 | |
| Oakland Stompers | Oakland, California | Raimondi Park | 2009 | 2021 | |
| Sacramento Gold FC | Sacramento, California | Capital Christian Stadium | 2009 | 2010 |  Ruben Mora Jr. |
| San Ramon FC[26] | San Ramon, California | Dougherty Valley High School | 1973 | 2023 | |
| Southwest Conference | |||||
| FCAZ Tucson | Tucson, AZ | Kino Sports Complex | |||
| FC Arizona | Gilbert, Arizona | Campo Verde High School | 2016 | 2017 | Dave Rogers |
| Glendale Lions FC | Glendale, California | Herbert Hoover High School | |||
| Las Vegas Knights FC | |||||
| Las Vegas Legends | Las Vegas, Nevada | Peter Johann Memorial Field | 2012 | 2020 | Juan Carlos García |
| Lions United (previously SC Brave Lions) | Glendale, California | Glendale Community College | 2021 | 2022 |  Artur Aghasyan |
Expansion
| Year | No. of teams | Teams added | Teams departed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 6 | ||
| 2004 | 10 | 5 | 1 |
| 2005 | 13 | 7 | 4 |
| 2006 | 18 | 5 | 0 |
| 2007 | 22 | 12 | 8 |
| 2008 | 25 | 12 | 9 |
| 2009 | 27 | 12 | 10 |
| 2010 | 31 | 12 | 8 |
| 2011 | 37 | 13 | 7 |
| 2012 | 46 | 13 | 5 |
| 2013 | 57 | 20 | 9 |
| 2014 | 77 | 31 | 11 |
| 2015 | 68 | 12 | 21 |
| 2016 | 84 | 23 | 7 |
| 2017 | 96 | 30 | 18 |
| 2018 | 98 | 18 | 16 |
| 2019 | 91 | 11 | 19 |
| 2020 | 94 | 22 | 19 |
| 2021 | 90 | 15 | 19 |
| 2022 | 92 | 19 | 17 |
| 2023 | 94 | 12 | 15 |
Rivalries
Many NPSL teams have rivalries given the close geography of the teams throughout the league. The most notable rivalry was the Rust Belt Derby contested between Detroit City FC, AFC Cleveland, and FC Buffalo. The name refers to the teams' shared region, the Rust Belt.[27] Another intense rivalry existed between the San Diego Flash and San Diego Boca/Force FC, which were crosstown rivals in San Diego. Until the 2013 sale and rebranding of Force FC from Boca FC, the ownership groups of the two clubs were previously partners in the original San Diego Flash club of the A-League that competed from 1998 to 2001.[28]
NPSL Members Cup
The NPSL Members Cup, originally called the NPSL Founders Cup, was a competition that ran from August to October 2019. It was initially intended to lead to a new professional league beginning play in the spring of 2020.[49] However, following the departure of numerous previously announced teams and issues in launching the professional league the tournament was altered.
Detroit City FC won the cup on October 16, 2019, when the team defeated Michigan Stars FC, 1–0, in the penultimate game of the tournament.[50][51]
Records and champions
Awards
NPSL Golden Boot
| Season | Player | Club | Goals | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 |  Victor Manosalvas | New York Red Bulls U-23 | 12 | [52] |
| Jason Jones | Sacramento Gold FC | |||
| David Hernandez | Spartans FC | |||
| 2015 | Miguel Herlein | New York Cosmos B | 16 | [62] |
| Simon Rawnsley | Aguiluchos USA | |||
| 2016 |  Nana Addai | Rhode Island Reds | 18 | [63] |
| Simon Rawnsley | Aguiluchos USA | |||
| 2017 | Alessandro Canale | Orange County FC | 18 | [64] |
 Amani Walker | Albion SC Pros | |||
| 2018 | Omar Nuño | Sonoma County Sol | 20 | [65] |
| 2019 | César Mexia | FC Arizona | 18 | [66] |
| 2020 | none awarded due to COVID-19 | |||
| 2021 | Sidney Warden | Duluth FC | 16 | [67] |
| 2022 | Damani Camara | FC Columbus | 15 | [68] |
| 2023 |  Yu Tsukanome | Dakota Fusion FC | 16 | [69] |
NPSL Golden Ball
| Season | Player | Club | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Ross Middlemiss | Sonoma County Sol | [52] |
| 2014 | Victor Manosalvas | New York Red Bulls U-23 | [52] |
| 2015 | Jon Ander Ibarrondo | Myrtle Beach Mutiny | [70] |
| 2016 | Isaac Addai | RI Reds | [52] |
| 2017 | Jade Johnson | Dakota Fusion FC | [52] |
| 2018 | Matt Nigro | FC Motown | [71] |
| 2019 | Christian Enriquez | Albion San Diego | [52] |
| 2020 | none awarded due to COVID-19 | ||
| 2021 | Sam Coad | Denton Diablos FC | [52] |
| 2022 | Christian Soto Rincon | Crossfire Redmond | [52] |
| 2023 | Dennis Bates | Appalachian FC | [52] |
NPSL Golden Glove
| Season | Player | Club | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Gregory Hartley | Chattanooga FC | [52] |
| 2015 | Gregory Hartley | Chattanooga FC | [52] |
| 2016 | Gregory Hartley | Chattanooga FC | [52] |
| 2017 | Andrew Weber | FC Arizona | [52] |
| 2018 | Jan Hoffelner | Duluth FC | [52] |
| 2019 | Christian Coulson | Virginia Beach City FC | [52] |
| 2020 | none awarded due to COVID-19 | ||
| 2021 | Conor Cable | Cleveland SC | [52] |
| 2022 | Connor Durant | Laredo Heat | [52] |
| 2023 | Griffin Hemmindinger | Annapolis Blues FC | [52] |
NPSL Young Player of the Year
| Season | Player | Club | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 |  Joseph Okumu | AFC Ann Arbor | |
| 2019 | Jamie Smith | Asheville City SC | |
| 2020 | none awarded due to COVID-19 | ||
| 2021 | Ben Bender | FC Baltimore Christos | |
| 2022 | Josh Jones | Philadelphia Ukrainians | |
| 2023 | Kenan Hot | Jackson Lions FC | [72] |
NPSL Coach of the Year
| Season | Coach | Club | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Grover Gibson | RVA FC | [52] |
| 2014 | Bill Elliott | Chattanooga FC | [52] |
| 2015 | Bill Elliott | Chattanooga FC | [52] |
| 2016 | Bill Elliott | Chattanooga FC | [52] |
| 2017 | Teddy Haley | Elm City Express | [52] |
| 2018 | Carlos Mendes | New York Cosmos B | [52] |
| 2019 | Larry Sancomb | FC Baltimore Christos | [52] |
| 2020 | none awarded due to COVID-19 | ||
| 2021 | Levi Coleman | Tulsa Athletic | [52] |
| 2022 | Dale Parker | Appalachian FC | [52] |
| 2023 | Paul Gilbert | Lubbock Matadors SC | [52] |
Back-office
Executive committee[73]
- Kenny Farrell – New Orleans Jesters – chairman
- John Nunan – Sacramento Gold FC – corporate secretary
- Steven Wagoner – Virginia Beach City FC – corporate treasurer
- Cindy Spera - managing director (non-voting)
NPSL board of directors[73]
- Michael Hitchcock - East - Appalachian FC
- Nathan Walter - South - Jacksonville Armada U-23
- Andreas Davi - Midwest - FC Milwaukee Torrent
- Nick Ballestieri - East - Hartford City FC
- Juan J Vela - South - Laredo Heat
- John Melody - Midwest - Erie Commodores FC
- William Forte - West - East Bay FC Stompers
NPSL leadership staff[73]
- Cindy Spera – managing director
- Gary Moody – media relations
- Paul Scott – director of officials
- Dina Case – director of membership development[74]
- Robin Shacket – director of operations and club services
- Jeff Pejsa – brand manager
eSports
In April 2020, the NPSL launched a competitive gaming competition to promote the growth of the league in new areas.[75] The league hopes to "bring its community members together for friendly competition on a virtual pitch". The first nine clubs to formally join the new eSports league were Atlantic City FC, Central Florida Panthers SC, Denton Diablos FC, Duluth FC, Fort Worth Vaqueros, FC Milwaukee Torrent, Muskegon Risers, Gate City FC, and Ozark FC.
The league partnered with Virtual Pro Gaming to assist in operations of the league. Clubs will play full 11 v 11 in pro clubs mode, on FIFA, EA Sports video game.[76][77]