The League For Clubs is a new American men's amateur soccer league. Formed in 2024, the League For Clubs is a partnership between the Women's Premier Soccer League and existing men's clubs. The League is to be officially affiliated to the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA). The inaugural season will begin in spring/summer 2025.[1]
| Founded | 2024 (2025 Kickoff) |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Confederation | U.S. Soccer |
| Divisions | 3 regions |
| Number of teams | 29 (as of Nov 29, 2024) |
| Domestic cup(s) | U.S. Open Cup |
| Website | www |
Background
editThe League For Clubs was created to better build teams, community, and the game. It is structured to benefit the member clubs by limiting conference geographical size, improved video production, and flexibility. Individual and teams involved in the setup include Peter Wilt, the GM of MLS team Chicago Fire and founding member of 4 professional soccer teams in the US, including Tulsa Athletic the 2023 NPSL champions who were suspended by the same league for the 2024 season.[2]
The League for Clubs was founded by five lead clubs, Tulsa Athletic, Kingston Stockade FC, Atlantic City FC, Napa Valley 1839 FC, and FC Davis. These clubs were former members of the NPSL. They claim that there were management issues with the NPSL and rising costs that lead to the decision. The NPSL in general has been suffering the past few years with minimal expansion and losing top teams, mostly to the USL2.[3]
The League will use a financial model unique in the US Soccer landscape. Teams will hold a stake in the success of the league through revenue sharing and credits. If there is a sale of a member, the remaining teams will receive 51% of the net proceeds in order to preserve the strength of the league and to give a benefit to all clubs growing the game.[4]
Teams
editCurrent teams
edit| Team | City | Stadium | Founded | Announced | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Region | |||||
| Austin United FC | Austin, Texas | Veterans Stadium | 2017 | Nov. 29, 2024 | |
| Central Texas Coyotes FC | Temple, Texas | Woodson Field | 2018 | Nov. 29, 2024 | |
| Corinthians FC of San Antonio | San Antonio, Texas | Corinthians FC Soccer Complex | 2009 | Oct. 28, 2024 | |
| FC Dallas U23s | Frisco, Texas | TBD | - | Sep 5, 2024[5] | |
| FC Wichita | Wichita, Kansas | Stryker Sports Complex | 2013 | Sep 11, 2024[6] | |
| Inter Detroit | Detroit, Michigan | TBD | 2019 | Oct 7, 2024 | |
| Oklahoma City 1889 FC | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Brian Harvey Field | 2017 | Nov. 25, 2024 | |
| Regals SCA | Houston, Texas | British Internation School of Houston | 2009 | Sep 5, 2024[7] | |
| River Valley Bully's SC | Fort Smith, Arkansas | Ben Geren Soccer Complex | Nov 7, 2024[8] | ||
| Tulsa Athletic | Tulsa, Oklahoma | Hicks Park Community Field | 2013 | Jul 31, 2024[9] | |
| Union KC SC | Lee's Summit, Missouri | Paragon Star Sports Complex | 2005 | Sep 9, 2024[10] | |
| East Region | |||||
| Atlantic City FC | Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey | Stockton University | 2017 | Jul 31, 2024[11] | |
| FC Monmouth | Red Bank, New Jersey | Count Basie Park | 2017 | Aug 26, 2024[12] | |
| First State FC | Wilmington, Delaware | Abessinio Stadium | 2019 | Aug 28, 2024[13] | |
| Kingston Stockade FC | Kingston, New York | Tenney Stadium | 2015 | Jul 31, 2024[14] | |
| New York Braveheart SC | New York City, New York | Michael J. Tully Park | 2022 | Sep 2, 2024[15] | |
| ODFC Cesena | Aldie, Virginia | 2009 | Nov 22, 2024[16] | ||
| West Region | |||||
| Afghan Premier FC | Dublin, California | Ohlone College Soccer Field | 1991 | Nov 14, 2024[17] | |
| Albion SC Silicon Valley | Redwood City, California | Sequoia High School | 2023 | Aug 29, 2024[18] | |
| Bay Valley Suns | Livermore, California | Las Positas College | 2024 | Aug 20, 2024[19] | |
| CF San Rafael | San Rafael, California | San Rafael High School | 2023 | Oct 11, 2024 | |
| FC Davis | Davis, California | Dairy Complex | 2017 | Jul 31, 2024[11] | |
| Iron Rose FC | Roseville, California | West Park High School | 2023 | Sep 6, 2024[20] | |
| Napa Valley 1839 FC | Napa, California | Justin-Siena High School | 2016 | Jul 31, 2024[11] | |
| Oakland SC | Oakland, California | Oakland Tech High School | 1974 | Aug 21, 2024[21] | |
| San Ramon FC | San Ramon, California | Tiffany Roberts Soccer Field | 1973 | Aug 22, 2024[22] | |
| Silicon Valley Rush | San Jose, California | Yerba Buena High School | 2022 | Aug 20, 2024[19] | |
| Sonoma County Sol | Petaluma, California | Petaluma Community Sports Fields | 2004 | Aug 20, 2024[19] | |
| Yuba FC | Yuba City, California | River Valley High School | 2022 | Sep 24, 2024 | |
Location map
edit
Afghan Premier FC Albion SC Silicon Valley Bay Valley Suns CF San Rafael FC Davis Iron Rose FC Napa Valley 1839 FC Oakland SC San Ramon FC Silicon Valley Rush Sonoma County Sol Yuba FC
References
edit- ^ "An Open Letter to Clubs". Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- ^ Vaughan, Dan (July 31, 2024). "An The League for Clubs Launches Today". Protaganist Soccer. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- ^ Krishnaiyer, Kartik (July 31, 2024). "The League for Clubs forms... NPSL is now on the clock". Beyond the 90. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- ^ "Overview". Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- ^ Carrick, Buzz (Sep 5, 2024). "FC Dallas enters U23 team into The League for Clubs in 2025". 3rddegree.net. Retrieved Sep 20, 2024.
- ^ Krishnaiyer, Kartik (Sep 11, 2024). "Another big fish - FC Wichita joins League for Clubs". beyondthe90.substack.com. Retrieved Sep 20, 2024.
- ^ Krishnaiyer, Kartik (Sep 5, 2024). "League for Clubs makes MLS move while expanding Texas presence". beyondthe90.substack.com. Retrieved Sep 20, 2024.
- ^ @TheLeagueFC (November 7, 2024). "Why wait until 4 pm CT, right? Welcome to The League for Clubs, River Valley Bully's SC!" (Tweet). Retrieved November 12, 2024 – via Twitter.
- ^ Martin, Morgan (Aug 5, 2024). "Tulsa Athletic announces it's leaving National Premiere Soccer League, launching new le". fox23.com. Retrieved Sep 17, 2024.
- ^ @TheLeague_FC (September 9, 2024). "Welcome Union KC Soccer" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ a b c Kennedy, Paul (Aug 1, 2024). "The League: Five teams launch new summer league". socceramerica.com. Retrieved Sep 20, 2024.
- ^ "FC Monmouth Joins The League For Clubs". fcmonmouth.com. Aug 26, 2024. Retrieved Sep 20, 2024.
- ^ @TheLeague_FC (August 28, 2024). "Welcome First State FC" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Kott, Crispin (Aug 8, 2024). "Kingston Stockade FC has left the National Premier Soccer League saying "We've been getting bullied"". hudsonvalleyone.com. Retrieved Sep 20, 2024.
- ^ @TheLeague_FC (September 2, 2024). "Welcome NY Braveheart SC" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ @TheLeague_FC (November 22, 2024). "Welcome to The League for Clubs, @CesenaUSA!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ @TheLeagueFC (November 14, 2024). "Welcome to The League for Clubs, @AfghanPremierFC !" (Tweet). Retrieved November 24, 2024 – via Twitter.
- ^ Krishnaiyer, Kartik (Aug 29, 2024). "Albion SC's Silicon Valley affiliate joins League for Clubs". beyondthe90.substack.com. Retrieved Sep 20, 2024.
- ^ a b c Krishnaiyer, Kartik (Aug 20, 2024). "League for Clubs gains three new entrants - all in the west". beyondthe90.substack.com. Retrieved Sep 20, 2024.
- ^ Krishnaiyer, Kartik (Sep 6, 2024). "Another significant announcement from League for Clubs in California". beyondthe90.substack.com. Retrieved Sep 20, 2024.
- ^ Krishnaiyer, Kartik (Aug 21, 2024). "Oakland SC joins League for Clubs as NPSL's Golden Gate conference faces extinction". beyondthe90.substack.com. Retrieved Sep 20, 2024.
- ^ Krishnaiyer, Kartik (Aug 22, 2024). "League for Clubs adds San Ramon FC". beyondthe90.substack.com. Retrieved Sep 20, 2024.