Announcement

Botafogo Accepted into the USYS National League!

Posted by Team Chicago Academy on Nov 06 2012 at 04:23PM PST in 2012-13
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Team Chicago Academy-Botafogo accepted into
2012-2013 US Youth Soccer National League

Top 4 finishers per age group advance to National Championships

Aurora, IL (11/6/2012) – Team Chicago Academy-Botafogo is proud to announce its acceptance as one of 16 teams in the country to compete in the Under-18 US Youth Soccer National League. The National League, entering into its sixth season, is for the top club teams in the Under-15 through Under-18 Boys and Girls age groups, with each team having an individual proven track record of continued success in US Youth Soccer programs. The top 16 teams from throughout the country were chosen to participate in each age group for the 2012-2013 season.

Beginning in 2012-2013, the National League has been awarded two additional entries per age group to the oldest and most prestigious national championship competition, the US Youth Soccer National Championships, giving the league a total of four slots per gender age group. The four National League representatives will join the four Regional Champions for a total of eight qualifiers per age group at the National Championships.

In 2011-2012, 25 of a possible 44 slots in the US Youth Soccer National Championships were taken by National League teams; 12 teams earned automatic berths via winning their National League division, while 15 National League teams won their respective US Youth Soccer Regional Championships. During the 2012 National Championships, National League teams claimed 12 of a possible 16 spots in the championship finals, with seven earning the National Championship.

The 2012-2013 National League field includes 31 of 44 teams that qualified for the 2012 National Championships, 14 of the 16 finalists and seven of eight champions. Three boys teams were also crowned Dallas Cup champions in 2012.

“The US Youth Soccer National League continues to provide the top competition for boys and girls in the country as each team must prove itself to gain entry into the league,” said Paul Luchowski, National League commissioner.

“In 2012-2013, the National League gains an additional two entries per age group to the US Youth Soccer National Championships because of the level of play and the quality of the teams in the National League.”

The 2012-2013 National League will consist of 30 of the 55 US Youth Soccer State Associations, from Region I (East): Eastern New York, Eastern Pennsylvania, Maryland, Pennsylvania West, New Jersey, New York West and Virginia; from Region II (Midwest): Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio North, Ohio South and Wisconsin; from Region III (South): Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Texas, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Texas and Tennessee; from Region IV (West): Arizona, California North, California South, Colorado, Nevada and Washington.

2012-2013 US Youth Soccer National League Teams [link]

The National League is an extension of the highly successful US Youth Soccer Regional Leagues [US Youth Soccer Region I (East) Premier League, Midwest Regional League, Region III (South) Premier League and Far West Regional League] in which the top teams are eligible to continue the path of success into the National League where the ultimate prize is qualifying for the prestigious US Youth Soccer National Championships.

The seven game season will begin in Wilson, N.C., alongside the CASL Showcase with the boys playing Nov. 15-18 and girls Nov. 29-Dec. 2. Teams will participate in one of two other locations, the first being in Orlando, Fla., alongside the Disney Soccer Showcase, Dec. 27-29 for the boys and Dec. 31-Jan. 2 for the girls. The final play date will combine boys and girls in Las Vegas, March 15-17, and be held in conjunction with the Player’s College Showcase. In 2011-2012, no division titles were clinched prior to the final weekend of play. The complete schedule will be announced on USYouthSoccer.org in mid-September.

With two additional slots awarded to the National Championships, the top four finishers from each gender age group, Under-15 through Under-18, will earn a spot to the 2013 US Youth Soccer National Championships along with the four US Youth Soccer Regional Champions.

The national championships are the culmination of the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series where the nation’s champions are crowned in six age groups for boys and girls.

Since its inception, National League teams have captured a combined 20 national championships. In 2008, seven of the eight championship finals slots in the Under-15 and 16 age groups were won by National League teams, which resulted in the League’s first four national championships. The League notched four more National Championship titles in 2009 including the Under-15 Boys and Girls, as well as Under-16 Boys and Under-17 Girls. At the 2010 National Championships, League participants took home titles in the Under-15 Boys and Under-17 Girls age groups. In 2011, eight National League teams advanced to the National Championship game and claimed three more national titles. And in 2012, 16 league teams qualified for the national final, with seven taking home national championships. For a list of past National League champions and history, click here.

As is the case with the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series events and the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program, the National League creates another significant opportunity for the nation’s collegiate, professional and national team staffs to see players in an environment of meaningful play.
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About US Youth Soccer National League – Formed in 2007, the US Youth Soccer National League was developed as a path of advancement for the top teams from the US Youth Soccer Regional Leagues. In addition to meaningful matches, development and identification, the league created a direct path to the annual US Youth Soccer National Championships. League play features the Under-15, Under-16, Under-17 and Under-18 age groups for boys and girls who are seeking to advance their college, professional and U.S. National Team aspirations. Learn more at USYouthSoccer.org/National_League/.

About the United States Youth Soccer Association (US Youth Soccer) – US Youth Soccer – “The Game for ALL Kids!®” is the largest youth sports organization in the country and largest member of the United States Soccer Federation, the governing body of soccer in the United States. US Youth Soccer registers more than 3 million players annually, ages 5 to 19, and over 900,000 administrators, coaches and volunteers in 55 member State Associations. US Youth Soccer programs provide a fun, safe and healthy environment for players at every level of the game. For more information, visit www.USYouthSoccer.org.

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