The Elite Academy League (EA League) expands with addition of the Northeast Conference comprised of Founding Members Clubs from the MLS Elite Youth Platform.
Launched by founding member clubs of the new MLS Elite Youth Platform (former USSF DA clubs), the EA League will serve the player needs of clubs by maintaining the standards and structure consistent with enhanced elite player development. The EA League launched last month and will be sanctioned on the national level by US Youth Soccer (USYS).
The Elite Academy League is a supplemental league to the MLS Elite Youth Platform and is committed to developing top players across the platform. The league is built off the former USSF DA standards and will mirror the new MLS Elite Youth Platform structures thus continuing best in class development with seamless interaction and transition to the MLS Elite Youth Platform.
THE IDEA IS TO MIRROR THE MLS’ PLATFORM STANDARDS AND OFFER A CONSISTENT, PROGRESSIVE PATHWAY FOR PLAYERS TO DEVELOP AND ADVANCE.
The Elite Academy League inside the Northeast Conference is composed of Founding Member clubs from the new MLS Elite Youth Platform and consist of: BW Gottschee Academy, Metoval, TSF Academy, Cedar Stars Academy – Bergen, Cedar Stars Academy – Monmouth, FC Westchester, Beachside Soccer Club of CT, New York Soccer Club, and Empire United.
These clubs will be participating with boys teams in the U12-U19 age groups. The U12 age groups inside the Elite Academy League will be the top teams in their respected clubs and will be preparing to move into the MLS EYDP league at U13, while U13-19 teams will be providing enhanced player development and exposure as well as seamless interaction and transition for players into the MLS Elite Youth Platform.
The new EA league allows the member clubs of the MLS Elite Youth Platform to work together to promote the highest standards in competitive soccer and integrate both leagues with this common goal and direction. Unifying clubs from within the conferences helps maintain the defining standards of the former USSDA, along with the new, enhanced standards of MLS Elite Youth Platform.
This integration further presents long-needed flexibility in two key areas:
1. Permission for all players to participate in High School Soccer and,
2. Revising the substitution rules to encourage clubs to better utilize their player pools, especially when showcasing their players to pro scouts and college coaches.
The Elite Academy League will start in Fall 2020.
“We are very excited to announce the expansion of the EA League with the addition of the Northeast conference consisting of MLS Elite Academy Clubs. This national platform is structured to increasing elite player development and opportunities.” Noah Gins, EA League Chair
Read what the directors of the founding clubs say: