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SYL Opens Applications for 2019 Expansion

06/15/2018, 1:30pm EDT
By COLTON CORESCHI - colton.coreschi@uslsoccer.com

League now considering clubs for new membership for next season

While more than 90 clubs comprising 600-plus teams compete during the 2018 Super Y League Season for spots in the upcoming SYL Finals, the league has begun accepting applicants for new membership in the upcoming 2019 season.

Here's all you need to know about the league.

FIVE PILLARS

Built around five essential pillars, the Super Y League’s standards for membership consist of several core values.

  • First, clubs must satisfy league standards in three critical evaluation metrics, including club-to-club communication, club-to-league communication and competitive performance.
  • Second, current competition in other high-level platforms is a positive factor, including U.S. Development Academy, Elite Clubs National League (ECNL), National Premier Leagues (NPL) and Elite Development Program (EDP).
  • Third, clubs are encouraged to employ a full-time Director of Coaching. The DOC’s role in the league is to lead their club’s participation in the USL Scouting Network by nominating players to potentially be included in the SYL National Player Pool.
  • Fourth, clubs are expected to include a full-time dedicated operations and administrative staff. This is encouraged to uphold and maintain league standards and expectations.
  • Fifth, clubs are encouraged to apply if they have a heartfelt desire to expand their current club programing and national player exposure opportunities through the SYL’s unique platform and connection to the United Soccer Leagues.

Several current SYL member clubs are exemplary representatives of these pillars, including Midwest United FC, Ironbound SC, Northern Virginia SC, TSC Hurricanes, DDYSC and Atlanta Fire United.

For clubs that meet these criteria, the Super Y League is now accepting club applications for the 2019 season. All applications are reviewed by SYL staff on a rolling basis, and all clubs interested in becoming members must submit an application.

SYL FINALS

All member clubs compete during their SYL regular seasons for a chance to earn an invitation to the Super Y League Finals. Held at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, the SYL Finals bring together more than 100 teams to compete at all age groups for both boys and girls to crown 10 national champions. The SYL Finals are attended by dozens of collegiate, professional and U.S. National Team scouts, as well as numerous SYL partners dedicated to helping athletes progress their playing careers to the next level, such as College Fit Finder, FirstPoint USA and Hudl.

USL EXPERIENCE

The USL Experience is a one-of-a-kind, three day residential experience in which more than 70 of the best SYL athletes are invited to train with and learn from the professionals at a United Soccer League club. Players scouted through the National Player Pool, at Showcase weekends and at the SYL Finals can earn a trip to a USL city, where they’ll experience a fully professional environment - including a media day, training with top SYL and USL coaches, matches against top-tier academy opposition and watching a USL match while being celebrated on-field at halftime. While being observed by scouts from professional clubs, colleges and U.S. Soccer, players have an opportunity to stand out as being among the best of the best league-wide, all while enjoying an unforgettable experience.

The inaugural USL Experience in 2016 was hosted by FC Cincinnati, while San Antonio FC hosted in 2017 and Phoenix Rising FC hosted in 2018.

PROFESSIONAL PATHWAY

One of the primary benefits of the SYL is the direct connection the league provides to the professional and collegiate game in the United States through the United Soccer League, upcoming USL Division III and the Premier Development League. Several SYL clubs have demonstrated a direct pathway to the professional level, with clubs such as Houston FC, the Westchester Flames and St. Louis Lions fielding both PDL and SYL teams, while the USL’s Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC fields their youth teams in the SYL as well.

TESTIMONIALS

“Our players at Midwest United FC are always looking to continue playing and training at the highest level possible,” said Midwest United FC Director of Coaching Lewis Robinson. “For the same price as summer camp, players are able to get team training sessions aimed around player and team development, and play against some different teams that they don’t match up against in their traditional club seasons. With the Super Y League, our coaches can plan a six-week season with 12-plus training sessions aimed to improve and maintain players’ skills in all four pillars of their game - technical, tactical, physical and mental. The Super Y League is a great complimentary platform for our club and has received great reviews from our players and coaching staff.”

NOTABLE ALUMNI

The Super Y League has a history of producing many notable alumni, including U.S. Men’s National Team stars Jozy Altidore of Toronto FC in Major League Soccer and DeAndre Yedlin of Newcastle United in the English Premier League. Recent alumni also include Atlanta United FC’s Andrew Carleton and Lagos Kunga, as well as Zyen Jones of Schalke 04 of the German Bundesliga.


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