Fall schedules for the top USYS leagues in the region are set. The US Youth Soccer Mid Atlantic Conference, managed by EDP Soccer is welcoming Boys and Girls 13U and 14U teams to the 2021-2022 season.
Top teams from Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey will compete each week to earn their place at the top of their league table. National League Conferences provide competing teams the opportunity to qualify for the 2022 USYS Eastern Regional Championships through league play. In addition, teams can also earn the right to compete in the 2022-2023 season of the prestigious USYS National League P.R.O. competition.
“We are extremely excited to once again compete in the USYS conference with our teams,” said Neil Clinton, Director of Coaching for The Football Academy of NJ. “EDP/USYS give our players the opportunity to get a competitive game with minimal travel, which is huge for player development. Reducing travel and enabling players more opportunities to play is a big reason why we compete in USYS.”
A Look At This Season’s Premier I Divisions
13U and 14U Boys Academy Division: The Academy Division will feature eight clubs from Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey, with the 13U and 14U divisions highlighted by Lower Merion SC Thunder Boys, who were USYS Eastern Regional semifinalists, Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals 08B Black, who were Eastern Pennsylvania State Cup finalists, NJ Premier FC 08 Boys, who were New Jersey State Cup champions, and PSA Monmouth 08 Boys, who were New Jersey State semifinalists. The divisions also include SJEB FC, PDA Hibernian, PA Dominion FC and FC Copa Academy.
13U Boys Premier I: The division will feature top teams from Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Within the division are clubs with a history of success in the conferences, such as Lehigh Valley United, Penn Alliance Select, STA-MOSC, YMS, Torpedoes SC and Dutchmen FC. Hoboken City FC 2009 Boys Red is the first team for the club to reach the Premier I level of the National League Conferences.
13U Girls Premier I: Lehigh Valley United and NJ Blaze enter the season after finishing last season as State Cup semifinalists. Real Jersey FC, Wall Elite and Torpedoes have a reputation of being some of the top girls programs in the state and are joined from New Jersey by Rancocas Valley, which had a very successful season last spring. From Eastern Pennsylvania, Penn Alliance Select, West Mont United, YMS, Lower Merion SC and White Clay SC are set to compete.
14U Boys Premier I: Eastern Pennsylvania State Cup champion Lehigh Valley United is one of the favorites in the division that includes Eastern Pennsylvania State Cup semifinalist PA Rush and Danubia SC, as well as New Jersey State Cup finalist Torpedoes SC. Also in the bracket are NJ Stallions, Ironbound SC, YMS, Philadelphia SC Coppa, Foundation SA, Freehold SL and Union County FC.
14U Girls Premier I Red: New Jersey State Cup champion and USYS Eastern Regionals semifinalist NLSA 2008G looks to continue the success it enjoyed in 2021 but will face some strong challengers this season. The 2019 and 2020 state champion, Torpedoes SC 08 Red, will look to retake the crown as the state’s top team, along with former State Cup finalist Wall Elite Chelsea. Top sides Real Jersey FC, PSA North, Cinnaminson SC Union will also challenge for the top spot along with Europa Lions, who were promoted from the Premier II Division.
14U Girls Premier I Blue: YMS comes off an Eastern Pennsylvania State Cup championship, and will look to have a strong league season despite its fifth-place finish last spring. North Union United, who finished as runner-up in both the Eastern Pennsylvania State Cup and league play, will look to get over the hump after coming so close last spring. Lancaster Elite, FC Revolution, Quakertown SC, Lionville SC, PSC Coppa and FC Europa round out the division.
