Exciting New Changes to National Premier League for 2016-2017 Season

Less Travel, and more competitive games with new East and West NPL Divisions

Exciting New Changes to National Premier League for 2016-2017 Season

Exciting New Changes to National Premier League for 2016-2017 Season

Less Travel, and more competitive games with new East and West NPL Divisions

 

During the National Premier League (NPL) Regionals the weekend of June 11-13th US Club Soccer announced to its members significant changes for the 2016-2017 season. Next season the NPL will no longer consist of an Academy and Independent Division and instead will have an East and West Division that is regionally based. The changes will see FC Wisconsin become a part of the West Division which will consist of 8 member clubs; FC Wisconsin, Madison 56ers, Minnesota Thunder, Minnesota Twin Stars, St Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri, St Louis Scott Gallagher Metro, Sockers FC and Campton United. FC Wisconsin and Madison 56ers are the only two clubs from Wisconsin with placement in the NPL.

The changes will see the U13-U14 ages play 7 league games in both the fall and spring season. The U15-18 age groups will also play 7 games in the spring. The changes will now significantly reduce regular season team travel for all clubs as each team will have a travel partner and away trips will be alternated in fall and spring.

The changes will also now see the NPL add a U17 (2000 birth Year) age group for the 2016-2017 season as well as adjusting the U18 age group to a U18/19 age group of 99/98’s to accommodate all seniors. With the changes the NPL will now have the following age groups that FC Wisconsin will compete in; U13, U14, U15, U16, U17, U18/19.

“As a club we are excited about the new changes to the NPL for the upcoming season. We will have the opportunity to compete against quality Clubs while also limiting the amount of travel, which is beneficial for everyone involved. The new league format will be challenging as the clubs in the West Division are some of the biggest and most successful in the country, but it represents a great opportunity for our players and the club in general which we look forward to” said Co-Director of Coaching Ben Shepherd.

The East Division will also consist of the following 8 member clubs; Vardar, Michigan Wolves, WAZA, Internationals, Columbus Crew, Cincinnati United, Ohio Elite, Derby City Rovers

Post-season regional play will now consist of 4 teams advancing, with two automatic qualifiers from both the East and West Divisions.

Co-Director of Coaching Billy Solberg commented, “As a club we are always looking to offer multiple competitive platforms for our players to play at. The new changes to the NPL help us to continue to challenge our players further, which long term will help with our players overall development.  What we do as a club and how we train as a club will always be a pathway to long term development.  We have never sold leagues to our families or players, however because of the way we train the way we play and the overall philosophy of our club, we will have opportunities to play in the top leagues in the country, which allows us the best competition for our players.  Playing against “like-minded” clubs help develop the full soccer player, who is constantly challenged to solve problems connecting with their teammates, to get out of difficult situations still trying to possess the ball.”