The National Premier Soccer League’s (NPSL) announced today the formation of the Founders Cup competition. NPSL, an sanctioned league of the United States Adult Soccer Association, is a league of nearly 100 teams across fourteen conferences, and serves the unofficial fourth-tier of American Soccer. The league, seeing a need for higher level play, capitalized on the death of the North American Soccer League (NASL) and refugee teams from that league, to extend play into a second season season they have branded The NPSL Founders Cup.
In a press release, NPSL’s Chairman Joe Barone stated ““We are very excited to bring a new brand of community-based soccer to the U.S. market. Beginning with the Founders Cup, fans will be able to enjoy watching authentic clubs compete with professional players and staff. This new venture will build upon the success and experience of NPSL and its nationwide network of local soccer club members.”
An established group of 11 clubs stretching across the United States have launched a new league in association with the #NPSL
Read more: https://t.co/OhgkU1w5vz pic.twitter.com/Q4u4fs15in
— National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) (@NPSLSoccer) November 15, 2018
USASA President John Motta called this “another opportunity to develop players, coaches, administrators, and referees at the highest level of adult soccer.”
Local Phoenix squad FC Arizona will join a West conference consisting of ASC San Diego, Cal FC, California United Strikers FC, and Oakland Roots. Other members of the eleven-team league will be Chatanooga FC, Detroit City FC, Miami FC, Miami United FC, Milwaukee Torrent, and the historic New York Cosmos. Additional teams are likely to be added before the competition kicks off in August 2019.
“This is the establishment of a higher full season league in 2020 with professional players and staff. It will be huge for soccer in our state and it continues to show FC Arizona’s commitment to the game in our state,” wrote Scott Taylor, owner of FC Arizona. “The Founders cup is a Fall Mini Cup, after the regular NPSL season, that will usher in this new higher league. This coupled with the new women’s team are major milestones for soccer in our state.”
The “league-within-a-league” was previously referenced as “UPSLPro.” NPSL dealt with considerable push-back from United States Soccer Federation regarding the use of the word “Pro.” Though professional player contracts are allowed in the USASA, it is not considered to be a professional league by the standard-setting body. Initial rumors indicated that FC Arizona would be the lone West Coast team, and punditry openly wondered how the team would handle the extensive travel costs. The teams released today show a substantial presence in California, and bode well for both team and league viability.
The 2019 NPSL season will begin in May 2019, with the Founders Cup following the core season in August. A full season league is anticipated to form in Spring 2020.
