Representing the top level of 13U-19U play in Minnesota, TCSL previously announced changes and enhancements to its 2025-26 league structure.
Along with TCSL’s mission to Raise the Level of the sport in the Twin Cities and beyond, these changes will provide more opportunities for more teams within the TCSL structure, reinforce TCSL’s commitment to constant evolution, improvement and advocacy on behalf of its members, and above all – will promote immediate benefit to the most important constituent, the player.
Alignment between TCSL, NPL and ECNL RL – Twin Cities provides clarity, transparency and clear qualification pathways.
In evaluating league structures across the United States, many established soccer markets (Southern California, Northern California, Texas, Florida, Ohio/Great Lakes, to name a few) utilize a clear US Club Soccer pyramid with NPL promoting to the ECNL RL – Twin Cities.
Minnesota NPL Premier teams today will now represent a singular level (“Minnesota NPL”), while NPL Super teams will participate in the ECNL RL – Twin Cities league with the same qualification standards in place.
Using the NPL Showcase model as a template, the new structure will incorporate Weekend League Play (one in the Fall, one in the Spring), hosted by TCSL, in a central environment.
- Fall: 13U & 14U ECNL RL – Twin Cities and NPL teams will meet on a chosen weekend and play two league matches. TCSL schedules the matches and assigns the referees. Coach conflicts can be managed and referee support and education can occur.
- Summer: 13U-19U ECNL RL – Twin Cities and NPL teams will meet on a chosen weekend and play two league matches (and like in the Fall, the benefits are vast – calendar planning, referee support, etc.). College Coaches will be invited to observe the 16U-19U matches.
Established and credible post-season pathways provide incredible opportunities for league winners at both levels of play.
Previously, NPL Super teams advanced to the NPL Finals, held annually in July. Moving forward, both levels of play will now advance to the postseason.
- Minnesota NPL: League winners advance to NPL Finals, held annually in July.
- ECNL RL – Twin Cities: League winners advance to the ECNL RL Central Playoffs in June, 2026. Winners of the Central Playoffs advance to the RL Finals in July, 2026.
- In 2024-25, ECNL RL Boys averaged 275 scouts per event.
- In 2024-25, ECNL RL Girls averaged 400 scouts per event.
