The NPL was created to elevate and change the competitive youth soccer landscape by extending developmental principles espoused by U.S. Soccer into more age groups and clubs, by linking competition with player development and identification platforms, and by providing meaningful competition (and appropriate training-to-match ratios) culminating in the NPL Finals.
NPLs are independent leagues, unified under one national competition platform, and based on a common technical framework designed to improve long-term player development. The NPL provides a platform is focused on long-term player deveopment and designed and structured by the clubs, based on the needs of the clubs.
There are currently 22 NPL Leagues throughout the U.S.
The NPL is an important component of US Club Soccer’s vision to refine the landscape for competitive youth soccer. This vision recognizes that:
The following is base criteria for acceptance as an NPL team.
Minnesota Girls NPL Playing Rules
13U-14U: 35 minute halves (3 referees) 15U-16U: 40 minute halves (3 referees) 17U+: 45 minute halves (3 referees)
Teams must be ready to play at published game time. Warmup time may be limited on the field. There is NO formal check-in with referees, but teams MUST present US Club Soccer passes AND Game Card printed from GotSoccer prior to each game.
All players and coaches must have US Club Soccer-issued passes.
Limited Substitutions (mirrors NPL Finals rules):
Once a player is substituted in one half, the player may not re-enter the game for the duration of the half. There shall be a maximum of seven (7) substitutions in any half. In case of a suspected head injury or serious injury, an additional substitution may be granted by the referee.
Hamline University
St. Olaf College
University of MN Crookston
Augsburg University
Bethany Lutheran College
College of St. Scholastica
North Central University
Macalester College
Bemidji State University
University of MN Morris
Northern State University
Luther College
Gustavus Adolphus College
Knox College
University of Wisconsin Stout
Concordia-St. Paul
Southwest Minnesota State University
Minnesota State University – Mankato
College of Saint Benedict