The US Club Soccer National Premier Leagues platform represents independently-ran leagues unified under one national competition platform. Minnesota NPL winners (“Super” Division) will advance to the US Club Soccer NPL playoff structure.

Minnesota NPL core tenants are as follows:

• Clarify the TCSL pathway;
• Provide an annual, predictable, club-centric schedule for participating clubs;
• Promote the value of club collaboration;
• Provide college recruiting exposure

The Minnesota NPL aims to provide a practical, club-centric, annual schedule.

Overall schedule and approach will be decided by the League of Directors.

In general, teams play one meaningful season throughout the full soccer year.

The benefit to this structure is utmost flexibility for clubs, and appropriate training to match ratios which are in the best interest of player development.

The application window for 22-23 is now closed.

Application Criteria

• Must be a TCSL club in good standing. Club structure and sportsmanship history will be considered.
• This is a “Club Based” application, however, individual teams will be considered to fill divisions as appropriate.
• Clubs that enter four or more teams have voting priviledges per the League of Directors governance model.
• Facilities: must have a demonstrated history of having flexible availability with regard to scheduling indoor matches on appropriately-sized fields in the winter months.
• Coach Education Standards:
  • Participating clubs must have a DOC and/or Executive Director that holds at minimum a USSF ‘C’ License or United Soccer Coaches Advanced National Diploma (or have a plan to obtain)
  • All team coaches must have USSF ‘D’ License or United Soccer Coaches National Diploma or higher (or have a plan to obtain)

All applications are reviewed by the League of Directors. As has been in the past, preference will be given to those clubs that commit to the NPL at multiple age groups and genders.

Single teams will be considered in the event that divisions need “division fillers”.

Professional Approach

All NPL clubs will be held to a high standard including signing an Agreement that covers, but not limited to, the following:

• Participating in TCSL initiatives to improve refereeing in the state of Minnesota;
• Sportsmanship;
• Sideline Culture;
• Code of Ethics amongst Member Clubs

Financial Bond

Current Members – $1,000 Bond (applied to league dues in full)

New Members – $1,000 Bond ($100 application fee if accepted, $900 applied to dues in full if accepted)

If an applicant is not accepted, the club will be refunded in full.

Application Timing

The Minnesota NPL window is open April 20-May 20. All applications must be received by May 20.

Club announcements (existing and new) will be made the week of June 6.

Governance

Minnesota NPL is governed by the League of Directors.