The TCSL player pathway provides opportunities at all level of play – for every player.
All levels besides ECNL RL and N1 are “self-select” with oversight from the Technical Advisory Panel. Clubs are responsible for placing their teams in the right environment, with oversight from the TCSL league office.
Festival, “play-date” format.
Three levels of play.
Red (Highest), White, Blue
Four levels of play.
National (highest), Regional, State, Cities
Five levels of play.
ECNL RL (highest), N1, Regional, State, Cities
U9-U10 League Placement
The league placement process at U9-U10 ages is incredibly important.
Intended for teams further along in on their development pathway.
U9 and U10: Teams should be made up of rosters consisting of the upper tier of players in your program who you feel need to be challenged.
U10: These teams should ideally have prior experience competing well at Red OR be a roster consisting of players who have been successful at White level and are now ready for a greater challenge.
Clubs who “balance” rosters by ability should not enter Red level.
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Example 1: Club fields 3 or more U9 teams of one gender and tiers these teams in ability then the top team should play Red.
In the above scenario teams would ideally be placed at Red, White and Blue.
Example 2: A team that dominated all/most matches at White level in the previous season should consider moving up to Red level the following season.
Intended for the majority of teams with competitive soccer experience.
U9 and U10: Ideally the top tier group rosters for mid to smaller clubs entering at least 2 teams.
White is also suited for a larger club’s 2nd tier teams, or even 3rd tier, if building tiered ability rosters.
Playing level will always be based on team roster strength.
Clubs who build “balanced” rosters should consider entering the White level as a balanced roster usually consists of players of all levels (Red, White, and Blue).
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Example 1: Club fields 3x U9 Girls teams that are tiered then the 2nd team should play White level.
Example 2: Mid to smaller size club has 2 U9 girls teams that are tiered rosters by ability should consider placing the top team at White.
Intended for teams with less experience or who are not as far along on their development pathway.
U8: Teams should play TCSL 5s (U8 Program) OR if choosing to play League, then Blue level.
A returning U8 team can consider moving to White level based on prior season results.
U10: Teams with a league playing history who have struggled at White should consider playing Blue level.
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Example 1: Small club has 1 team, and players have very limited soccer experience, should play Blue level.
Example 2: A larger club has 4 U9 boys teams that are tiered in ability should place the lowest 1-2 rosters at Blue.
