US Club Soccer and Twin Cities Soccer Leagues (TCSL) are excited to announce a long-term extension of their sanctioning agreement, as the leading soccer organizations renew their partnership first formed three years ago.

TCSL is one of the fastest growing leagues in US Club Soccer history, growing by at least 20 percent in each of its first three years of operating. The Minnesota-based organization brings an expanse of opportunities to members, including coaching education resources and integration with US Club Soccer competitions. The annual Minnesota State Cup, for example, advances qualifiers directly to the National Cup Finals. And the evolving Minnesota NPL platform, which launches in fall 2020 after significant expansion, helps clarify the state’s competitive pathway and exposes more TCSL players to the benefits of the NPL. The same principles that guide TCSL are also entrenched in US Club Soccer.

“We’re excited to extend our partnership for three more years with this terrific and rapidly growing league,” said US Club Soccer CEO Kevin Payne. “The league and the member clubs have really dedicated themselves to creating the best possible environment for players of all levels, and we’re very happy that US Club Soccer can help provide support and resources to further that growth for the future.”

“Twin Cities Soccer Leagues is proud to continue our partnership with US Club Soccer,” TCSL CEO Matt Tiano said. “We are grateful for US Club Soccer’s continued support in allowing TCSL to cater its league offerings to, above all, the needs of its member clubs. Similar to US Club Soccer’s Players First initiatives, we seek to raise the standard of youth soccer in Minnesota by creating environments that are player and club centric and look forward to what the future holds.

“Our growth is a reflection of our member clubs embracing fresh and progressive ideas in an effort to improve the soccer environment in the Twin Cities. We are committed to further collaboration and partnership.”

US Club Soccer’s mission is to foster the growth and development of soccer clubs throughout the country to create the best possible development environment for players of all ages in every club. The primary vehicle for accomplishing that ambition is Players First: a branded, holistic club soccer experience for parents and players which emphasizes the development of each individual to his or her full potential, and helps parents make better choices about where their children should play.

That Players First philosophy is supported by best-in-class partners and resources, including LaLiga, and is anchored by five pillars: Club Development, Coaching Development, Player Development, Parent Engagement & Education and Player Health & Safety. In particular, Player Health & Safety is the emphasis, as US Club Soccer prides itself on fostering the safest environment for players in youth sports. US Club Soccer has stringent requirements for all staff registration/eligibility and also provides a variety of safety-related resources and recommendations to members.