We had designed this league at first to be a member of the US Youth Soccer family. However, it was impossible for us to bring together the differing opinions of 55 US Youth Soccer state associations. They all have different rules and regulations and, given the time available, it would be unrealistic of us to gain assurance that we could control the product in every state. We tried our best to get everyone onboard, but every state youth association has its own philosophy.  Although, we had an agreement with US Youth Soccer in 1999, we had to terminate it because of the communication difficulties in dealing with all 55 of their state associations. Imagine, every time you needed an answer you had to get that answer from 55 separate people. You can see the conflicts that this was causing.

US Youth Soccer was essentially born to be a recreational organization charged with spreading the gospel of the sport and encouraging kids to play soccer. Its initial charter was not to develop World Cup quality players. However, over the last 25 years, it has been painfully evident that this type of elite player development is necessary.

U.S. Soccer has learned through the years that this process is something that must be done from the ground up, not the top down. It is only in the medium to long-term development of players that the USA will see quality players emerge to lead America to more success at the highest international levels.

 

With the emergence of US Club Soccer in 2001, we have found it more beneficial to partner with US Club Soccer for development of the game in the United States. US Club Soccer provides one national system, without the fragmentation of dealing with autonomous state associations and the different rules that they have. As more clubs and players gravitate to US Club Soccer we will have the system in place that will benefit the growth of soccer in the United States. The Super Y-League and US Club Soccer are a natural partnership that will deliver a better system and structure to clubs, players, referees and coaches in the United States.   It is evident that both of our organizations are becoming a dominant force in soccer in the United States, and more clubs are joining our system for the future development of the game.