The First Guide to NYC Youth Soccer

NYC Elite Club Map

The NYC youth soccer scene is complex and challenging for players and parents to navigate. Combining decades of experience playing at top clubs, our staff has created the first guide to assist families. The guide includes the websites, locations, age groups, and leagues of top clubs in the metropolitan area.

Tryouts for most of these clubs are usually held in May for the season that begins in September. That said, some will take players in other windows like December. Chances of acceptance from a tryout pool are much lower than a trial, where players can train with the actual team. Y4YFC helps kids secure trials to these clubs, skipping the unpromising tryout process. 

If you are familiar with the national structure, skip below to our club guide. Otherwise, below is a brief explanation of the leagues. 

What is MLS NEXT

MLS NEXT is the highest level of youth soccer, including the academies of MLS teams such as NYCFC and Red Bulls and other top academies like Met Oval. The league runs from September to June. Players cannot play for their school or other clubs. Boasting 133 clubs, it starts at U13 and runs up to U19. ‘B’ teams of MLS NEXT clubs often compete in the NEAL, NAL, ECNL, or MLS NEXT 2. Some MLS squads also have squads that compete in MLS NEXT PRO.

What is ECNL?

Containing 131 clubs, ECNL is regarded as the second-highest level of youth soccer, and some of its squads outcompete MLS NEXT squads. Some ECNL participants have pro teams. For older players, play begins after the respective high school season in a given region. In the northeast, for example, ECNL play runs from December to July. The league has U13-U19 age groups and the ‘B’ teams usually compete in the ECNL Regional League (ECRL). 

What is the USYS, UPSL, USL, NAL, EDP?

The USL Academy is a new U19 league, with age groups from U16-19 on one team. U13 and U15 age groups as well. It runs through the summer, aligning with the USL Championship season. The UPSL is the unofficial fourth tier of the men’s game. It includes multiple divisions along with a new academy division. USL2 is the fourth level of the pyramid and usually includes college players. USYS is a high-level club league that functions like ECNL, though at a lower level. NAL is a fairly new league attempting to replicate the same model. The EDP, though older, is considered slightly inferior to the USYS and NAL. 

MLS NEXT Clubs

NYCFC

• Queens, NY // Orangeburg, NY

• U12 to U17 + U23 + PRO

• U13 to U17 = MLS NEXT

• U23 = MLS NEXT PRO

• PRO = MLS

Red Bulls

• Whippany, NJ

• U12 to U17 + U23 + PRO

• U13 to U17 = MLS NEXT

• U23 = MLS NEXT PRO

• PRO = MLS

Met Oval

• Queens, NY

• U8 to 19

• U13 to U19 = MLS NEXT

Gottschee

• Queens, NY

• U8 to U19

• U13 to U19 = MLS NEXT

FA Euro

• Brooklyn, NY

• U8 to U29

• U13 to U14 = MLS NEXT

Ironbound SC

• Newark, NJ

• U8 to U19

• U13 to U14 = MLS NEXT

• U20 = USL ACADEMY

DUSC

• New York, NY

• U8 to U19 + U23

• U13 to U14 = MLS NEXT

• U8 to U19 = USYS, NYCFC, MLSNEXT2, NEAL, ETC

• U23 = EDP

FC Westchester

• Westchester, NY

• U9 to U19 + U23

• U13 to U19 = MLS NEXT

New York Soccer Club

• Westchester, NY

• U13 to U19

• U13 to U19 = MLS NEXT

Cedar Stars Academy Bergen

• Bergen, NJ

• U5 to U19 + U23

• U13 to U19 = MLS NEXT

• U23 = EDP

Cedar Stars Academy Monmouth

• Monmouth, NJ

• U5 to U19

• U13 to U19 = MLS NEXT

Players Development Academy

• Somerset, NJ

• U13 to U19 = MLS NEXT

• ‘B’ team plays ECNL.

ECNL Clubs

Manhattan SC

• New York, NY // Bronx, NY

• U8 to USL2

• U13 to U19 = ECNL

• U20 = USL Academy

• USL2 summer team fielding college players.

World Class FC

• Orangeburg, NY

• U8 to U19

• U13 to U19 = ECNL

East Meadow

• Long Island, NY

• U13 to U19 = ECNL

STA

• Randolph, NJ

• U13 to U19 = ECNL

SUSA

• Long Island, NY

• U8 to U19

• U13 to U19 = ECNL

Other Top-Level Clubs

Two Bridges

• New York, NY

• U17 to U19+

• UPSL + USYS

• Brooklyn FC Academy (USL-A)

Manhattan Kickers

• New York, NY

• U5 to U12

• Elite Developmental Club

Westchester Flames

• Westchester, NY

• U9 to U19 + USL2

• USYS, EDP, USL2, USL Academy

FC Copa

• Hillsborough, New Jersey

• U9 to U19+

• USYS, EDP, USL Academy, USL2

Other Competitive Clubs

• Soccer Stars United, Manhattan

• Asphalt Green SC, Manhattan

• Chelsea Piers SC, Manhattan

• SC Gjøa, Brooklyn

• Hota Bavarians, Queens

• Triboro United, Brooklyn

• Brooklyn Italians, Brooklyn

• Brooklyn United, Brooklyn