2025-26 TCSL Parent Guide

TABLE of CONTENTS About the TCSL...........................................................5 Match Day.....................................................................6 Our Leagues................................................................. 7 Age Groups................................................................ 12 US Club Soccer......................................................... 13 More than a League................................................. 14 Our Events.................................................................. 16 Sideline Culture......................................................... 18 Respect the Ref........................................................ 20 Frequently Asked Questions.................................. 21 Resources.................................................................. 23 Stay in the game.

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TCSL

about the tcsl Who We Are

Twin Cities Soccer Leagues, founded in 2017, serves 40+ Twin Cities Clubs, over 1,500 teams, and in excess of 35,000 players. It is the Twin Cities Soccer Leagues’ mission to collaborate with our members and partners to raise the level of every facet of the game.

TCSL facilitates good games close to home. TCSL member clubs represent communities throughout the Twin Cities metro area, within 30 miles of Allianz Field. Geography is a primary consideration when scheduling TCSL seasonal leagues, though higher competitive levels may see competition throughout the entire metro area.

Our Mission

Twin Cities Soccer Leagues (TCSL) sets the standard for youth soccer, on and off the field, creating an exceptional league experience for all.

Our Vision

To collaborate with our members and partners to raise the level of every facet of the game.

Our Values Collaboration

Listening first, we make shared decisions based on trust and transparency. We are as strong as the relationships among our staff, member clubs, and partners.

Sportsmanship

We encourage and celebrate respect among clubs, players, parents, coaches, and referees.

Competition

We believe that appropriate competition is a cornerstone of player development and a sound soccer environment.

Excellence

We evolve and grow, on and off the field, to raise the level of the game for all.

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match day Our Philosophy

Climate at the field is determined by those present, our joint actions create a positive experience.

• Sportsmanship matters. Demonstrate positive support and fair play for all players, coaches, spectators and officials…criticism doesn’t have a place on the sidelines of youth sports.

• The emotional and physical wellbeing of our athletes is critical, demonstrate compassion and restraint.

• Game officials are a vital part of the game and should be treated with respect.

Our Code of Conduct

our leagues

A Home for Every Player

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ECNL Regional League Twin Cities In partnership with the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL), TCSL is excited to announce the formation of ECNL Regional League - Twin Cities, providing more local, high level opportunity for more players in the Twin Cities.

The NPL structure traditionally represented 31 Twin Cities clubs, and this partnership creates a clear evolution in pathway for previously NPL Super division teams to earn their way into the ECNL Regional League and the ECNL RL Postseason competition pathway.

For those players that aspire to play college soccer, 16U-19U ECNL RL teams also will be afforded the opportunity to attend ECNL RL Showcases, where hundreds of college coaches historically have attended.

ECNL RL - TC and

ECNL RL - Twin Cities Information 8

13U-14U teams play a 10-month sche play a 8-month schedule (November-J mitments in the Fall.

Minnesota National Premier League (NPL) The Minnesota National Premier Leagues (NPL) is one of 18 member leagues of US Club Soccer’s National Premier Leagues, providing a high level of meaningful play close to home with a proven pathway to NPL Finals at the national level.

The NPL is a merit-based league; teams earn promotion into the league through performances at the Regional level of play. Top performing teams in the NPL earn advancement and promotion into the ECNL Regional League - Twin Cities, effective with the 2025-26 soccer year.

d NPL Schedules

edule (September-June); 15U+ teams June), due to high school soccer com-

Seasonal Leagues FALL LEAGUE

9U-14U teams play a 6-match schedule over 5 weekends during September and early October, with 11U-14U teams competing to participate in the Fall Final 4 championship event. 9U/10U teams have the option of capping their season with the TCSL Fall Festival. *Clubs have the option to place 15U players on a 14U Fall team if desired, providing opportunity for those without high school soccer commitments during this season.

WINTER LEAGUE

The only sanctioned winter league in Minnesota, providing a high level of play for 11U-19U teams against meaningful competition on weekends throughout the winter months.

SUMMER LEAGUE

9U-19U teams play a 10-match schedule on weeknights beginning in late April/early may, concluding in late June/early July and culminating with a pair of events: the Summer Final 4 championship tournament for 11U-19U teams in mid-July and the TCSL Summer Festival for 9U/10U teams in late-June.

TCSL League Information 10

TCSL Fives TCSL Fives provides festival-style match days during the Fall, Winter, and Summer seasons for 8U teams to better prepare players for the competitive “travel” soccer experience at 9U. Teams play 2 small-sided 5v5 games on each match day.

age groups In 2017, the US Soccer Federation instituted Birth Year Registation, bringing competitive soccer age groups in the US in line with the international standard.

NOTE: This mandate has recently been removed and effective in the 2026-27 soccer year, age group determination will revert to a school-year model. See links below for additional details.

For the 2025-26 soccer year, age groups are determined by a player’s birth year and the age they will turn between January 1 and December 31 in the later part of a given soccer year.

Example Players born in 2016 will be turning 10 in 2026 and thus constitute the 10U (or “10 and Under” age group) for the 2025-26 soccer year.

Learn more about the changes coming in 2026-27 to age group determination.

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Youth Player Age Divisions / Birth Year and Season Matrix 2025-26 Season 8U

Born between Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2018

9U

Born between Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2017

10U

Born between Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2016

11U

Born between Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2015

12U

Born between Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2014

13U

Born between Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2013

14U

Born between Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2012

15U

Born between Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2011

16U

Born between Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2010

17U

Born between Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2009

18U

Born between Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2008

19U

Born between Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2007

us club soccer Twin Cities Soccer Leagues is sanctioned by US Club Soccer, a member organization of US Soccer committed to improving player development and growth of the game.

All participating players, coaches, and managers are registered with US Club Soccer through their home club annually.

Each soccer year runs August 1 through the following July 31. Once registration fees have been paid, players are considered committed to their club for the duration of the soccer year.

Recruiting rules and transfer processes are in place that govern player movement between clubs outside of the annual tryout window at the end of July.

more than a league TCSL is heavily invested in the health of our local soccer community and actively provides opportunities for player, coach, and referee growth and support.

Player Development

TCSL supports US Club Soccer’s id2 Program, facilitating local scouting events for club-recommended players. Players identified locally at these events may be invited by US Club staff for inclusion in regional and national id2 programming.

TCSL is excited to enter the 4th year of the TCSL Reps Program, extending this player development opportunity to 2011, 2012, and 2013 age groups.

TCSL Reps “represent” their team, club, and league as a recognized talent nominated by their clubs and selected during TCSL Reps Trials events, competing both locally and regionally.

TCSL Player Development Initiative

Coach Education

Aligned with US Club Soccer, Twin Cities Soccer Leagues believes that better clubs develop better coaches, and better coaches develop better players.

Through its US Club Soccer affiliation, TCSL hosts United States Soccer Federation courses throughout the year and facilitates coach education opportunities hosted by member clubs in their home environment.

In 2025-26, TCSL will continue to collabore with our member clubs to provide more accessible, affordable and local coach education offerings than ever before.

Coach Education Schedule

Referee Initiatives

Officials are an integral part of the game. TCSL actively partners with our member clubs and their assignors to help recruit, develop and sustain the referee population in Minnesota.

On-field Training TCSL sponsors field training targeted to referees with 3 years of experience or less. The goal is to provide an enviroment where referees can learn skills on the field.

Referee shadow program TCSL partners with the State Referee Committee to assign brand new referees with an experiened mentor to guide them for an entire match.

Referee certification TCSL sponsors entry-level referee certification courses in partnership with the Minnesota State Referee Committee.

You’re invited

Become a referee!

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OUR EVENTS Fall & Spring Festivals An opportunity for TCSL 9U and 10U teams to celebrate their seasons in single-day jamboree-style events.

Winter Fest Indoor jamborees throughout the winter tailored to provide opportunity to help our clubs keep our 9U and 10U teams moving when snow is on the ground.

The Final 4 A true end-of-season, qualification-only playoff event, the Fall and Summer Final 4 determine champions from those TCSL seasonal leagues for teams 11U and up.

Minnesota Cup Open to all eligible Minnesota teams registered with US Club Soccer, this is the TCSL State Cup that advances teams to US Club Nationals (Super Group) or Midwest Regionals (Premier Group).

ECNL RL/NPL Showcases These spring Showcase events include 16U-19U ECNL RL and NPL teams only.

Featuring matches that are part of the overall league schedule, these showcase events provide meaningful matches with impact on league standings for the invited college coaches and scouts.

TCSL Events Information

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sideline culture Set an Example for our Players The SIDELINE PROJECT course: Take it today!

We believe that a positive gameday experience is critical to the health of youth soccer.

• A positive sideline culture will keep more players playing.

• A positive sideline culture will keep more referees refereeing.

• A positive sideline culture will keep more coaches coaching.

Most importantly, it creates an enviroment most beneficial to the players.

Sharing Feedback Players/Parents/Spectators Bring feedback about game day experiences to their coach(es)

> > Coaches

Responsible for collecting/reporting issues to their Club leadership

> > Club

Responsible for evaluating issues and bringing concerns to TCSL

> > League

Responsible for listening and collaborating with Club to address feedback

Code of Conduct 19

respect the ref Coaches should GREET the referee at EVERY match. Thank them for coming. Set the tone for the culture of the match.

• There is a referee shortage. We need to encourage our referees to stay part of the game, instead of giving them reasons to leave.

• Referees will make mistakes. They are learning, just like our players.

• Decisions are made in the moment and are final. Please understand that angles critical to decision making, and your angle might have differed from the angle of the referee.

• Be empathetic. The referee is a son, daughter, mother, father, or grandparent.

What if they were yours?

• Perspective is important. Ten years from now, your child will remember the friendships they made and their love for the game. They won’t remember a call in a specific match.

Please help us be a part of the solution by creating a match day experience that is supporting of EVERYONE.

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FAQs Can my child play in a cast?

Match officials have individual discretion to determine the appropriateness on a case-by-case and match-by-match basis. Any cast should be well wrapped in bubble wrap and secured firmly, but it is ultimately the officials’ call whether play will be allowed in the given match.

What are league rules about piercings?

In all circumstances, all piercings must be removed for match play.

There are no exceptions for newly pierced ears, even if covered.

helpful resources • Club Directory • Contact TCSL • Team of the Week nominations • Looking for league results & standings?

You’ll find them here.

• Youth Soccer is about more than the score. Learn more about our scope by checking out our quarterly magazine.

tcslsoccer.com

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Photos by Christopher Mitchell I sportsphoto.com