What Is DPL? A Parent's Guide to the Development Player League (2026)
TL;DR: DPL (Development Player League) is a girls-only club soccer league for U13-U19 players. It's the official second tier of the Girls Academy competitive structure and sits below ECNL and GA but above EDP and state leagues. The big selling point: DPL is sanctioned by USSSA, which means your daughter can play high school soccer. That's a dealbreaker for a lot of families. Total costs run $5,000-$10,000+ per year including showcase travel. There are 20 DPL clubs across the Northeast. If your daughter wants strong competition and a real college recruiting pathway without giving up her high school team, DPL is worth a serious look.
Your Daughter's Coach Said "DPL" and You Nodded Like You Understood
It happens every spring. You're at the field, someone mentions DPL, and you're doing the mental math: Is that the same as the Girls Academy? Is it better than EDP? Can she still play for her high school?
The girls' side of club soccer is confusing. There's ECNL, Girls Academy, DPL, EDP, NECSL, and half a dozen other acronyms, and they all claim to be the best pathway for your daughter. If you're trying to decide between the two tier-one options, our ECNL vs Girls Academy comparison covers that. The honest answer is that DPL fills a specific and valuable niche: it's strong competition with college recruiting exposure, and it doesn't force your daughter to choose between her club team and her high school team.
This guide breaks down the structure, real costs, what DPL means for college recruiting, and which clubs in the Northeast participate, so you can figure out if it makes sense for your family before tryout season. To see how DPL compares to every other league at a glance, check our complete league comparison table.
Are you a club director? If your club plays in DPL or any other league, make sure parents can find you. Claim your free ClubScout profile to verify your information, update costs, and respond to parent reviews.
What Is DPL?
DPL stands for Development Player League. It was founded in 2017 and has grown to 70+ clubs and 16,000+ players across 10 conferences nationwide. The league is led by president Barry Ritson.
Here's what makes DPL different from the other girls' leagues you've heard about:
- Girls only. U13 through U19. If you have a son, DPL is not an option. See our MLS NEXT guide or ECNL guide for boys' leagues.
- Official second tier of the Girls Academy (GA) structure. In February 2025, the Girls Academy launched GA ASPIRE as a new tier-two pathway managed through a DPL partnership. This means DPL is formally connected to the top girls' league in the country, not operating in a vacuum.
- Sanctioned by USSSA (since 2019). This is the detail that matters most to a lot of families, and we'll explain why below.
- College recruiting is the core focus. Multiple showcase events per season with NCAA Division I, II, III, and NAIA coaches in attendance.
The Pathway: Where DPL Fits
The girls' competitive landscape has a clear hierarchy. Here's where DPL sits:
| Tier | League | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Girls Academy (GA) | Highest national competition for girls |
| Tier 1 | ECNL | Top tier, strongest college recruiting infrastructure |
| Tier 2 | GA ASPIRE (managed by DPL) | New tier-two pathway within GA structure |
| Tier 2 | DPL (Full Status) | Championship access, strong college exposure |
| Tier 3 | DPL Open | Broader access, development-focused |
| Tier 4 | EDP, NECSL, state leagues | Regional competitive leagues |
When someone says their daughter "plays DPL," she could be in the full-status tier (with championship access) or the open tier (broader access, still competitive). That distinction matters for the level of competition and the showcase schedule. Ask which tier.
The Three-Tier Structure
DPL recently restructured into a three-tiered Emerging Talent Pathway. Understanding the tiers helps you know exactly what your daughter is signing up for.
| Tier | Age Groups | What It Is |
|---|---|---|
| FUTURES | U13-U14 | Entry point for younger players. Designed to introduce the DPL structure and competition standard. |
| OPEN | U13-U19 | Broader-access tier. Strong competition, development-focused. |
| FULL STATUS | U13-U19 | Top DPL tier. Access to DPL championships, maximum showcase and college recruiting exposure. |
The pathway looks like this: DPL FUTURES/OPEN → DPL Full Status → GA ASPIRE → Girls Academy. It's a clear progression, and clubs can move up tiers based on competitive performance.
How a DPL Season Works
DPL runs a fall-spring season, similar to most competitive leagues.
Season structure by age group:
- U15-U19: Fall season runs August through January. Conference play with approximately 16 games per season, plus showcase events.
- U13-U14 (FUTURES): Fall and spring seasons, providing more playing time for younger players who are still developing.
Conference play: DPL is organized into 10 conferences nationally. Northeast clubs play within their conference, which means most regular-season travel stays regional, within a few hours' drive.
Showcase events: This is where DPL puts serious resources. Key events include:
| Event | Location | Timing | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Regional | Tampa, FL | January | College recruiting showcase |
| Western Regional | Phoenix, AZ | November | College recruiting showcase |
| DPL SUMMIT | TBD | March | End-of-season championship showcase |
These showcase weekends are where college coaches show up. For U15+ players serious about college soccer, these events matter.
Important for 2026-27: Like ECNL and other leagues, DPL is transitioning its birth year cutoff from the traditional calendar year to a seasonal year (August 1 - July 31) starting in 2026-27. We've written a full explainer on the age group change. Ask your club how they're handling the transition.
What DPL Actually Costs
Here's the real breakdown. The number your club quotes you is not the number you'll actually spend. (For a broader look at travel soccer costs across all leagues, see our travel soccer cost breakdown.)
| Cost Component | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Club registration/tuition | $2,500-$5,000 | Varies significantly by club and region. Northeast clubs tend toward the higher end. |
| Showcase travel (flights, hotels, meals) | $1,000-$2,000+ | Events in Tampa and Phoenix mean flights. This is where costs add up fast. |
| Uniform kit | $100-$400 | Most clubs run a 2-year cycle. Ask if it's year 1 or year 2 before ordering. |
| Regular season travel | $300-$800 | Conference play is regional, so this is mostly gas and occasional hotel stays. |
| Additional training/camps | $200-$500 | Some clubs offer optional extras. These add up. |
| Total estimated | $5,000-$10,000+/yr | Plan for the high end your first year. |
A few things to know:
- DPL is significantly cheaper than full ECNL. ECNL costs $5,500-$12,000+/year. DPL's lower travel burden (regional conference play vs. national showcases every month) is the biggest savings.
- The showcase trips are where it gets expensive. If your daughter is U15+ and attending 2-3 showcases per year in Florida, Arizona, or elsewhere, budget $1,000-$2,000 just for travel.
- Financial aid is club-by-club. There's no league-level program. Ask your club directly about scholarships or payment plans.
- The first year costs more than you expect. Uniforms, new gear, and learning how to budget for travel all hit at once. Parents consistently tell us this.
High School Soccer: The Big Selling Point
This is the section that matters most for a lot of families, so let's be direct.
Your daughter can play DPL and high school soccer. Full stop.
DPL is sanctioned by USSSA (United States Specialty Sports Association), and that sanctioning specifically preserves high school soccer eligibility. The DPL schedule is designed to accommodate high school seasons, so your daughter doesn't have to choose between her club team and playing with her friends at school.
This is a genuine differentiator. Here's how the major girls' leagues compare on this:
| League | High School Soccer Allowed? |
|---|---|
| DPL | Yes |
| Girls Academy | Yes (mandated by league policy) |
| ECNL | Generally yes |
| EDP | Yes |
For many families in the Northeast, this is the deciding factor. High school soccer matters to kids. It's their school, their friends, their senior night. Telling a 15-year-old she has to skip all of that to play club is a tough conversation, and DPL means you don't have to have it.
If high school eligibility is important to your family and your daughter wants strong competition above EDP level, DPL is the best option in the girls' landscape. ECNL also generally allows high school soccer, but ECNL clubs are concentrated in CT and MA with none in NH, RI, VT, or ME. DPL has broader geographic coverage across the Northeast.
The College Pathway: Real Numbers
College recruiting is DPL's core focus, and the numbers are solid.
What DPL offers:
- Multiple showcase events per season with NCAA D1, D2, D3, and NAIA coaches attending
- 60+ players committed to college programs in 2022 from DPL alone
- 1,200+ players committed through the broader Girls Academy system (which DPL feeds into)
- The Eastern Regional (Tampa, January) and DPL SUMMIT are the biggest recruiting events
The reality check:
- College recruiting attention is concentrated at U16-U19. If your daughter is U13-U14, the college piece is still 2-4 years away. At younger ages, the value is in the training and competition, not the "exposure."
- "Committed to college" includes all levels: D1, D2, D3, NAIA, and NJCAA. A D1 full scholarship remains extremely competitive. There are roughly 300 D1 women's soccer programs nationally, and each has limited scholarship equivalents.
- DPL's recruiting numbers are growing but are smaller than ECNL's (which claims ~90% of its players go on to play some level of college soccer and has showcases drawing 1,300+ scouts). DPL is a legitimate recruiting pathway, but ECNL has a larger footprint with college coaches.
- The typical DPL-to-college route: DPL → GA ASPIRE or Girls Academy (for top players) → college. Many players commit directly from DPL without moving up to GA.
The pro pathway: For women's soccer, the pro route runs through college. DPL → college → NWSL Draft is the typical path. DPL feeds into GA, which is the top tier for girls, and college programs are where NWSL scouts are looking.
Bottom line: If your daughter is serious about playing college soccer and you want meaningful showcase exposure without the full ECNL price tag, DPL delivers. Just don't overpay for "college exposure" at U13-U14. That exposure doesn't become actionable until U16 at the earliest.
DPL Clubs in the Northeast
There are 20 DPL clubs across 8 states in our coverage area. That's significantly more geographic coverage than ECNL, which has 6-7 Northeast clubs concentrated in CT and MA.
Massachusetts (5)
| Club | Location | ClubScout Profile |
|---|---|---|
| FC Boston Bolts | Newton, MA | View profile |
| Ginga FC | Boston, MA | Coming soon |
| IFA | Boston, MA | View profile |
| NEFC | Boston, MA | View profile |
| Seacoast United Massachusetts | Amesbury, MA | Coming soon |
Connecticut (4)
| Club | Location | ClubScout Profile |
|---|---|---|
| CFC North | Newtown, CT | Coming soon |
| Cheshire Soccer Academy | Cheshire, CT | Coming soon |
| Inter Connecticut FC | West Haven, CT | View profile |
| Sporting CT | Hartford, CT | View profile |
New York (5)
| Club | Location | ClubScout Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Clarkstown Soccer Club | New City, NY | View profile |
| NY Rush | Albany, NY | Coming soon |
| RNY FC Youth | New Rochelle, NY | View profile |
| Rush NY - Albany | Albany, NY | Coming soon |
| Western New York Flash | Elma, NY | Coming soon |
New Jersey (2)
| Club | Location | ClubScout Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Ironbound SC | Newark, NJ | Coming soon |
| NJ14 Soccer Club | East Brunswick, NJ | Coming soon |
Other Northeast States
| Club | Location | State | ClubScout Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seacoast United Maine SC | Scarborough, ME | ME | Coming soon |
| New England Force | Litchfield, NH | NH | Coming soon |
| Keystone FC | Lancaster, PA | PA | Coming soon |
| Rhode Island Surf | Narragansett, RI | RI | Coming soon |
Geographic Reality
DPL has a real advantage over ECNL in the Northeast when it comes to access. ECNL has no clubs in New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, or Maine. DPL has clubs in NH, ME, RI, and PA, plus deeper coverage in MA, CT, NY, and NJ. If you're in a state where ECNL isn't an option and EDP feels like a step down, DPL fills that gap.
That said, not every club listed above offers every age group or tier. Some may only have Open-tier teams, while others have Full Status with championship access. Call the club directly and ask which tiers and age groups they're running for the upcoming season.
Time Commitment: What Your Week Actually Looks Like
Before your daughter signs up, map out what a typical week looks like during season:
| Activity | Hours/Week | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Practice (3x/week, ~1.5 hrs each) | 4.5 hrs | Plus drive time to/from the field |
| Games (weekends) | 2-3 hrs | Including warmup and travel |
| Drive time | 2-4 hrs | Depends on how far the club is from your house |
| Total | 8-12 hrs/week | Not including showcase weekends |
Showcase weekends (2-3 per year for U15+) are a different animal: full travel days Thursday through Sunday, typically involving flights, hotels, 3-4 games, and a lot of sitting in folding chairs.
Before you commit: Map the drive from your house to the club's training facility at 5:30 PM on a Tuesday. That's practice time, not Sunday morning. If it's more than 40-45 minutes at rush hour, three nights a week gets old fast. We've seen families try to make it work and burn out by November.
Is DPL Right for Your Daughter?
DPL might be a good fit if:
- She wants stronger competition than EDP or state leagues but your family isn't ready for (or can't access) full ECNL or Girls Academy.
- High school soccer matters to her. If she wants to play for her school team and compete at a high club level, DPL is specifically designed for that.
- You're thinking about college soccer. DPL's showcase events put her in front of college coaches, and the GA ASPIRE pathway gives her room to move up.
- There's a DPL club within reasonable driving distance. Check the tables above. If there's a club 30-40 minutes from your house, the logistics work.
- Your budget is $5,000-$10,000/year. That's real money, but it's less than full ECNL ($5,500-$12,000+).
- She's U13 or older. DPL starts at U13. For younger players, focus on finding a club with good coaching regardless of league name.
DPL might NOT be a good fit if:
- She's already at a level where GA or ECNL is realistic. If your daughter can make a Girls Academy or ECNL roster, those leagues offer a higher standard of competition and stronger college recruiting networks. DPL is excellent, but it's tier two for a reason.
- Cost is a major concern. At $5,000-$10,000+/year, DPL is a significant expense. EDP clubs with strong coaching at $3,500-$6,500/year may be a better fit financially. A great coach 15 minutes from your house will do more for your daughter's development than a league name that requires 45 minutes in the car.
- She's not sure soccer is her primary sport. DPL is 8-12 hours/week with travel weekends. If she's still figuring out whether she wants to commit to soccer year-round, a less intensive league gives her room to explore. Not sure if she's ready for travel soccer? Read our rec vs travel soccer guide.
- The nearest DPL club is more than 45 minutes at rush hour. Three practices per week at that distance is 4.5+ hours of driving per week before you count games. That's not sustainable for most families across a full season.
- She doesn't want to travel for showcases. The showcase events (Tampa, Phoenix) are central to the DPL experience, especially for college recruiting. If your family can't or doesn't want to travel, you'll miss a core part of what makes DPL valuable.
DPL vs Other Girls' Leagues: Quick Comparison
| Factor | DPL | ECNL | Girls Academy | EDP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gender | Girls only | Boys and Girls | Girls only | Boys and Girls |
| Tier | Mid-high (Tier 2) | Top (Tier 1) | Top (Tier 1) | Mid |
| Annual cost | $5,000-$10,000+ | $5,500-$12,000+ | $5,500-$12,000+ | $2,500-$6,000 |
| HS soccer allowed? | Yes | Generally yes | Yes (mandated) | Yes |
| Northeast clubs | ~20 | 6-7 | 18 + 18 ASPIRE | 140+ |
| College pathway | Strong (showcase-focused) | Strongest overall | Strong | Moderate |
| Pro pathway | College → NWSL | College → NWSL | GA → College → NWSL | Limited |
| Age groups | U13-U19 | U13-U18/19 | U13-U19 | Varies |
The short version:
- DPL vs ECNL: ECNL is the top tier for girls with the strongest college recruiting infrastructure. DPL is one step below but with more geographic access in the Northeast (20 clubs vs. 6-7) and a lower price point. Both allow high school soccer. If your daughter can make an ECNL roster and there's a club nearby, ECNL is the stronger option. If ECNL isn't accessible in your area, DPL is a strong alternative. For the full head-to-head breakdown on cost, college recruiting, high school eligibility, and geographic access, see our DPL vs ECNL comparison.
- DPL vs Girls Academy: GA is tier one, DPL is tier two, and they're formally connected through GA ASPIRE. If your daughter is in DPL and performing well, there's a clear pathway upward into the GA system. For the full breakdown on cost, competition, and the ASPIRE pathway, see our Girls Academy vs DPL comparison.
- DPL vs EDP: DPL offers stronger competition and significantly more college recruiting exposure than EDP. But it also costs more and requires showcase travel. If your daughter is competitive enough for DPL and college soccer is a goal, it's worth the step up.
For a broader comparison of the top boys' and girls' leagues, see our MLS NEXT vs ECNL guide. For a team-based league at a similar price point that covers both boys and girls, see our NPL guide.
Recent Changes Worth Knowing
A few changes worth tracking:
- GA ASPIRE launched (February 2025). This is a new tier-two pathway within the Girls Academy structure, managed through a partnership with DPL. It strengthens DPL's position as a formal feeder into the top girls' league.
- Three-tiered Emerging Talent Pathway. DPL restructured into FUTURES (U13-U14 entry), OPEN (U13-U19), and FULL STATUS (championship access). This creates a clearer progression for players.
- Birth year transition. Starting 2026-27, DPL is moving from calendar-year age groups to a seasonal year (August 1 - July 31). Ask your club how this affects your daughter's age group placement.
- FC Boston Bolts accepted into DPL for 2025-26. A strong addition in eastern Massachusetts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my daughter play high school soccer and DPL?
Yes. This is one of DPL's biggest selling points. The league is sanctioned by USSSA, which specifically preserves high school soccer eligibility. The DPL schedule is designed to accommodate high school seasons. Your daughter does not have to choose between club and school.
What age groups does DPL cover?
U13 through U19. The FUTURES tier starts at U13-U14 as an entry point, while OPEN and FULL STATUS tiers run U13-U19.
Is DPL only for girls?
Yes. DPL is a girls-only league. For boys' leagues, see our guides on MLS NEXT and ECNL.
How is DPL different from the Girls Academy?
Girls Academy is the top tier (tier one) for girls' club soccer nationally. DPL is the official tier two within the GA competitive structure. The GA ASPIRE pathway (launched February 2025) is managed through a DPL partnership, creating a formal connection between the two. Strong DPL players and clubs can move up into the GA system.
What does DPL cost?
Base club fees run $2,500-$5,000 per season depending on your club and region. When you add showcase travel ($1,000-$2,000+), uniforms ($100-$400), and regular season travel, the all-in total is typically $5,000-$10,000+ per year. See the full cost breakdown above.
How good does my daughter need to be for DPL?
DPL sits above EDP and state leagues but below ECNL and Girls Academy. If your daughter is one of the stronger players on a competitive travel team and wants a higher level of play, she's likely in the right range. Many clubs offer trial training sessions. Ask about joining a practice before committing to a formal tryout.
Does DPL help with college recruiting?
Yes, this is central to what DPL does. The league runs multiple showcase events per season (Eastern Regional in Tampa, Western Regional in Phoenix, DPL SUMMIT) with NCAA D1, D2, D3, and NAIA coaches attending. College recruiting exposure becomes most relevant at U16+. At younger ages, the value is in training and competition quality.
What's the time commitment?
Plan for 8-12 hours per week during season, including practices (3 per week at ~1.5 hours each), games, and drive time. Showcase weekends (2-3 per year for U15+) add full travel days. This is a significant commitment, especially when combined with school and high school soccer season.
Can my daughter move from DPL to ECNL or Girls Academy?
Yes. Players can try out for any club at any time. If your daughter outgrows DPL competition, she can try out for ECNL or GA clubs. See our guide on when to switch clubs for how to handle the transition. The DPL → GA ASPIRE → Girls Academy pathway also gives clubs (not just individual players) a route upward.
What's the difference between DPL Full Status and DPL Open?
Full Status clubs have access to DPL championships and maximum showcase exposure. Open-tier clubs compete in the DPL system but without championship access. Both are legitimate competitive environments, but Full Status offers more. Ask the club which tier their teams play in.
Find DPL Clubs Near You
Ready to explore your options?
- Browse DPL clubs in your area
- Browse all girls' clubs by location
- Take the ClubScout Club Finder quiz to get personalized recommendations based on your daughter's age, location, and competitive level
Tryout season is approaching. Check the tryout calendar for DPL tryout dates near you, and read our tryout guide for Northeast parents to know what to expect.
Not sure DPL is the right level? Read our guides on ECNL and MLS NEXT to compare, or take the Club Finder quiz for a recommendation based on your daughter's specific situation.