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National Academy League

Top regional league with selective tryouts and multi-state travel.

140Clubs
30States
U13–U19Ages

What is NAL?

The National Academy League (NAL) is a competitive youth soccer league designed to provide high-level playing opportunities for clubs across the United States. Positioned between regional competitive leagues and the top national platforms, NAL serves as an important tier in the youth soccer landscape, offering clubs a pathway to develop players in a structured, nationally connected environment.

NAL features organized conference play with a regular season, playoffs, and championship events. The league attracts clubs that are committed to player development and competitive excellence but may not be members of the most exclusive national platforms. For many clubs, NAL represents the primary competitive platform, while others use it alongside memberships in leagues like ECNL or MLS NEXT for their secondary teams.

For parents, NAL offers a competitive environment with college exposure opportunities at a level that can be more accessible than the top-tier national leagues. The league provides quality competition with a mix of regional and inter-regional play, giving players experience against diverse opponents while keeping travel more manageable than a fully national schedule.

Key Features

  • National league with conference-based competition structure
  • Serves as a bridge between regional and elite national leagues
  • Championship events and playoff format
  • College recruiting exposure at league events
  • Growing network of committed member clubs
  • Multiple age groups from U13 through U19
  • Balanced approach to competition and development

At a Glance

Age Range

U13–U19

Season

Fall (September–December), Spring (February–May), Championship events (June)

Cost Range

$2,000–$4,500 per season (club-dependent)

Travel

Conference play with regional travel, plus select inter-conference events

Tryout Window

April–June

Coverage

National — multiple conferences across the United States

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Clubs in NAL

140 results

AC Connecticut

Milford, CT

Recreational, Development, Competitive, High Sc...

ElitePre-ECNL GirlsNYCSL+9
Albertson Soccer Club logo

Albertson Soccer Club

Albertson, NY

PremierNALEDP
Athletum FC logo

Athletum FC

Miami, FL

Competitive, High School & Elite

PremierNAL
Atletico de Madrid Academia Miami logo

Atletico de Madrid Academia Miami

Miami, FL

First Kicks, Recreational, Development

PremierNALEDP

Augusta Arsenal

Augusta, GA

PremierNAL

Augusta Arsenal SC

Unknown, SC

Development, Competitive

PremierNAL

Azzurri Storm Soccer Club

South Florida, FL

Development, Competitive

PremierNAL
Azzurri Storm Soccer, Inc. logo

Azzurri Storm Soccer, Inc.

Naples, FL

Recreational, Development, Competitive, High Sc...

PremierNAL
Baltimore Armour logo

Baltimore Armour

Baltimore, MD

Development

CompetitiveMLS NEXTGA+2

Barca Academy Pro NY

New York, NY

Competitive

CompetitiveNALEDP

Beadling SC

Pittsburgh, PA

U9, U10, U11, U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, U17, U18...

EliteMLS NEXTNPL+2

Beadling Soccer Club

Bridgeville, PA

Competitive

PremierNAL
Bethesda SC logo

Bethesda SC

Bethesda, MD

CompetitiveECNL GirlsMLS NEXT+4
Bethesda Soccer Club logo

Bethesda Soccer Club

Bethesda, MD

PremierNAL
Boston Bolts logo

Boston Bolts

Newton, MA

Recreational, Development, Competitive, High Sc...

CompetitiveGA ASPIREMLSNAD+6

Carolina Velocity

Charlotte, NC

Development, Competitive

CompetitiveNAL

Cedar Stars Academy - Bergen

South Hackensack, NJ

EliteMLS NEXTGA+1

Cedar Stars Academy - Monmouth

Tinton Falls, NJ

Development, Competitive

EliteMLS NEXTGA+2

Cedar Stars Academy Hudson Valley

Newburgh, NY

U8, U9, U10, U11, U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, U17,...

CompetitiveTNLNAL+1
Cedar Stars Academy Monmouth Girls logo

Cedar Stars Academy Monmouth Girls

Wall Township, NJ

Development, Competitive

PremierNAL
CFC Ole logo

CFC Ole

Newington, CT

Development, Competitive

PremierNAL

Chargers Soccer Club

Clearwater, FL

Recreational, Development, Competitive, High Sc...

EliteMLS NEXTNAL
Charlotte Eagles logo

Charlotte Eagles

Charlotte, NC

Development, Competitive, High School & Elite

PremierMLSNADNAL

Charlotte Independence SC North

Charlotte, NC

Development, Competitive

PremierNAL

Charlotte Independence SC South

Charlotte, NC

Development, Competitive

CompetitiveNAL
Chelsea Piers logo

Chelsea Piers

New York, NY

First Kicks, Recreational, Development, Competi...

PremierNAL
Chelsea Piers Soccer Club logo

Chelsea Piers Soccer Club

Stamford, CT

Recreational, Development, Competitive, High Sc...

CompetitiveNALEDP

Chicago Fire Youth SC

Chicago, IL

Development, Competitive

CompetitiveMLS NEXTNPL+2

Club Ohio

Columbus, OH

CompetitiveNPLGA+1

Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club

Denver, CO

Development, Competitive

CompetitiveDPLNAL
Columbus Crew SC logo

Columbus Crew SC

Columbus, OH

Development, Competitive, High School & Elite

CompetitiveMLS NEXTNAL
Connecticut Rush Select Soccer logo

Connecticut Rush Select Soccer

North Branford, CT

Development, Competitive, High School & Elite

CompetitiveNAL
Coppermine FC logo

Coppermine FC

Forest Hill, MD

Recreational, Development, Competitive, High Sc...

PremierNAL
Dallas Texans logo

Dallas Texans

Dallas, TX

Development, Competitive, High School & Elite

CompetitiveECNL GirlsNPL+6

DC United

Washington, DC

Competitive, High School & Elite

CompetitiveMLS NEXTNAL

DME Academy

Daytona Beach, FL

PremierNAL
Downtown United Soccer Club logo

Downtown United Soccer Club

New York, NY

First Kicks, Recreational, Development, Competi...

EliteMLS NEXTNAL
FC Dallas logo

FC Dallas

Dallas, TX

Competitive, High School & Elite

CompetitiveMLS NEXTNPL+2

FC DELCO

Wayne, PA

Recreational, Development, Competitive, High Sc...

CompetitiveECNL GirlsMLS NEXT+6
FC Florida logo

FC Florida

Davie, FL

Competitive, High School & Elite

PremierNAL

FC Golden State Force

San Jose, CA

Competitive

EliteMLS NEXTNAL
FC Somers logo

FC Somers

Somers, NY

Recreational, Development, Competitive, High Sc...

CompetitiveTNLNAL+1
FC Stars logo

FC Stars

Acton, MA

Development, Competitive, High School & Elite

CompetitiveECNL GirlsPre-ECNL Girls+8
FC Stars Soccer Fields logo

FC Stars Soccer Fields

Lancaster, MA

Development, Competitive, High School & Elite

CompetitiveNALNECSL

FC Westchester

White Plains, NY

Development, Competitive, High School & Elite

CompetitiveMLS NEXTNAL+1

FC Westchester New York

White Plains, NY

Competitive

CompetitiveMLS NEXTNAL

Fort Wayne United

Fort Wayne, IN

CompetitiveNAL

Fox Soccer Academy Carolinas

Charlotte, NC

Development, Competitive

EliteMLS NEXTNAL
Fox Soccer Academy New York logo

Fox Soccer Academy New York

Warwick, NY

First Kicks, Recreational, Development, Competi...

CompetitiveMLS NEXTNAL

Houston Dynamo

Houston, TX

Competitive, High School & Elite

CompetitiveMLS NEXTNAL

IdeaSport

Orlando, FL

Development, Competitive

PremierNAL

IFA

Boston, MA

Recreational, Development, Competitive, High Sc...

PremierGA ASPIREGA+4

IFA West

Milford, MA

CompetitiveMLS NEXTNAL
IMG Academy logo

IMG Academy

Bradenton, FL

EliteMLS NEXTGA+1

Inter Atlanta FC

Atlanta, GA

Development, Competitive

CompetitiveMLS NEXTGA+2
Inter CT logo

Inter CT

Milford, CT

PremierNALCJSA
Inter Miami CF logo

Inter Miami CF

Miami, FL

Development, Competitive, High School & Elite

EliteMLS NEXTNAL

Ironbound SC

Newark, NJ

U9, U10, U11, U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, U17, U18...

CompetitiveUSL YouthUSL Academy Boys+3
Ironbound Soccer Club logo

Ironbound Soccer Club

Newark, NJ

Development, Competitive

EliteMLS NEXTNAL

James Island Youth Soccer Club

James Island, SC

Development, Competitive

PremierNAL
Key Biscayne Soccer Club logo

Key Biscayne Soccer Club

Key Biscayne, FL

First Kicks, Recreational, Development, Competi...

PremierNAL

Kings Hammer Cincinnati

Cincinnati, OH

Development

CompetitiveMLS NEXTNAL

Kings Hammer Nashville

Nashville, TN

Competitive

CompetitiveMLS NEXTNAL

Kings Hammer Swan City

Sanford, FL

PremierNAL

Lanier Soccer Association

Gainesville, GA

Development, Competitive

CompetitiveMLS NEXTNAL

Lexington Sporting Club

Lexington, KY

Competitive

CompetitiveMLS NEXTPre-ECNL Girls+5

Liverpool FC

Boston, MA

Recreational, Development, Competitive, High Sc...

EliteTNLNAL+1
Liverpool FC IA Maryland logo

Liverpool FC IA Maryland

Rockville, MD

Competitive, High School & Elite

CompetitiveNAL
Liverpool FC IA Maryland Girls logo

Liverpool FC IA Maryland Girls

Rockville, MD

Development, Competitive

CompetitiveNAL

Liverpool FC IA Michigan

Detroit, MI

Development, Competitive

PremierECNL GirlsPre-ECNL Girls+4

Long Island Slammers

Setauket, NY

First Kicks, Recreational, Development, Competi...

CompetitiveMLS NEXTNPL+5
Lou Fusz Athletic logo

Lou Fusz Athletic

St. Louis, MO

First Kicks, Recreational, Development, Competi...

EliteMLS NEXTGA+1
McLean Youth Soccer logo

McLean Youth Soccer

McLean, VA

EliteMLS NEXTNAL

Miami Breakers

Miami, FL

Development, Competitive

PremierNAL
Miami Futbol Academy Rush logo

Miami Futbol Academy Rush

Miami, FL

First Kicks, Recreational, Development, Competi...

EliteMLS NEXTNAL
Michigan Jaguars FC logo

Michigan Jaguars FC

Novi, MI

First Kicks, Recreational, Development, Competi...

EliteGANAL
Midwest United FC logo

Midwest United FC

Grand Rapids, MI

First Kicks, Recreational, Development, Competi...

CompetitiveMLS NEXTNAL

Minnesota United FC

Minneapolis, MN

Development, Competitive

EliteMLS NEXTNAL
Nashville SC logo

Nashville SC

Nashville, TN

CompetitiveMLS NEXTNAL

NEFC

Boston, MA

U8, U9, U10, U11, U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, U17,...

EliteGA ASPIREMLS NEXT+7

NEFC North

Burlington, MA

Competitive

PremierNAL
New England Surf logo

New England Surf

Newton, MA

First Kicks, Recreational, Development, Competi...

CompetitiveMLSNADPre-ECNL Girls+5

New York City FC

New York, NY

Development, Competitive, High School & Elite

CompetitiveMLS NEXTNAL
Nona Soccer Academy logo

Nona Soccer Academy

Lake Nona, FL

Recreational, Development, Competitive, High Sc...

EliteMLS NEXTNPL+2
Northern Virginia Alliance logo

Northern Virginia Alliance

Arlington, VA

EliteMLS NEXTGA+2

OC Seminole

Sanford, FL

PremierNAL

Ole FC

Boston, MA

U8, U9, U10, U11, U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, U17,...

EliteTNLNAL
One Knox SC logo

One Knox SC

Knoxville, TN

Recreational, Development, Competitive, High Sc...

CompetitiveNAL
Orlando City SC logo

Orlando City SC

Orlando, FL

Competitive, High School & Elite

EliteMLS NEXTNAL

PA Classics

Manheim, PA

U9, U10, U11, U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, U17, U18...

EliteMLS NEXTGA+3

PA Classics Harrisburg

Harrisburg, PA

First Kicks, Recreational, Development, Competi...

PremierMLS NEXTTNL+3
Paisley Athletic logo

Paisley Athletic

New York, NY

First Kicks, Recreational, Development, Competi...

PremierNAL
Penn Alliance Select logo

Penn Alliance Select

Allentown, PA

Competitive, High School & Elite

CompetitiveTNLNAL+1

Philadelphia Union

Philadelphia, PA

Development, Competitive, High School & Elite

CompetitiveMLS NEXTNAL
Pinecrest Premier logo

Pinecrest Premier

Pinecrest, FL

Recreational, Development, Competitive, High Sc...

EliteGANAL
Plantation FC Rush logo

Plantation FC Rush

Plantation, FL

First Kicks, Recreational, Development, Competi...

EliteMLS NEXTNAL+1
Players Development Academy logo

Players Development Academy

Somerset, NJ

Development, Competitive, High School & Elite

EliteECNL GirlsMLS NEXT+7
Portland Timbers logo

Portland Timbers

Portland, OR

Competitive, High School & Elite

CompetitiveMLS NEXTNAL
Rage SC Office logo

Rage SC Office

Leesport, PA

Competitive, High School & Elite

EliteECNL BoysNAL

Reading Rage Surf

Reading, PA

Recreational, Development, Competitive, High Sc...

PremierPre-ECNL GirlsNAL+2
Real Futbol Academy logo

Real Futbol Academy

Medford, NJ

Recreational, Development, Competitive, High Sc...

CompetitiveMLS NEXTGA+2
Real Salt Lake logo

Real Salt Lake

Salt Lake City, UT

Recreational, Development, Competitive, High Sc...

CompetitiveMLS NEXTNAL
Roswell Soccer Club logo

Roswell Soccer Club

Roswell, GA

First Kicks, Recreational, Development, Competi...

EliteMLS NEXTDPL+1

RSL Arizona

Phoenix, AZ

Competitive

EliteMLS NEXTNAL

San Jose Earthquakes

San Jose, CA

Competitive

EliteMLS NEXTNAL
SC Del Sol logo

SC Del Sol

Phoenix, AZ

First Kicks, Recreational, Development, Competi...

EliteMLS NEXTGA+1

Seacoast of Bedford

Bedford, NH

Development, Competitive

PremierTNLNAL+1
Seacoast United - Hampton logo

Seacoast United - Hampton

Hampton, NH

Development, Competitive, High School & Elite

EliteGA ASPIREMLS NEXT+4

Seacoast United Maine SC

Scarborough, ME

Development, Competitive

PremierDPLNAL+1

Select

Boston, MA

U9, U10, U11, U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, U17, U18...

EliteECNL GirlsPre-ECNL Girls+7

Select South Shore

Hingham, MA

Competitive

PremierNAL
SFC New England logo

SFC New England

Winchester, MA

Development, Competitive, High School & Elite

CompetitiveTNLNAL+1
Shore FC logo

Shore FC

Ship Bottom, NJ

Recreational, Development, Competitive, High Sc...

PremierNAL
SJEB FC logo

SJEB FC

Medford, NJ

Recreational, Development, Competitive, High Sc...

EliteGATNL+2

South Florida Football Academy

South Florida, FL

Development, Competitive

EliteMLS NEXTPre-ECNL Girls+2

Southern Homestead Academy

Homestead, FL

Development, Competitive

PremierNAL

Southern Soccer Academy

Atlanta, GA

Development, Competitive

CompetitiveMLS NEXTGA+2

Southern Soccer Academy Swarm

Atlanta, GA

Development, Competitive

CompetitiveNAL
Sporting City logo

Sporting City

Kansas City, MO

Recreational, Development, Competitive, High Sc...

EliteGA ASPIREMLS NEXT+1
Sporting CT logo

Sporting CT

Middletown, CT

Development, Competitive, High School & Elite

CompetitiveDPLNAL+1

Sporting Kansas City

Kansas City, MO

Competitive

EliteMLS NEXTNAL

St. Louis CITY SC

St. Louis, MO

Competitive

CompetitiveMLS NEXTNAL
Steel United New Jersey logo

Steel United New Jersey

Parsippany, NJ

PremierNAL
Tampa Bay United logo

Tampa Bay United

Tampa, FL

Recreational, Development, Competitive

EliteECNL GirlsMLS NEXT+5
The Football Academy NJ logo

The Football Academy NJ

Parsippany, NJ

First Kicks, Recreational, Development, Competi...

PremierGA ASPIREGA+2
Total Futbol Club logo

Total Futbol Club

Pennsylvania, PA

Development, Competitive

PremierNAL
Touch Kings Football Club logo

Touch Kings Football Club

Maryland, MD

Development, Competitive

CompetitiveNALEDP
TSF Academy logo

TSF Academy

Lincoln Park, NJ

First Kicks, Recreational, Development, Competi...

CompetitiveMLS NEXTNAL+1
TSF Academy - NJ logo

TSF Academy - NJ

Parsippany, NJ

Development, Competitive

EliteMLS NEXTNAL+1

Two Bridges FC

Brooklyn, NY

PremierNAL

Union County FC

Union, NJ

Development, Competitive, High School & Elite

CompetitiveNPLNAL

United Soccer Alliance

Jacksonville, FL

Development, Competitive

EliteMLS NEXTNAL
Valeo FC logo

Valeo FC

Newton, MA

Recreational, Development, Competitive, High Sc...

CompetitiveMLS NEXTNAL+1
Virginia Revolution logo

Virginia Revolution

Richmond, VA

Development, Competitive

PremierNAL
Wake FC logo

Wake FC

Raleigh, NC

Recreational, Development, Competitive, High Sc...

EliteMLS NEXTGA+2

Wake Futbol Club City

Raleigh, NC

PremierNAL

Wake Futbol Club West

Durham, NC

Development, Competitive

PremierNAL

West Florida Flames

Pensacola, FL

Development, Competitive

EliteMLS NEXTNPL+3
Weston FC logo

Weston FC

Weston, FL

Development, Competitive, High School & Elite

EliteMLS NEXTDPL+2
White Plains FC logo

White Plains FC

White Plains, NY

PremierNAL

Parent Questions About NAL

What is the National Academy League?
The National Academy League (NAL) is a competitive youth soccer league operating across the United States. It provides conference-based competition for clubs committed to player development, offering a step above regional leagues with national connectivity, college exposure, and championship events.
How does NAL compare to ECNL or MLS NEXT?
NAL is generally positioned as a tier below ECNL and MLS NEXT in the competitive hierarchy, though the gap varies by region. NAL offers solid competitive play and college exposure at a level that can be more accessible for talented players who are developing toward elite status. Some clubs compete in both NAL and ECNL or MLS NEXT across different teams.
How much does NAL cost?
Club fees for NAL teams typically range from $2,000 to $4,500 per season. Costs vary by club, region, and age group. Travel costs are generally moderate, with most games within your conference region and select national events adding additional expense.
Does NAL help with college recruiting?
Yes, NAL provides college recruiting exposure through league events and showcases. While the exposure may not be at the same volume as ECNL or MLS NEXT national events, many college coaches at various division levels recruit from NAL competitions, particularly at regional events.
When are NAL tryouts?
Most NAL clubs hold tryouts between April and June. Exact dates depend on the individual club. Check club pages on ClubScout for specific tryout information and registration links.

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