Home Forums Long Island & Eastern New York Soccer Message Boards Roll Away The Stone Soccer News New ALLIANCE US Club League coming to our area Fall 2019

Alliance Soccer League to form in Fall 2019, presenting competitive programming in NJ, surrounding states

CHARLESTON, S.C. (March 1, 2019) – Seven clubs have come together to form the new Alliance Soccer League, serving New Jersey and surrounding states beginning in Fall 2019.

Cedar Stars Academy (N.J.)
FC Copa Academy (N.J.)
Match Fit Academy (N.J.)
NJ Stallions (N.J.)
PDA (N.J.)
PSA (N.J.)
STA (N.J.)

The Alliance Soccer League was founded by these clubs on the principles of being player-focused, eliminating excessive travel for league games, facilitating a promotion/relegation structure and reducing cost burdens for families. US Club Soccer's player identification and development opportunities are extended to the Alliance Soccer League, and the clubs are poised to offer ongoing Player Development Programs (PDPs) to its members.

Competitive opportunities are not the only highlights of the league. Most notably, these clubs will experience the benefits of Players First – a philosophy that US Club Soccer has used to accomplish its mission and vision since the platform launched more than three years ago. Two of these clubs – Match Fit Academy and STA – were among the first clubs approved for Players First licensing.

Players First is a branded, holistic club soccer experience for parents and players which emphasizes the development of each individual to his or her full potential, and helps parents make better choices about where their children should play. Players First is anchored by five pillars:

Club Development
Coaching Development
Player Development
Parent Engagement & Education
Player Health & Safety

US Club Soccer strives to create the safest environment for players in youth sports. Its vehicle for accomplishing that ambitious goal is the Player Health & Safety pillar of Players First. US Club Soccer has implemented best-in-class background checks, as part of its background screening process for all registered staff. The effort coincides with a requirement for those registered staff to complete a Sideline Sports Doc/US Club Soccer online injury recognition course, as well as SafeSport online training.

Quotes from founding member directors of the Alliance Soccer League:

Anthony Nixon, Cedar Stars Academy-Bergen: "We, at CSA-Bergen, are very excited to join a league with strong founding member clubs. I believe that these clubs are at the forefront in player development. Moving forward, this will give our players a terrific platform to showcase their talents on a local level."

Roberto Aguas, FC Copa Academy: "From inception, FC Copa Academy has and will continue to serve our players and their development through innovative initiatives, such as the Alliance Soccer League. It has always been our belief that like-minded organizations can achieve tremendous success if we all continue to work together for the better interest of the players, the sport of futbol, and all those involved. It is our hope that through this inexpensive, non-profit initiative, we will offer players, teams and clubs an additional platform where they can showcase their talents."

Chris Leahy, Match Fit Academy: "Match Fit Academy is proud to be a founding member club of the Alliance Soccer League. Being able to provide a player-centric league, while collaborating with like-minded clubs is a truly unique opportunity and in the best interest of our players and families. We feel this list of clubs aligning toward one common goal of player development is a massive step in the right direction."

Shaun Cryer: NJ Stallions: "Knowing the top-level clubs involved are committed in this league creation, it was a no-brainer for the Stallions to get on board, as well. Like-minded people providing a platform that puts the players first both in terms of cost and quality is always the NJ Stallions' No. 1 priority. We are excited to come on board."

Gerry McKeown, PDA: "PDA is thrilled to be part of this revolutionary platform that eliminates excessive spending and unnecessary travel. As a true non-profit union, we can make sure that the experience and ongoing education for our young players is the only priority. The sole agenda for our group is to optimize the early pathway at these critical ages."

Ollie Hilliker, PSA: "PSA is proud to be a founding member of the Alliance Soccer League. The league will enable us to provide our players a platform to play regular meaningful games without unnecessary travel. The league's founding members are all at the forefront of player development in our region. This in an exciting time for our players."

Shane Bullock, STA: "STA are delighted to support this initiative in providing another highly competitive, yet developmentally appropriate platform for our players. In collaboration with the other like-minded partner clubs, we are excited by the opportunity to provide quality competition that will limit travel and provide a better balance for our youngest members and their families."

Another League?? Getting out of hand now

Do you think the aforementioned clubs then will be leaving EDP "leagues?"

No but i do think it will impact the nycsl as they are both us club. nycsl does have a jersey league that failed and i guess this is us club looking to replace edp who less than a year ago was the new jersey us club league. the wording is also intersting adding surrounding states beginning in Fall 2019.

didnt i see in another post that us club was not happy being dictated to by the nycsl and are now offering a competive us club league for our area. this will be interesting.

Why would those clubs play in this new USCS Alliance league and EDP. I don't think it makes sense to play in both, especially when each league is different sanctioning/carding.

Really? Do you know how many teams and clubs are dual carded? More than those that aren't and those that aren't are a minority. Stating what I just wrote as fact, teams and clubs can easily move from any NYCSL league to this new league, or add this league to their current league(s) play in an instant, assuming the club is accepted by the league.

Match Fit announced they are ‘all in’ with the new league. So I assume they will shut down their NL team. So the NL team will probably be the new ECNL team going forward.

This is US Club Soccer? So how is US Club soccer setting up new league against another US Club Soccer league - NYCSL. Or is it now ECNL, ECNL2, NPL and USCS Alliance?

Perhaps this is a US Club response to a well self organized competition in Texas and South California (US Soccer) that produces results (DPL) or am I engaging in wishful thinking here? It's Jersey - so money first, development second!

US Club unlike USYSA does not have a policy of market exclusivity. The WYSL is US Club. SSI is US Club. I also would remind everyone that US Club gave the New Jersey based ECSL to NYCSL. There is very little loyalty to US Club league operators at least in our area. Probably a major reason for EDP getting out that USCS train wreck.

I am also starting a new league latter today, just decided to. Just working out the details on the logo.

I’m in. Last thing soccer needs is another watered down league. Ridiculous

Not in New Jersey. Most teams aren't double-carded. Some of the big clubs aren't even double-carded. They say they can't justify the expense.

Can you list those clubs because I'm not buying what you're selling. I think you are way off base unless you can DOCUMENT your statement.

Just take a look at the the 2 state cups, you can see many of the bigger clubs enter both, particularly at the younger ages.if your in both then you are double carded. many kids are playing for 2 clubs at younger ages to play under both cards, has been going on for years. the second card is minimal cost, the second league is the expensive part.

This league is forming so PDA, which is heavily involved in the management of US Club Soccer, looks good to US Club. I am sure PDA and the other clubs mentioned are entering their C an D teams.

TSF Academy, SJ Elite Barons, Watchung Hills NJ Elite, Mount Olive Premier to name four.
FC Sportika, Centercourt . . . . .

....and you know this how? What is your source for this information?

NYcSL is screwed...their best teams are the NJ teams....why would the NJ teams want to travel to LI play rec teams or second/third best teams in npl and metro as the better teams are in EDP now....

NYCSL is officially the best rec league on LI yes still better than LIJSL...for now

https://www.alliancesoccerleague.net

Alliance Soccer League announced last week
What does this mean for EDP & (Futures) league

Isn’t it the same Bunch if people that wanted to create a NJ league last year?

The only thing I feel bad about is the future of the teams that qualify for next year NL - or maybe I don’t. I do think that stallions, PSA, various PDA teams and Copa will be very competitive

I have emails from TSF Academy, SJEB Barons, Centercourt saying they're not double carding, carding with US Club Soccer.

Have you taken the time to read the latest EDP post that was posted yesterday

Or even tryouts from every club. They also mention they will play in every league. *sigh*

too much money, too many clubs, too many leagues, not enough talent for any of this but there sure is enough players with cash!!!!

I believe this alliance league among clubs is a great idea and brings a new perspective for what clubs believe is a growing trend of being in control of a league rather than answering to a league that sets all the rules for the clubs. These clubs and local leagues are being formed so that for those players and families who do not want to travel can play within a short radius as well as play in a competitive atmosphere with other like minded players. This league addresses those families who do not want the the rigors of DA or ECNL and at the same time play soccer because they LOVE to play the game. This league will not have the highest level of competitiveness but will be answering a need for those players who want to play for good solid clubs and still have the opportunity to have other interests. I believe with the rules and restrictions being set by all these leagues these “boutique” leagues run by the clubs will be coming more and more.