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The National Premier Leagues (NPL) is proud to welcome the Southwest NPL as its newest member league beginning in Spring 2020. Eleven clubs in the Southern California region make up the league, which includes programming for 13-U through 19-U boys and girls teams.

Here are the founding clubs of the Southwest NPL:

• Albion SC North
• Crusaders SC
• DMCV Sharks
• Encinitas Express
• Laguna United
• Notts Forest FC
• Rebels SC
• San Clemente Surf
• San Diego Force
• Sporting San Diego
• Temecula Hawks

The Southwest NPL will begin its competitive calendar in March 2020 and progress through May.

“We’re very excited to welcome the Southwest NPL into the US Club Soccer and NPL family,” added Leo Garcia, NPL General Manager and US Club Soccer Vice President of Competitions. “We’re excited for these strong clubs to now have the opportunity to strive towards an ENPL or NPL national championship, and also to be able to see the league winners potentially face-off with titleholders from another formidable NPL member, the SoCal NPL.”

The newest NPL member league will feature an exciting and unique postseason structure, as Southwest NPL regular season champions will face SoCal NPL winners in a playoff match with an NPL postseason berth on the line. More details can be seen on the Southwest NPL Playoff webpage. Additionally, Southwest NPL will have the opportunity to compete amongst more NPL member leagues based in the region, in other competitive platforms.

Alongside the multitude of benefits espoused by the NPL and ENPL, the Southwest NPL and its member clubs will receive more advantages of US Club Soccer membership.

US Club Soccer’s mission is to foster the growth and development of soccer clubs throughout the country to create the best possible development environment for players of all ages in every club. The primary vehicle for accomplishing that ambition is Players First: 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.

That Players First philosophy is supported by 13 partners and resources, including LaLiga, and is anchored by five pillars:

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

In particular, Player Health & Safety is the emphasis, as US Club Soccer prides itself on fostering the safest environment for players in youth sports. 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.

Comments from participating clubs:

• David Halliday, Temecula Hawks Director of Coaching: "We look forward to being part of the NPL and participating in the start-up stages of the NPL Southwest. As a competitive club that has been in existence for over 30 years, we are always looking for the best opportunities for the Hawks, our players and our coaches. We believe that by partnering with the NPL and US Club Soccer, we will be pursuing those opportunities”
• Chris Kingston, NPL Southwest co-founder: "The Southwest NPL is excited to provide our member clubs and players a national competition pathway to both the NPL Finals and ENPL Playoffs for those who qualify.  We will continue to grow and develop the league, ensuring meaning and purposeful competition for all participating clubs.  We look forward to the league's launch this Spring as well as additional cross NPL competition in the future.”
• Holland Hanson, Albion SC North club director: “As a club, we are beyond thrilled to be a part of the Southwest NPL as our players will have new opportunities presented within the US Club Soccer and National Premier League formats. As a league founding member, we are looking forward to working with our fellow Southwest NPL clubs, directors, and coaches who all share the common goal of raising the standards where it directly impacts our players. We are proud to be able to provide an exciting and meaningful platform for our players, teams, coaches and community.”
• Andy Hargreaves, Encinitas Express Director of Older & E3 Program: “We are very excited about joining the NPL Southwest. This is a new pathway and gaming opportunity for all of the clubs involved partnered with tremendous support through US Club soccer. The clubs involved are very committed to the same values and the direction this league is taking. It will create an excellent and unique opportunity for all of our players and families.”
• Jose O’Campo, SD Force Director of Coaching: “Force FC is excited to be a part of NPL Southwest which offers a pathway for players to continue their developmental growth in a local circuit.”

A National Association member of the U.S. Soccer Federation, US Club Soccer fosters the growth and development of soccer clubs in order to create the best possible environment for players of all ages.

Anchored by Players First and its five pillars of Club Development, Coaching Development, Player Development, Parent Engagement & Education and Player Health & Safety, US Club Soccer offers registration, league- and cup-based competition platforms, player identification and a variety of other programming, resources and services.

US Club Soccer is sponsored by Nike and supported by LaLiga through a technical partnership.

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