TCSL PARENT GUIDE
TABLE of CONTENTS About TCSL................................................................ 4 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. Follow TCSL on social media. 2
@tcslsoccer
@tcslsoccer
TCSL
2026-2027
TCSL PARENT GUIDE
ABOUT 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 Serving clubs with deep expertise.
Twin Cities Soccer Leagues (TCSL) serves member clubs with the competition structures, operational support, and programming they need to focus on what they do best — developing players and building community — while raising the level of the game for every club, player, coach, and referee we serve.
Our Vision The standard for youth soccer.
To be the standard for youth soccer — trusted across the Twin Cities and beyond, built on innovation and excellence.
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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.
2026-2027
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TCSL PARENT GUIDE
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 6
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TCSL PARENT GUIDE
OUR LEAGUES A Home for Every Player
2026-2027
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ECNL Regional League Twin Cities Now entering its second year, the ECNL Regional League - Twin Cities (ECNL RL) represents the top of the TCSL pyramid. Teams qualify into the ECNL RL through N1, with top finishers advancing to the ECNL RL postseason. Teams play one meaningful season from September-June (U13-U14) or December-June (U15-U19).
ECNL RL - Twin Cities Information
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2026-2027
National 1 League (N1) National 1 League (N1) carries forward the legacy of NPL as a key part of the TCSL competitive pathway, now under a new national structure. Teams play a meaningful, highly competitive season — 10 months for U13–U14, 7 months for U15–U19 — with top finishers advancing to the ECNL Conference League playoffs in June 2027.
National 1 League Information
2026-2027
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Seasonal Leagues FALL LEAGUE
U9-U14 teams play a 6-match schedule over 5 weekends during September and early October, with U11-U14 teams competing to participate in the Fall Final 4 championship event. U9/U10 teams have the option of capping their season with the TCSL Fall Festival. *Clubs have the option to place U15 players on a U14 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 U11-U19 teams against meaningful competition on weekends throughout the winter months.
SUMMER LEAGUE
U9-U19 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 U11-U19 teams in mid-July and the TCSL Summer Festival for U9/U10 teams in lateJune.
TCSL League Information 10
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TCSL Fives
TCSL Fives provides festival-style match days during the Fall, Winter, and Summer seasons for U8 teams to better prepare players for the competitive “travel” soccer experience at U9. Teams play 2 small-sided 5v5 games on each match day.
2026-2027
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TCSL PARENT GUIDE
AGE GROUPS Effective with the 2026-27 soccer season, US Club Soccer (TCSL’s sanctioning partner), in addition to other youth soccer organizations, decided to switch to a schoolyear based age group system. Learn more about the 2026-27 change to age group determination.
Youth Player Age Divisions / Birth Year and Season Matrix 2026-27 Season U8
Born between Aug. 1, 2018-July. 31, 2019
U9
Born between Aug. 1, 2017-July. 31, 2018
U10
Born between Aug. 1, 2016-July. 31, 2017
U11
Born between Aug. 1, 2015-July. 31, 2016
U12
Born between Aug. 1, 2014-July. 31, 2015
U13
Born between Aug. 1, 2013-July. 31, 2014
U14
Born between Aug. 1, 2012-July. 31, 2013
U15
Born between Aug. 1, 2011-July. 31, 2012
U16
Born between Aug. 1, 2010-July. 31, 2011
U17
Born between Aug. 1, 2009-July. 31, 2010
U18
Born between Aug. 1, 2008-July. 31, 2009
U19
Born between Aug. 1, 2007-July. 31, 2008
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TCSL PARENT GUIDE
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.
2026-2027
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TCSL PARENT GUIDE
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 5th year of the TCSL Reps Program, extending this player development opportunity to 2012, 2013, and 2014 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 14
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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 2026-27, 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! 2026-2027
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TCSL PARENT GUIDE
OUR EVENTS Fall, Spring & Summer Festivals An opportunity for TCSL U9 and U10 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 U9 and U10 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 U11 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 and N1 League Weekends These league weekends include U13-U14 ECNL-RL teams in the fall, and U13-U19 ECNL-RL and N1 teams in the spring. Featuring matches that are part of the overall league schedule, these events provide meaningful matches in a single location with impact on league standings.
TCSL Events Information
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TCSL PARENT GUIDE
SIDELINE CULTURE
Set an Example for our Players 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. 18
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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
2026-2027
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TCSL PARENT GUIDE
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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TCSL PARENT GUIDE
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.
2026-2027
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TCSL PARENT GUIDE
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
2026-2027
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Photos by Christopher Mitchell I sportsphoto.com
TCSL PARENT GUIDE