GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE SOCCER

SUPER Y LEAGUE

The Super Y League is the only travel soccer league operating on a national basis in the United States. In time it will likely be one of the most important leagues for identifying youth players for the US National Teams.   It is a US Club Soccer affiliated league. 

There are divisions throughout the country for age groups U13-17. The season typically runs from June 1^st thru August 31^st; however, the last regular season game can be played as late as the second week in October. The national championship is held each November in Tampa, Florida.

US Club Soccer does not have any state affiliates, as does USYSA with FYSA (Florida).  In order to participate in SYL would first need to become an affiliate of the league which includes US Club Soccer player membership.  

The Super Y-League was founded in 1999 to provide the highest level of youth soccer competition. The concept was that SYL teams would field teams of the best players from multiple USYSA clubs; and have them compete against similar teams throughout the country. 

The SYL season begins following the USYSA State Cup tournament and runs until August 31, more or less, which is about the time that the USYSA season gets underway. The Super Y-League is ideally suited for high school players who typically need a league to play in before the start of the high school winter season.   Some refer to the SYL as an early season for high school players.  The main thing to keep in mind is that SYL was designed for the highest level of competition not just another league for kids to play in. 

As originally conceived, the SYL league would grant affiliation status to pre-existing USYSA clubs and teams could be comprised of no more than 50% of players from their respective USYSA club.

On paper it is a great idea; however, the reality is that it has not unfolded this way....as of it. It probably will, just not yet.

The competitor to SYL is the established USYSA system. Over the last twenty years, USYSA represented perhaps as much as 95% of all youth travel soccer competition. During this time many clubs have formed and delivered powerhouse USYSA teams that compete for the coveted USYSA National Championship. Many of these clubs have resisted any affiliation with SYL because they have considerable influence within the USYSA system and do not want to part with this status.

SYL has had a slow start is Florida with under one dozen clubs fielding teams. This will grow considerably over the next five years and then consolidation will have to occur.   At present the Florida teams competing in SYL include:

Sunrise SC
Weston SC
West Pines United
Brandon Flames FC
RSL Florida
HC United
Plantation Eagles
Kendall SC
Schultz Academy
Miami Strike Force
Florida Soccer Alliance
Clearwater International FC
FC Sarasota
Orlando FC