FRISCO, Texas (Oct. 11, 2023) — The game schedule is now available for the 2023 National League Conference Playoffs, which are taking place this December at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Fla.
Boys and girls teams in the 14U (2010), 15U (2009), 16U (2008), 17U (2007) and 19U (2006/05) age groups will compete in the Conference Playoffs. The boys weekend takes place Dec. 1-4, while the girls weekend is Dec. 8-11.
The Conference Playoffs feature more than 350 top-performing teams from the past year of competition in the 13 National League Conferences. Each side earned its place in the Conference Playoffs, either via automatic qualification or by securing an open slot selection through its recent on-field accomplishments.
The teams playing in the Conference Playoffs will be competing to advance to National League P.R.O. for a chance to ultimately qualify for the 2024 USYS National Championships.
“Bringing many of the top teams from the National League together always means there will be great soccer on display, and this year’s Conference Playoffs will provide plenty of talent and excitement,” said Simon Collins, USYS National League Commissioner. “These games present coaches and players with valuable learning opportunities that can aid in their development and their pursuit of individual and collective goals. The competitive nature of the games also provides an excellent recruiting window for college coaches attending the event.”
Each team in the Conference Playoffs is placed in a group of four and plays each opponent in its group once over the course of three days of play. The top three* teams in each group of four will advance to National League P.R.O., which is the second stage of the National League’s national events.
*Available advancement spots for third-place teams varies by age group.
For teams that earn advancement past the Conference Playoffs, their National League P.R.O. event will take place either in February 2024 in Tampa, Fla., or May 2024 in Oceanside, Calif. At their respective National League P.R.O. event, teams will compete against fellow conference teams and top teams from Elite 64 to determine which sides advance to the USYS National Championships.
The teams in the Blue divisions of the Conference Playoffs will follow the Oceanside (May) pathway IF they advance out of their Conference Playoff group. The teams in the Red divisions of the Conference Playoffs will follow the Tampa (February) pathway IF they advance out of their Conference Playoff group.
Click here for more details on the National League Conference Playoffs.