GAMEFACE INTERNATIONAL, LLC Announces New Programs

Local Soccer Organization FC Revolution Joins Forces with YPSL (Youth Premier Soccer League)

Wyomissing, January 21, 2009:  GAMEFACE INTERNATIONAL, LLC today announced it has joined forces with the YPSL.

A new and exciting regional youth soccer league, fully sanctioned by US Club Soccer, arrived in the northeast area of the country! The Youth Premier Soccer League (YPSL) - youth component of the highly successful Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) and the men’s National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) tandem - began play in June, 2008.  The YPSL is a separate entity from the WPSL and NPSL and is based out of Morris Plains, New Jersey.

League Commissioner Andy Sones stated, “FC Revolution leaders Eric Puls and Mike Moyer have been involved with professional soccer, and their reputations as coaches are extremely good.   They understand what is necessary to take players to a higher level.  We’re ecstatic that FC Revolution has joined the YPSL.”

Club founder Eric Puls said, “This is exactly what we were looking for.  Our players have been playing with other clubs during the summer months.  Now, they can stay home and be a part of this new and exciting league.  The best part about the league is that founder Matt Driver has eliminated all the negative components that continue to exist in other organizations, and he has taken the league to a very high level since its inception.  Plus, Matt’s reputation as a former Major League Soccer coach and current managing partner of the Women’s Professional Soccer Philadelphia 2010 franchise is stellar.”

FC Revolution director of coaching Mike Moyer added, “Eric and I are looking forward to this summer with the youth teams, and have already received calls from college coaches to join our staff.  The other exciting thing is that we will be looking to add WPSL and NPSL teams in 2010.  This will give all boys and girls a professional system that will guide them from U8’s all the way through their adult amateur playing careers.”

The goal of the YPSL is to become a trend-setter, rather than a follower of the current trend. Through the YPSL, WPSL and NPSL franchises will have the opportunity to enhance their programs while benefitting youth players. Unlike current summer programs, our basic objective is simple - maximize quality playing time, competition, and officiating while minimizing travel issues and scheduling. Success in this area will highlight the professionalism of the franchises involved.

As much as possible, the YPSL plans to follow the alignment set forth for the WPSL and NPSL teams. This would create a direct connection between the youth and senior programs. All age groups would travel to each of the senior venues at least once during the season. This would give each of the existing franchises an opportunity to host an event where 300-600 players plus their parents would attend. All youth players would receive a pass to the senior event(s). The initial plan is to schedule 12 matches per team over 4 weekends. Dates for US Club Soccer Regional events would be blacked out so the league would pose no conflict for its players.

The new Revolution YPSL premier teams will begin playing in June 2009.  Tryout dates and sites will be released in the near future.  Teams are being formed for boys and girls ages U11 – U17, and are open to all players regardless of current club affiliation. The league runs in June and July only, creating no conflict for year round travel teams. The league play-offs also finish in plenty of time for high school aged players to get a break before official pre-season training starts.

Tryout Dates, Times, Sites, Fees, Staff, and Details Coming Soon!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Youth Premier Soccer League (YPSL)

A: The YPSL is the official youth league of the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) and the men's National Premier Soccer League (NPSL). Both leagues feature players from some of the nation's top collegiate soccer programs as well as internationals and former professional players who have regained their amateur status.

Q: What makes the YPSL different to other summer soccer options?

A: Structure, development and exclusivity. The structure of YPSL league play is three games per weekend. These are structured so teams can travel on Saturday mornings, play one game on the Saturday afternoon, then one game early on Sunday, and one at Sunday lunchtime before travelling home Sunday afternoon at a reasonable time. Unlike tournaments that require accommodation at certain hotels, with early Saturday games necessitating multiple nights in hotels, this structure guarantees three quality games per weekend with a maximum of one night away.

The development opportunities to YPSL players are unique, given the adult senior teams that exist at the majority of their own clubs. As well as having a natural development progression through to their senior team, all players at each YPSL weekend get free tickets to a WPSL or NPSL game of the host club on the Saturday evening, offering a first-hand exhibition of top-level soccer from outstanding role-model players, led by some of the top coaches in the country.

Q: Who can enter teams in the YPSL?

A: Membership in the YPSL is initially limited to the youth programs of organizations who are members in good standing of either the WPSL or NPSL. In areas where there is no WPSL or NPSL team, or where that team chooses not to enter the YPSL, that territory may be offered to another team. Competition will be offered at the U11, U12, U13, U14, U15 and U16 age groups, for both boys and girls.

Q: When do YPSL games take place?

A: The season runs mid-June to late July. Each festival weekend will consist of three games for each team, one on Saturday and two on Sunday. Weekends are hosted by a YPSL organization, and where with each weekend's competition being capped by a match by the host organization's senior team.

Q:Why another summer league?

A: Existing summer soccer options do not reflect the best interests of youth soccer players, so there is a need for something combining the best elements of each. While there are a number of options available to players who wish to play through the summer, they all have significant flaws, and that there is a need for something combining the best elements of each. Some regional leagues require considerable travel to play one game at a time, often including weekday evenings, with games as early as March. This huge travel commitment for limited game play is clearly not an efficient use of time, as well as conflicting with club teams. It is also unhelpful for player development, as some players inevitably travel considerable distances for limited time in individual games. Another typical summer offering is a tournament package, which typically involves competition against the same teams each week, often at the same central venues, sometimes playing five or six games in a weekend, culminating with tired and dehydrated players playing 'showpiece' finals late on Sunday.

The YPSL lends itself to player development within a genuinely regional competition, offering more playing opportunities per weekend against different teams from across the region in a festival environment. These are packaged with sensible travel to varied central locations.

YPSL rules and structure are defined by the teams, not imposed by the league, resulting in a new and exciting structure to summer play, better reflecting an ideal opportunity for players and families.

Q: Is the YPSL a sanctioned league?

A: Yes. The league is sanctioned through US Club Soccer.

Q: Will the YPSL interfere with my year-round club team or High School soccer?

A: No. The league runs in June and July only, creating no conflict for year round travel teams. The league play-offs also finish in plenty of time for high school aged players to get a break before official pre-season training starts.

Q: Do players in the league have access to development and progression to the national level through an identification program?

A: Yes. Players in the YPSL are part of the US Club Soccer id2 program. ODP is not the only avenue for player identification, and ODP Program participation numbers and budgets dictate that key players with potential may be overlooked. In addition, some players cannot afford the expense or time involved. Other non-competitive issues are sometimes factored into the selection process as well.

US Club Soccer has revolutionized the way the country's top youth players are identified and developed with the id2 program. The program takes a fresh approach to identifying and developing the nation's best players.

Unlike ODP, parents do not have to assume the expense of multiple costly tryout camps (that also remove players from their club programs for significant periods of time) to ensure their players are seen by id2 scouts. id2 identifies players in their own environment as they compete with their club teams. Players are identified regardless of their affiliation (i.e. US Club Soccer, USYSA, AYSO, non-affiliated, etc.).

Q: This sounds like a great opportunity - how can I find my local YPSL team?

A: Look through the list of competing clubs, and contact the club closest to you. If you are unsure, contact the league.