Eastern Premier Soccer League Explained

Pixels:190px
Country:United States
Confed:CONCACAF
(North American Football Union)
First:2020–21
Teams:36
Relegation:Metropolitan Conference
Cosmopolitan Soccer League
Garden State Soccer League
Long Island Soccer Football League
Mid-Atlantic Conference
Maryland Major Soccer League
Northeast Conference
New England Champions League
Domest Cup:U.S. Open Cup
(via qualifying tournament & NAC)
National Amateur Cup
(via USASA Region I)
Confed Cup:CONCACAF Champions League
(via U.S. Open Cup)
Champions:Greek-American A.C. (1st title)
Season:2023–24
Most Successful Club:Northern Virginia FC
(2 titles)

The Eastern Premier Soccer League (EPSL) is a United States Adult Soccer Association and a National Independent Soccer Association affiliated Semi-Professional Elite League that includes teams from the Eastern United States. Currently the league has members from Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

The league is a partnership between the New York City based Cosmopolitan Soccer League and the Maryland Major Soccer League. It is also an affiliate of the National Independent Soccer Association, a professionally sanctioned third division soccer association.

History

The league was announced on July 23, 2020, in a joint effort between the Cosmopolitan Soccer League and Maryland Major Soccer League to create a regional based multi-league promotion and relegation system in the United States.[1] [2] The league's goal is to have merit-based promotion from local amateur leagues, including champions, with the possibility of being relegated back into the local feeder leagues at the end of the season. The initial slate of members included many of the clubs that participated in the first division of the CSL the previous season.[3]

In the following months, the EPSL added teams from additional leagues such as the Woodbridge Soccer League and United Premier Soccer League.[4] On September 8, 2020, the league announced that the New Jersey-based Garden State Soccer League would become a feeder league for the EPSL.[5] A future promotion spot in the Metropolitan Conference of the EPSL will be determined in a playoff between the champion of the GSSL and the champion of the Cosmopolitan Soccer League.

On September 4, 2020, the National Independent Soccer Association announced its latest amateur league affiliation with the EPSL.[6] [7] It joined the previously announced Gulf Coast Premier League and Midwest Premier League in having in having an affiliation with the third division association. The affiliation includes at least two merit-based spots in the NISA Independent Cup tournament and participation on the NISA Alliance Board.

2024 Spring Season Teams

Mid-Atlantic Conference

TeamCityStadiumFounded
Baltimore City F.C.Baltimore, MDMiddle Branch Fitness Center2023
Maryland Bobcats U23Boyds, MDMaryland SoccerPlex2018
Columbia FCColumbia, MDCedar Lane Park2017
Estudiantes FCFairfax, VAEdison HS2020
Glenmont FCGaithersburg, MDLaytonia Recreational Park2020
Golden Ball Soccer AcademyVirginia Beach, MDTBA2019
Grove Soccer UnitedGlen Allen, MDDeep Run HS2022
Northern Virginia FCLeesburg, VAVirginia Revolution Sportsplex1998
Patuxent FA EPSLGreat Mills, MDChancellors Run Regional Park2020
PW NovaDumfries, VAAli Krieger Sports Complex2021
VA MaraudersFairfax, VAWoodson HS2020

2020-21 Season Teams

Metropolitan Conference

TeamCityStadiumFounded
Clifton Elite FCClifton, NJAthenia Steel Complex2017
Doxa SCNew Rochelle, NYJoseph F. Fosina Field1962
FC WestchesterYonkers, NYTibbetts Brook Park1986
KidSuper Samba ACNew York City, NYBaker Athletics Complex2017
Lansdowne Yonkers FCYonkers, NYFleming Field (Yonkers)1997
New York Athletic Club S.C.Pelham Manor, NYNew York Athletic Club2008
New York Greek AmericansNew York City, NYMetropolitan Oval1941
New York Pancyprian-FreedomsNew York City, NYBelson Stadium1974
New Amsterdam FC IINew York City, NYSoundview Park2002
Philadelphia Lone Star FCPhiladelphia, PASouth Philadelphia Athletic Super Site2001
Seft F.C.Nutley, NJFrederick Douglass Field2017
Zum Schneider FC 03New York City, NYJack McManus Field2003

Mid-Atlantic Conference

TeamCityStadiumFounded
All Star United FCBaltimore, MDMilford Mill Academy
Columbia FCBaltimore, MDMilford Mill Academy2017
DMV Rangers FCBaltimore, MDMilford Mill Academy
Fredericksburg City UnitedFredericksburg, VASmith Lake Park2014
Maryland Bobcats FC IIBoyds, MDMontgomery Blair High School2016
Motorik FC AlexandriaAlexandria, VAWest Potomac High School2017
Northern Virginia FCLeesburg, VAEvergreen Sportsplex1998
Steel Pulse FCBaltimore, MDBanner Field at Latrobe Park2018
Virginia United FCWoodbridge, VAHowison Homestead Soccer Complex2016

Northeast Conference

TeamCityStadiumFounded
Boston Siege FCBoston, MAThe Rotch Park2017
Castle Island FC Boston, MAThe Rotch Park2021
Connecticut RushNorth Branford, CTGuilford High School2020
Mass United RushGloucester, MAGloucester High School2009

2021-22 Season Teams

Northeast Conference

TeamCityStadiumFounded
Boston RushBoston, MACharlestown High School2017
Fall River FCFall River, MABritland Park2019
Fall River MarksmenFall River, MABMC Durfee High School1922
International SCNashua, NHMain Dunstable Field1992
KO ElitesHartford, CTAnnie Fischer School2019
Mass United RushBoston, MACharlestown High School2009
New Hampshire BobcatsBoston, MAJoe Moakley Park2016
Ruggles FCMarlborough, MAForeKicks Sports Complex2020
Santa Cruz FC U23Lowell, MAUMASS, Lowell2021
Santa Cruz FC U20Lowell, MAUMASS, Lowell2021

Metropolitan Conference

TeamCityStadiumFounded
Doxa SCNew Rochelle, NYJoseph F. Fosina Field1962
KidSuper Samba ACNew York City, NYBaker Athletics Complex2017
Lansdowne Yonkers FCYonkers, NYTibbetts Brook Park1997
Manhattan Celtic FCNew York City, NYRandalls Island Icahn Stadium1998
New York Greek AmericansNew York City, NYMetropolitan Oval1941
New York Pancyprian-FreedomsNew York City, NYBelson Stadium1974
New Amsterdam FC IINew York City, NYSoundview Park2002
Scots-American ACKearny, NJKearny High School1931
Seft F.C.Nutley, NJFrederick Douglass Field2017
Zum Schneider FC 03New York City, NYJack McManus Field2003

Delaware River Conference

TeamCityStadiumFounded
Albion SC DelawareMiddletown, DEDE Turf Sports Complex2021
Danubia SCPhiladelphia, PABristol Township Municipal Park1957
International New Jersey FCBurlington, NJBristol Township Municipal Park2021
Kensington SCKensington, PATemple University Sports Complex2010
Oaklyn United FCOaklyn, NJRowan Soccer Complex2018
Real Central New JerseyTrenton, NJMercer County Community College2020
Salone FCPhiladelphia, PAJohn Bartram High School2001

Mid-Atlantic Conference

TeamCityStadiumFounded
AC CommonwealthNorfolk, VANorfolk Collegiate School2020
Columbia FCColumbia, MDMilford Mill Academy2017
Dulles N-Lite FCChantilly, VAPoplar Tree Park2021
Fredericksburg City UnitedFredericksburg, VASmith Lake Park2014
Motorik FC AlexandriaAlexandria, VAThomas Jefferson High School2017
Northern Virginia FCLeesburg, VAVirginia Revolution Sportsplex1998
Patuxent FA EPSLGreat Mills, MDChancellors Run Regional Park2020
Wheaton Lions S.A.Columbia, MDCedar Lane Park2016

Year by year

Champions

SeasonChampionMetropolitan ConferenceMid-Atlantic ConferenceNortheast ConferenceDelaware River Conference
Regular SeasonPlayoffRegular SeasonPlayoffRegular SeasonPlayoffRegular SeasonPlayoff
2020–21Lansdowne Yonkers FC[8] Lansdowne Yonkers FC[9] New York Pancyprian-FreedomsSteel Pulse FCDMV RangersConnecticut RushMass United RushN/AN/A
2021–22Northern Virginia FCDoxa SCNew York Pancyprian-FreedomsNorthern Virginia FCNorthern Virginia FCFall River MarksmenFall River MarksmenInternational New Jersey FCSalone FC
2022-2023Northern Virginia FCNew York Pancyprian-FreedomsNew York Pancyprian-FreedomsNorthern Virginia FCNorthern Virginia FCFall River FCFall River FCPhiladelphia Heritage SCOaklyn United FC
2023-2024Greek-American A.C.Greek-American A.C.Lansdowne Yonkers FCNorthern Virginia FCNorthern Virginia FCBoston City FCSete setembroAlloy Scphiladelphia sc

EPSL Tier League System

width=2% LevelEastern Premier Soccer League
5Delaware River Conference
9 clubs
Metropolitan Conference
12 clubs
Mid-Atlantic Conference
8 clubs
Northeast Conference
6 clubs
6CASA Select
Liga 1
5 clubs
Cosmopolitan Soccer League
Division 1
10 clubs
Garden State Soccer League
Premier Division
10 clubs
Long Island Soccer Football League
Premier Division
10 clubs
Maryland Major Soccer League
Premier Division
10 clubs
New England Champions League
7CASA Select
Liga 2
6 clubs
Cosmopolitan Soccer League
Division 2
19 clubs
Garden State Soccer League
A Division North
11 clubs
Garden State Soccer League
A Division Central
11 clubs
Long Island Soccer Football League
Division 1
9 clubs
8Cosmopolitan Soccer League
Division 3
12 clubs
Garden State Soccer League
B Division North
10 clubs
Garden State Soccer League
B Division Central
9 clubs
Long Island Soccer Football League
Division 2
9 clubs
9Cosmopolitan Soccer League
Division 4
16 clubs
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External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mwamba . Jay . Lansdowne go semi-pro, join EPSL . Irish Echo . 8 September 2020 . 2 September 2020.
  2. Web site: Lewis . Michael . REGIONALLY SPEAKING: CSL, Maryland Majors join Eastern Premier Soccer League . www.frontrowsoccer.com . July 24, 2020 . 5 September 2020.
  3. Web site: Mwamba . Jay . Lansdowne keep active during crisis . Irish Echo . 5 September 2020 . 27 August 2020.
  4. Web site: EPSL Welcomes Northern Virginia FC . Eastern Premier Soccer League . 5 September 2020 . en . 26 August 2020.
  5. Web site: EPSL Announces Feeder League Agreement with New Jersey's Garden State Soccer League . https://web.archive.org/web/20201021043655/http://epslsoccer.com/epsl-announces-feeder-league-agreement-with-new-jersey-s-garden-state-soccer-league/ . 21 October 2020. Eastern Premier Soccer League . 8 September 2020 . en . 8 September 2020.
  6. Web site: NISA Expands Amateur Affiliations With the Eastern Premier Soccer League Agreement . nisaofficial.com . 5 September 2020.
  7. Web site: Lewis . Michael . ANOTHER PARTNERSHIP: Between NISA, Eastern Premier Soccer League . www.frontrowsoccer.com . September 4, 2020 . 5 September 2020.
  8. Web site: Battista . Mike . OaM Lower League Round-Up: July 29, 2020 . Once A Metro . 19 August 2021 . en . 29 July 2021.
  9. Web site: Κήρυξ . Εθνικός . Eastern Premier Soccer League: "Βράζει" με τη διαιτησία ο Παγκύπριος . ΕΘΝΙΚΟΣ ΚΗΡΥΞ . 19 May 2021 . en . 18 May 2021.