By Michael Heilman
The National Premier Soccer League announced today that they will launch a spring/fall season starting in 2020. The season will be played in two segments. The spring season will be played from March to April followed by a break for the NPSL summer season. Then they will resume with the fall season running from August to November. All teams participating in the spring/fall season will play a total of twenty games, five home and five away in the spring and in the fall with the playoffs and the national championship game in November.
The new season will not overlap the current NPSL summer season. Teams who play in the spring/fall season are required to play in the summer season. The summer season will have a separate schedule as teams will still play a total of twelve games, six home and six away with the playoffs in July and the championship game in August.
“We are excited to offer our members, players, staff, fans, and supporters the highest level of amateur soccer available in the United States,” NPSL Chairman Kenny Farrell said. “This season fills a great need in American soccer. A longer season will provide more opportunities for our players, while teams will benefit from a year-round presence in their market.”
Players that will be competing in the spring/fall season will be amateurs. The season will remain under the sanction of the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) and will not be subject to Professional League Standards.
“There are many talented players that want something beyond a summer season,” NPSL Managing Director Cindy Spera said. “This season fills a gap, offering players a longer season that will provide additional opportunities for development and exposure.”
Executive Director of the USASA Duncan Riddle says “USASA are fully supportive of the NPSL’s plans to introduce additional seasons in 2020,”. Riddle also added that “This will allow players and fans more opportunities to play and support their local teams.”
As for Atlantic City FC possibly joining the new spring/fall season, Atlantic City FC owner Andrew Weilgus said: “We are in active conversations with the city and CRDA to secure the necessary resources (including facilities) to make this expanded season possible for Atlantic City FC starting in 2020”.
Teams that plan to participate in the spring/fall league will be announced at a later date. Teams will be required to apply for the new season and will be vetted by the NPSL staff based on the standards set by the league.
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