BTT’S PRE PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMMING
ABOUT THE UPSL (United Premier Soccer League- Men’s League) –
Founded in 2011, the United Premier Soccer League now stands as the largest and most competitive pro-development league in North America. The league was started in Santa Ana, California by Leonel Lopez, with 10 teams. Today the league has nearly 400 clubs competing nationwide, and the Premier Division for Spring 2022 has 255 clubs competing for 32 places in the National Playoff Bracket to become National Champion.
The league occupies the 4th tier of the US Soccer pyramid, just below the three professional tiers in the pyramid. With a participant average age of 22.5 years, the UPSL fills and brings structure to the large gap that exists between the youth game and the professional game, serving thousands of aspiring players and coaches as they strive to further their aspirations and fuel their passions. As a 4th tier program, the UPSL does not affect college eligibility and provides a competitive program for pre, post and current college players.
Each UPSL club is independently owned and operated. The league operates year-round, comprising two seasons each calendar year, with the Spring season beginning in March and ending with national playoffs the first weekend in August, and a Fall season with play beginning in September with national playoffs the first weekend in February. The league prides itself on openness, inclusion and accessibility. Currently players with origins in 90 different nations are participating, and over 50% of players and coaches are of Hispanic descent.
MISSION AND PURPOSE OF UPSL (United Premier Soccer League) –
The mission is to provide a strong, consistent platform that offers opportunities and projects from the grassroots of the game, advancing to the highest levels. UPSL clubs are eligible to compete in the U.S. Open Cup Qualifying Rounds through the league’s affiliation with the U.S Soccer Federation (USSF). An organization dedicated to its members’ success, the UPSL focuses on raising the minimum standards across all levels of the sport. In doing so, the league aspires to bring international exposure to the talent in local communities throughout North America.
As a modern, socially responsible private soccer association, the UPSL continues to evolve by leveraging technology to uplift the sport across every facet of society. In January 2020, it was acquired by ELP Brands. By 2021, the league announced its joint-ventured partnership with the launch of UPSL MX, the commencement of the UPSL Women’s division, and in 2022, direct membership of the US Soccer Federation as a National Affiliate and the establishment of the UPSL Foundation. The United Premier Soccer League is headquartered in Miami, Florida, and functions parallel to its satellite office in Los Angeles, California.
About the WPSL:
Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL)
The Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) is the largest and longest-running women’s soccer league in the world, entering its 28th season in 2026 with more than 150 teams across the United States. Sanctioned by the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA), the WPSL provides one of the top amateur competition platforms for elite collegiate, post-collegiate, and aspiring professional players.
The league serves as a critical bridge between youth, college, and professional soccer, allowing players to compete at a high level while maintaining NCAA eligibility. Many WPSL athletes go on to play professionally in leagues such as the NWSL and internationally.
Through the WPSL, Boise Thorns offers U20+ players a high-performance environment to continue developing their game, train with experienced coaches, and compete against top teams from across the region. The program supports athletes who are currently playing in college, preparing for collegiate soccer, or looking to stay competitive at an elite level during the summer season.
Participation in the WPSL strengthens the Boise Timbers Thorns player pathway, providing local athletes with opportunities to grow, compete, and represent the Treasure Valley on a national stage.
