MINNESOTA NPL TEAMS U13-U19

Minnesota Thunder Academy boys and girls teams play in the Twin Cities Soccer Leagues’ Minnesota National Premier Leagues (NPL). The Minnesota NPL represents the highest level of the TCSL pyramid for both boys and girls ages U13-U19.

The NPL program is for players who take their soccer seriously and would like to achieve a higher level of competition. MTA believes that top players develop best when under the guidance of highly qualified coaches and surrounded by other talented players. All of MTA’s NPL teams train year-round and compete against top Minnesota and national opponents. MTA focuses on the technical, tactical, physical, and psychological development of Minnesota’s top U13 to U19 players. No Minnesota club has been more successful at developing elite players and teams than MTA, and many of our NPL players go on to play college soccer.

Training Frequency: 3 times per week.
Training Locations: Academy of Holy Angels (Richfield), MTA Winter Park Training Facility (Eden Prairie)
Tryouts for the Minnesota NPL teams typically occur in the last week of July / first week of August
NPL players are encouraged to sign up for Performance Training with Training HAUS, powered by Twin Cities Orthopedics. MTA players are offered discounted registration, and can train with TrainingHAUS before or after team training at our Winter Park facility.

LEAGUE PLAY

Post Season

Tournaments

College Recruiting

LEAGUE PLAY

Minnesota NPL teams have a robust league season, with Regional and National Qualifiers. Travel to several out of state events is expected.

U13-U14 teams play approximately 18-20 league matches, spanning three seasons (Fall, Winter, Summer).

~ 4-6 Fall matches (September & October)
~ 4-6 Winter matches (November-March)
~ 8-12 Spring/Summer matches (April-June)

U15+ teams play approximately league 14-16 matches, spanning two seasons (Winter, Summer).

~ 4-6 Winter matches (November-March).
~ 8-12 Spring/Summer matches (April-June).
Minnesota NPL League winners at U13-U19 age groups (boys and girls) advance to the US Club Soccer NPL Nationals in Colorado!

Post Season

Minnesota NPL League winners at U13-U19 age groups (boys and girls) advance to the US Club Soccer NPL postseason!

Boys U13 and U19 teams: advance to single-stage postseason, typically held late June in Colorado.
Boys U14-U17 teams: have a 2-stage post season.

Stage 1 – advance to the West Playoffs, typically held late June in Colorado.
Stage 2 – Winners from this event will meet the winners of the East Playoff, typically held early July in Colorado.

Girls U13-U19 teams: advance to the NPL Finals, typically held early July in Colorado.

Tournaments

Minnesota NPL teams typically participate in 3-4 tournaments per year in addition to league play.
The following list includes tournaments in which Minnesota NPL teams may participate.

Sporting Omaha Showcase (Omaha, NE)
Mayor’s Cup (Las Vegas, NV)
Blue Chip Showcase (Cincinnati, OH)
Crossroads of America Showcase (Indianapolis, IN)
IMG Academy Showcase (Bradenton, FL)
Illinois Eclipse Challenge Cup (Chicago, IL)
Legends College Showcase at Silver Lakes (Norco, CA)
Minnesota Cup (Twin Cities, MN)
MTA Girls College Showcase (Richfield, MN)
MTA Boys College Showcase (Richfield, MN)
Muscatine College Search Kick-Off (Muscatine, IA)
NPL College Showcase (Twin Cities, MN)
NSC Cup (Blaine, MN)
Presidents’ Day Tournament (Phoenix, AZ)
Real Colorado Cup (Denver, CO)
Player’s Showcase (Las Vegas, NV)
SLSG Spring Classic (St. Louis, MO)
SLSG Fall Classic (St. Louis, MO)
USA Cup (Blaine, MN)

College Recruiting

A primary goal of the NPL league is to promote college recruiting. Minnesota NPL age groups U15-U19 have access to the cutting edge Byga Recruiting profiles which provide a comprehensive recruiting process. Byga profiles are versatile enough to easily create a physical recruiting profile or communicate schedules and information electronically for College coaches.

Minnesota Thunder Academy also has extensive relationships with college coaches, and assistance for players looking to play soccer in college. MTA hosts a college recruiting seminar each year, and hosts annual College Showcase tournaments and id camps for both boys and girls teams.

WE ARE THUNDER

Learn more about Minnesota Thunder Academy

MTA Camps and Events take place throughout the year

Camps Events

Parent TESTIMONIALS

” I cannot say enough about how much I appreciate the MTA program. As a father of a player who is working towards playing collegiate soccer, I wanted to give him the best opportunity to get first be coached by the best coaches in MN and secondly get some national exposure through ECNL. I believe that he has gotten both. I cannot say enough about Mark Yueill, who is not just a great tactician, but has also showing the value of attitude and hard work.”
Don R. – MTA Parent

” There is no doubt that Joe made his biggest improvements as a soccer player while at MTA. He was taught tactical as well as technical things that have served him increasingly well as he developed. Perhaps more importantly, his coach Mark Yuiell placed an equal importance on being a good team mate, respecting the officials and your opponents and being dedicated to your team. This is often overlooked, but character development was a central tenet of Joe’s education at MTA and we are thankful for the balance Mark demanded. ”

Matthew H. – MTA Parent

” My daughter has not only improved her skills since being part of the MTA program, she has gained confidence and I cannot express how amazing it is to see her comfortable in an environment with her teammates, coaches and friends and free of anxiety and worries. It is truly a safe space for her and has been an incredible blessing to see her excited, happy and excelling. .”

Amanda Jane F. – MTA Parent

” If you want to play college ball, especially outside of the midwest then MTA would be a great option”

Anny C. – MTA Parent

” The costs are up front, but you know what you are getting and have consistently high-quality facilities to train in, strong coaches available when training is to happen and focused on players’ success and expectation that post-club play is what all players want.”

Michelle G. – MTA Parent

” The chemistry on my son’s team is unlike anything we’ve ever experienced and we feel much of that is due to the example set by the coaches and club directors. We didn’t know this kind of youth soccer existed in Minnesota and only wish we’d made the move earlier.“

Ashley B. – MTA Parent