Minnesota NPL Teams 13U-19U – Overview
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 13U through 19U. 
The 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 surrounded by other talented players and under the guidance of highly qualified coaches. All of MTA’s NPL teams train year-round and compete against top regional 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 will go on to play college soccer.
Training Frequency: 3 times per week.
Primary Locations: Academy of Holy Angels (Richfield), Richfield High School
Tryouts for the Minnesota NPL teams typically occur in the last week of July / first week of August. For more details regarding Tryouts, please visit our Tryouts page HERE.
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).
- Approximately 4-6 matches in the Fall (September & October).
- Approximately 4-6 matches in the Winter (November-March).
- Approximately 8-12 matches in the Spring/Summer (April-mid June).
15U+ teams play approximately league 14-16 matches, spanning two seasons (Winter, Summer).
- Approximately 4-6 matches in the Winter (November-March).
- Approximately 8-12 matches in the Spring/Summer (April-mid June).
Minnesota NPL League winners at U13-U19 age groups (boys and girls) advance to the US Club Soccer NPL Nationals in Colorado!
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, held in late June in Colorado.
In 2021, U13 & U19 Boys will be held June 25-29 in Denver, CO.
Boys U14-U17 teams: have a 2-stage post season.
First – advance to the West Playoffs, held in late June in Colorado.
Second – Winners from this event will meet the winners of the East Playoff, held in early July in Colorado.
In 2021, West Playoffs will be held June 25-29 in Denver, CO. Boys NPL Finals are July 8-12 in Denver, CO.
Girls U13-U19 teams: advance to the NPL Finals, held in early July in Colorado.
In 2021, Girls NPL Finals will be held July 8-12, 2021 in Denver, CO.
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)
A primary goal of the NPL league is to promote college recruiting. Minnesota NPL age groups U16-U19 have online scouting profiles with TCSL’s college recruitment partner, ScoutingZone. ScoutingZone is a cutting-edge mobile app that streamlines the recruiting process for scouts on-site at events. Team and player profiles are available for scouts in attendance. Scouts can search players, teams, & customize a schedule prior to the TCSL NPL College Showcase event and use it on-site from any mobile device.
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 for both boys and girls teams.
Why Choose MTA
Year-round training with the top talent in Minnesota.
Highly-qualified coaches with US Soccer & NSCAA accreditation.
Perfect for serious players who seek a high level of competition.
Gain visibility to collegiate scouts and national team coaches.
What Parents Say
MTA provides elite coaching and technical training other clubs cannot match. They also understand how to prepare the kids for the next level.
The kids that gravitate to MTA push each other to be better soccer players while being good people.
The coaching is consistent. It doesn’t matter who the coach is or what level—Each and every coach is teaching the players how to possess the ball and increasing their soccer IQ. We are always please with the methods.
The training, teaching of ball control and footwork, and knowledge of game strategy is hands above community clubs.
Training is great! If you want to play college soccer MTA is heads above everyone else.
As the years go by, our son is growing so much as a player and we are excited for his future with the club
Great coaching staff!
Challenging every player, at every level, thereby giving an equal opportunity to develop to anyone who wants it.
The coaching and training is excellent as well as the facilities for winter training.
MTA provides a safe and effective training environment. They provide top level coaching for the elite teams and challenge the players to develop their skills.
MTA provides opportunities for soccer players who are very dedicated to the sport through great coaching and playing opportunities.
My son’s coach truly cares about him and every player on his team.
Camps & Clinics
Minnesota Thunder Academy offers ThunderFoot training as well as various camps & clinics throughout the calendar year, open to MTA and non-MTA players. Participation in MTA camps and clinics provides an alternative to private lessons and private training.
MTA ECNL-NPL Camp is designed to introduce players to the core training and tactical activities that coaches implement with the MTA ECNL and Minnesota-NPL teams. The experience emphasizes the values and philosophy of the MTA program so the players have an understanding of what evaluation criteria are used during the tryout process.
MTA’s Father & Son Soccer Camp is an exceptionally unique soccer camp that will build magical memories and top flight soccer skills. Each participant receives individual and group instruction in a fun environment designed to help kids maximize their playing potential and help dads shake some rust off to learn (or relearn) some skills.
No school? Have some fun and improve your soccer skills on Martin Luther King Jr Day!
Open to all players, regardless of club affiliation (non-MTA & MTA).
MTA’s Juniors Camp is designed to introduce players to the core training & tactical activities that coaches implement within MTA Juniors Academy. The experience emphasizes the values and philosophy of the MTA program, and is open to all players, regardless of club affiliation (non-MTA & MTA).
Take your game to the next level! Minnesota Thunder Academy’s ThunderFoot Training Sessions offer professional training for all players at all skill levels in a fun but challenging age-appropriate environment. Open to all players, regardless of club affiliation (non-MTA & MTA).
