PHOENIX (Thursday, April 8th, 2021) – In an effort to continue to deliver high-quality soccer programs, leagues, and events, the Arizona Soccer Association (ASA) is announcing an innovative partnership that will see State Cup finalists and top teams from New Mexico Youth Soccer Association and Nevada Youth Soccer compete in the Arizona Premier League.
This partnership builds upon ASA's major announcement in March between the ASA, Cal South, and Coast Soccer League.
The expansion of the Arizona Premier League to include top teams from New Mexico and Nevada will increase the competitive opportunities for teams throughout the region. This innovative partnership will continue to allow results and promotion to be earned on the field ultimately enabling the best players from the best teams, based upon on-field results to compete and develop.
Additionally, ASA’s recently announced collaboration with Cal South and Coast Soccer League will feature the best teams regardless of club affiliation from the Arizona Premier League and the Coast Soccer League in October’s Coast Champions Invitational in California and the Leagues Championship in Arizona of March 2021.
“The Arizona Premier League is one of the top run leagues in the county and it has consistently developed top teams through competition,” said Derek Yen, ASA Director of Leagues. “Expanding the league to include the top teams from New Mexico and Nevada is very exciting and will take player development to the next level.”
“Providing our top teams a way to earn their chance to play in a strong league that includes Arizona and Nevada is an outstanding opportunity,” said Gloria Faber, New Mexico Youth Soccer Association Executive Director.
Leagues that promote strong competition are critical to overall player development and the expansion of the Arizona Premier League does just this by allowing teams and players to compete regionally by earning it on the field.
“Nevada teams are excited to be included in the Arizona Premier League. Strong regional competition is something all teams are wanting, and this provides them just that, while still being eligible for State Cup,” said Melanie Stafford.
ASA will continue to manage the operations of the APL to include field reservations, scheduling, referee assigning, and overall administration so that the teams, coaches, and clubs that participate in the Arizona Premier League can focus on developing players through strong, consistent competition.