Eastern Premier Soccer League

Last updated

American Premier Soccer League
APSL Logo Blue.png
FoundedJuly 23, 2020;4 years ago (2020-07-23)
(As the Eastern Premier Soccer League)
First season2020–21
CountryUnited States
Confederation CONCACAF
(North American Football Union)
Number of clubs36
Relegation toMetropolitan Conference
Cosmopolitan Soccer League
Garden State Soccer League
Long Island Soccer Football League
Mid-Atlantic Conference
Maryland Major Soccer League
Northeast Conference
New England Champions League
Domestic cup(s) U.S. Open Cup
(via qualifying tournament & NAC)
National Amateur Cup
(via USASA Region I)
International cup(s) CONCACAF Champions League
(via U.S. Open Cup)
Current champions NY Greek Americans (1st title)
(2023–24)
Most championships Northern Virginia FC
(2 titles)
Website apslsoccer.com

The American Premier Soccer League (APSL) is a United States Adult Soccer Association affiliated amateur soccer league that includes teams from the Eastern United States. Currently the league has members from Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Virginia competing in five regional conferences.

Contents

Playing its first season in 2020–21 as the Eastern Premier Soccer League (EPSL), the league began as a partnership between the New York City–based Cosmopolitan Soccer League and the Maryland Major Soccer League. It is also an affiliate of the National Independent Soccer Association, a professionally sanctioned third division soccer association, and serves as the Northeast Region of the semi-professional NISA Nation.

History

Former Eastern Premier Soccer League logo used between 2020 and 2025. Eastern Premier Soccer League Logo.png
Former Eastern Premier Soccer League logo used between 2020 and 2025.

The league was announced on July 23, 2020, in a joint effort between the Cosmopolitan Soccer League and Maryland Major Soccer League to create a regional based multi-league promotion and relegation system in the United States. [1] [2] The league's goal is to have merit-based promotion from local amateur leagues, including champions, with the possibility of being relegated back into the local feeder leagues at the end of the season. The initial slate of members included many of the clubs that participated in the first division of the CSL the previous season. [3]

In the following months, the EPSL added teams from additional leagues such as the Woodbridge Soccer League and United Premier Soccer League. [4] On September 8, 2020, the league announced that the New Jersey–based Garden State Soccer League would become a feeder league for the EPSL. [5] A future promotion spot in the Metropolitan Conference of the EPSL will be determined in a playoff between the champion of the GSSL and the champion of the Cosmopolitan Soccer League.

On September 4, 2020, the National Independent Soccer Association announced its latest amateur league affiliation with the EPSL. [6] [7] It joined the previously announced Gulf Coast Premier League and Midwest Premier League in having in having an affiliation with the third division association. The affiliation includes at least two merit-based spots in the NISA Independent Cup tournament and participation on the NISA Alliance Board.

On February 20, 2025, prior to the second half of the 2024–25 season starting, the league officially changed its name to the American Premier Soccer League.

Overview of APSL clubs
ConferenceClubLocationStadiumFoundedJoinedConference TitlesLeague Titles
Metropolitan Conference Doxa SC New Rochelle, NY Joseph F. Fosina Field1962202000
KidSuper Samba AC New York City, NY Baker Athletics Complex 2017202000
Lansdowne Yonkers FC Yonkers, NY Tibbetts Brook Park 1997202001
Manhattan Celtic FC New York City, NY Randalls Island Icahn Stadium 1998202000
New York Greek Americans New York City, NY Metropolitan Oval 1941202011
New York Pancyprian-Freedoms New York City, NY Belson Stadium 1974202030
New Amsterdam FC II New York City, NY Soundview Park 2002202000
Scots-American AC Kearny, NJ Kearny High School 1931202000
Seft F.C. Nutley, NJ Frederick Douglass Field 2017202000
Zum Schneider FC 03 New York City, NY Jack McManus Field 2003202000
Delaware River Conference Albion SC Delaware Middletown, DE DE Turf Sports Complex2021202000
Danubia SC Philadelphia, PA Bristol Township Municipal Park1957202000
International New Jersey FC Burlington, NJ Bristol Township Municipal Park2021202000
Kensington SC Kensington, PA Temple University Sports Complex 2010202000
Oaklyn United FC Oaklyn, NJ Rowan Soccer Complex 2018202001
Real Central New Jersey Trenton, NJ Mercer County Community College2020202000
Salone FC Philadelphia, PA John Bartram High School2001202001
Mid-Atlantic Conference Baltimore City F.C. Baltimore, MD Middle Branch Fitness Center 2023202000
Maryland Bobcats U23 Boyds, MD Maryland SoccerPlex2018202000
Christos FC Glen Burnie, MD Moose Soccer Park 1999202000
Jessup FC Jessup, MD TBA2020202000
Wave FC Virginia Beach, VA TBA2019202000
Grove Soccer United Glen Allen, MD Deep Run HS2022202000
Northern Virginia FC Leesburg, VA Virginia Revolution Sportsplex1998202032
Patuxent FA EPSL Great Mills, MD Chancellors Run Regional Park2020202000
Wolves United Dumfries, VA Ali Krieger Sports Complex2021202000
VA Marauders Fairfax, VA Woodson HS2020202000
Constitution Conference Glastonbury Celtic TBD TBDTBD202400
Guanabara SC TBD TBDTBD202400
Hermandad Connecticut TBD TBDTBD202400
KO Elites TBD TBDTBD202400
Villanovence FC TBD TBDTBD202400
Wildcat FC TBD TBDTBD202400
Northeast ConferenceSete de Setembro USA TBD TBDTBD202300
Praia Kapital TBD TBDTBD202300
Jaguares United FC TBD TBDTBD202300
Falcones FC TBD TBDTBD202300
Tres Barras TBD TBDTBD202300
Fitchburg FC TBD TBDTBD202300
Project Football TBD TBDTBD202300







Notable Former clubs

ClubLocationConferenceJoinedFinal seasonConference TitlesLeague TitlesCurrent Status
Boston City FC Boston, MA Northeast2022202410USL-2
Philadelphia Lone Star FC Philadelphia, PA Metropolitan2020202100UPSL
Steel Pulse FC Owings Mills, MD Mid-Atlantic2020202110MSSL
Scots-American AC Kearny, NJ Metropolitan2021202300Hiatus

2021–22 Season Teams

Northeast Conference

TeamCityStadiumFounded
Boston Rush Boston, MA Charlestown High School 2017
Fall River FC Fall River, MA Britland Park 2019
Fall River Marksmen Fall River, MA BMC Durfee High School 1922
International SC Nashua, NH Main Dunstable Field 1992
KO Elites Hartford, CT Annie Fischer School 2019
Mass United Rush Boston, MA Charlestown High School 2009
New Hampshire Bobcats Boston, MA Joe Moakley Park 2016
Ruggles FC Marlborough, MA ForeKicks Sports Complex 2020
Santa Cruz FC U23 Lowell, MA UMASS, Lowell 2021
Santa Cruz FC U20 Lowell, MA UMASS, Lowell 2021

Metropolitan Conference

TeamCityStadiumFounded
Doxa SC New Rochelle, NY Joseph F. Fosina Field1962
KidSuper Samba AC New York City, NY Baker Athletics Complex 2017
Lansdowne Yonkers FC Yonkers, NY Tibbetts Brook Park 1997
Manhattan Celtic FC New York City, NY Randalls Island Icahn Stadium 1998
New York Greek Americans New York City, NY Metropolitan Oval 1941
New York Pancyprian-Freedoms New York City, NY Belson Stadium 1974
New Amsterdam FC II New York City, NY Soundview Park 2002
Scots-American AC Kearny, NJ Kearny High School 1931
Seft F.C. Nutley, NJ Frederick Douglass Field 2017
Zum Schneider FC 03 New York City, NY Jack McManus Field 2003

Delaware River Conference

TeamCityStadiumFounded
Albion SC Delaware Middletown, DE DE Turf Sports Complex2021
Danubia SC Philadelphia, PA Bristol Township Municipal Park1957
International New Jersey FC Burlington, NJ Bristol Township Municipal Park2021
Kensington SC Kensington, PA Temple University Sports Complex 2010
Oaklyn United FC Oaklyn, NJ Rowan Soccer Complex 2018
Real Central New Jersey Trenton, NJ Mercer County Community College2020
Salone FC Philadelphia, PA John Bartram High School2001

Mid-Atlantic Conference

TeamCityStadiumFounded
AC Commonwealth Norfolk, VA Norfolk Collegiate School 2020
Columbia FC Columbia, MD Milford Mill Academy 2017
Dulles N-Lite FC Chantilly, VA Poplar Tree Park 2021
Fredericksburg City United Fredericksburg, VA Smith Lake Park2014
Motorik FC Alexandria Alexandria, VA Thomas Jefferson High School2017
Northern Virginia FC Leesburg, VA Virginia Revolution Sportsplex1998
Patuxent FA EPSL Great Mills, MD Chancellors Run Regional Park2020
Wheaton Lions S.A. Columbia, MD Cedar Lane Park2016


2020–21 Season Teams

Metropolitan Conference

TeamCityStadiumFounded
Clifton Elite FC Clifton, NJ Athenia Steel Complex2017
Doxa SC New Rochelle, NY Joseph F. Fosina Field1962
FC Westchester Yonkers, NY Tibbetts Brook Park 1986
KidSuper Samba AC New York City, NY Baker Athletics Complex 2017
Lansdowne Yonkers FC Yonkers, NY Fleming Field (Yonkers) 1997
New York Athletic Club S.C. Pelham Manor, NY New York Athletic Club 2008
New York Greek Americans New York City, NY Metropolitan Oval 1941
New York Pancyprian-Freedoms New York City, NY Belson Stadium 1974
New Amsterdam FC II New York City, NY Soundview Park 2002
Philadelphia Lone Star FC Philadelphia, PA South Philadelphia Athletic Super Site2001
Seft F.C. Nutley, NJ Frederick Douglass Field 2017
Zum Schneider FC 03 New York City, NY Jack McManus Field 2003

Mid-Atlantic Conference

TeamCityStadiumFounded
All Star United FC Baltimore, MD Milford Mill Academy
Columbia FC Baltimore, MD Milford Mill Academy 2017
DMV Rangers FC Baltimore, MD Milford Mill Academy
Fredericksburg City United Fredericksburg, VA Smith Lake Park2014
Maryland Bobcats FC II Boyds, MD Montgomery Blair High School 2016
Motorik FC Alexandria Alexandria, VA West Potomac High School 2017
Northern Virginia FC Leesburg, VA Evergreen Sportsplex1998
Steel Pulse FC Baltimore, MD Banner Field at Latrobe Park2018
Virginia United FC Woodbridge, VA Howison Homestead Soccer Complex2016

Northeast Conference

TeamCityStadiumFounded
Boston Siege FC Boston, MA The Rotch Park 2017
Castle Island FC Boston, MA The Rotch Park 2021
Connecticut Rush North Branford, CT Guilford High School 2020
Mass United Rush Gloucester, MA Gloucester High School 2009

Year by year

League Champions

SeasonChampionRunner-upScoreVenue
2020–21 Lansdowne Yonkers FC [8] New York Pancyprian-Freedoms 2–0Capelli Sport Complex (Tinton Falls, New Jersey)
2021–22 Northern Virginia FC [9] New York Pancyprian-Freedoms 2–0Capelli Sport Complex (Tinton Falls, New Jersey)
2022–23 Northern Virginia FC Fall River FC 4–0VA Revolution Sportsplex (Leesburg, Virginia)
2023–24 New York Greek Americans Northern Virginia FC 2–0 Lancaster Bible College (Lancaster, Pennsylvania)

Conference Champions

Metropolitan Conference champions

SeasonRegular SeasonPlayoff ChampionRunner-upScore
2020–21 Lansdowne Yonkers FC New York Pancyprian-Freedoms Doxa SC 2–1
2021–22 Doxa SC New York Pancyprian-Freedoms Zum Schneider FC 03 4–2
2022–23 New York Pancyprian-Freedoms New York Pancyprian-Freedoms New York Greek Americans 2–1
2023–24 New York Greek Americans New York Greek Americans Doxa SC 2–1

Mid-Atlantic Conference champions

SeasonRegular SeasonPlayoff ChampionRunner-upScore
2020–21 Steel Pulse FC DMV Rangers Northern Virginia FC 1–1 (5:4 pks) [10]
2021–22 Northern Virginia FC Northern Virginia FC Columbia FC2–1 [11]
2022–23 Northern Virginia FC Northern Virginia FC N-Lite FC2–1 [12]
2023–24 Northern Virginia FC Northern Virginia FC Virginia Marauders FC4–3

Northeast Conference champions

SeasonRegular SeasonPlayoff ChampionRunner-upScore
2020–21Connecticut Rush Mass United Rush FC Connecticut Rush4–0
2021–22 Fall River FC Fall River FC Ruggles Pro FC3–1
2022–23 Fall River FC Fall River FC Trem Bala FC USA 3–0 FF [a]
2023–24Fall: Sete de Setembro USA
Spring: Boston City FC 		Sete de Setembro USA Boston City FC 7–3 [13]

Delaware River Conference champions

SeasonRegular SeasonPlayoff ChampionRunner-upScore
2021–22International New Jersey FCSalone FCInternational New Jersey FC3–2
2022–23Philadelphia Heritage SCOaklyn United FCSalone FC4–1 [14]
2023–24Alloy SCPhiladelphia SCOaklyn United FC1–0

EPSL Tier League System

LevelEastern Premier Soccer League
5Delaware River Conference
9 clubs		Metropolitan Conference
12 clubs		Mid-Atlantic Conference
8 clubs		Northeast Conference
6 clubs
6CASA Select
Liga 1
5 clubs		 Cosmopolitan Soccer League
Division 1
10 clubs		Garden State Soccer League
Premier Division
10 clubs		Long Island Soccer Football League
Premier Division
10 clubs		Maryland Major Soccer League
Premier Division
10 clubs		New England Champions League
7CASA Select
Liga 2
6 clubs		Cosmopolitan Soccer League
Division 2
19 clubs		Garden State Soccer League
A Division North
11 clubs		Garden State Soccer League
A Division Central
11 clubs		Long Island Soccer Football League
Division 1
9 clubs
8Cosmopolitan Soccer League
Division 3
12 clubs		Garden State Soccer League
B Division North
10 clubs		Garden State Soccer League
B Division Central
9 clubs		Long Island Soccer Football League
Division 2
9 clubs
9Cosmopolitan Soccer League
Division 4
16 clubs

Notes

  1. ↑ Both teams won their respective semifinal matches but a championship final was never played and Fall River FC was declared the Northeast Conference champion.

References

  1. ↑ Mwamba, Jay (September 2, 2020). "Lansdowne go semi-pro, join EPSL". Irish Echo. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  2. ↑ Lewis, Michael (July 24, 2020). "REGIONALLY SPEAKING: CSL, Maryland Majors join Eastern Premier Soccer League". www.frontrowsoccer.com. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  3. ↑ Mwamba, Jay (August 27, 2020). "Lansdowne keep active during crisis". Irish Echo. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  4. ↑ "EPSL Welcomes Northern Virginia FC". Eastern Premier Soccer League. August 26, 2020. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  5. ↑ "EPSL Announces Feeder League Agreement with New Jersey's Garden State Soccer League". Eastern Premier Soccer League. September 8, 2020. Archived from the original on October 21, 2020. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  6. ↑ "NISA Expands Amateur Affiliations With the Eastern Premier Soccer League Agreement". nisaofficial.com. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  7. ↑ Lewis, Michael (September 4, 2020). "ANOTHER PARTNERSHIP: Between NISA, Eastern Premier Soccer League". www.frontrowsoccer.com. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  8. ↑ Battista, Mike (July 29, 2021). "OaM Lower League Round-Up: July 29, 2020". Once A Metro. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  9. ↑ "NYPF Fall to Nova FC in the 2022 EPSL Finals". Eleftheria Pancyprian Soccer Club. Retrieved February 21, 2025.
  10. ↑ Creel, Dan (July 23, 2021). "The Winding Road to the Final Four". Protagonist Soccer. Retrieved February 21, 2025.
  11. ↑ Vaughn, Dan (June 30, 2022). "8 Days, 3 Trophies". Protagonist Soccer. Archived from the original on June 30, 2022. Retrieved February 23, 2025. Wednesday, June 22nd, NoVa FC hosted Columbia FC for the Mid-Atlantic Conference Championship, with the winner advancing to the EPSL playoffs. Due to inclement weather, the match had to be moved indoors, but that didn't slow NVFC's roll. JP Ayolmbong scored the opener and Jhonny De Souza would add the eventual game winner, as they won the Mid-Atlantic Conference title, 2-1.
  12. ↑ Vaughn, Dan (June 26, 2023). "NoVA FC Crowned EPSL Champions". Protagonist Soccer.
  13. ↑ "2024 EPSL Northeast Conference Champions: Sete de Setembro". Massachusetts Adult Soccer. June 14, 2024. Retrieved February 21, 2025.
  14. ↑ Lutz, Tim (June 14, 2023). "Oaklyn United wins 2023 EPSL Delaware River Conference playoff championship". Philadelphia Soccer Now. Retrieved February 21, 2025.
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