American Premier Soccer League
(Redirected from Eastern Premier Soccer League)
 | |
| Founded | July 23, 2020 (As the Eastern Premier Soccer League) |
|---|---|
| First season | 2020–21 |
| Country | United States |
| Confederation | CONCACAF (North American Football Union) |
| Number of clubs | 74 |
| Relegation to | List
|
| 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 | WC Predators (1st title) (2024–25) |
| 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, midwest and southern portions of the country. Currently the league has members from Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia competing in eight regional conferences.
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 was also an affiliate of the National Independent Soccer Association, a professionally sanctioned third division soccer association, from 2020 until 2025 when the National Independent Soccer Association, lost its professional sanctioning. The APSL is part of the only nationwide, inter-league promotion/relegation system in the United States.
History
[edit]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] This affiliation ended on March 6, 2025 as a result of the National Independent Soccer Association losing its sanctioning as a professional league.
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". On April 4, 2025, the APSL announced its first expansion outside of the Northeast with the creation of Terminus Conference in Georgia. On December 28, 2025, the Trinity Conference in Texas was launched. The APSL announced its first conference in the Midwest, the Mitten Conference, in Michigan on January 15, 2026.
| Conference | Club | Location | Stadium | Founded | Joined | Conference Titles | League Titles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constitution Conference | Caribbean FCA | Wilton, CT | Kristine Lilly Field | 2018 | 2023 | 0 | 0 |
| Glastonbury Celtic | Glastonbury, CT | Irish American Home Society | 1972 | 2024 | 0 | 0 | |
| Hermandad Connecticut | Waterbury, CT | Municipal Stadium | 2024 | 2024 | 1 | 0 | |
| KO Elites | Hartford, CT | Annie Fisher School | 2019 | 2024 | 0 | 0 | |
| Wildcat FC | Waterbury, CT | Municipal Stadium | 2023 | 2024 | 0 | 0 | |
| Delaware River Conference | Alloy Soccer Club | Lancaster, PA | Lancaster Bible College | 2022 | 2023 | 1 | 0 |
| German American Kickers | Trenton, NJ | German American Society Field | 1962 | 2025 | 0 | 0 | |
| Jersey Shore Boca | Bayville, NJ | Veteran's Park | 1978 | 2024 | 0 | 0 | |
| Lighthouse 1893 SC | Philadelphia, PA | Lighthouse Field | 1893 | 2024 | 0 | 0 | |
| Medford Strikers | Medford, NJ | Universal Soccer Academy | 1983 | 2025 | 0 | 0 | |
| Oaklyn United FC | Oaklyn, NJ | Rowan Soccer Complex | 2018 | 2020 | 0 | 0 | |
| Philadelphia Heritage SC | Philadelphia, PA | Germantown Supersite | 2020 | 2022 | 1 | 0 | |
| Philadelphia SC | Philadelphia, PA | Northeast High School | 1984 | 2022 | 0 | 0 | |
| Real Central New Jersey | Trenton, NJ | Mercer County Community College | 2020 | 2020 | 0 | 0 | |
| Sewell Old Boys | Sewell, NJ | South Philadelphia Supersite | 2023 | 2025 | 0 | 0 | |
| Vidas United FC | Philadelphia, PA | John Bartram High School | 2015 | 2022 | 0 | 0 | |
| WC Predators | West Chester, PA | Penn Fusion - Kildare's Turf | 2017 | 2024 | 1 | 1 | |
| Mayflower Conference | Falcons FC | Waltham, MA | James P. Falzone Field | 2024 | 2024 | 0 | 0 |
| Fitchburg FC | Fitchburg, MA | Game On Fitchburg | 2024 | 2024 | 0 | 0 | |
| Invictus FC | North Shore, MA | Harry Della Russo Stadium | 2025 | 2025 | 0 | 0 | |
| Praia Kapital | Boston, MA | Ceylon Park | 2008 | 2024 | 0 | 0 | |
| Project Football | North Shore, MA | Harry Della Russo Stadium | 2024 | 2025 | 0 | 0 | |
| Scrub Nation | Malden, MA | Pine Banks Park | 2017 | 2025 | 0 | 0 | |
| Somerville United FC | Somerville, MA | Dilboy Stadium | 2026 | 2026 | 0 | 0 | |
| South Coast Union | New Bedford, MA | New Bedford Technical High School | 2025 | 2025 | 1 | 0 | |
| Metropolitan Conference | Central Park Rangers | New York City, NY | Jack McManus Field | 1995 | 2023 | 0 | 0 |
| Doxa SC | New Rochelle, NY | Joseph F. Fosina Field | 1962 | 2020 | 1 | 0 | |
| Hoboken FC 1912 | Hoboken, NJ | Laurel Hill Park | 1912 | 2022 | 0 | 0 | |
| Lansdowne Yonkers FC | Yonkers, NY | Tibbetts Brook Park | 1997 | 2020 | 2 | 1 | |
| Leros SC | Central Islip, NY | Susa Orlin & Cohen Sports Complex | 2011 | 2025 | 0 | 0 | |
| New York Athletic Club | New Rochelle, NY | Travers Island | 1868 | 2020 | 0 | 0 | |
| New York Greek Americans | New York City, NY | Hofstra University | 1941 | 2020 | 0 | 1 | |
| New York International | New York City, NY | Jack McManus Field | 2020 | 2025 | 0 | 0 | |
| New York Pancyprian-Freedoms | New York City, NY | Belson Stadium | 1974 | 2020 | 2 | 0 | |
| Richmond County FC | Staten Island, NY | Owl Hollow Field | 2016 | 2024 | 0 | 0 | |
| SC Vistula Garfield | Garfield, NJ | Garfield High School | 1952 | 2023 | 0 | 0 | |
| Zum Schneider FC 03 | New York City, NY | Jack McManus Field | 2003 | 2020 | 0 | 0 | |
| Mid-Atlantic Conference | |||||||
| Baltimore City Academy | Baltimore, MD | TBD | 2023 | 2026 | 0 | 0 | |
| Baltimore City F.C. | Baltimore, MD | TBD | 2023 | 2024 | 0 | 0 | |
| Chiefs United | Upper Marlboro, MD | TBD | 2023 | 2026 | 0 | 0 | |
| Club Petrolero | Arlington, VA | Woodson High School | 2023 | 2026 | 0 | 0 | |
| Christos FC | Baltimore, MD | Under Armor Stadium | 1997 | 2024 | 0 | 0 | |
| Delmarva Thunder | Delmarva, MD | Seaford Senior High School | 2026 | 2026 | 0 | 0 | |
| DMV Rangers | TBD | TBD | 2020 | 2026 | 0 | 0 | |
| Germantown City FC | Germantown, MD | TBD | TBD | 2026 | 0 | 0 | |
| Grove Soccer United | Glen Allen, VA | Deep Run High School | 2022 | 2020 | 0 | 0 | |
| Northern Virginia FC | Leesburg, VA | Virginia Revolution Sportsplex | 1998 | 2020 | 3 | 2 | |
| Patuxent FA APSL | Great Mills, MD | Chancellors Run Regional Park | 2020 | 2020 | 0 | 0 | |
| PW Nova | Prince William, VA | TBD | TBD | 2026 | 0 | 0 | |
| VA Marauders FC | Fairfax, VA | Woodson HS | 2020 | 2020 | 0 | 0 | |
| Wave FC | Virginia Beach, VA | Norfolk Christian School | 2019 | 2020 | 0 | 0 | |
| Mitten Conference | Alianza FC | Detroit, MI | TBD | 2021 | 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| Cavaliers United FC | Detroit, MI | TBD | TBD | 2026 | 0 | 0 | |
| Drita SC | Detroit, MI | TBD | 1990 | 2026 | 0 | 0 | |
| Hoverla FC | Warren, MI | TBD | 2005 | 2026 | 0 | 0 | |
| Imlay City FC | Imlay City, MI | Yntema Park | 2024 | 2026 | 0 | 0 | |
| Inter Detroit | Detroit, MI | TBD | TBD | 2026 | 0 | 0 | |
| Intra United SC | Detroit, MI | TBD | 2022 | 2026 | 0 | 0 | |
| Livonia City FC | Livonia, MI | TBD | TBD | 2026 | 0 | 0 | |
| Monroe United | Monroe, MI | TBD | TBD | 2026 | 0 | 0 | |
| World Class FC | Auburn Hills, MI | Evolution Sportsplex | TBD | 2026 | 0 | 0 | |
| Terminus Conference | Alliance SC | Jefferson, GA | Empower College & Career Center Stadium | 2025 | 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| Bel Calcio FC | Atlanta, GA | Maynard H. Jackson High School | 2023 | 2025 | 0 | 0 | |
| Buckhead SC | Atlanta, GA | Agnes Scott College | 2019 | 2025 | 0 | 0 | |
| Georgia United FC | Atlanta, GA | The Best Academy | 2024 | 2026 | 0 | 0 | |
| Majestic SC | Atlanta, GA | Maynard H. Jackson High School | 1982 | 2025 | 0 | 0 | |
| Peachtree FC | Atlanta, GA | Atlanta International School | 2020 | 2025 | 0 | 0 | |
| Prima FC | Atlanta, GA | Ebster Park | 2011 | 2025 | 0 | 0 | |
| SC Gwinnett | Lawrenceville, GA | JM Tull YMCA | 2025 | 2025 | 0 | 0 | |
| Terminus FC | Atlanta, GA | Brook Run Park | 1987 | 2025 | 0 | 0 | |
| Trinity Conference | AC Arlington FC | Arlington, TX | Scarbourough-Handley Field | 2025 | 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| Carrollton Old Boys | Carrollton, TX | Coppell Middle School | 2025 | 2026 | 0 | 0 | |
| Foro SC | Little Elm, TX | Jerry R. Walker Stadium | 2018 | 2026 | 0 | 0 | |
| Texas Rage FC | Lucas, TX | Willow Springs Middle School | 2024 | 2026 | 0 | 0 | |
| Texas Coyotes | Fort Worth, TX | Rolling Hills Soccer Complex | 2026 | 2026 | 0 | 0 | |
Notable Former clubs
[edit]| Club | Location | Conference | Joined | Final season |
Conf. titles |
League titles |
Current status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston City FC | Boston, MA | Mayflower | 2022 | 2024 | 1 | 0 | USL-2 |
| Philadelphia Lone Star FC | Philadelphia, PA | Metropolitan | 2020 | 2021 | 0 | 0 | UPSL |
| Steel Pulse FC | Owings Mills, MD | Mid-Atlantic | 2020 | 2021 | 1 | 0 | MSSL |
| Scots-American AC | Kearny, NJ | Metropolitan | 2021 | 2023 | 0 | 0 | GSSL |
List of champions
[edit]League finals
[edit]| Ed. | Season | Champion | Score | Runner-up | Venue | City | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2020–21 | Lansdowne Yonkers (1) | 2–0 | New York Pancyprian | Capelli Sport Complex | Tinton Falls, NJ | [8] |
2 | 2021–22 | Northern Virginia (1) | 2–0 | New York Pancyprian | Capelli Sport Complex | Tinton Falls, NJ | [9] |
3 | 2022–23 | Northern Virginia (2) | 4–0 | Fall River | VA Revolution Sportsplex | Leesburg, VA | |
4 | 2023–24 | NY Greek Americans (1) | 2–0 | Northern Virginia | Lancaster Bible College | Lancaster, PA) | |
5 | 2024–25 | WC Predators (1) | 5–1 | Northern Virginia | Whitehall High School | Whitehall Township, PA | [10] |
Conference Champions
[edit]Constitution Conference champions
[edit]| Season | Regular season | Playoff Champion | Runner-up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | Hermandad Connecticut | KO Elites | Hermandad Connecticut | 4–0 |
Delaware River Conference champions
[edit]| Season | Regular season | Playoff Champion | Runner-up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021–22 | International New Jersey FC | Salone FC | International New Jersey FC | 3–2 |
| 2022–23 | Philadelphia Heritage SC | Oaklyn United FC | Salone FC | 4–1[11] |
| 2023–24 | Alloy SC | Philadelphia SC | Oaklyn United FC | 1–0 |
| 2024–25 | WC Predators | WC Predators | Alloy SC | 3–0[12] |
Mayflower Conference champions
[edit]| Season | Regular season | Playoff Champion | Runner-up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020–21 | Connecticut Rush | Mass United Rush FC | Connecticut Rush | 4–0 |
| 2021–22 | Fall River FC | Fall River FC | Ruggles Pro FC | 3–1 |
| 2022–23 | Fall River FC | Fall River FC | Trem Bala FC USA | 3–0 FF[a] |
| 2023–24 | Fall: Sete Setembro USA Spring: Boston City FC |
Sete Setembro USA | Boston City FC | 7–3[13] |
| 2024–25 | South Coast Union | South Coast Union | Sete Setembro USA | 3–0 |
Metropolitan Conference champions
[edit]| Season | Regular season | Playoff Champion | Runner-up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Lansdowne Yonkers FC | New York Greek Americans | Doxa SC | 2–1 |
| 2024–25 | New York Pancyprian-Freedoms | New York Pancyprian-Freedoms | Lansdowne Yonkers FC | 2–1 |
Mid-Atlantic Conference champions
[edit]| Season | Regular season | Playoff Champion | Runner-up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020–21 | Steel Pulse FC | DMV Rangers | Northern Virginia FC | 1–1 (5:4 pks)[14] |
| 2021–22 | Northern Virginia FC | Northern Virginia FC | Columbia FC | 2–1[15] |
| 2022–23 | Northern Virginia FC | Northern Virginia FC | N-Lite FC | 2–1[16] |
| 2023–24 | Northern Virginia FC | Northern Virginia FC | VA Marauders FC | 4–3 |
| 2024–25 | Northern Virginia FC | Northern Virginia FC | Christos FC | 3–0 |
Terminus Conference champions
[edit]| Season | Regular season | Playoff Champion | Runner-up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025–26 | Prima FC | Prima FC | Majestic SC | 3-3 (4:3 PKs) |
APSL Tier League System
[edit]| Level | American Premier Soccer League | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Mayflower Conference 8 clubs |
Constitution Conference 5 clubs |
Metropolitan Conference 12 clubs |
Delaware River Conference 12 clubs |
Mid-Atlantic Conference 12 clubs |
Terminus Conference
9 clubs | ||
| 6 | CASA Select Liga 1 6 clubs |
Cosmopolitan Soccer League Division 1 11 clubs |
Garden State Soccer League Division A 19 clubs |
Long Island Soccer Football League Premier Division 9 clubs |
CASA Select Liga 1 21 clubs |
Maryland Major Soccer League Premier Division 14 clubs |
Atlanta District Amateur Soccer League Premier Division 12 clubs | |
| 7 | Cosmopolitan Soccer League Division 2 17 clubs |
Garden State Soccer League Division B 18 clubs |
Long Island Soccer Football League Division 1 8 clubs |
CASA Select Liga 2 7 clubs |
||||
| 8 | Cosmopolitan Soccer League Division 3 11 clubs |
Long Island Soccer Football League Division 2 7 clubs |
||||||
| 9 | Cosmopolitan Soccer League Division 4 15 clubs |
|||||||
Notes
[edit]- ↑ 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
[edit]- ↑ Mwamba, Jay (September 2, 2020). "Lansdowne go semi-pro, join EPSL". Irish Echo. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
- ↑ Lewis, Michael (July 24, 2020). "REGIONALLY SPEAKING: CSL, Maryland Majors join Eastern Premier Soccer League". www.frontrowsoccer.com. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
- ↑ Mwamba, Jay (August 27, 2020). "Lansdowne keep active during crisis". Irish Echo. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
- ↑ "EPSL Welcomes Northern Virginia FC". Eastern Premier Soccer League. August 26, 2020. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ "NISA Expands Amateur Affiliations With the Eastern Premier Soccer League Agreement". nisaofficial.com. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
- ↑ Lewis, Michael (September 4, 2020). "ANOTHER PARTNERSHIP: Between NISA, Eastern Premier Soccer League". www.frontrowsoccer.com. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
- ↑ Battista, Mike (July 29, 2021). "OaM Lower League Round-Up: July 29, 2020". Once A Metro. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
- ↑ "NYPF Fall to Nova FC in the 2022 EPSL Finals". Eleftheria Pancyprian Soccer Club. Retrieved February 21, 2025.
- ↑ Ralph, Matthew (June 23, 2025). "WC Predators cap dream inaugural APSL season with league title". Philadelphia Soccer Now. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
- ↑ Lutz, Tim (June 14, 2023). "Oaklyn United wins 2023 EPSL Delaware River Conference playoff championship". Philadelphia Soccer Now. Retrieved February 21, 2025.
- ↑ "WC Predators vs Alloy SC - APSL Delaware River Conference: Final" (video). youtube.com. Game In Frame. June 8, 2025.
- ↑ "2024 EPSL Northeast Conference Champions: Sete de Setembro". Massachusetts Adult Soccer. June 14, 2024. Retrieved February 21, 2025.
- ↑ Creel, Dan (July 23, 2021). "The Winding Road to the Final Four". Protagonist Soccer. Retrieved February 21, 2025.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Vaughn, Dan (June 26, 2023). "NoVA FC Crowned EPSL Champions". Protagonist Soccer.
External links
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Categories:
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