DALLAS, Texas (Aug. 29, 2023) — The USYS National League 2023-24 season is underway, and more than 120 teams from various competitions competed this past weekend in the Dallas, Texas, area.
The action in Dallas featured early fall matches within the Frontier Conference — one of 13 National League conferences with team-based competition — as well the South group of Elite 64 — the National League’s club-based platform.
FRONTIER CONFERENCE
Teams competing in the Frontier Conference are vying for top finishes that provide opportunities to advance to the 2024 USYS Southern Regional Championships, as well the National League Conference Playoffs for the 2024-25 season.
The weekend’s action in Dallas also featured 40 girls teams competing as part of the North Texas Conference Qualifier, which is powered by the Girls Classic League. Top performers in the Conference Qualifier will be able to earn direct qualification into next season’s Frontier Conference.
In the 19U age group, Revolution Premier SC Arsenal SC 06G Red Zuazua (TX-N) kicked off its Frontier Conference season with a shutout victory, which coach Luis Zuazua said is an ideal start as it looks to position itself within the conference standings.
“We showed our elite spirit in the Frontier Conference this past weekend, where every pass and every goal marked a step forward toward our main objective,” Zuazua said after Revolution’s 5-0 win. “The team played with skill, determination and heart.”
In Conference Qualifier action, Steel United 08G (TX-N) fought hard to earn a 2-0 win against Solar SC 08G (TX-N) in its season opener. The win started Steel United on the right track to compete for promotion to the Frontier Conference Premier I Division for next season.
“We are very excited and proud to have our Steel United 08G team be part of the Girls Classic League elite league,” Steel United coach Lucio Gonzales said. “We see it as an amazing opportunity and pathway to play at higher levels and for National League advancement. We’re thankful for the chance to prove ourselves in such an established and competitive league.”
ELITE 64
The second season of Elite 64 is underway, and several teams in the South group have secured their first results of the campaign.
Lobos Rush faced some tough competition from Texas clubs El Paso Locomotive Academy and Renegades SC. Led by its 19U side that earned two close victories, Lobos enjoyed the start of another competitive and challenging season.
“It’s great for our teams to get quality competition on a consistent basis,” Lobos Rush coach Mark Forrest said. “The organization of the games is also first-class, and it allows our teams to get recruitable moments that we wouldn’t otherwise get in other competitions. We are excited to be part of the league and looking forward to the upcoming national events and the exposure that it will bring.”
Elite 64 regular season standings contribute to teams’ placement in the following season’s Elite 64 Playoffs, which provide teams with a pathway to the USYS National Championships.