A Milestone in Youth Soccer
The 2026 National League Cup Finals concluded in St. Louis, Missouri, bringing together boys and girls teams from across the country to decide champions in ten age‑group divisions.
Over the course of the tournament, 41 clubs representing 21 US Youth Soccer state associations competed, with titles distributed to four girls sides and six boys sides ranging from under‑13 to under‑19 for boys and under‑13 to under‑17 for girls.
All matches were staged at Creve Coeur Soccer Park, providing a centralized stage for the final chapter of the National League’s two‑decade run as a league‑specific competition.
Among the victorious squads were RSC 13G Premier (MS), JaHbat B13 Premier (IL), Impact GFC G12 (OH), SB4U Venlo Lime 12B (NY‑E), Minneapolis United 11G Elite (MN), Covered Bridge Soccer 11B (GA), WVFC 10B Black (WV), Nationals TriCounty 09G Black (MI), Owensboro United 09 Boys (KY) and GGS 07/08B Gold (FL).
Minneapolis United 11G Elite coach Aidan Campbell highlighted his team’s mental toughness, noting that the players “showed resilience when the game demanded it” and that the experience would shape their development.
The finals also underscored geographic patterns, with five championships claimed by Midwest states, reflecting the region’s strong youth soccer pipeline.
As the league moves forward, organizers view the event as both a celebration of competition and a transition point, marking the end of an era while setting the stage for new formats that will continue to nurture talent nationwide.