SCYSA, CESA and SCUFC Launch South Carolina Premier Alliance

New statewide platform adds to the competitive pathway for South Carolina players

Sanctioned by the South Carolina Youth Soccer Association (SCYSA), Carolina Elite Soccer Academy (CESA) and South Carolina United FC (SCUFC) today announced the formation of the South Carolina Premier Alliance (SCPA), a groundbreaking collaboration designed to elevate the highest level of youth soccer competition within the state of South Carolina.

Launching for the 2026–2027 season, the South Carolina Premier Alliance will create a unified statewide platform for competitive boys’ and girls’ teams, providing a direct pathway into the National 1 League, which qualifies the top performing teams for the ECNL Conference League Playoffs.

The initiative brings together leading clubs, coaching standards, and player development resources under one structure focused on long-term athlete development, enhanced competition, and national-level post-season opportunities — all while allowing South Carolina players to remain and develop within their home state.

Key Highlights

Statewide boys’ and girls’ competition platform
Direct pathway to the National 1 League beginning in 2027–2028
Qualifying league into the National Championship Series (State Cup)
Collaboration between SCYSA, CESA, and SCUFC
Enhanced coaching education and player development standards
Unified game-day and operational standards across participating clubs
Designed to strengthen the overall level of soccer throughout South Carolina

Building Better Environments in South Carolina

The South Carolina Premier Alliance is designed to bridge the gap between strong local competition and the national game by creating a structured, high-performance environment comparable to leading regional platforms across the Southeast.

“This partnership represents positive collaboration at the state level and aligns with the continued work being done within US Soccer’s Soccer Growth Strategy Department,” said Walter Clapton, Executive Director of SCYSA. “By aligning the strengths of SCYSA, CESA, and SCUFC, we are creating an environment that bridges the gap between local competition and the National 1 League, with the hope to support clubs future efforts of competing in National 1, while remaining connected to our local community.”

Andrew Hyslop, Co-Executive Director of CESA, added: “CESA and SCUFC have long been committed to developing players capable of competing at the highest levels. The South Carolina Premier Alliance creates the most competitive and collaborative environment the state has ever seen.”

Rob Strickland, Executive Director of South Carolina United FC, said the alliance represents a major step forward for the state’s soccer ecosystem.

“We are proud to help build a platform that serves players, clubs, coaches, and families across South Carolina. Together, we are establishing a new standard for youth soccer in our state — one focused on player development, professionalism, and meaningful national opportunities.”

Raising the Standard Across the State

In addition to competition, the South Carolina Premier Alliance will focus on:

coach education initiatives
operational best practices
enhanced communication standards
shared development resources
consistent player experience standards across participating clubs

League organizers believe the collaboration model will strengthen the overall soccer landscape in South Carolina and provide a clearer pathway for aspiring players seeking high-level competition.

About the South Carolina Premier Alliance

The South Carolina Premier Alliance is South Carolina’s premier youth soccer competition platform, formed through a collaboration between SCYSA, CESA, and SCUFC. The alliance is designed to provide top-level in-state competition, enhanced player development opportunities, and a pathway into national competition through the National 1 League structure beginning in the 2027–2028 season.

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