May 15, 2020 - Los Angeles, CA - The UPSL Spring 2020 Season will commence in a condensed format starting Saturday, June 20, and incorporating only the states, counties and municipalities where organized soccer is allowed. We are optimistic that play will be permitted in Florida, Texas, Georgia, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, and South Carolina. Other states will be subject to ongoing developments and all locations are subject to change at very short notice.

VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION AND DEADLINES

The teams' participation during these extraordinary circumstances will be entirely voluntary. The UPSL has determined that many teams do wish to commence competitive play and is presenting the opportunity to do so. Some teams will prefer to not participate at this time. The deadline for teams to declare their intention is 5pm PST on Wednesday, June 10. This allows several more weeks for the further relaxing of local restrictions to emerge.

SAFETY

A comprehensive list of guidelines will be released separately prior to the declaration deadline. These will be in place to reduce the risk of transmission of the Covid-19 virus. Any player with coronavirus symptoms will not be allowed to play or be present at a game and must be instructed to self-isolate.

FACILITIES

UPSL staff are already seeking alternative venues to host games in order to assist those teams who will not be able to secure use of their normal home venues. Teams should liaise with their Conference or Division Manager to address any venue concerns.

NEW APPLICATIONS

Given that some teams will choose not to participate, the UPSL will consider a limited number of applications from new teams to join the season.

SEASON FORMAT AND SCHEDULE

The intention is to run a 10-game regular season ending the weekend of August 22-23 followed by two weekends of play-off competition, the second of those being Regional Finals on the weekend of September 5-7. Once participating divisions and teams are known, the play-off structure and season schedule will be released. This will occur no later than Thursday, June 11.

PRIZE MONEY

In order to avoid air travel there will be no national finals for this particular season. The $10,000 prize money will be shared among the Regional Champions after the final games are played Labor Day weekend.

MINIMUM STANDARDS

Various minimum standards will need to be temporarily relaxed in order for this season to occur. For example games will be allowed at neutral venues which might not meet normal standards, and use of locker rooms will be prohibited. A full list will be released separately.

FLEXIBILITY AND COOPERATION

This forthcoming season will require the participating teams to embrace flexibility and a spirit of cooperation. We do not know what new challenges will be presented that can force game postponements or cancellations. Each UPSL Conference or Division Manager will consult directly with all team representatives to enable the smoothest and most acceptable operation possible.

COMPLETED MATCHES WILL STAND

A small number of teams have already played matches. Those results will be included in the modified format so long as both participating teams declare for the condensed season.

PLAYER REGISTRATIONS

If a team intends to participate, their player registrations should be submitted immediately for processing. The player insurance coverage will not be in place to cover training in the absence of a registration with the USASA.

UPSL FALL 2020 SEASON

If circumstances surrounding the pandemic allow, the UPSL's Fall 2020 Season will commence on Saturday, September 5, 2020, and conclude with National Finals on the weekend of February 13-15, 2021.

UNITED PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE

The UPSL was formed in 2011 and currently includes more than 300 teams nationwide. The UPSL is the largest Pro Development League in North America. Each UPSL team is individually owned and operated.

UPSL teams are eligible to participate in the U.S. Open Cup Qualifying Rounds through the league's affiliation with the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) and the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA).

More information about UPSL can be found at www.upsl.com or by following the league on Facebook (www.facebook.com/upslsoccer), Instagram (@upslsoccer) and Twitter (@upslsoccer).

Contact UPSL:
info@upslsoccer.com
Direct: 888-405-UPSL (8775) and 714-379-4440

Media Relations:
Dennis Pope
dennis@upslsoccer.com
Direct: 951-675-3963
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www.twitter.com/unitedpremiersoccerleague