Process
- Illinois Youth Soccer will send a list of teams that have earned their place into the Midwest Conference and will be endorsed for placement into the Midwest Conference Premier I and Premier II. Each of those teams have to complete the before deadline.
- Teams on this list can choose NOT to play in the Midwest Conference and register for the Illinois MWC Qualifier if they do not want to play in the multi-state Premier II division.
- Any team that applies for the Midwest Conference that is not on our list of endorsed teams will be contacted with information on registering for the Illinois MWC Qualifier.
- Should the opportunity for more teams to be placed into Midwest Conference Premier II, IYSA will contact the next Illinois team on ranking list from the previous season’s MWC Qualifier results. Based on performance in the US Youth Soccer Midwest Regional Championship or Illinois State Cup teams could bypass the Qualifying Division and be placed into Premier II, if they have previously not competed in the Midwest Conference.
- Final placement and selection into divisions is done by the Midwest Conference selection committee. Teams on this list will be approved by Illinois for placement into Midwest Conference but final decision on selection and placement are done by USYS.
- Any team not selected for Premier II or higher will have the opportunity to then register for the Illinois MWC Qualifier.
- With the current combination of 18U/19U Division done in the Midwest Conference, the oldest Illinois MWC Qualifier will be the 17U age group.
- IYSA will endorse all 18U/19U teams that apply for the Midwest Conference.
- Teams not on the list of endorsed teams should apply for the Illinois MWC Qualifier by the registration deadline. The winner of this Illinois MWC Qualifier division will be ranked the following season for placement into Premier II.
- If enough teams for a Chicagoland and Central/South Division either
- Winners of both divisions will be ranked for placement into Premier II
- Or the winner of each division will play a playoff to earn their spot into Premier II
- If enough teams for a Chicagoland and Central/South Division either
Why the change:
- Save teams money. The fee for the Illinois MWC Qualifier will be $450 plus league registration fee and referee payments made at the field. In comparison, the current Midwest Conference fee is $975 plus league registration fee and referee payments. Moving the competition “in-house” will save each team $500.
- Provide localized play including the opportunity for a division specifically for member teams in the Central & Southern part of the state, if enough teams participate.
- Provide scheduling flexibility for teams to play more games, ideally 7-10 in a season.
- Ensure that those teams that do not want to play in Premier II or higher in the Midwest Conference (MWC) will only be placed in an Illinois MWC Qualifier.
- Keep registration open longer for 15U-17U teams to ensure they can field a team instead of requiring a commitment in before league registration closes.
- Still earn division winners promotion into USYS MWC Premier II the following season.
Requirements to participate in the Illinois MWC Qualifier:
The competition is open to any Illinois Youth Soccer member team that meets the following requirements.
1. Teams are registered to any Illinois Youth Soccer member competitive league for the season in which they are participating.
2. Teams must register to compete in either the Illinois State Cup or Illinois Presidents Cup.
Ages of competition:
12U – Year – long competition beginning Fall and goes through Spring season.
Fall Season
– 13U – 17U Girls
– 13U – 14U Boys
Spring Season
– 13U – 17U Boys
– 13U – 14U Girls
Cost:
- Member competitive league fee
- Our $450 registration fee
- Referees paid at the field.
- 12U-14U: $80 per team per game
- 15U/16U: $85 per team per game
- 17U-19U: $95 per team per game
Promotion and Relegation:
- Teams start in the IL MWC Qualifying Division. Winners earn a promotion into Premier II.
- Winner of the multi-state Premier II, earn a promotion into Premier I.
- Teams in Premier I retain their position based on their performance in Premier I or are relegated to Premier II
Based on performance in the US Youth Soccer Midwest Regional Championship or Illinois State Cup teams could bypass the Qualifying Division and be placed into Premier II, if they have previously not compete in the Midwest Conference.