FAQs about Soccer Alliance of Arizona

1) How was the Soccer Alliance of Arizona formed?

The Soccer Alliance of Arizona was formed by six founding clubs:

• Arizona Arsenal SC
• Arizona SC Thunder
• FC Tucson Youth SC
• Phoenix Premier FC  
• Phoenix Rising FC  
• RSL Arizona

The six-founding club have come together to create a new soccer entity, called the Soccer Alliance of Arizona.

2) Why was the Soccer Alliance of Arizona created?

To improve the game of soccer in Arizona.

3) What is the Soccer Alliance of Arizona?

Soccer Alliance of Arizona (SAAZ) is a non-profit youth soccer organization with a mission of elevating soccer in Arizona by developing players, clubs, coaches, and referees. By raising the standards for clubs to participate in the organization, SAAZ will look to improve the youth soccer experience for players and families, thus igniting a lifelong passion for the game. SAAZ will be sanctioned by US Club Soccer. Soccer Alliance of Arizona will offer the following all-inclusive services to member clubs:

• League
• State Cup
• Player Identification
• Coaching Education
• Referee Development

4) Can all soccer clubs in Arizona apply to participate in the Soccer Alliance of Arizona?

Yes, all soccer clubs in Arizona can apply to participate in the Soccer Alliance of Arizona (must register with US Club Soccer). The Soccer Alliance of Arizona is looking to raise the standards of the game, so clubs will need to meet the minimum standards of the league to be accepted.

5) What is the application process and what are the minimum standards?

Please visit this web page.

6) What is the governance of the Soccer Alliance of Arizona?

The Soccer Alliance of Arizona has a five-member board of directors, that is made up of four founding member clubs and one member of US Club Soccer. The technical committee is made up of the six founding member clubs. Two additional committee members will be voted on by the new member clubs that are accepted into the league.

7) For clubs outside the founding clubs, how will the clubs have a voice?

New clubs accepted into the Soccer Alliance of Arizona will be able to nominate/vote for an additional two member clubs to sit on the technical committee. In addition, Soccer Alliance of Arizona will form additional committees that members clubs could be a part of. 

8) For league play, how many levels/divisions of play will the Soccer Alliance of Arizona offer?

Soccer Alliance of Arizona will have multiple levels/divisions for league play. The current plan is to offer 3-4 levels of play, with the NPL being the highest division. The final determination on the number of divisions will be determined, after the organization goes through its acceptance of clubs.

9) What is the NPL (National Premier Leagues)?

The National Premier Leagues (NPL) is a national competition platform, where league winners from across the county meet in an NPL postseason. The NPL was founded in 2011, making it one of the longest standing national leagues in the country. The NPL has a vision of: • Provide meaningful league games to enhance a player’s development • Provide local soccer to cut down on costs, yet at the same time having a national connection to connect leagues and clubs across the country.

10) Does the Soccer Alliance of Arizona have a state cup?

Yes. The US Club Soccer state cup (Arizona Champions Cup) will have national pathways to the US Club Soccer National Cup.

11) What is the National Cup?

The National Cup is a cup-based tournament, in which winners from various regionals and state cups across the country converge for a national championship every July.

12) Does Soccer Alliance of Arizona have a player identification program?

Soccer Alliance of Arizona will work together with US Club Soccer and its id2 Program. Click here to learn more about the id2 Program.

13) What coaching education & coaching licensing does the Soccer Alliance of Arizona offer?

Soccer Alliance of Arizona will provide coaches with the opportunity to receive U.S. Soccer licensing, in addition to other coaching education opportunities, such as US Club Soccer’s partnership with LaLiga.

14) Will member clubs of the Soccer Alliance of Arizona be able to get licensed referees?

Yes, all games will use U.S. Soccer licensed referees. In addition, Soccer Alliance of Arizona will work with clubs and Arizona State Referee Administration to develop and maintain referee’s by providing opportunities for growth at US Club Soccer’s national events and creating relationships with other assignors in the U.S.

15) Can our club register recreational players?

Yes. Your club can directly register recreation players/leagues with US Club Soccer. For more information about sanctioning your recreation league with US Club Soccer, please contact Gabe Rood at grood@usclubsoccer.org.

FAQs about Registration or Policies

1) For out of state tournaments, does SAAZ or US Club require Travel Permission or a form for approval to travel like Arizona Soccer Association or US Youth Soccer does?

The Soccer Alliance of Arizona and US Club DO NOT require Travel Permission nor do they charge a fee to approve for travel.  State boundaries make no difference in participating with US Club Soccer. If you are traveling as a US Club Soccer team to any soccer event in the country sanctioned by a U.S. Soccer-affiliated organization, no travel permission is required, and US Club Soccer’s insurance applies. International travel requires U.S. Soccer approval. 

2) Does SAAZ have a concussion protocol or policy?

Yes, the executive committee and founding clubs were in alignment that the Soccer Alliance of Arizona needed to have protocols or a policy for head injuries or concussions. CLICK HERE to the resource page for those documents.