Great Lakes
Conference
Great Lakes Conference
The Great Lakes Conference is an elite league composed of teams from Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, NY West, PA West and West Virginia. Teams participating in Ohio Soccer Association can qualify to participate in this league through our affiliation with US Youth Soccer.
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What Leagues Do I Play In?
The following is a breakdown of where qualified teams will play:
US YOUTH SOCCER LEAGUES
| US YOUTH SOCCER LEAGUES | |
|---|---|
| Qualified for US Youth Soccer National League | Must play In U.S. Youth Soccer National League AND GLC Premier Division I. |
| Qualified for GLC Premier Division I | Must play in GLC Premier Division I. OSSL is optional. |
| Qualified for GLC Premier Division II | Must play in GLC Division II AND OSSL. |
| Qualified for OSSL | Must play in OSSL. |
Must play In U.S. Youth Soccer National League AND GLC Premier Division I
Must play in GLC Premier Division I. OSSL is optional
Must play in GLC Division II AND OSSL
Must play in GLC 1st Division AND OSSL
Must play in OSSL
How Do I Participate in OSSL?
- Teams apply and are ranked based upon State Cup, OSSL, GLC, Presidents Cup, and other OSA/USYS league results from the previous season.
- Teams who finish in the top 8 of OSA State Cup U11 9v9 division from the previous season are automatically accepted into OSSL U12 division.
- Different for 2021-22 OSSL season – see OSSL Rules.
- Teams who finish in the top 4 of OSA State Cup AND top 4 of OSSL from the previous season are automatically accepted into OSSL.
- Remaining spots are awarded by the OSSL Commissioner based upon team results in other OSA/USYS events.
How Do I Qualify for Great Lakes Conference?
Ohio Soccer State League (OSSL) and Ohio Soccer Association State Cup/Presidents Cup are the qualifying events for eligibility for GLC.
- Teams need to qualify for GLC each year
- Must have played in previous year State Cup or Presidents Cup
- Must have played in previous year Ohio Soccer State league (OSSL)
- Teams that play in USYS National League are exempt from this rule
- Teams that retain status in GLC Premier Division I are exempt from this rule
- Teams that win current year State Cup but did not play in previous year OSSL, may apply to GLC & OSSL Technical Committees for an exemption. Note this exemption will be considered for State Cup winners only.
- Must play in current year State Cup or Presidents Cup
- Ohio Soccer Association Chief Technical Officer will review applications and nominate a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 8 teams to GLC
- The Conference League Manager will review all nominations from all states and determine which teams gain entry for that season
How Do I Qualify for US Youth Soccer National League?
- Teams need to qualify for National League each year
- Teams who finish in the top 4 of National League from previous season will automatically qualify for National League for the following season
- Teams who win NCS Regional Championships from previous season will automatically qualify for National League for the following season
- Teams who win Great Lakes Conference (GLC) Premier Division I from previous season will automatically qualify for National League for the following season
- Remaining spots to be assigned by National League Committee from teams that apply and played in the 4 Regional leagues.
