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League News & Updates
League Calendar | 2025
FAQ
Why the Ohio Valley Premier League?
The OVPL was created to benefit soccer players of all ages and genders. Statistics show that US youth soccer participation has declined by nearly 500,000 kids in the last five years. A wide variety of reasons for this decline in participation but the cost of participation and travel are a big reason why people quit playing.
The OVPL is a low-cost and low-travel league. Anybody can create a team and enter the league. The goal is to keep players playing locally so there is community support. All members of the OVPL can showcase the talent in their community with the potential to represent the region on a national level (if desired).Why US Club Soccer?
The decision for OVPL to go towards US Club Soccer instead of state associations affiliated with USYSA because the decision making and governance goes back towards OVPL member clubs. All clubs have an opportunity to have a voting member and decision-making ability in how the OVPL operates. Since the OVPL is a multi-state league, the US Club Soccer route allows for player carding on a National level instead of a state-level - this was an important step for the Senior Team league.
The OVPL encourages participation in both USYSA and US Club Soccer events.How can my club benefit from a Senior Team?
As a member of the US soccer public, we should encourage people of all ages to continue playing. Youth clubs have forever focused on youth players, while the 18+ age group has left the game (unless they play in college). It is important to the OVPL that teams utilize a senior team to continue playing for those who have graduated out of the youth system.
Additionally, through OVPL competition, teams can qualify for the longest-running tournament in the United States - the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. With a club's involvement in the senior team division, your club could represent your community in the biggest cup in the US.
Studies have shown over the last 10 years; soccer numbers are decreasing in the US. Through the OVPL, we want to engage people of all demographics to grow the game.What is the OVPL governing structure?
As a league, the OVPL is governed by co-Executive Director positions (2), Founding Club members (2), and all other member clubs (1 per club). All member clubs will have an opportunity for feedback on the OVPL operations.
How are the leagues structured?
Men's Division
The Ohio Valley Premier League [OVPL_GLA] is spread across Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Members are assigned to divisions based on geographic location. The OVPL Executive Committee will review annually and align teams to provide limited travel distances. The goal for maximum travel to a club is 4 Hours [one-way].
The summer playing experience will be made up of 2 conferences. The River and the Valley. Each conference will be divided into 2 Divisions, with a maximum of 6 teams in each division. Each team will play 10 matches and have the potential to play for the OVPL Championship.
The league will feature a playoff that will take the Top 2 teams of each division to participate in the OVPL Championship. The #1 seed of each division will host the #2 Seed of the opposite division [i.e., #1 River East vs. #2 River West. etc.].
The final four teams that advance will meet during championship weekend at the designated tournament site. There will be a minimum of 24 hours between the semi-final and the final. The teams in the championship weekend may have to secure lodging for the finals weekend.
* Players under 18 but no younger than 16 may be eligible for participation based on the player's ability.** All men's teams will be eligible to apply and participate in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup qualifications rounds.
Women's Division
The Ohio Valley Premier League [OVPL_GLA] is spread across Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Members are assigned to divisions based on geographic location. The OVPL Executive Committee will review annually and align teams to provide limited travel distances. The goal for maximum travel to a club is 4 Hours [one-way].
The summer playing experience will be made up of 2 conferences. The River and the Valley. Each conference will be divided into 2 Divisions, with a maximum of 6 teams in each division. Each team will play 6 to 8 matches and have the potential to play for the OVPL Championship.
The league will feature a playoff that will take the Top 2 teams of each division to participate in the OVPL Championship. The #1 seed of each division will host the #2 Seed of the opposite division [i.e., #1 River East vs. #2 River West. etc.].
The final four teams that advance will meet during championship weekend at the designated tournament site. There will be a minimum of 24 hours between the semi-final and the final. The teams in the championship weekend may have to secure lodging for the finals weekend.
* Players under 18 but no younger than 16 may be eligible for participation based on the player's ability.How are players registered?
Players are registered through US Club Soccer through the GotSport Player Carding Process:
Player registrations are $25 and are to be paid by the team prior to a player being eligible for competition. The OVPL is not responsible for registering players for a competition season.
Please contact us if you have any questions about getting started with the registration process.
Please follow the instructions below:
1) Login for the first time using the “Forgot Password” process in video guide #12) Create teams using video guide #23) Register all created teams for carding using video guide #24) Add players and coaches into the system 4a) For import, use video guide #3 (#3a for coaches) 4b) For adding one-by-one, use video guide #45) Players and coaches log in for the first time using the “Forgot Password” process6) Build Rosters using video guide #57) Purchase memberships using video guide #68) Players and coaches complete requirements (this can be done as soon as Step 5 is completed) using video guides #7, #8, and #99) Print cards and rosters using video guide #6 Please use these instructions videos as a guide for completing this process:Video 1: First Time Logging InVideo 2: Creating & Registering TeamsVideo 3: Importing Players 3A: Importing CoachesVideo 4: Manually Adding CoachesVideo 5: Building RostersVideo 6: Purchasing Memberships & Printing Card RostersVideo 7: Upload Birth CertificateVideo 8: Completing Coach RequirementsVideo 9: Upload Picture
If there are any questions regarding the registration of players please contact moc.reccoslpvo%40ofni.
The OVPL recognizes FIFA governance on all players, so any international players must send a formal request to the relevant Federation for the player's International Transfer Clearance (ITC). The home Federation and OVPL will certify that a player is free to play in the League. In accordance with FIFA, Federations have a maximum of 30 days until USSF and OVPL can declare provisional clearance which enables a player to play for the Club.
No players are permitted to play in an official League match until they have been cleared.How can the OVPL help my club go to the US Open Cup?
The OVPL is a qualifying member of US Club Soccer, which is a member of US Soccer Federation, that allows for US Open Cup qualifying. A total of $475m was awarded in US Open Cup awards and prizes. To qualify, here are the criteria for Clubs:
1. Belong to a club or league of any Organization Member of U.S. Soccer2. Compete in a regular (i.e. on-going) league competition with at least four teams, with each team playing at least ten league games during the year3. A refundable performance bond of $1,000 must be paid by each team at the time of submitting the Entry Fee ($200).4. Provide a home field that meets tournament minimum standards for local qualifying (field at least 100 yds. x 65 yds.) for each qualifying round and identify that venue at the time of registration5. Remain as a member in good standing in the same league from the fall of 2023 to the end of the tournament in 2021How can my club apply for the US Open Cup?
The OVPL is a qualifying member of US Club Soccer, which is a member of US Soccer Federation, that allows for US Open Cup qualifying. A total of $475m was awarded in US Open Cup awards and prizes.
Registration is now open for affiliated amateur teams seeking to enter the 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The deadline to enter is Monday, August 26, 2024.
Please review the eligibility and participation requirements detailed on this page. If you have questions regarding these requirements, please contact U.S. Open Cup staff via email at .gro.reccossu%40pucnepo
About the U.S. Open CupThe Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is an annual knockout competition that crowns U.S. Soccer’s National Champion. The tournament first crowned an annual champion at the end of the 1913-14 season.
The tournament is open to all affiliated amateur teams that meet basic eligibility requirements. Teams that advance from the Qualifying Rounds in the Fall will advance to the Tournament Proper in Spring 2025 where they will face professional teams.
Entry FeesOpen Division Entry Fees for the 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup will remain the same as the previous edition:
Entry Fee: $200Referee Fee: $300Performance Bond: $1,500*
*Returned after elimination provided all obligations are met.
Qualifying Round DeadlinesAugust 26 Entry Deadline. All teams must register and declare a home venue.September 12 Deadline to Submit 25-Player Roster
Regions with eight or fewer teams may be scheduled to play on the first three dates OR the October 5 & 6 First Qualifying RoundOctober 26 & 27 Second Qualifying RoundNovember 16 & 17 Third Qualifying RoundDecember 7 & 8 Fourth Qualifying Round
*Any regions with eight or fewer teams may be scheduled to play on the first three dates OR last three dates listed above.
Road Map for Teams Entering Qualifying RoundsEach team considering entering the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Qualifying Rounds will encounter and should plan for the following tasks on their journey:
1) Confirm that your team meets the following eligibility requirements (Open Cup Policy Section 202):
a. Team is an outdoor soccer team based in the United States;
b. Club or league that Team is a member of is affiliated to an Organization Member of U.S. Soccer;
c. League that Team is a member of must consist of at least four (4) teams, with each playing at least ten (10) league games in the competition each calendar year;
d. Team must be in good standing with the league of which it is a member and remain in good standing with the same league through the competition year;
e. Any Team whose league is starting its first season of competition must have started its league schedule at least thirty (30) days prior to the Open Division entry deadline;
f. Any Team starting its first season of competition in an existing league must have started its new league’s schedule at least thirty (30) days prior to the Open Division entry deadline.
2) Meet the hosting requirements and commit to team responsibilities.
a. Identify at least one venue that meets minimum standards, including minimum field dimensions for qualifying rounds of 100 yards long by 65 yards wide.
b. Venue must have restroom facilities available to teams & spectators.
c. Venue must be available on one designated date for each Qualifying Round.
d. Review venue & team participation requirements detailed in this document:
,,VENUE/TEAM REQUIREMENTS
3) Be prepared to build a roster of up to 25 players
a. Roster submission deadline is Sept. 12.
b. Please review roster requirements in this document:
ROSTER & PLAYER ELIGIBILITY INSTRUCTIONS
How to RegisterRefer to the registration instructions linked below. Entry & Payment Deadline is Monday, August 26, 2024.
Please gather all required entry information prior to completing the online entry form. The application must be completed in a single user session.
REGISTRATION LINK: https://ussoccer.demosphere-secure.com/_app/register/team?season=66a2960d73621d3225af86a3, please email U.S. Open Cup staffRules on Amateurism
The OVPL is sanctioned as a fully amateur league. It is important for all teams to understand the rules of amateurism. Each member Club should ensure players maintain amateur eligibility, as the Club would be held responsible for jeopardizing amateurism if there is a violation. The United States has two governing bodies on amateurism: FIFA and college (NCAA/NAIA/NJCAA/etc.).
College amateurism and eligibility will be put in jeopardy if an athlete:- Receives compensation that exceeds actual and necessary expenses- Receives compensation for media appearances based on your athletic ability or fame- Endorsing commercial products or services- Accepting prize money beyond the actual/necessary expenses- Accepting money from an agent or agency- Participating with a player, on the same team, who is considered a professional player
No amateur teams should ever use the terminology "professional" or "semi-professional" as the term "professional" could jeopardize amateurism. All players must sign a registration form from the Club and OVPL that reinforces if a player is amateur or professional. A player who wishes to sign with a professional team must have completed college eligibility or be advised that upon signing as an amateur player on a professional team, the player will lose college eligibility.
A professional player may be reinstated as an amateur only with the permission of that team and the Amateur National State Association or Professional League with which the Club is affiliated. An application for reinstatement to amateur status must be made on the USSF Amateur Reinstatement Form and both the completed form and the applicable fee ($50.00) must be filed with the appropriate Federation. The Federation shall issue approval of the reinstatement to amateur status within fourteen (14) days after receipt, appropriate fees, and compliance with Federation rules. However, the player's reinstatement to amateur status is not effective until the day after the thirty (30) day time period has elapsed from the day that the player competed in his last match with his/her team as a professional player. This is in accordance with FIFA's Regulations Governing the Status and Transfer of Football Players.
A professional player who is not currently registered as a professional player with any professional division team or league, who has not been a party to a professional player contract with a professional division team or league for a period of one year or longer, and who has not applied for reinstatement as an amateur, shall be automatically reinstated to amateur status by the Secretary-General unless the player affirmatively states in writing that he/she does not wish to be reinstated to amateur status.
College Player Eligibility for OVPL
- Any player signed to or enrolled in college on scholarship or as a walk-on qualifies as a collegiate player for that school.- Any Division I, Division II, Division III, or NAIA player, with or without remaining NCAA eligibility, is permitted to play on an OVPL amateur team.- College players are not permitted to train, practice or play with any OVPL amateur teams during their scheduled season.- OVPL amateur teams ARE NOT to promote the respective league as professional or semi-professional.- OVPL amateur teams cannot provide any players more than actual and necessary expenses or they will be considered a professional team.- OVPL amateur teams are permitted to employ college players as camp coaches for summer youth soccer camps, but no amateur or professional players on an OVPL amateur team are permitted to receive any compensation for playing.- College players are also not permitted to receive any complimentary equipment or apparel from OVPL amateur or team sponsors. College players must either turn in all team equipment at the end of the season or purchase it from the team at fair market value.- A student-athlete may compete outside of the institution's declared playing and practice season as a member of an outside team in any non-collegiate, amateur competition, provided:- Such participation occurs no earlier than May 1st.- The competition is approved by the institution's director of athletics.- No class time is missed for practice activities or for competition.- A student-athlete may compete outside of the institution's declared playing and practice season as a member of an outside team in any non-collegiate, amateur competition during any official vacation period published in the institution's catalog.- NO OVPL clubs may play with more than five (5) student-athletes with eligibility remaining in NCAA DI. There is no limit for NCAA DII, DIII, NAIA, or NJCAA.- NO NCAA student-athletes with eligibility remaining may participate with an OVPL team if there is a member of the institution's soccer team involved in any capacity, at any time with the team.
Exception
Before initial full-time collegiate enrollment, defined as participants with a team or in fall/spring term, an individual may compete on a professional team provided he/she does not receive more than actual necessary expenses on the team.