The Tennessee State Soccer Association (TSSA) has seen registrations consistently increase in recent years for the Tennessee State Cup, and that trend is continuing into the upcoming fall competition. Following a record number of team registrations, the Tennessee State League officially began its fall season on Monday.
“We are excited to see the continued growth of our youth teams across the state, and the participation of those youth teams in our Tennessee State Cup,” said Hans Hobson, Chief Operating Officer of the Tennessee State Soccer Association. “Over the last five years, the league has grown tremendously. In some age group divisions this year, we had 20-25 teams apply for acceptance. We thank each and every team and supporting parent group for their involvement in making this league a huge success.”
The fall season of the Tennessee State League is played amongst all age groups and genders from 12U to 19U, excluding girls in the high school age range. Fall State Cup will take place in the 15U to 19U divisions for boys and in the 12U age group for both boys and girls, with regular season games concluding by October 23rd. Following that opening round of matches, Tennessee State Cup Quarterfinals and Semifinals will be held during the first weekend of November. Finals will then be played on November 12th and 13th at the Richard Siegel Soccer Complex in Murfreesboro.
Open to all member clubs and their teams, the TSSA has hosted the Tennessee State Cup since 1976. Games are played at competitive levels within three divisions (Division 1, Division 2 and Divisions 3).
Champions at the Division 1 level will advance to regional play in the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series, which is the country’s most prestigious national youth soccer tournament. Champions at the Division 2 level will continue onto regional play in the US Youth Soccer Presidents Cup, which provides a progressive and competitive environment to teams that might not otherwise get the opportunity to participate in a series of unique experiences highlighting competition, camaraderie and community. Division 3 is considered the final level of State Cup competition, with many of the participants being newly formed teams or coming from a more recreation-based environment.