The Tennessee State Soccer Association (TSSA) has seen registrations consistently increase in recent years for the Tennessee State League, and that trend is continuing into the Fall 2023 competition. For the second consecutive year, TSSA saw a record-breaking number of teams register for the fall season, with nearly 400 teams set to take part in league play over the coming months.
“League play last year was excellent,” said Hans Hobson, Chief Operating Officer of the Tennessee State Soccer Association. “We saw more parity among our age groups than ever before. That parity and ability for ANY team to compete for a State Championship is what I believe separated our league from others. Seldom do we see the same team winning year after year. Success in this league is earned.”
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 22nd. 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 11th and 12th at the Richard Siegel Soccer Complex in Murfreesboro.
“It’s so exciting to see our numbers keep going up!” said Jeannie Louk, TSSA Director of Leagues and Programs. “TSSA’s commitment to grow soccer is showing in all our programs, especially with Fall State League having its highest number of teams participating. I have seen the continued success for all our teams on all levels over the past two years and am looking forward to another successful season!”
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.
