TST Joins New National 1 League

We are excited to announce that TST high school teams will compete in the new National 1 League (N1), beginning with the 2026–27 season.

For TST, joining N1 represents another important step in the continued growth of our club and, most importantly, in creating the best possible environment for our players to develop.

National 1 is a new national competition created through a collaboration between US Club Soccer and US Youth Soccer. It brings together the National Premier Leagues and National League into one platform and serves as the top team-based competition within both organizations.

A Stronger Pathway for Our Players

Our decision to join N1 is about opportunity.

The league provides our teams with access to stronger competition while creating a clearer pathway for players and teams who continue to progress. National 1 is integrated with the ECNL postseason structure, with qualifying teams advancing to the ECNL Conference League Playoffs and Finals. High-performing clubs can also earn opportunities for progression into the ECNL Regional League.

That pathway is exciting, but our philosophy at TST remains the same.

Development comes first

We will continue to make decisions based on what is best for the individual player rather than simply chasing results, rankings or league status. Training, appropriate competition, meaningful playing opportunities and continually challenging our players will remain at the center of the TST experience.

Competing From Chicago

One of the most appealing aspects of N1 is its regional structure. The league was intentionally organized into conferences and districts to create meaningful competition while reducing unnecessary travel and costs for families. Chicago has its own Midwest District within the National 1 structure.

That fits well with what we are building at TST: giving talented girls in Chicago access to a high-level soccer environment without believing that development always requires traveling farther or spending more.

The Next Step for TST

Since TST was founded, our goal has been to create the soccer experience we believe girls in Chicago deserve—high-quality training, intentional player development, meaningful competition and an environment built specifically around them.

Joining National 1 is another step forward in that mission.

As our players improve, we want the opportunities available to them to grow with them. N1 gives our teams another competitive platform while connecting TST to a broader national pathway.

We are excited about what this means for our players, our families and the future of TST.