Northern Utah United Soccer Teams

Looking for a team or soccer program?

Contact your age group leader, who is dedicated to helping you navigate your NUU soccer experience.

4-6 Years Old

Joel Lopez

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7-9 Years Old

Nicole Hale

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10-12 Years Old

Shawn Daniels

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13-18 Years Old

Jeff Ginn

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Local | 6-14 Year Olds

Challenger League

The Challenger League is a development-focused soccer environment designed to introduce players to club soccer while prioritizing long-term growth over results. It serves as a bridge between recreational and higher-level state competition, helping players build skills, confidence, and game understanding at an appropriate pace.

Teams are structured to support individual development rather than standings or championships, ensuring each player is placed in the right level of challenge. Advancement into more competitive environments is based on readiness as observed by both parents and coaches, with a strong player-first philosophy guiding all decisions.

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Challenger League
The league’s primary focus is player and coach development—team results are secondary, though teams remain necessary to structure the league.

Challenger League Flights

Four levels create clear development pathways:

  • Flight 4 (5v5): Entry-level (ages 6–7)
  • Flight 3 (7v7): Top 7–9-year-olds
  • Flight 2 (7v7): Developing 9–11-year-olds
  • Flight 1 (7v7): Top 9–11-year-olds
    All teams also participate in 5v5 intra-club play as part of their summer training curriculum.

NUU’s Challenger League provides year-round development with strong coaching, club-led training, and multiple game formats—all designed to maximize growth without overwhelming families.

Local Team Model
Teams are ideally formed by area (North, South, etc.) to reduce travel for team training.

Players benefit from extensive soccer opportunities, including league games, intra-club 5v5 play, optional winter leagues, and optional tournaments.

“Club Training”
In addtion to team training, players are grouped by gender, age, physical profile, ability, and location—ensuring the right environment for development and enjoyment.

Our approach ensures each player is placed in an environment where they can thrive and grow alongside clubmates at a similar developmental level while training and playing with teammates who live nearby.

Travel Teams | 9-19 Year Olds

State League

State Teams begin at U10 for players who want to train and compete with others who share similar ambition and ability. As players progress, multiple teams and levels ensure the right developmental fit for each individual.

Pre-ECNL Opportunities: All U10 and U12 State Team players are considered for Pre-ECNL-RL opportunities throughout the year. These experiences expose players to ECNL and ECNL-RL competition and help prepare them for the transition to ECNL at U13.

Team Structure Overview

NUU is built as one unified club with one shared mission: to place every player in the environment where they can grow, be challenged appropriately, and reach their full potential. Player movement is not only allowed—it is a core strength of our model. Through ongoing, collaborative evaluations across coaches, each player is seen from multiple perspectives to ensure the most accurate and fair developmental placement.

Players are not “stuck” on teams. They are placed where they belong today—and supported as they grow into what they can become tomorrow.


Royalty Teams

Royalty teams represent the highest level of competitive play within NUU at teh state level. These teams compete in the Utah Youth Soccer Assocaition (UYSA) gaming league and are intentionally built to prepare players to advance to an ECNL-RL team at U13 and beyond.

This environment demands ambitious players who are ready for a faster pace, higher standards, and stronger competition. Players in Royalty are challenged daily to elevate their game, with a clear pathway toward elite-level soccer opportunities.


Futures Teams

Futures teams are the heartbeat of long-term development and the direct pathway into Royalty.

Players train within the same club methodology, expectations, and identity, ensuring seamless progression when they are ready. Futures players are regularly evaluated and may be invited to train or compete with Royalty teams, creating real opportunities—not just promises—for advancement.

This is where ambition is nurtured, confidence is built, and readiness is developed over time.


Color Teams

Color teams (Navy, Gray, and others) provide a positive, structured, and flexible competitive experience for players focused on development, enjoyment, and love of the game.

These teams allow players to grow at a comfortable pace while still receiving quality coaching, meaningful game experience, and optional tournament opportunities. It is an ideal environment for building foundational skills and confidence without pressure.


One Club. Multiple Pathways. Real Progression.

At NUU, every player is part of one club with one identity—but multiple pathways to success. Whether a player is just beginning, developing steadily, or pushing toward elite competition, there is a clear, supported route forward.

Growth is earned. Opportunity is real. And every player has a place to start—and a path to climb.

Regional | 12-19 Year Olds

Regional League

The ECNL created the ECNL Regional Leagues (ECNL-RL) as an important platform addition for players and clubs to fuel the development of their players and to provide a proving ground in competition.

Platform for Real Development

At NUU, ECNL-RL is more than a league placement—it’s a proving ground for players who are ready to commit to a higher standard of soccer.

This is where serious players separate themselves in our community.

A Platform for Real Development

ECNL-RL provides a consistently high level of competition that challenges players every game. It is designed for athletes who want more than just local success—they want meaningful development against strong, committed opponents.

At NUU, we don’t simply place players on teams—we place them in environments designed to challenge, support, and accelerate growth.

When a player is excelling and seeking a higher level of competition, we recommend they explore opportunities with ECNL through Avalanche Soccer Club, while continuing to train locally with their NUU ECNL-RL team. This dual-path approach allows players to experience top-tier competition while maintaining strong development and connection within their home environment.

Training That Demands More

Players in our ECNL-RL pathway train in an environment built on:

  • High-intensity, purposeful training sessions
  • Technical excellence under pressure
  • Tactical understanding beyond the basics
  • Accountability to teammates and standards

Every session is designed to raise the ceiling of what players believe they can do.

A True Club Pathway

NUU operates as one club, not isolated teams. That means:

  • Players can move between levels based on development and readiness
  • Coaches collaborate to evaluate and support growth
  • Every athlete is part of a larger pathway, not a fixed label

ECNL-RL is not the end goal—it’s a stepping stone for players pushing toward the highest levels available within the club and beyond.

Built for Players Who Want More

This environment is best suited for players who are:

  • Highly motivated to improve
  • Willing to be coached and challenged
  • Consistent in effort and commitment
  • Ready for a faster pace and stronger competition
  • Interested in playing college or professional soccer

If a player wants comfort, there are other environments. If a player wants growth, ECNL-RL is where they belong.

The Opportunity

Competing in ECNL-RL is about more than games—it’s about exposure to a higher standard that prepares players for advanced platforms, college pathways, and elite-level soccer opportunities.

At NUU, we are excited for every player who steps into this environment—not just to compete, but to discover what they are truly capable of becoming.

NUU ECNL-RL: For players ready to rise.

Fees

NUUsoccer.com/fees

Fees by League and Team Level

Fees depend on the league and team your player participates in.

  • Northern Utah Development League (U8–U9): NUU Development Academy fees only
  • Northern Utah Development League (U10–U14): NUU Development Academy fees plus team fees
  • State and National 1 League (U10–U19): State league fees plus team fees
  • ECNL-RL (U13–U19): ECNL-RL league fees plus team fees
Coach Support is a higher priority more now than ever!

We know many of our coaches at these ages are new to managing young children and teaching soccer fundamentals. That’s why our top priority is ensuring they’re mentored, supported, and learning continuously under the guidance of our experienced Youth Directors.

Interested in Coaching?

We’d love to have you on the team!

Fill out this short survey to let us know you’re interested in joining our coaching staff.

RISE TO ROYALTY PLAYER PATHWAY

Click to view next slide in the NUU Player Development Opportunites Presentation

NUU_Player_Pathway by Northern Utah United

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