"The best thing for player development is having our best players play with and against each other as often as possible," said Jay Miller, U.S. Soccer National Coaching Staff. "The Super Y-league does just that. The games I observed at the Super Y-league finals in Pennsylvania were excellent. Participation in this league is a natural for the top clubs and professional teams interested in developing the best youth players."

"The SYL, will be a dog-eat-dog situation every week," Marcos added. "This is not recreational stuff; it's the highest level of elite soccer at the grassroots level." The SYL offers the highest level of competition for youth players around the country on a uniform level. Currently it is far to typical to have leagues where the best teams beat up on the weak ones week in and week out, offering little in the competitive experience that is needed for pre-professional development.

In the following question and answer interview with Francisco Marcos, commissioner of United Soccer Leagues, and Matt Weibe, Director of Super Y-League Operations & Development on the issue of player development and identification in the United States is clearly addressed. Marcos attempts to pinpoint the areas that need attention and explain how the new Super Y-League will do its part to improve the efficiency of finding and training the nation's best young players.

Why was it necessary to form the SYL when we have such youth programs as those in USYSA and AYSO?

Marcos: The difference in the SYL is that this is intensive, week-in and week-out league competition. Most of the country's elite level youth soccer centers around tournament play. Elite-level league play is seldom available at the local level because with the so-called super leagues, although they attract the best players, competition is usually limited to regional play and, usually, one or two teams consistently dominate. With the SYL, we're seeking to attract teams that are at the elite level in their particular geographical location, and match them against the best from around North America.

Weibe: The elite level youth clubs need an alternative route for competition. This league has been designed and structured specifically for the elite-level youth player. It is not for every team. The league is only intended to provide high-level competition for the elite level teams and players. In the past, major youth clubs have not been involved with USL. They are now finding out that USL offers many benefits to their clubs, to the soccer community in their areas, and will provide their players with the support needed to make it to the professional and National Team ranks.