History

Southwest Premier League has undergone many changes since its it was created in 1976 by Raul Briones. The league first operated as a sunday Men’s adult league for clubs in Garden Grove, CA under the name Coast Soccer League - Seniors (no affiliation with CSL Youth).

‘80s and ‘90s

CSL – Seniors joined the now defunct California Soccer Association-South. Fritz Jansen joined Raul and ran operations out of the Old World Bavarian Bakery & Restaurant in Huntington Beach, CA.

2000 - 2008

Brett Wood stepped in as President. Several of the states strongest clubs came into the league from the Pacific Soccer League causing the league to expand, adding multiple divisions starting with the Premier. 

2009

Official name changes to SoCal Premier and established a 501c7 non-profit. First adult league to affiliate with CalSouth. Brett Wood takes on a new role as VP Adults for Cal South. Matt Morse then becomes the President.

2013 - 2017

The league quickly grew from 2 divisions and 20 teams to 5 divisions and 75 teams, adding both Over35 and U23 divisions. First partnership with NorCal Premier begins with the U23 State Championship, which was won by Chivas USA U23. As competition grew in the Adult game, the league began to expand into youth soccer, launching its first league under CalSouth for recreational intercity teams in Orange County.

2018 - 2020 

SoCal Premier moves its affiliation and sanctioning to US Club Soccer and merges with the West Coast Adult Soccer League. The youth program partners with USSDA clubs to form the U11-12 NPL West Boys division. As the youth program expands to include U11 — U19 age groups for both boys and girls. SoCal Premier signs a contract to operate the Desert States NPL in Utah and Nevada.

2021

 

SoCal Premier affiliates with the National Independent Soccer Association and rebrands as Southwest Premier League and expands into Arizona, Nevada/Southern Utah, Northern California/Northern Nevada, and San Diego.

 

2022

Continues League Expansion, with Womens League and Several Cup Competitons.

 

League History Data