National Premier Soccer League (NPSL)
The United States Soccer Federation (USSF) is the official governing body of the sport of soccer in the United States. They don’t organize any professional leagues, they merely sanction organizations that want to provide a soccer league, based on minimum standards per division. The USSF sanctions only Divisions I, II and III for professional soccer in the USA. The USSF does not officially recognize distinctions beyond the three professional divisions.
Currently all other leagues are sanctioned by USASA. In Men's soccer, USL League 2 (United Soccer Leagues - 82 teams) and NPSL (National Premier Soccer League - 94 teams) are recognized in practical terms as playing at a higher level, as both are considered national leagues and receive more automatic berths to the US Open Cup than the total given to all the regional leagues and the state leagues. Both the USL2 and NPSL season run from mid-May to the end of July. USL2 takes place during the summer months and has age restrictions. Thus, the player pool is drawn mainly NCAA College soccer players seeking to continue playing high level soccer during their summer break, while still maintaining their college eligibility. The NPSL is similar to USL2 and also attracts top amateur talent from around the United States. However, unlike USL2, the NPSL does not have any age limits or restrictions, thus incorporating both college players and former professional players.
Miami Dutch Lions FC is playing in the NPSL in the Sunshine Conference. Other participating clubs in the Conference in 2023 are Naples United FC (Naples), Miami Beach FC (Miami) and Global Soccer Pathways (Naples). All games are played between mid-May and mid-July. The winner of the Conference advances to the play-offs.