SWPL Announces Activation of Prospect22

LA MIRADA, CA (February 23, 2024) – Southwest Premier League today confirms its launch of a spring-summer circuit for college-age players and with the activation of Prospect22.

Registration is open for players born in 2001 and before, and clubs are signing agreements to play a season from May 4-July 30, with more clubs signing on daily.

Prospect22 brings together more than 50 years of coaching and operational experience between Jorge Salcedo and Matt Morse, and will connect players to professional opportunities with exhibition matches against MLS Next Pro clubs and exposure to scouting and representation services.

"Prospect22 is a new approach on the summer league for college players because what we have now isn't truly focused on the player and showcasing these young prospects," Prospect22 Director Jorge Salcedo said. "We have the knowledge, experience and connections to build something for those players who might want to choose a league that provides scouting, education, and consulting opportunities specifically taylored for players who are on the precipice of a pro career."

Salcedo coached at UCLA and played professionally in Japan, Mexico and in Major League Soccer. His connections within MLS have cultivated agreements with MLS Next Pro teams from the West Coast to play against Prospect22 regional winners.

"These will be matches against some of the top young talent in MLS, and the professional scouts are always looking for talent. We know that," Salcedo said. "There's so much talent in Southern California and the Southwest that just goes unrecruited and unsigned because folks lack connections. Well, those players and clubs can be connected now."

Southwest Premier League, with regional divisions in Northern and Southern California, launched in 1976 as Coast Soccer League before rebranding as SoCal Premier League in 2008 and expanding into the SWPL in 2020 and affiliating with NISA Nation in 2021.

"The Southwest Premier League has the operational capability to get this done," SWPL President, Matt Morse said. "We already had an Under-23 men's division in SoCal Premier, and I think this will be an improvement and provide way more opportunities for players."

Prospect22 teams will play 16 games. Teams and players will have two opportunities throughout the inaugural season to play and showcase against professional teams and scouts. PADM will select 20 players from each region to showcase mid-season vs. a professional team. Then, Regional champions will play a championship exhibition match vs. a professional team, as the season culminates, registered FIFA Agents will consult with players who are ready and provide opportunities within the U.S. and internationally.

"PADM is serious about scouting players from the SoCal Premier League," Morse said. "They hosted a very successful combine in December and are partnering with us here to take the league's best players for trials overseas."

The Prospect22 schedule will be released in April. Prospect22 regional divisions will be announced soon.