MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee Torrent are excited to announce their acceptance to the USL
Super Y League for the 2021 season.
The summer league has more than 10,000 players and 500 teams across the country, but the
Torrent teams will be the only Super Y League teams from Wisconsin.
This program is the Torrent’s latest foray into youth soccer. The club operates summer camps in
partnership with German Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen and runs free sessions for youth as
part of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee Community Learning Center, but the
teams that take the field next summer in the Super Y League will be the first Torrent youth
teams.
“We’re thrilled to announce Milwaukee Torrent as the latest addition to the Super Y League,”
USL Super Y League Vice President Joel Nash said. “They’re a quality club from top to bottom,
and we’re confident that the Super Y level of competition will help foster an excellent
environment for youth development during the summer months.”
The Torrent will collaborate with youth clubs to form their Super Y League teams, who will play
in the league’s Midwest Division along with clubs from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. The
Super Y League season runs from June to August, a time of year when most youth soccer clubs
in Wisconsin don’t offer training or league play.
“Not only will the Milwaukee Torrent Super Y teams offer an additional competitive playing
season for area youth soccer players, it also creates a dynamic opportunity to engage coaches
from many different Milwaukee area clubs,” Torrent President Bonnie Peplinski said. “We see
this as a fantastic way to fill a summertime competitive gap that is currently unmet in our region.
We are looking forward to competing in a competitive league which will provide our club with
unparalleled soccer experience.”
Chris Knowlton, the Torrent’s Vice President of Sales and Development, added: “The Super Y
League will give our players an opportunity to keep their skills sharp, work on fitness and get
more game experience during the normally off summer months. Players will be exposed to new
and different coaching styles and a high level of competition combining to
improve our players’ overall skill level.”
Hartland-based Strike FC Wisconsin is the first club to commit to be part of the Torrent’s Super
Y League consortium.
“With the addition of the Super Y League in Greater Milwaukee, we are excited to deliver an
elite playing experience for our club and the local soccer community,” Strike FC Board member
Matt McGonigle said.
The top teams in each division earn spots in the Super Y League National Finals, which are
held in December in Tampa, Fla. While Wisconsin hasn’t had any clubs participate in the league
recently, the state does have some history in the competition: The Mequon United Under-15
girls team won the national championship in 2013 – that team’s coach was Carlos “Cacho”
Cordoba, who took over as the Torrent men’s coach last year.
“Super Y League is a wonderful experience for any youth player and very instrumental for clubs
to be engaged with,” Torrent vice president Melanie Sobelman said. “You’re playing at a high
level and have the opportunity to play in a national championship, as well as the exposure you
get from playing with top level players and coaches from all over also getting a good look at
you.”
Added Torrent Vice President Jen Scherer: “This summer, I became familiar with this league
through my son’s participation on a Super Y team. The experience was fantastic. He grew as a
player through engagement with new teammates and by playing against teams he wouldn’t
necessarily meet throughout the rest of the year. Super Y was a great addition to his
preparation this summer as he transitions into high school competitive play.”
More details about the Milwaukee Torrent’s Super Y League program can be found in the
attached Q-and-A, or by emailing info@milwaukeetorrent.com
