National 1 League is the top team-based competition in US Club Soccer and US Youth Soccer, elevating teams across the country into a unified national platform integrated with the ECNL. Formerly referred to as NewComp, this new competition is the result of bringing together US Club Soccer’s National Premier Leagues and US Youth Soccer’s National League, beginning with the 2026-27 season.
The new league ushers in an era of collaboration in youth soccer that benefits players and families across the country. The National 1 League’s inaugural season will be capped in summer 2027 at the ECNL Conference League Playoffs and Finals, as district qualifiers from this competition and the ECNL Regional League compete for championships. For more information about the league, here is an FAQ from the new program.
Ricky Santibanez
Ricky has been with Triangle United since 2006. He currently has his USSF B License.
Diego Walsh
Diego Walsh is a elite staff coach and former professional athlete who brings major Major League Soccer (MLS) pedigree and proven NCAA Division I coaching expertise to our club's youth development program.Elite Playing CareerBefore transitioning to player mentorship, Coach Diego excelled at the absolute highest levels of American soccer:7th Overall Pick in the MLS SuperDraft by the Columbus Crew1st Team All-American standout during his collegiate careerNCAA Division I Athlete at Southern Methodist University (SMU)
Coaching & Player Development BackgroundDiego translates his experience from the professional pitch into top-tier youth and collegiate instruction:
Club Staff Coach | Real Salt Lake (Arizona)
Former Assistant Men's Coach | Grand Canyon University (NCAA Division I)
US Soccer "B" License certified professional
Nansha Kalonji
Meet Nansha, a powerhouse in collegiate soccer coaching with an illustrious five-season career playing in Major League Soccer (MLS) for the New York Red Bulls.Elite Playing CareerBefore transitioning to leadership on the sidelines, Nansha excelled at the highest levels of the sport. He played five seasons professionally for the MLS New York Red Bulls. His legendary collegiate career at Ramapo College cemented his place in soccer history, where he remains the all-time program leader in multiple categories: 52 Goals, 42 Assists, 146 Points, 12 Game-Winning Goals
Coaching & Leadership Experience
Nansha translates his elite playing experience into strategic mentorship, having built a robust coaching resume across prestigious NCAA programs:
Head Men's Coach | New Jersey City University (2009–2012)Assistant Men's Coach | Ramapo College (2006–2009)Head Men's Coach | Rutgers-Newark (2004–2006)Assistant Men's Coach | Greensboro College (2002–2004)
Luis Satorra
Meet Luis Satorra, the MLS Next Academy Director at Triangle United, a premier youth soccer coach with a rich background in professional play and elite player development. Professional BiographyLuis brings a wealth of international and high-level domestic experience to the pitch. He is a former French professional soccer player who transitioned from elite play to top-tier coaching. Over his career, he has served as the Head Coach for Tobacco Road's USL Academy and as the Assistant Coach for the Carolina Railhawks U23 squad. Today, he channels this extensive expertise into guiding the next generation of soccer talent in the MLS Next Academy.
Qualifications & CredentialsUEFA 'A' License (French Football Federation) French Certificate of Sport Education Contact InformationFor inquiries regarding the academy, scouting, or player development, you can reach out directly.
Kyle Johnston
Kyle is the Triangle United (TU) Goalkeeper Director and current Duke University Men's Goalkeeper Coach, bringing elite NCAA Division I coaching expertise and specialized training certifications to our premier youth programs.
Coaching Experience
Goalkeeper Director | Triangle United
Men's Goalkeeper Coach | Duke University (2023–Present)
Men's Goalkeeper Coach | College of Charleston (2019–2023)
Goalkeeper Director | SC Surf (2019–2023)
Goalkeeper Coach | Sewanee: The University of the South (2018–2019)
Certifications & Diplomas
Advanced Goalkeeper Diploma | United Soccer CoachesLevel I & Level II Goalkeeper Diplomas | United Soccer Coaches"D" License | United States Soccer Federation (USSF)
Playing Career4-Year Starting Goalkeeper | Sewanee: The University of the SouthAll-South Goalkeeper | Recognized as a standout senior athlete
List of Services
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How are National 1 League Teams Formed?List Item 1
Teams are formed through a variety of ways. We will look at players during our MLS NEXT Academy Tryouts as well as our Classic tryouts
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How Many National 1 League Teams do we Have?List Item 2
For the 2026-2027 season, we are looking at having at least one in the u13-u19 boys and at least 1 in the u13-u14 girls.
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Who is the Director for National 1 League?List Item 3
Ricky Santibanez will oversee the entire program on and off the field. He will be assisted by staff coaches from within the club.
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When does the National 1 League Season take place?List Item 4
The National 1 League Season will be played from August - May for the 13U and 14U teams. For the 15U-19U teams, mainly from December - May.
List of Services
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How Many Times a Week do They Train?List Item 1
Players in this program will train 3x per week. The 13U and 14U teams will train August - May, while the 15U-19U teams will train from late November - May.
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Is there GK Training for this Program?List Item 2
Goalkeepers will train 1x a week with a TU GK trainer. Typically there will be 1x/week solely focused on the GK and their technique.
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What Teams do we Play?List Item 3
For the 2026-2027 season, the teams have not yet been finalized, but the league is a NC based league,
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Can players play high school?List Item 4
Yes. Players are eligible to play high school as well as National 1 League. Games and training will take place when the players are not in HS.
