ECNL adds new clubs in Regional Leagues
The ECNL announced new additions at the Regional League level this week. The ECNL Regional Leagues have been a platform for clubs to advance and grow to a potential spot in the ECNL. The Regional Leagues have also included a showcase element that has added interest from college scouts.
The ECNL Boys Regional League is adding 10 new clubs for the 2022-2023 season, with the clubs coming from every corner of the continental United States.
“We are thrilled to welcome these clubs into the ECNL Regional League for the 2022-23 season,” ECNL Boys Commissioner Jason Kutney said in a press release. “The growth of the Regional League platform has been significant over this past year, showing the clear desire of clubs to align within a club pathway as they, in turn, offer that same pathway to their players. We will continue our efforts to create opportunities for philosophically aligned clubs to become a part of this mission.”
The ECNL Girls Regional League is adding 11 new clubs for the 2022-2023 season.
“These 11 new clubs will continue to strengthen and deepen competition within the ECNL Regional League,” ECNL COO and Girls Commissioner Jen Winnagle said in a press release this week. “The success of the Regional League over the past several years in providing more great matches, college showcases, and a clear pathway for players, teams, and clubs is a reflection of the great leaders and clubs participating in it.”
The full press release for both announcements can be seen below.
ECNL Regional League Boys Press Release:
ECNL Boys is pleased to announce an initial round of 10 new clubs that will be joining the ECNL Boys Regional League platform in the 2022-23 season. These clubs stretch from Florida to California, reflecting the commitment of the ECNL Boys to provide pathways for clubs looking to provide the best experiences for their players and teams.
“We are thrilled to welcome these clubs into the ECNL Regional League for the 2022-23 season,” said ECNL Boys Commissioner Jason Kutney. “The growth of the Regional League platform has been significant over this past year, showing the clear desire of clubs to align within a club pathway as they, in turn, offer that same pathway to their players. We will continue our efforts to create opportunities for philosophically aligned clubs to become a part of this mission.”
The 10 clubs joining the league are below:
Azzurri Storm SC (ECNL Regional League – Florida)
- Location: Naples, FL
- Established: 1993
- Promoted to ECNL Regional League from Florida Club League
BRYC Elite Academy (ECNL Regional League – Virginia)
- Location: Fairfax, VA
- Established: 1966
- Schools Featuring Alumni: Virginia, VCU, Virginia Tech, George Mason, Navy
FC Richmond (ECNL Regional League – Virginia)
- Location: Richmond, VA
- Established: 1985
- More than 2,500 athletes
Highland FC (ECNL Regional League – Carolinas)
- Location: Asheville, NC
- Facilities: John B. Lewis Soccer Complex
- Competitive Division of the Asheville Buncombe Youth Soccer Association
McLean YSA (ECNL Regional League – Virginia)
- Location: McLean VA
- Established: 1990
- More than 100 alumni playing collegiate soccer
Rebels SC (ECNL Regional League – SoCal)
- Location: Chula Vista, CA
- More than 30 elite coaches for the club’s athletes
Three Rivers (ECNL Regional League – Northwest)
- Location: Pasco, WA
- Oldest and largest club in Southeast Washington
- More than 130 alumni playing collegiate soccer
VA Rush (ECNL Regional League – Virginia)
- Location: Virginia Beach, VA
- One of the founding Rush clubs
- Home to more than 3,500 athletes in the soccer-rich Virginia Beach market
Virginia Valor (ECNL Regional League – Virginia)
- Location: Chantilly, VA
- A partnership between Southwestern Youth Association and Chantilly Youth Association with more than 22,000 players
West Side Alliance (ECNL Regional League – Texas)
- Location: Tulsa, OK
- Established: 1992
- A staff of more than 150 coaches
ECNL Girls Regional League Press Release:
ECNL Girls is pleased to announce 11 new clubs joining the ECNL Girls Regional League for the 2022-23 season. Stretching both across the country and from south to north, these clubs reflect the commitment of the ECNL Girls to provide pathways for clubs looking to provide the best experiences for their players and teams.
“These 11 new clubs will continue to strengthen and deepen competition within the ECNL Regional League,” said ECNL COO and Girls Commissioner Jen Winnagle. “The success of the Regional League over the past several years in providing more great matches, college showcases, and a clear pathway for players, teams, and clubs is a reflection of the great leaders and clubs participating in it.”
The 11 clubs joining the Regional League are below:
Braden River SC (ECNL Regional League – Florida)
- Location: Bradenton, FL
- Largest club in Southwest Florida, with more than 1,800 families
- Facilities: Lakewood Ranch Park
BRYC Elite Academy (ECNL Regional League – Virginia)
- Location: Fairfax, VA
- Established: 1966
- Famous Alumni include Mia Hamm, Cindi Harkes, Amanda Cromwell and Jillian Ellis
Chicago Inter SC (ECNL Regional League – Heartland)
- Location: Chicago, IL
- More than 200 alumni playing collegiate soccer since 2008
- Serves players and families from the Southwest Chicago suburbs
Dallas Surf (ECNL Regional League – North Texas)
- Location: Dallas, TX
- Established in 2021 as one of the newest members of Surf Soccer
- Facilities: The Rec at Grapevine
FC Richmond (ECNL Regional League – Virginia)
- Location: Richmond, VA
- Established: 1985
- More than 2,500 athletes
Highland FC (ECNL Regional League – Carolinas)
- Location: Asheville, NC
- Facilities: John B. Lewis Soccer Complex
- Competitive Division of the Asheville Buncombe Youth Soccer Association
McLean YSA (ECNL Regional League – Virginia)
- Location: McLean VA
- Established: 1990
- Founding ECNL club with more than 100 alumni currently playing collegiate soccer
Swan City SC (ECNL Regional League – Florida)
- Location: Lakeland, FL
- Recently rebranded from Lakeland Tropics FC) to Swan City SC
- Home to more than 2,500 athletes
United PDX (ECNL Regional League – Northwest)
- Location: Portland, OR
- Established in the mid-1980s
- Houses more than 90 teams for more than 2,700 athletes
VA Rush (ECNL Regional League – Virginia)
- Location: Virginia Beach, VA
- One of the founding Rush clubs,
- Home to more than 3,500 athletes in the soccer-rich Virginia Beach market
Virginia Valor (ECNL Regional League – Virginia)
- Location: Chantilly, VA
- A partnership between Southwestern Youth Association and Chantilly Youth Association with more than 22,000 athletes