Boys ECNL Playoffs Preview
The Boys ECNL Playoffs kick off this week from San Diego, California. The Boys ECNL playoffs from the U13-17 sets up the National Finals in Missouri in July. The U19 age group has the championship round during the week in…
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Continue ReadingThe Boys ECNL Playoffs kick off this week from San Diego, California. The Boys ECNL playoffs from the U13-17 sets up the National Finals in Missouri in July. The U19 age group has the championship round during the week in San Diego.
PrepSoccer will be on hand at the event. Use promo code “Club30” for 30% off your first payment of a subscription to read our exclusive coverage from the event.
U13/2009
Groups
- A: Crossfire Premier, Manhattan SC, Del Mar Sharks, Houston Dynamo Youth
- B: SLSG MO, Seattle United, Tulsa SC, Skyline Elite
- C: Florida Kraze Krush, Sporting CA Arsenal, Sporting Nebraska, Lonestar SC South
- D: Pipeline SC, GSA, Florida Premier, Santa Rosa United
- E: San Diego Surf, Indiana Elite, Utah Avalanche, South Carolina United
- F: DKSC, Legends FC, WNY Flash, Eclipse Select SC
- G: Rio Rapids, Pateadores, Penn Fusion, Charlotte SA Academy
- H: World Class FC, Eastside FC, NCFC Youth Academy, Slammers FC
- I: Nationals SC, Richmond United, Colorado Rapids, OK Energy
- J: NTH-Nasa, FC Bucks, KC Scott Gallagher, LA Breakers
- K: Davis Legacy, FC Wisconsin, CESA, Ohio Premier
- L: STA, South Carolina Surf, MVLA, Wilmington Hammerheads
Favorites: Crossfire Premier (24-0), SLSG-Mo (13-0-1), San Diego Surf (22-2), Nationals (15-1-2), Pipeline (24-1-1)
Crossfire Premier has only lost two games this year in all competitions – one in the championship of the Mayor’s Cup and one against Inter Miami at the Easter International Cup. It is the only blemish on an otherwise perfect campaign. The Washington club finished ECNL competition with a 24-0 record and a plus 149 goal differential. The final game of the regular season, a 2-1 win over Seattle United, was the only game of the season that Crossfire won by only one goal. SLSG-Mo also went undefeated on the campaign in the ECNL. The Missouri squad takes on Seattle United in the group, which is big early test for one of the favorites.
San Diego Surf suffered two losses in May, which put an end to an otherwise perfect season for the home side. Surf has the talent to walk away with the title in this age group. Nationals is a top side in the nation in this age group. They will have plenty of scouts at their games at this event. In a group with Richmond United, Colorado Rapids, and OK Energy, Nationals will be the team to beat in Group I.
Dark Horses: Legends FC (17-2-4)
Legends beat San Diego Surf in the Dallas Cup championship in April. The Southern California squad has the talent to get out of a tricky Group F.
Players to Know:
Malik Jakupovic (Nationals), Saulo Tejeda (San Diego Surf), Duncan Green (Crossfire Premier)
U14/2008
Groups
- A: Utah Avalanche, CESA, Eclipse Select SC, Gretna Elite
- B: SUSA Albertson, Richmond United, Cleveland Force, Tennessee SC
- C: OK Energy, Concorde Fire Platinum, La Roca, Indiana Elite
- D: Crossfire Premier, Dallas Texans Academy, WNY Flash, Mustang SC
- E: Nationals SC, SDSC Surf, Sporting Iowa, South Carolina Surf
- F: MVLA, SLSG MO, GSA, Tampa Bay United
- G: Beach FC, Baltimore Celtic, Placer United SC, Lonestar SC North
- H: Florida Premier, Albion Hurricanes, FC Wisconsin, Charlotte Soccer Academy
- I: SLSG IL, LAFC So Cal, FSA FC, Loudoun Soccer
- J: NTH-Nasa, Sporting Delaware, Slammers FC, Washington Premier
- K: Charlotte Independence Pro, FC DELCO, Heat FC, FC Dallas
- L: FC Pride, Santa Rosa United, Match Fit Academy, Houston Dynamo Youth
- M: Louisville City Academy, DKSC, FC Golden State East, STA
- N: Seattle United, Colorado Rapids, Legends FC, Palm Beach United
- O: World Class, VDA, Ohio Premier, San Diego Surf
- P: Florida Kraze Krush, NCFC Youth Academy, AZ Arsenal, Eastside FC
Favorites: Utah Avalanche (14-0), SUSA Albertson (16-0), OK Energy (20-0-1), Crossfire Premier (23-1), Nationals (16-0-2), Louisville City Academy (16-1-1), Florida Premier (13-1-2), MVLA
The 08/U14 age group looks top heavy as there are a number of teams that went through the campaign without a loss or with only one loss. Utah Avalanche won the national championship in this age group last season. They completed the regular season with a perfect record. Utah Avalanche gave up two goals in the opening game of the season and then went through the next 13 ECNL games only conceding three goals total.
OK Energy had a strong showing in Dallas Cup which included a win over FC Dallas Academy. Energy went through the ECNL season unbeaten. The squad will have a big challenge in group play with games against Concorde Fire Platinum, La Roca, and Indiana Elite.
Dark Horse: SLSG Navy MO (9-3-2), DKSC (15-5-1), Dallas Texans (17-3-1), SDSC Surf (17-6-1)
Dallas Texans were the finalist in Dallas Cup in this age group. Texans’ defense is a strength of the team. They register four shutouts in their last six games of the season. Texans take on Crossfire Premier, WNY Flash, and Mustang SC in Group D.
Players to Know
Zachariah Hume (Crossfire Premier)
Hume is a top attacking talent in this age group. He had five goals and two assists in three games in May for Crossfire. The winger is good at getting off shots in tight spaces. He can bully defenders off the ball, and he can finish from a variety of angles.
Hudson Jacobs Hudson Jacobs F OK (OK Energy)
Jacobs had one of the best performances from Dallas Cup. The attacking midfielder is very competitive and will do everything to help his team win. Jacobs is a smart player and knows where to be on the field to have the most influence on the game.
Christian Sanchez (Utah Avalanche)
Sanchez was a key piece in Utah’s run to the championship last season. They are back in the playoffs after another perfect campaign. Sanchez scored the game-winner in the final game of the regular season for Utah.
U15/2007
Groups
- A: La Roca, Wilmington Hammerheads, Pateadores, FC Wisconsin
- B: Eclipse Select SC, Arlington Soccer, World Class, WNY Flash
- C: NTH-Nasa, OK Energy, Ohio Premier, Palm Beach United
- D: Florida Premier, GSA, San Juan SC, Eastside FC
- E: Pipeline SC, Concorde Fire Platinum, STA
- F: FC Dallas, LAFC So Cal, Florida Elite, NCFC Youth
- G: Louisville City Academy, Charlotte SA, Sporting Nebraska, Slammers FC
- H: San Diego Surf, Richmond United, Solar SC, Manhattan SC
- I: Crossfire Premier, Houston Dynamo Youth, MVLA, Tennessee SC
- J: Sporting Iowa, South Carolina Surf, NCFC Youth Academy, Lonestar SC North
- K: Penn Fusion, Nationals SC, Seattle United, Real Colorado
- L: Mustang SC, UFA, FC Golden State West, Albion Hurricanes
- M: Heat FC, Cleveland Force, Sporting Santa Clara, Rockford Raptors
- N: Legends FC, FC DELCO, Florida Kraze Krush, Charlotte SA
- O: DKSC, SLSG MO, Davis Legacy, Boston Bolts
- P: Dallas Texans Academy, Colorado Rapids, PAC NW, West Coast FC
Favorites: Crossfire Premier (14-2-3), La Roca (15-2), Eclipse Select (12-1-1), NTH-Nasa (21-0-5), FL Premier (15-2-1), San Diego Surf (20-4-2)
Crossfire Premier is the defending champions in this age group. The Washington club finished the regular season campaign on a six-game unbeaten run. The lengthy break for high school soccer will be the question for this team after not playing an ECNL game since February. Crossfire faces off against Houston Dynamo, MVLA, and Tennessee SC in Group I.
La Roca has one of the most cohesive teams in this age group. The Utah squad wrapped up the ECNL regular season in February and finished as the top seed in the Champions League standings. La Roca kept up that fine form with a solid showing at the US Youth Soccer National League event in Arizona in March. La Roca will be the team to watch in Group A.
Eclipse Select started the season with a seven-game shutout streak. The Illinois team is built off a strong defense that does not allow many mistakes. Eclipse will have a tough challenge in Group B with a game against Arlington Soccer, a semifinalist in this age group last season.
Dark Horses: UFA (17-3-7), Nationals (13-5-2), MVLA (9-6-4)
MVLA needed a great close to the season in order to clinch a berth to the postseason. The Northern California team had their backs against the ball – and then they delivered. MVLA closed out the campaign with a 5-1-2 record since March. Carrying over that level to San Diego will be key to emerging from that top Group I.
Players to Know
Nouh Benaly Nouh Benaly F KY (Louisville City Academy)
The left winger for Louisville City will be a marked man in San Diego. He is dynamic in the attack. He can whip in a cross or finish from tight angels. He has a lot of skill on the ball and is a difficult player to deal with in individual duels.
Adam Naim Adam Naim F JW Mitchell | 2025 State FL (FL Premier)
Naim is a known name for scouts. He has been part of the U.S. Soccer Talent Identification Center in the past. He has also been in on trial with Sporting KC. The 2025 graduate will be one to watch in San Diego.
U16/2006
Groups
- A: Pipeline SC, Lonestar SC North, FC Golden State East, Davis Legacy
- B: Eclipse Select SC, NTH-Nasa, NCFC Youth Academy, San Juan SC
- C: CESA, Louisville City Academy, Santa Clara Sporting, FC Wisconsin
- D: Seattle United, Nationals SC, Gretna Elite, UFA
- E: World Class, Arlington Soccer, Florida Elite, Concorde Fire Premier
- F: FC Dallas, Washington Premier, Penn Fusion, Concorde Fire Platinum
- G: Real Colorado, Match Fit Academy, FC Alliance, St. Croix SC
- H: San Diego Surf, OK Energy, Crossfire Premier, FSA FC
- I: Ohio Premier, Sporting Delaware, West Coast FC, Albion Hurricanes
- J: Florida Kraze Krush, Pateadores, Rise SC, La Roca
- K: Sporting Nebraska, Charlotte Independence Pro, Florida Premier, Eastside FC
- L: Marin FC, LAFC So Cal, Michigan Wolves, Tampa Bay United
- M: Utah Avalanche, Boston Bolts, Heat FC, Charlotte SA
- N: Charlotte SA, Tulsa SC, Mustang SC, Slammers FC
- O: Richmond United, Legends FC, KC Scott Gallagher, NEFC
- P: Houston Dynamo Youth, Cleveland Force, Virginia Union, LA Breakers FC
Favorites: CESA (24-3-3), Charlotte SA (16-4-3), Eclipse Select SC (15-2-1), Pipeline SC (22-0-1), Seattle United (16-0-6)
CESA is the defending champion in this age group. The champs had a pretty stellar campaign outside of one weekend with a pair of losses to Concorde Fire’s two ECNL teams. CESA (South Carolina) returned to ECNL action with wins over NTH-Nasa, Tennessee SC, and Alabama FC in the last two months.
Charlotte SA has unfinished business on their minds. The North Carolina squad came up short in the championship last season. CSA will be hoping to get back to that level. The task ahead is a challenge though. Tulsa SC, Mustang SC, and Slammers FC make up a formidable group N.
Pipeline SC was one of only two teams to go through the campaign without suffering a loss. The Maryland squad showed their quality and depth, which ended up with them averaging over four goals scored per game over the last four games of the regular season.
Dark Horses: Legends FC (18-3-8), Match Fit Academy (14-3-5), Washington Premier (13-3-6), Marin FC (11-6-5)
All four of these clubs finished the regular season with a positive spell of results to end on a high note for the postseason. Marin FC is an interesting choice because they are a top seed in their group, but the Northern California side is more a dark horse for the big prize. They have the attacking talent to go against anyone in this age group.
Players to Know
Andrew Bowlick, CESA
The ECNL U15 Player of the Year last season will certainly be in the spotlight in San Diego. Bowlick is a defender from the class of 2024 and will be one of the players that college coaches are eager to see as the recruiting for that class began just last week. Bowlick offers a lot of intangibles that make him a winning player on the pitch.
Aron John Aron John M State NC , Charlotte SA
John is one of the top players in the state of North Carolina from the class of 2024. The midfielder offers a lot of attributes to make him a standout player in the youth game, and the potential to be a difference-maker for the next level.
Edward Smith III Edward Smith III D MD , Pipeline
Ed Smith is the player that many coaches will go out of their way to see. He has been a star for Pipeline for a number of years. He won the Golden Ball at the 2020 US Youth Soccer National Championships. He was named to the ECNL Best XI Team for the 2020/2021 season. What can he do this year to top it? An ECNL National Championship would probably do. A good showing in San Diego would be the start. He is a center back from the class of 2024 with a lot of potential.
U17/2005
Groups
- A: KC Scott Gallagher, Tulsa SC, South Carolina United, Pittsburgh Riverhounds
- B: UFA, SLSG MO, Miramar United, Maryland United
- C: Sporting Delaware, Beach FC, Atlanta Fire, Sporting Nebraska
- D: San Diego Surf, NC Fusion, FSA FC, Palm Beach United
- E: Davis Legacy, Houston Dynamo Youth, Match Fit Academy, Rockford Raptors
- F: Wilmington Hammerheads, Dallas Texans, Alabama FC, PAC NW
- G: Real Colorado, Charlotte Independence Pro, LAFC So Cal, CESA
- H: Seattle United, Penn Fusion, La Roca, MVLA
- I: FC Dallas, Legends FC, NCFC Youth, Concorde Platinum
- J: Florida Kraze Krush, Manhattan SC, Pateadores, Dallas Texans
- K: FC Wisconsin, Santa Clara Sporting, Charlotte SA, Slammers FC
- L: Ohio Premier, Lonestar SC South, Richmond United, Washington Timbers
- M: NTH-Nasa, WNY Flash, Crossfire Premier, St. Croix SC
- N: Utah Avalanche, STA, NCFC Youth Academy, FC Tucson Youth
- O: Pipeline SC, Tampa Bay United, Albion Hurricanes, Mustang SC
- P: Louisville City, East Meadow, FC Golden State East, Colorado Rapids
Favorites: Sporting Delaware (18-1-3), San Diego Surf (24-3-3), Davis Legacy (17-1-44), KC Scott Gallagher (17-1-1), UFA (26-2-2)
Sporting Delaware has added some talented pieced to the roster this season and should be in consideration for the favorite to win it all in this age group. The return of TJ Hastings along with the play of Connor Budniak Connor Budniak M DE and Miles Hood Miles Hood D Caravel Academy (DE) | 2023 DE has Sporting Delaware as the team to beat in the U17 age group.
San Diego Surf was one of only two teams to break 100 goals scored during ECNL competition this season. With 113 goals in 30 games, it’s clear the Surf offense is something serious. Midfielder Ryan Townhill Ryan Townhill M State CA has been a standout for the club.
KC Scott Gallagher finished the regular season as the top seed in the U17 age group. It was a full team effort to get to this point for KC and they will need to continue to get key contributions from every role in order to keep the dream season alive. Jaxon Slaven has been a standout during this campaign. The forward has scored some timely goals for KC.
Dark Horses: Dallas Texans (19-5-3), Tampa Bay United (13-1-4), LAFC So Cal (16-7-6)
Dallas Texans won the national championship in this age group last season. The roster this year is different as some of the pieces moved onto other opportunities including ECNL Player of the Year Guy Michaeli Guy Michaeli F KS who is playing for Sporting Kansas City’s Academy now. Texans still have the pieces to compete with the best of the ECNL though and should be a team to watch.
Players to Know
Hakim Karamoko Hakim Karamoko F Williston Northampton (MA) | 2023 #85 Nation NY , Manhattan SC – Karamoko is a forward who earned ECNL All-American Best XI honors last season. He was also an early candidate for the Player of the Year honor for high school soccer. He is a raw prospect with big-time potential. He has the capability to take over a game at any level and will be a target for many coaches looking for a difference-maker from the class of 2023.
Alex Kron, Louisville City Youth Academy – The 6-foot-3 goalkeeper will be looking to lead Louisville City out of Group P. The net minder has big time athletic ability to go along with his massive frame. He is a top prospect for the position from the class of 2023.
U19/2003/04
First Round Knock-Out Games
Louisville City Academy vs. Charlotte SA
San Juan SC vs. UFA
San Diego Surf vs. NTH-Nasa
LAFC So Cal vs. Eclipse Select SC
Houston Dynamo Youth vs. Tampa Bay United
FC Dallas vs. KC Scott Gallagher
Crossfire Premier vs. Charlotte Independence Pro
La Roca vs. NEFC
The U18/19 Round of 16 games kick off on Saturday with the quarterfinals on Sunday. The guantlet knock-out single elimination style is a big test of depth and team cohesion as it takes a full roster to survive playing games in quick succession. Louisville City Academy finished the regular season as the No. 1 seed for the event. San Diego Surf went unbeaten during the regular season. Eclipse Select won the ECNL National Championship in the 2004/U17 age group last season. There is a worthy case for all of them to be considered favorites in San Diego.