ECNL BOYS
Valley Surf competes in the ECNL on both the Boys side of the club, ages U13-U19. Valley Surf joined the ECNL in 2022.
The Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) is one of the premier youth soccer leagues in the United States. It focuses on developing young soccer talent.
Key Features of ECNL:
- High-Level Competition: ECNL features top youth soccer clubs from across the country. The league is known for its competitive environment, where the best young players compete regularly against each other.
- Development Focus: The league emphasizes player development over results. This includes a focus on technical skill, tactical understanding, and overall athletic growth, preparing players for collegiate, professional, and international levels.
- National Events: ECNL organizes several showcase events throughout the year, where players can perform in front of college scouts, national team coaches, and other talent evaluators.
- Structure: The league is organized into regional conferences, with teams playing both within their conference and in cross-conference matches. The top teams qualify for national playoffs, culminating in a national championship.
- College Pathway: Many ECNL players go on to play soccer at the collegiate level. The league has a strong reputation for producing players who succeed in college soccer and beyond.
Impact on U.S. Soccer:
The ECNL has played a significant role in elevating the standard of youth soccer in the United States. It has provided a platform for talented players to compete at a high level and gain exposure to college and professional opportunities. The league’s success has contributed to the overall growth of soccer in the U.S., especially in the development of future national team players.
WHY SHOULD I PLAY IN THE ECNL?
The ECNL was formed with one driving purpose: to improve the developmental environment for elite soccer players.
In order to accomplish this, the ECNL has several specific objectives:
- Increase the frequency with which the top players in the country have the opportunity to compete against each other.
- Decrease the number of uncompetitive games for the top players in the country so that these players can train more frequently.
- Increase the collegiate recruiting exposure for top players.
- Provide an alternative identification program for these players to be identified for US Soccer Youth National Teams.
- Every member club of the ECNL is dedicated to accomplishing these objectives. By coming together into the ECNL, ECNL member clubs can help to make the changes necessary to accomplish these objectives far more quickly, efficiently, and effectively.
PRO PLAYER PATHWAY
Within the last two years, more than 55 ECNL players have signed USL Academy contracts to train and compete professionally within their club or with a club affiliate while still also playing youth soccer. ECNL clubs like North Carolina FC, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Louisville City, and more are using those contracts to provide youth players training and games with professional players while still maintaining their NCAA eligibility.
Beyond those 55 athletes who have signed USL Academy contracts, 40 more ECNL players have signed full professional contracts in the past two years. Graduates from ECNL clubs have gone on to MLS, USL, Liga MX, Serie A, Bundesliga and more. Players such as Jackson Hopkins (VDA to DC United), Jimmy Slayton (FSA to Hartford Athletic), Marck Cruz (San Diego Surf to Chivas de Guadalajara), Giovanni D’Agostino (Arlington Soccer to FC Bologna) and Evan Rotundo (San Diego Surf to FC Schalke 04) have paved the way for others to make the same jump as they have, and serve as role models for the next generation of ECNL athletes. As the league continues to grow, the representation of players from these clubs in the best soccer leagues in the world will only expand.
