ECNL Keeps Expanding – Growing to Meet The Needs of the Youth Soccer Market
In the days since the demise of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy (DA), many of the country’s top youth soccer clubs all across America have been left scrambling to secure the best possible opportunities. One clear winner is the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) which continues to announce the addition of top clubs. Here is another announcement on their growth in the youth soccer market.
In the wake of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy (DA) shutting down abruptly without any warning — citing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and financial issues — the thousands and thousands of youth soccer players — who were already impacted by the forced moratorium of team training and games — have faced new challenges. In the next few weeks, the youth soccer landscape will begin to settle but already there have been massive shifts.
The Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) Girls is excited to announce the addition of three new clubs; Penn Fusion Soccer Academy, Pipeline Soccer Club, and PDA South for the 2020-21 season.
Read: SAN DIEGO SURF AND REAL SO CAL LEAVE DA AND JOIN ECNL GIRLS
Nearly 90% of ECNL Girls alumni move on to play in college, overwhelmingly dominating the 2019 individual conference honors in the “Power 5” conferences.
In total, over 1,100 ECNL Alums played this year in these five conferences, accounting for more than 62% of all rostered players in the Power 5.
“We are excited to welcome Penn Fusion back to the ECNL Girls, and to add Pipeline and PDA South to the league,” said ECNL Girls Commissioner Jen Winnagle. “These clubs will help to improve our competition structure, reduce travel for conference games, and will unify all of the top girls’ programs in the region in the league.”
Since founded in 2009, Penn Fusion SA has placed 255 female players in collegiate programs and 17players have been called into US Youth National Teams. “For the past ten years at Penn Fusion, we have focused on collegiate player placement and providing a high level competition for our players,” said Director Tino Mueller. “As an original member of the ECNL, we are delighted to be back and finally have our boys and girls programs aligned in the same platform. We are truly thankful for this opportunity and look forward to being back on the field for the 2020-21 season.”
Read: DC UNITED AFFILIATE PIPELINE SC GOES ECNL
A highly decorated club within US Youth Soccer competition for the last decade, Pipeline SC has won two USYS National Championships in the past four years, as well as four Regional Championships, and 16 State Championships. “Pipeline Soccer Club is incredibly honored to be a part of the ECNL for the 2020-21 season,” said Director Santino Quaranta. “Since its inception, the ECNL has clearly established itself as the premier player development platform in the nation. We are beyond thrilled with the countless opportunities our inclusion will provide for our amazing young women.”
Read: TOP MID ATLANTIC BOYS TEAMS MOVE TO ECNL IN WAKE OF DA TURMOIL
PDA South has won 2 NPL National Championships, seen 7 players involved in the US Youth National Teams, and had 2 players drafted into the NWSL in its history. “We are excited PDA South will have the opportunity to join the ECNL as a new member,” said Director Rodney Tarter. “We started PDA South 10 years ago with a goal to play at the highest level in the country. The ECNL will provide our players with a platform to compete and develop against the very best in the United States. We would like to thank ECNL for this incredible opportunity.”
Additional information on participating member clubs for the 2020-21 Season will be released in the coming weeks.
Read: ECNL GIRLS EXPANDS REGIONAL LEAGUE AFTER DEMISE OF DA
Source: Media Release
