To further establish the ECNL Regional League’s national reach and provide clubs with a future route to gain promotion into the ECNL, the ECNL is thrilled to reveal yet another round of additions and promotions for the 2024–2025 season.
Under the ECNL Boys Regional League-GLA format, the ECNL Girls Regional League-Great Lakes Alliance (GLA) will emerge as the 21st ECNL Regional League for Girls. Five new teams, Canton Akron United, Cincinnati Elite, Club Ohio, Mercury, and North FC, who have all found success in various national platforms in the marketplace, will join FC Dayton, Pacesetter SC, and Sporting Columbus in the GLA after they relocate from the ECNL Regional League-Great River. These teams will now align under the ECNL Regional League structure.
“We have realigned the ECNL Girls Regional League structure in the Midwest into what we feel provides an improved travel and competition structure for the clubs, and that fills out a robust pathway,” said ECNL Associate Commissioner Chris Leahey.
In the markets of Idaho and Utah, the ECNL Girls Regional League – Mountain will keep growing. Along with Northern Utah United Avalanche, the 2008 USYS State Cup winner Idaho Rush will also join the league. Meanwhile, ECNL member club Boise Thorns will completely align with the ECNL by bringing teams into the ECNL Regional League. Three age groups of Idaho Rush will compete in the Oceanside Championship in May.
“With a rich history of developing high-caliber players, engrained with the Rush Core Values, we’re excited to showcase what Idaho Rush players can bring to the ECNL platform,” said Olly Frick, director of the Idaho Rush Girls Program. “We are thrilled to join the ECNL Regional League. We eagerly anticipate the new competition and continued collegiate exposure provided by showcase events and postseason play.”
In Texas, 210FC, Austin Texans, Cosmos, and Georgetown Force have been promoted on the girls’ side, and 956 United, Cosmos, and Pines Futsal (2010 Boys) have been promoted into the ECNL Regional League – USC on the boys’ side.
“We are thrilled to announce that the USC TX Regional League, led by Executive Director Lupe Metzger, has added teams from six new clubs that will be competing in the fall of 2024.” “We are constantly excited to welcome top-tier member teams into the league. We are excited to expand the league, increase the quality of competition, and reach new areas with these additions.
Furthermore, following a fall season in which they were first in three age groups and third in two other age groups, Houstonians FC was promoted from the ECNL Boys Regional League – USC into the ECNL Boys Regional League – Texas for the 2024–2025 season.
Leahey went on, “Over the past three years, there has been a lot of movement in the Texas boys market up and down the ECNL and ECNL Regional League pyramid, which demonstrates our commitment to rewarding performance over time.” “This movement has made every year more competitive at every level to advance these teams’ and players’ development.”
