Initial Clubs in Boys ECNL Southwest Conference Announced

  • March 14, 2017

Richmond, VA (March 14, 2017)–  As the inaugural season of the Boys ECNL and the first ENPL Playoffs draws closer, the initial clubs in the 5th Boys ECNL Conference, the Southwest, have been announced today.  The Boys ECNL Southwest Conference follows announcements of the Texas Conference, Southeast Conference, Northeast Conference, and Midwest Conference.  A holistic and collaborative club-based development program, the Boys ECNL will feature regular season conference competition and regular season cross-conference events for its member clubs.  Qualifying teams from the Boys ECNL, based on regular season performance, will advance to the post-season championship of the ENPL, along with qualifiers from various National Premier Leagues across the country.  The ENPL, formed in collaboration between the ECNL and selected US Club Soccer National Premier Leagues will be the top boys’ competition sanctioned by US Club Soccer.

The initial members of the Southwest Conference of the Boys ECNL includes many of the top boys programs across the region:

  • Arizona Arsenal (AZ)
  • Beach FC (CA)
  • Del Mar Carmel Valley Sharks (CA)
  • Heat FC (NV)
  • LA Premier (CA)
  • Legends (CA)
  • Players Soccer Club (NV)
  • Scottsdale Blackhawks (AZ)
  • Sereno SC (AZ)
  • Slammers SC (CA)
  • Tucson Soccer Academy (AZ)
  • West Coast FC (CA)

The Southwest Conference will feature competition in 5 age groups: 14-U, 15-U, 16-U, 17-U, and 19-U.  Teams will play both conference and cross-conference regular season games based on their age group, and qualifying teams will advance to the post-season ENPL Play-Offs.

“Scottsdale Blackhawks are excited to be accepted in the inaugural season of the Boys ECNL.  The developmental environment, competitiveness, organizational detail and national stage that the Boys ECNL and ENPL will provide is exactly what we are looking for.  This platform allows our players to get the exposure as well as provide a clear pathway to help them reach the next level.”
— Adam Burke, Scottsdale Blackhawks Director of Coaching

“Each year we evaluate the options to maximize the opportunities for our players to compete against quality opposition, implement our curriculum at the highest level possible, and to increase our players’ exposure and potential to be recruited to play collegiately.  For our current older players we believe the Boys ECNL and ENPL will present a gaming circuit that can aid their development in all those areas.”
– Barry Ritson, Executive Director of LA Premier FC.

“We are honored and grateful to be able to compete in the Boys ECNL and the ENPL.  It is an exciting time for our organization, teams, players, and families.”
— David Belfort, Arizona Arsenal Soccer Club Technical Director  

“We are excited for the opportunity to showcase our players and compete against other top clubs in the country in the Boys ECNL.  Our focus remains on the development of our players both on and off the field and we have the utmost confidence that being a part of Boys ECNL and ENPL will help strengthen this.”
— Shannon MacMillan, Del Mar Carmel Valley Sharks Executive Director

“Being a part of the Boys ECNL and the ENPL is a tremendous addition to our club. The strength of the league across the country, and in our conference, will allow our boys to play at a higher competitive level and national events will allow us to showcase our players to college coaches across the country. We are really excited to be part of the platform, and looking forward to the future development of our boys program.”
— Walid Khoury, Slammers Director of Coaching

“The Girls ECNL provides the girls at Heat FC a highly competitive platform to develop and be identified for collegiate and National Team opportunities.  The Boys ECNL will provide similar opportunities to our boys.  Heat FC is honored to participate.”
— Key Reid, Heat FC President

“Legends FC Boys are excited to be included in the formation of this elite league.  To be part of a league that creates a platform of competition and exposure such as this is a great opportunity for all our players.  We are looking forward to the upcoming season.”
— Alex Bengard, Legends FC General Manager

“We are ecstatic to be able to offer our boys program a national platform for their development.  The ECNL Boys and ENPL is exactly what our boys need to continue to develop while enjoying showcasing opportunities.  Our staff is thankful for the opportunity and ready to compete in the Southwest Conference.”
— Benny Artiaga, Beach FC Director

“West Coast FC is extremely excited to be given the opportunity to be part of the inaugural Boys Southwest ECNL.  As a club we believe that this will be a great platform to best showcase our players.  The boys ECNL and ENPL will provide great competition for our members and we look forward to helping develop the top players of the future.”
— Neil Armour, West Coast FC

“Since 1989 we have strived to provide the best competition for our players and teams.  We are very excited to be a part of the inaugural Boys ECNL and ENPL and look forward to great competition and opportunities for our players.”
— Saeed Bonabian, Players Soccer Club Director of Coaching

“The Tucson Soccer Academy is very excited to join the nationally known and respected ECNL. ECNL and ENPL offers the best opportunity Tucson area players have ever had to compete, develop and be seen by college coaches.”
— David Cosgrove, TSA Director of Coaching

The Boys ECNL will include additional league programming to support and foster club development, coaching education, and player development.

More information will also be released about the format, structure, and qualifying process of the ENPL in the coming weeks.  Please see www.boysecnl.com and www.usclubsoccer.org for more updates!