The Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) continues to set the standard for youth soccer development in the United States. For the 2025-2026 season, 24 new clubs will earn promotion to its prestigious boys’ and girls’ divisions.
This move not only rewards excellence but also expands opportunities for young athletes to compete at the highest levels.
If you’re a player, parent, or coach invested in youth soccer, this is big news.
These promotions mean more competitive matches, better exposure for rising talent, and a clearer pathway to college and professional soccer.
We’ll cover:
- How clubs earned their ECNL promotion
- The new conferences and teams joining ECNL Boys and Girls
- Why ECNL’s model is transforming American youth soccer
- What this means for players and the future of the sport
Let’s break it all down.
How Clubs Earned Their ECNL Promotion
Promotion to the ECNL is not handed out lightly. Clubs must prove themselves through consistent performance in regional leagues, national tournaments, and playoff success, often over multiple seasons.
The ECNL rewards meritocracy, meaning teams that win and develop talent get the chance to compete at the highest level.
For the 2025-2026 season, the 24 promoted clubs earned their spots by:
- Dominating in regional leagues (such as ECNL Regional League, National League, and other elite competitions)
- Performing well at national events (including playoffs and showcases)
- Demonstrating long-term player development (consistently producing high-level talent)
This system ensures that only the most deserving clubs move up, keeping the ECNL competitive and fair.
SEE ALSO | Full List of MLS Next and ECNL Clubs
ECNL Boys Expansion: New Conferences and Teams
The ECNL Boys league is growing significantly, with clubs joining 15 different conferences. Jason Kutney, ECNL Boys Commissioner, put it best:
“Promoting clubs into the ECNL Boys is one of the most exciting times of the year because of what it means to these players and coaches to see their hard work rewarded.”
1. The Brand-New Far West Conference
For the first time, the ECNL Boys is adding an entirely new conference: the Far West Conference, made up of six clubs moving up from the Far West Regional League:
- Boise Timbers (ID)
- Capital FC (OR)
- Eugene Metro (OR)
- FC Portland (OR)
- Idaho Rush (ID)
- Oregon Premier (OR)
Additionally, United PDX (OR) will shift from the Northwest Conference to join them, strengthening the competition in this new region.
This expansion is huge for youth soccer in the Pacific Northwest, giving players in Idaho and Oregon more high-level opportunities without needing to travel excessively.
2. Florida’s New Contender: Doral SC
Doral SC (FL) earned its promotion after an impressive run, including reaching the U16 National Finals. Their success showcases the rising talent in Florida, which continues to be a hotbed for elite youth soccer.
3. Heartland Conference Adds Three Powerhouses
The Heartland Conference is getting stronger with three new clubs:
- Kansas Rush
- Missouri Rush
- St. Louis Stars
These additions will increase competition in the Midwest, providing more opportunities for scouts to discover top talent.
4. Louisiana Fire Makes History
Louisiana Fire will join the Mid-America Conference, becoming the first-ever ECNL Boys club from Louisiana. This is a milestone for soccer development in the state, offering local players a direct path to elite competition.
5. Mid-Atlantic Welcomes Highland FC
Highland FC earned its spot after strong performances at national events, joining the Mid-Atlantic Conference. Their promotion reflects their commitment to developing high-level players.
6. New England Conference Gets More Competitive
Three clubs are entering the New England Conference, raising the bar for competition:
- AC Connecticut
- East Coast FC
- Scorpions Soccer
With these additions, New England-based players will face even tougher challenges, helping them grow as athletes.
7. North Atlantic Conference Expands with Four Clubs
The North Atlantic Conference is adding:
- Delaware FC
- Philadelphia Ukrainians
- PSA Monmouth
- South Jersey Elite Barons
This strengthens the Northeast’s soccer landscape, giving more players exposure to top-tier competition.
8. Other Notable Boys Additions
- Los Gatos United joins Northern Cal Conference
- Three Rivers SC moves to the Northwest Conference
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ECNL Girls Expansion: Raising the Bar Even Higher
Ralph Richards, ECNL Girls Commissioner, emphasized the league’s dominance:
“The ECNL Girls competition standard is totally unmatched by any other league, by every objective metric, and it has been that way for many years.”
The 2025-2026 season will see several high-performing clubs join the ECNL Girls, further solidifying its reputation as the best youth soccer league in the country.
1. Missouri Rush Joins the Midwest Conference
After winning both the U13 and U16 National Championships in 2023, Missouri Rush has earned promotion to the Midwest Conference. Their track record of success makes them an exciting addition.
2. California Odyssey Moves to Northern Cal
California Odyssey has consistently developed top-tier players, earning their spots in the Northern Cal Conference. Their promotion is a testament to their strong youth development program.
3. Greater Toledo FC Enters Ohio Valley Conference
Greater Toledo FC joins the Ohio Valley Conference after winning multiple championships. Their inclusion adds depth to an already competitive region.
4. West Side Alliance Strengthens the Texas Conference
West Side Alliance earned its promotion after strong performances at national events, joining the Texas Conference. This adds another high-level team to one of the most talent-rich states in youth soccer.
What This Means for Players, Parents, and Coaches
Here’s the bottom line: You don’t need to be in the “biggest” club in the country to get noticed anymore. These 24 clubs proved that hard work, strong performances, and long-term player development get rewarded.
If you’re a young player on a team that just got promoted:
- You’ll now be playing in front of college coaches, scouts, and national team eyes.
- Every game is a stage. Show up ready.
If you’re a parent:
- Your investment in your child’s soccer journey just got more valuable.
- The ECNL is widely respected, and playing in it opens real doors for the future.
If you’re a coach or part of a developing club:
- These promotions show that it’s possible to rise through the ranks.
- Focus on results, invest in player development, and keep climbing.
SEE ALSO | Are MLS Academies Free Of Charge?
ECNL’s Merit-Based System is Changing the Game
Perhaps the best part of this entire promotion system is that it isn’t based on politics, pay-to-play, or reputation. It’s about results.
You win games, you prove yourself in tournaments, you develop talent, and ECNL notices.
This system creates a healthier ecosystem for youth soccer in America:
- Clubs can grow.
- Players can get noticed.
- Families see a return on their efforts.
In short, it’s real soccer, with real stakes and real rewards.
