Major League Soccer (MLS) unveiled a game-changing youth development platform known as MLS NEXT.
This groundbreaking initiative took the reins from the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, assuming its role as the premier level of youth soccer competition in the United States and Canada.
The primary goal of MLS NEXT is to provide a well-defined and accessible path for exceptionally talented young soccer players to hone their skills and progress toward the professional ranks.
This platform comprises a network of top-tier youth soccer clubs and academies, many of which are affiliated with MLS teams.
Also, independent academies that adhere to MLS NEXT’s rigorous standards for player development are also welcomed into this elite ecosystem.
One of the standout features of MLS NEXT is its comprehensive age-group competition, spanning from U13 to U19.
This allows young talents to grow and compete at different stages of their development, ensuring they receive age-appropriate challenges and opportunities to showcase their skills.
Moreover, MLS NEXT offers different kinds of programming and resources designed to support players, coaches, and clubs alike.
These resources include specialized training and development sessions, scouting and recruiting events to identify promising talents, and a strong focus on player education and welfare initiatives to ensure the well-being of young athletes on and off the field.
- All About ECNL Boys
- Alabama
- ARIZONA
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.)
- Florida
- Georgia
- Iowa
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- Canada
All About ECNL Boys
The Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) Boys emerged as a prominent youth soccer league in the United States, catering to boys between the ages of U13 to U19.
This league was established with a dual purpose: to provide high-caliber competition and exceptional player development opportunities, aligning with its counterpart, the well-established ECNL Girls League, which has been in operation since 2009.
ECNL Boys membership is a reflection of a club’s unwavering dedication to player development and its ability to deliver a top-notch soccer experience.
Currently, the league has a list of over 100 member clubs, including prestigious MLS academies and top-tier youth soccer organizations from various corners of the nation.
The core of ECNL Boys’ philosophy lies in its commitment to challenging players and teams at every level, creating an environment that caters to the developmental needs of young athletes.
This approach is aimed at nurturing long-term player growth, ensuring that every player’s potential is realized.
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The ECNL Boys League offers a rich array of resources and opportunities for its players.
These include assistance with college recruitment, and providing invaluable guidance for aspiring collegiate athletes.
The league also prioritizes coaching education, contributing to the overall development of young talents on and off the field.
Exposure to professional scouts is yet another facet of the opportunities afforded to ECNL Boys players, opening doors to potential careers in soccer at the highest levels.
Beyond the regular-season competitions, ECNL Boys hosts national showcases and tournaments throughout the year.
These events offer players the chance to test their skills against top teams from all corners of the nation while gaining exposure to college and professional scouts.
These showcase events serve as a critical stepping stone for players with aspirations to further their soccer careers.
Alabama
MLS NEXT
- Hoover-Vestavia Soccer
ECNL Boys
- Alabama FC
ARIZONA
MLS NEXT
- Barca Residency Academy
- Phoenix Rising FC
- RSL Arizona
- RSL Arizona – Mesa
- SC Del Sol
ECNL Boys
- AZ Arsenal FC
- Arizona FC
- Tucson Youth SC
- Phoenix Rising
California
MLS NEXT
- Albion SC Merced
- Albion SC San Diego
- Atletico Santa Rosa
- Ballistic United
- Breakers
- Chula Vista FC
- City SC
- Diablo Valley Wolves
- De Anza Force
- FC Bay Area
- FC Golden State Force
- L.A. United Futbol Academy
- LA Galaxy
- LA Surf
- Lamorinda SC
- Los Angeles Football Club
- Murrieta Surf Soccer Club
- Napa United
- Nomads
- Sacramento Republic
- Sacramento United
- San Francisco Elite Academy
- San Francisco Seals
- San Jose Earthquakes
- Santa Barbara Soccer Club
- San Francisco Glens
- Sheriffs FC
- Silicon Valley SA
- SoCal Reds FC Academy
- Strikers FC
- Total Futbol Academy
- Ventura County Fusion
- Woodside Soccer Club Crush
ECNL Boys
- 1974 Newark FC
- Association FC
- Atletico Santa Rosa
- Beach FC (CA)
- California Odyssey Soccer Club
- Davis Legacy
- De Anza Force
- Del Mar Sharks
- El Camino Futbol Club
- LA Breakers FC
- LAFC SO CAL
- Legends FC
- Marin FC
- Mustang SC
- MVLA Soccer Club
- Pateadores
- Placer United Soccer
- San Diego Surf Soccer
- San Francisco Elite Academy
- San Jose Surf
- San Juan SC
- Santa Clara Sporting
- Santa Rosa United
- SDSC Surf
- SLAMMERS FC
- Sporting California USA
- West Coast FC
Colorado
MLS NEXT
- Colorado Rapids
- Real Colorado
ECNL Boys
- B-Elite Soccer Academy
- Colorado Rapids
- Pride Soccer Club
- Real Colorado
Connecticut
MLS NEXT
- Beachside of Connecticut
- Oakwood Soccer Club
ECNL Boys
- Connecticut FC
- FSA FC
Delaware
MLS NEXT
- N/A
ECNL Boys
- Sporting Delaware
District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.)
MLS NEXT
- D.C. United
ECNL Boys
- N/A
Florida
MLS NEXT
- Chargers Soccer Club
- Florida Rush Soccer Club
- IdeaSport Soccer Academy
- IMG Academy
- Inter Miami CF
- Jacksonville FC
- Miami Rush Kendall SC
- Orlando City SC
- Orlando City Soccer School South
- Orlando City Youth SC
- South Florida Football Academy
- Tampa Bay United Rowdies
- West Florida Flames
- Weston FC
ECNL Boys
- FC Prime
- Florida Elite Soccer Academy
- Florida Kraze Krush
- Florida Premier FC
- Florida West FC
- Palm Beach United
- Parkland Soccer Club
- Space Coast United
- Supreme FC
- Tampa Bay United
Georgia
MLS NEXT
- AFC Lightning
- Atlanta United
- Inter Atlanta FC
- KSA
- Lanier Soccer Academy
- Southern Soccer Academy
- Tormenta FC Academy
ECNL Boys
- Atlanta Fire United
- Atlanta United FC
- Concorde Fire Platinum
- Concorde Fire Premier
- GSA
- NTH NASA
- United Futbol Academy
Iowa
MLS NEXT
- N/A
ECNL Boys
- Sporting Iowa
- VSA Rush
Illinois
MLS NEXT
- Chicago FC United
- Chicago Fire FC
- Sockers FC Chicago
ECNL Boys
- Chicago Magic
- Eclipse Select SC
- Rockford Raptors FC
- SLSG IL
Indiana
MLS NEXT
- Indiana Fire Academy
ECNL Boys
- FC Pride
- Indiana Elite FC
Kansas
MLS NEXT
- N/A
ECNL Boys
- FC Wichita
- Kansas City Athletics
Kentucky
MLS NEXT
- Javanon FC
ECNL Boys
- Kings Hammer SC
- Louisville City Academy
Louisiana
MLS NEXT
- Louisiana TDP Elite
ECNL Boys
- N/A
Maryland
MLS NEXT
- Achilles FC
- Baltimore Armour
- Bethesda SC
ECNL Boys
- Baltimore Celtic Soccer Club
- Maryland United FC
- Pipeline SC
Massachusetts
MLS NEXT
- FC Greater Boston Bolts
- Intercontinental Football Academy of New England
- New England Revolution
- Valeo Futbol Club
ECNL Boys
- Boston Bolts
- FC Stars White
- NEFC
Michigan
MLS NEXT
- Michigan Jaguars
- Michigan Wolves
- Midwest United FC
- VARDAR Soccer Club
ECNL Boys
- Michigan Wolves
- Nationals Soccer Club
- Vardar
Minnesota
MLS NEXT
- Minnesota United FC
- Shattuck-St. Mary’s
ECNL Boys
- Minnesota Thunder Academy
- St Croix Soccer Club
Missouri
MLS NEXT
- Lou Fusz Athletic
- Sporting Kansas City
- St. Louis CITY SC
- St. Louis Scott Gallagher
ECNL Boys
- KC Scott Gallagher
- SLSG MO
- Sporting Springfield
Nebraska
MLS NEXT
- N/A
ECNL Boys
- Gretna Elite Academy
- Sporting Nebraska Football Club
Nevada
MLS NEXT
- Albion SC Las Vegas
- Las Vegas Sports Academy
ECNL Boys
- Heat FC
New Hampshire
MLS NEXT
- NEFC
- Seacoast United
ECNL Boys
- N/A
New Jersey
MLS NEXT
- Cedar Stars Academy – Bergen
- Cedar Stars Academy – Monmouth
- New York Red Bulls
- Player Development Academy
- Real Jersey FC
- TSF Academy
ECNL Boys
- Match Fit Academy
- PDA
- STA
New Mexico
MLS NEXT
- N/A
ECNL Boys
- New Mexico Rush Soccer Club
- Rio Rapids Soccer Club
New York
MLS NEXT
- Blau Weiss Gottschee
- Empire United Soccer Academy
- FA Euro New York
- FC Westchester
- Metropolitan Oval
- New York City FC
- New York Soccer Club
ECNL Boys
- East Meadow SC
- Manhattan Soccer Club
- SUSA ALBERTSON
- WNY Flash
- World Class FC
North Carolina
MLS NEXT
- Charlotte FC
- Queen City Mutiny FC
- Triangle United Soccer
- Wake Futbol Club
ECNL Boys
- Charlotte Independence Soccer Club
- Charlotte SA
- Charlotte SA Academy
- NC Fusion
- NCFC Youth
- NCFC Youth Academy
- Wilmington Hammerheads Youth FC
Ohio
MLS NEXT
- Cincinnati United Premier Soccer Club
- Columbus Crew SC
- FC Cincinnati
ECNL Boys
- Cleveland Force SC
- Ohio Elite Soccer Academy
- Ohio Premier
Oklahoma
MLS NEXT
- N/A
ECNL Boys
- Oklahoma Energy FC
- Tulsa SC
Oregon
MLS NEXT
- Portland Timbers
ECNL Boys
- United PDX
Pennsylvania
MLS NEXT
- Beadling SC
- FC Delco
- PA Classics
- Philadelphia Union
ECNL Boys
- FC Bucks
- FC DELCO
- Lehigh Valley United
- Penn Fusion SA
- Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Rhode Island
MLS NEXT
- Bayside Futebol Club
ECNL Boys
- N/A
South Carolina
MLS NEXT
- N/A
ECNL Boys
- Carolina Elite Soccer Academy
- Charlotte Independence South
- South Carolina Surf
- South Carolina United
Tennessee
MLS NEXT
- Nashville SC
ECNL Boys
- Chattanooga Red Wolves SC
- FC Alliance
- Tennessee Soccer Club
Texas
MLS NEXT
- Austin FC
- FC Dallas
- Houston Dynamo
- Houston Dynamo Youth
- RGV FC Toros Academy
- RISE Soccer Club
- San Antonio FC
- Solar Soccer Club
- Total Football Club
ECNL Boys
- Albion Hurricanes FC
- BVB International Academy
- Classics Elite Soccer Academy
- Dallas Texans
- Dallas Texans Academy
- DKSC
- FC Dallas
- FC Dallas White
- Houston Dynamo Youth
- Lonestar Soccer Club
- Lonestar Soccer Club South
- RISE SC
- San Antonio City SC
- Solar Soccer Club
Utah
MLS NEXT
- Real Salt Lake
ECNL Boys
- La Roca
- Utah Avalanche
Virginia
MLS NEXT
- Alexandria Soccer Association
- Springfield South County Youth Club (SYC)
ECNL Boys
- Arlington Soccer
- Beach FC (VA)
- Fairfax BRAVE Soccer Club
- Loudoun Soccer
- McLean Youth Soccer
- Richmond United
- Skyline Elite
- Virginia Development
Washington
MLS NEXT
- Seattle Sounders FC
ECNL Boys
- Crossfire Premier
- Crossfire Premier 2
- Eastside FC
- Pacific Northwest Soccer
- Seattle United
- Snohomish United
- Spokane Sounders
- Washington Premier
- Washington Timbers FC
Wisconsin
MLS NEXT
- Bavarian United SC
- SC Wave
ECNL Boys
- FC Wisconsin
Canada
MLS NEXT
- CF Montreal
- Toronto FC
- Vancouver Whitecaps FC
ECNL Boys
- N/A