Elite Clubs National League Boys
ECNL BOYS ANNOUNCES SIGNIFICANT POSTSEASON EXPANSION FOR 2021-22 SEASON
RICHMOND, Va. (September 14, 2021) – Following the success of the first-ever ECNL Boys Postseason, which saw the league crown its inaugural National Champions for all age groups U13-U18/19, as well as the first-ever Overall Club Champion, the league announced today an expansion to the National Playoffs and National Finals, which will see an additional 80-plus teams competing for hardware during the 2021-22 season.
“Our first-ever National Playoffs and National Finals were a tremendous success,” said ECNL Boys Commissioner Jason Kutney. “More than 250 teams across all age groups participated in the postseason with an extremely high-competitive standard on display for more than 450 scouts from the professional and collegiate levels. Because of that success, and due to the incredible growth of ECNL Boys this offseason, we are increasing the number of teams competing in the postseason at the U13, U14 and U18/19 levels in an effort to provide more opportunity in this unparalleled atmosphere and environment for youth soccer’s top performers.”
For the 2021-22 season, the U13 age group will expand from 16 teams to 48 teams, moving from a single-elimination one-stage competition bracket to a group format and two-stage competition. The 48 teams will be placed into 12 groups of four teams each at the ECNL Boys Playoffs. Each group winner, along with the top four second-place teams, will advance to a 16-team, single-elimination knockout round, with the eight winners advancing to the ECNL National Finals.
At the U14 age group, the new postseason structure will see 64 teams competing in a two-stage competition. The group stage will feature 16 groups of four teams, with each group winner advancing to the knockout stage. The knockout round will then consist of a 16-team single-elimination bracket, with the top eight clubs moving on to the ECNL National Finals.
At the U18/19 level, the top 16 teams in the country will compete in a single-elimination Champions League bracket to determine the National Champion, in the same format as last season. However, to provide more opportunity for this age group in 2021-2022, the league will be introducing the U18/19 North American Cup for the next-best 16 teams to compete in a single-elimination bracket for the trophy.
“One of the key ingredients of the ECNL has always been communication with the club directors and such is the case here,” Kutney said. “There was a strong desire for more postseason opportunities across more teams and this is an important step in that direction. By providing more postseason opportunities, the added playoff races and increased high-level contests will continue to raise the level of competition within the league and continue to push the game forward for our athletes.”
Coinciding with the updated ECNL Club Competition postseason structure, the ECNL Regional League will also have an updated postseason structure. For the first time in league history, the ECNL Boys Regional League will host its own postseason division, with Regional League Champions crowned at the ECNL Boys National Playoffs. Details for the updated ECNL Regional League postseason structure will be announced at a later date.
During the 2021-22 season, more than 325 teams will qualify for the ECNL Boys National Playoffs across the six different age groups. Selection into the ECNL Boys National Playoffs is earned based upon performances in all ECNL competitions throughout the 2021-22 campaign, including regular-season matches and ECNL Boys National Events.
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ECNL BOYS ANNOUNCES 2020-21 CONFERENCE PLAYERS OF THE YEAR AND ALL-CONFERENCE TEAMS
RICHMOND, Va. (August 31, 2021) – Coming out of an extraordinary regular season that saw the league host multiple national events and its first-ever post-season including the ECNL National Championships attended by more than 450 collegiate scouts, ECNL Boys is thrilled to announce the 2020-21 Conference Players of the Year and All-Conference First and Second Teams.
“Congratulations to all of the players named to the All-Conference teams and especially to the Conference Players of the Year,” said ECNL Boys Commissioner Jason Kutney. “Recognizing that playing in ECNL already demonstrates an extremely high level of competency and athleticism, receiving an All-Conference award is an extraordinary honor. We are excited to see what is in store for these young men and their teammates and to see them continue their success in the 2021-22 season and beyond.”
The following players were selected through a recommendation and voting process involving representatives from every member club in each of the ECNL Boys’ 10 conferences. Each athlete selected as a Conference Player of the Year or to the All-Conference First or Second Teams was chosen after thoughtful evaluation of their respective performances throughout the 2020-21 season. Each conference has an All-Conference First and Second Team for the U15-U18/19 age groups, and also recognizes a Player of the Year or Co-Players of the Year from each age group for their excellence on the pitch. The number of players selected to each All-Conference First Team was based upon the size of the respective conference.
Players that have been selected to their respective All-Conference First Team will also be eligible for selection to the ECNL Boys All-American teams, which will be announced at a later date. All-Conference Players of the Year will also be eligible for selection for the ECNL Boys’ National Player of the Year.
Below is every Conference Player of the Year and the All-Conference First and Second teams, listed by conference.
Florida Conference Players of the Year
U15: Cristian Denegri – Florida Elite
U16: Tyler Zenczak – Florida West
U17: Lorenzo Amaral – Florida Kraze Krush
U18/19: Alex Barnett – Florida Elite
To view the full Florida All-Conference teams, click here.
Mid-Atlantic Conference Players of the Year
U15: Aaron John – CSA Academy; Andrew Bowick – CESA
U16: Gabe Cox – Richmond United
U17: James Kelly – CSA Academy; Patrick Cayelli – CESA
U18/19: Joey Skinner – Charlotte Independence Pro
To view the full Mid-Atlantic All-Conference teams, click here.
Midwest Conference Players of the Year
U15: Patrick Bohan – Eclipse Select
U16: Brentell Handley – FC Wisconsin
U17: Tom Coughlin – Eclipse Select
U18/19: Vincent Bennage – FC Wisconsin
To view the full Midwest All-Conference teams, click here.
Mountain Conference Players of the Year
U15: Peter Eugenio – Real Colorado
U16: Amman Muzaffar – Colorado Rapids
U17: Mike Wissman – New Mexico Rush SC
U18/19: Oliver Ramirez – Arsenal Colorado
To view the full Mountain All-Conference teams, click here.
Northeast Conference Players of the Year
U15: Ed Smith – Pipeline SC
U16: TJ Hastings – Sporting Delaware
U17: Colin Hughes – NEFC
U18/19: John Murphy – FSA
To view the full Northeast All-Conference teams, click here.
Northern Cal Conference Players of the Year
U15: Malcolm Zalayet – Marin FC
U16: Eric Villasenor – Santa Clara Sporting
U17: Diego Angelina – San Juan
U18/19: Tamba Mattia – Santa Clara Sporting
To view the full Northern Cal All-Conference teams, click here.
Northwest Conference Players of the Year
U15: Kaloyan Iliev – Crossfire Premier
U16: Connor Lofy – Crossfire Premier
U17: Orlando Erazo – Washington Premier
U18/19: Sean Sent – Pacific Northwest
To view the full Northwest All-Conference teams, click here.
Southeast Conference Players of the Year
U15: Caleb Roberson – Concorde Fire Platinum
U16: Ben Ashtar – Concorde Fire Platinum
U17: Damian Segura – NTH-NASA
U18/19: Daniel Kutsch – Alabama FC
To view the full Southeast All-Conference teams, click here.
Southwest Conference Players of the Year
U15: Nico Ruiz – Pateadores
U16: Ryan Townhill – San Diego Surf
U17: Tye Barton – Del Mar Sharks
U18/19: Nikhil Sonthalia – San Diego Surf
To view the full Southwest All-Conference teams, click here.
Texas Conference Players of the Year
U15: Eli Berry – OK Energy
U16: Edward Garcia – FC Dallas
U17: Alan Rivera – Lonestar SC South
U18/19: Roman Torres – FC Dallas
To view the full Texas All-Conference teams, click here.
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About the ECNL:
The ECNL is the nation’s leading youth soccer development platform. The ECNL respects and celebrates the unique individuality of every youth soccer player and club, supporting and enabling them to unleash their unfettered passion and fierce tenacity in striving to achieve their potential.
The ECNL mission to Raise the Game is a total commitment to create the best possible environment for players, coaches, referees and administrators, with a determination to constantly question convention and challenge the status quo in youth sports.
The ECNL Commitment:
We will lead, set our eyes on new horizons, and pursue them relentlessly. Born out of the belief in a better way. Continued in the ever-evolving pursuit of excellence.
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