The ECNL was founded in 2009 to help raise the standards and experience for youth soccer players in the U.S. Both the FCD boys’ and girls’ teams will compete in the ECNL’s Texas Conference for the upcoming season.
“We’re extremely excited to join ECNL knowing the strength of the organization and all of the programming they’ve provided for many years for both the boys and girls,” said Chris Hayden, Vice President of FC Dallas Youth. “Through its competition and events, ECNL is going to provide great opportunities for our players and also give them a pathway to college.”
FC Dallas girls’ youth teams joined ECNL as founding members and competed in the league until 2019, winning the U-15 ECNL National Championship in 2017. After a one-year hiatus in which FCD competed in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, the club is excited to rejoin the ECNL.
“We know the strength and organization of the ECNL and the opportunity it provides to develop players and gain exposure as a potential pathway into college,” Hayden continued. “It has a track record of creating a competition and event structure that will really help our players.”
“Joining the ECNL was a no-brainer for us,” said Girls’ Director of Coaching Chris Ring. “They’re one of the best in the business when it comes to college exposure for our athletes. They have excellent leadership and coaching education.”
With over 100 member clubs around the country and multiple national events, the ECNL will provide FC Dallas Youth teams with a wide array of competition and exposure to college scouts.
“The ECNL is going to allow us to build a bigger player pool and field more competitive teams,” said Matt Grubb, who coaches FCD’s U-15 and U-16 girls’ teams. “We’re excited for the opportunities that this league will give to our players and give to us as a club. It’s proven to be the top platform.”
