1 What is the Elite Clubs National League?

The ECNL Girls is a US Club Soccer-sanctioned league founded in 2009 to enhance the developmental experience of the female youth soccer players in the United States through:

• Improving the competitive environment through the creation of a true national competitive league with multiple flights;

• Improving the process for identifying elite female soccer players for U.S. Soccer’s Youth National Teams by way of a systematic scouting and identification program based on national competitions;

• Improving the daily training environment at top female youth soccer clubs through developing best practices and training and organizational guidelines for its member clubs.

The goal of the ECNL Girls is to change the landscape for elite female soccer players in the United States with innovative, player-centered programming and to enhance the overall experience by creating a better, more enjoyable, and more successful player, coach, and club development model.

2 What is the ECNL Regional League?

ECNL Girls Regional Leagues are operated and managed so as to ensure a consistent environment and level of professionalism across all leagues, facilitating more club connectivity between levels of play and providing a path for more players within each Member Club to reach their fullest potential. Each league allows for coordination and collaboration between the teams of different levels within ECNL clubs, or opportunity for teams and players in other clubs to develop through regular high-level competition.

The 2021-2022 season featured thirteen Regional Leagues: Florida, Heartland, New England, North Atlantic, North Texas, Northwest, Ohio Valley, Southwest, South Atlantic, Southeast, Texas, USC and Virginia. Each ECNL Girls Regional League is structured slightly differently, reflecting the unique needs and desires of the participating clubs, geography, and more. The ECNL Girls Regional Leagues offer a pathway to an ECNL Girls Regional League Post-Season, featuring two stages. The ECNL Regional League Championship Series consist of four regional events held across the country to qualify into the ECNL Regional League Finals along with additional automatic qualifiers from ECNL Regional Leagues, which are held in conjunction with the ECNL Girls Post-Season.

3 What is SPORTING UNITED FC?

Sporting United is a joint venture between Sporting Michigan and United FC Michigan that brings together the U13-U19 Girls programs from each club to participate in the ECNL Regional League - Heartland Conference.

Sporting United has been founded to enhance the playing experience and developmental opportunities for youth female soccer players in the greater Detroit area. By providing top-level training, facilities, staff, and identifying opportunities through regional and national competitions, Sporting United FC will increase access to the sport as well as provide the competitive platform for aspiring female players to pursue their goals and ambitions.

4 Does playing in ECNL require a greater time commitment, such as more practice sessions per week? Where will the practices be held?

We are aiming for at least 3 contacts per week with our players. Our training sessions will be held at the UWM Sports Complex, and at Oakland University. Depending on the geographical location of the players, we are committed to finding an optimal solution.

5 If I don’t play on an ECNL team, does Sporting United FC still have other options?

Yes, we will have teams that also compete in the National League, as well as the local MSPSP leagues in addition to the Sporting United ECNL teams.

6 What coaches will be coaching the ECNL teams?

It will be a mix of United FC and Sporting Coaches. Coaching assignments will be finalized and published in the coming weeks.

7 What is an ID Clinic?

The ID Clinic is an event organized by Sporting United that provides us with a chance to become familiar with all our players interested in playing in ECNL, as well as players from outside the two founding clubs.

8 When will be the next ID Clinic?

For the 2010, 2009 and 2008 age groups the next ID Clinic is targeted for mid May. Exact dates will be published in the next few weeks.

For the current HS girls players (ages 2007 to 2004) the next ID Clinic will be held at the end of their HS soccer season. Until then they will receive regular updates via Zoom and/or email from us.

9 What is the price?

The price to participate in the ECNL program will be completed and published by May 15th.

10 Can ECNL players participate in HS soccer?

Yes, ECNL players can play high school soccer. The ECNL schedule is created to ensure that players have the opportunity to play for their high school team and the ECNL in no way prohibits players from participating.