These Youth Clubs Became Champions in one of Soccer’s Biggest Tournaments

The 2025 Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) National Finals concluded in Richmond, Virginia, last week following two days of semifinal and championship matches. It brought together top youth soccer teams from across the country and marked the end of the ECNL season, which spans months of regional and national competition.

ECNL is one of the premier club soccer organizations in the nation, with approximately 130 participating girls’ clubs and 150 boys’ clubs. Many ECNL athletes have gone on to play in the professional ranks and international soccer, including 2024 NWSL second-overall pick Savy King.

Twenty ECNL alumni were selected in the 2025 MLS Superdraft in December, with fourth-overall pick Alex Harris making history as the highest MLS draft pick to come out of the ECNL system.

Youth Development Pipeline

Programs like MLS Next use the academy system to develop talent, much like how soccer development is conducted internationally: athletes play and develop for the youth division of a pro MLS club, eventually going straight into the pro ranks with that club.

ECNL is a model more in line with American club culture in other sports; players are developed and scouted to play college soccer and encouraged to play high school soccer as well.

The biggest clubs from around the country faced off in the National Finals over the weekend, making for some thrilling matchups between some of the best youth players.

On the boys’ side, Crossfire (XF) Academy had a standout performance, capturing three national titles in the U13, U14, and U17 divisions. The U17 team defeated KC Athletics in the final after advancing past semifinal opponents with a 2–1 win, while SLSG moved through their bracket via a penalty shootout against OK Energy FC (5–4) after a scoreless draw.

In the U16 division, Florida Premier secured its first national title with a 2–0 victory in the final after advancing past NCFC Youth Academy in the semifinal. Legends FC claimed the U15 boys’ championship following a 3-0 semifinal win over Beach FC (CA).

In the girls’ divisions, Real Colorado defeated Sting Black to claim the U17 ECNL Girls National Championship. In the U16 bracket, MVLA defeated KC Athletics 3-1. Michigan Hawks and Legends FC reached the U15 final, with the Hawks winning 2-0 in a shutout. San Diego Surf won both the U13 and U14 championships.

Earlier this month in the U18/19 title matchup, XF Academy faced Eclipse Select in Washington. Eclipse struck first when Daniel Mendez scored in the 15th minute. XF Academy equalized before halftime through Ibrahim Karabay, and early in the second half Archie Dhima scored to give them the lead.

Eclipse nearly leveled the match again, but Anthony Garcia sealed a dramatic 3‑2 win for XF Academy with a late goal, handing Eclipse its first loss of the season and securing a flawless campaign for XF Academy’s 2006-born squad.