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LEGENDS PROMOTED TO ECNL BOYS MID-AMERICA CONFERENCE
The ECNL is thrilled to announce the promotion of four clubs from the ECNL Boys Regional League into the ECNL Boys for the 2024-25 season, as well as the formation of the league’s 13th Conference in the ECNL Boys platform nationally.
Rebels SC (CA) will be promoted from the ECNL Regional League – SoCal into the ECNL Southwest Conference. Rebels SC has been competing in the ECNL Regional League – SoCal over the past two seasons. They have continuously proven their teams are able to compete at extremely high levels, with at least four age groups near the top of the ECNL Regional League – SoCal standings, including their 2011s in first place, as well as through the success of their PreECNL 2013 teams against ECNL competition.
Germantown Legends (TN), Lobos Rush (TN), and Mississippi Rush United (MS) will all be promoted from the ECNL Regional League – Mid-America as part of the formation of a new Mid-America Conference in the ECNL Boys for 2024-25. All clubs earned their promotion through performances across multiple age groups, further proving the pathway for clubs within the ECNL pyramid.
Becoming the 13th conference in the ECNL Boys, the Mid-America will also include a re-alignment of four clubs that currently compete in the ECNL Southeast Conference into the Mid-America: Tennessee SC (TN), FC Alliance (TN), Chattanooga Red Wolves (TN), and Alabama FC (AL). Overall, these changes will significantly reduce travel for all clubs in both the Mid-America and the Southeast Conference while maintaining great rivalries and an extremely high competitive level.
The ECNL Regional League – Mid-America was formed prior to the start of the 2023-24 season, offering great competition, showcasing opportunities, and an ECNL pathway to clubs in an area of the country that did not previously have access to them. The emergence of Germantown Legends, Lobos Rush, and Mississippi Rush United resonates as yet another success story from the ECNL Regional League, showcasing the platform’s direct connection with the ECNL’s growth strategy.
“The formation of our Mid-America Regional League started with conversations back in 2020,” says ECNL Boys Commissioner Jason Kutney. “There has been an incredible amount of time dedicated to understanding the needs of players and clubs in this part of the country and in finding viable opportunities that intentionally consider travel, competitive level, and showcasing. This clearly shows the impact of the ECNL Regional League in providing opportunities for players, teams, and clubs.”
As the new Mid-America Conference for ECNL Boys is formed, the current ECNL Regional League Mid-America will continue to grow, but under the new name ECNL Regional League – Frontier in 2024-25. The new structure and new participating clubs will be announced in the very near future.
Learn more about the four promoted clubs below.
Germantown Legends
Location: Germantown, Tennessee
Established just 12 years ago, the Germantown Legends have swiftly risen to prominence, achieving remarkable success in a relatively short span of time. Their success can be attributed to the visionary leadership of their founder, Chris Bartels, and the invaluable guidance of coaching director and MLS Champion, Carey Talley. Their unwavering commitment to soccer in the community has paved the way for this incredible opportunity.
“The Germantown Legends Soccer Club is excited to accept a place into a prestigious league like the ECNL,” said Executive Director Ted Bartels. “We believe this league offers the best pathway for our players who strive to play at the highest levels of the sport. The ECNL is a great opportunity for our club to compete against some of the best competition in the country. As an organization committed to providing top-tier opportunities for our players, we firmly believe that the ECNL is the best place to do that.”
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Lobos Rush
Location: Collierville, Tennessee
Since 1992, Lobos Rush has established a history of success at state championships, along with annual appearances at regional and national tournaments. Over the past five years, the club has placed over 115 players in colleges on soccer scholarships.
“We are extremely excited to compete in the ECNL next season,” said Technical Director Mark Forrest. “This has been a goal of the technical leadership of the club for a long time and to see that come to fruition is very rewarding. Furthermore, the exposure to elevated competition and the recruiting platform that the ECNL provides is second to none and I know it is one our players will relish.”
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Mississippi Rush United
Location: Madison, Mississippi
Since 2009, Mississippi Rush have had a number of notable alumni reach the professional ranks, including Jackson Travis (Colorado Rapids), Nighte Pickering (Memphis 901 FC), and Owen Barber (Charlotte Independence).
“As an organization, we are honored to be a part of the ECNL Boys extending their league structure into our region in the Southeast,” said Technical Director Kenny White. “MS Rush is committed to providing appropriate competition, development, and identification platforms to the players in our club and across the state of Mississippi. We look forward to the challenge.”
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Rebels SC
Location: Chula Vista, California
Since 1982, Rebels SC has established a culture that builds creative players with a detailed emphasis on technique and decision-making from an individual to a collective team.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to be stepping up to the ECNL from the Regional League,” said Executive Director Ryan Marquez. “We believe the ECNL stands as the country’s premier youth league, and it fills us with pride knowing our community will get to immerse in the true ECNL experience for both our boys and girls.”
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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’s 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.