For Immediate Release:
ECNL Contact: Jacob Born; 804-904-2693

ECNL ANNOUNCES FIRST REGIONAL LEAGUE PROMOTIONS FOR 2025-26 SEASON – ECNL Boys will welcome five new clubs, while ECNL Girls promotes two –

RICHMOND, Va. (February 20, 2025) - The ECNL is thrilled to announce the promotion of Highland FC (Mid-Atlantic), Doral SC (Florida), Kansas Rush (Heartland), Missouri Rush (Heartland), and Three Rivers SC (Northwest) into ECNL Boys, and Missouri Rush (Midwest) and West Side Alliance (Texas) into ECNL Girls for the 2025-26 season.
Each promotion was earned through consistent performance and professionalism from the club across multiple age groups over an extended time period, and reflects the ECNL’s commitment to support competition to increase the quality and depth of soccer across the country.
“We are ecstatic to promote these clubs into ECNL Boys and ECNL Girls for the 2025-26 season,” said ECNL Regional League Commissioner Chris Leahey. “Their success in performance and development in the ECNL Regional League, and their commitment to the process over time, aligns perfectly with the ECNL values. Together, the league and all of our clubs are serving the top athletes in boys and girls soccer in this country and we will continue to provide the best platforms possible for every participating club, team and player.”
Below is more information about each promoted club.

Highland FC Location: Asheville, NC
Last season, Highland FC had five of its six age groups qualify for the ECNL Boys Regional League Playoffs - East, with its U17 squad finishing as a top-4 team in the country. This year, the club has continued that success, as its U13, U14, and U17 teams all sit in first place in their respective age groups and its U16 team in second place in the ECNL Boys Carolina Regional League. Also this season, Highland FC went undefeated in six games at the ECNL Regional League Florida national event. What makes the clubs’ success even more impressive is putting together such strong performances all while dealing with unthinkable tragedy at the beginning of the season as a result of Hurricane Helene flooding.

“We are very excited to join the ECNL and for our continued participation within the ECNL Regional League” said Director of Coaching Matt Barry. “Being able to give more Highland FC players the opportunity to participate in the top youth soccer leagues and events in the United States will provide even more opportunities for our players to move onto levels past their youth careers. We are grateful for the ECNL’s recognition of our players’ performance over the past three years at the ECNL Regional League level. We look forward to the new challenge presented to us through this promotion.”

Doral SC Location: Doral, FL
Doral SC has been a top club throughout the ECNL Boys Florida Regional League this season, with five of its six teams in current playoff qualification positions, including teams in first place in the South Division in the U13, U15, U16 and U17 age groups. That league success has translated to national events as well, as Doral SC went undefeated at ECNL Florida against ECNL competition. Last season, Doral SC sent its U16 team to the ECNL Boys Regional League Finals, where the team finished as the runner-up to the champion Kansas Rush, another club promoted for the 2025-2026 season.
“We are incredibly grateful to the ECNL for recognizing the hard work and dedication of everyone involved with Doral SC,” said Technical Director Kevin Piraquive. “This promotion to the ECNL Florida Conference is a significant milestone, and it reflects the tireless efforts and commitment of our players, coaches, and administrative team.”
Kansas Rush Location: Olathe, KS
Kansas Rush headed into the 2024-25 season as one of the top ECNL RL clubs in the country, home to the U16 ECNL Boys Regional League National Champions, the U18/19 ECNL Regional League Central Champions, and Daouda Kante, the 2024 ECNL Boys Regional League Coach of the Year. Kansas Rush has continued to excel this season as the club sits in first place in the South Division of the ECNL Boys Heartland Regional League at the U15, U16 and U17 age groups. Kansas Rush’s U18/19 team has also impressed at ECNL National Events, going 2-1-0 at ECNL Florida and ECNL Las Vegas.
Missouri Rush Location: O’Fallon, MO
Missouri Rush has been a standout club in the ECNL Girls Heartland Regional League, earning both U13 and U16 ECNL Regional League National Championships in 2023. This year, the club has three teams leading the West Division (U13, U16 and U17), two teams in second place (U15 and U18/19) and one team in third (U14); with those results, five of their six teams are currently in playoff qualification positions. Missouri Rush has also seen success at ECNL Girls Regional League events, as the club has a combined 10-1-1 record across four showcase appearances. Meanwhile Missouri Rush is within striking distance of a playoff spot in every age group in the ECNL Boys Heartland Regional League, with the club looking to build off the success of last year’s playoff berth by its U15 team.
“We are incredibly proud and excited to start this new chapter with the ECNL,” said Executive Director Nick Teater.
Three Rivers SC Location: Pasco, WA
Three Rivers SC represents the third national champion to be promoted into ECNL Boys, as the club’s U14 team lifted the trophy in 2023-24 and was one of four teams within the club to qualify for the ECNL Boys Regional League Playoffs - West. This season, Three Rivers SC has continued that success, as its U14, U15 and U16 teams all lead the ECNL Boys Northwest Regional League, with its U13 squad also holding down a playoff qualification spot. Three Rivers SC has also impressed at ECNL National Events, as the club performed well at ECNL Phoenix.
West Side Alliance Location: Sand Springs, OK
West Side Alliance currently has its U16 and U18 teams in playoff qualification positions for the ECNL Girls Regional League Playoffs - South, building off its success last season where the club had its U15 and U17s reach the ECNL Girls Regional League finals, the former of which finished as the national runner-up in that age group. West Side Alliance also performed well at the ECNL Texas national event, where its three teams earned six wins and points in eight of nine matches against ECNL Girls teams.

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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