FC Wisconsin Makes History in Sending Five Teams to ECNL Playoffs and Winning Three Conference Championships

 

FC Wisconsin is proud to report that it has made club history this year by winning three Midwest Conference Championships and having five of its Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) teams qualify for the ECNL National Playoffs that will be hosted in Greensboro, North Carolina, the week of June 25 through July 1.

 

To advance to the ECNL National Playoffs, teams have to finish as one of the top three within their conference. FC Wisconsin's U13 ECNL, U14 ECNL, and U16 ECNL teams each won Midwest Conference Championship titles this year. The club's U17 ECNL and U18 ECNL both finished in second position within their conference to also qualify for the ECNL National Playoffs. The U15 ECNL, who narrowly missed out on a playoff berth by two points, finished fourth in their division, highlighting the level of talent across all age groups within FC Wisconsin.

 

This is the second consecutive year that FC Wisconsin has sent five teams to ECNL National Playoffs, and the first time in club history that FC Wisconsin has won three Midwest Conference Championships in a single year.

 

The ECNL Midwest Conference consists of eight of the top clubs from across the Midwest: Chicago Magic, FC Pride, Indiana Elite, Minnesota Thunder Academy, St. Croix, Rockford Raptors, and reigning National Champion and Final Four participant Eclipse Soccer Club. Out of the 148 ECNL member clubs, FC Wisconsin is one of only 18 clubs that have managed to qualify five or more teams to the ECNL National Playoffs. This includes professional clubs Louisville City, North Carolina FC, Houston Dynamo, FC Dallas, and Charlotte Independence.

 

“It is a massive accomplishment for the club to send five teams to the ECNL National Playoffs for the second straight year. With the conference becoming even stronger this year, to replicate this achievement is a testament to all the players and coaches that put so much work in on a day-to-day basis. To win three ECNL Midwest Conference Championships in a single year is a first for the FC Wisconsin, and we are immensely proud of all our teams’ efforts so far this year. We are excited to see them compete against the best competition from across the nation in North Carolina. The success of these teams highlights our long-term player development curriculum and commitment to helping all players reach their goals,” said Co-Director of Coaching Ben Shepherd.

 

FC Wisconsin is the only boys club in the state to have ever won a national championship. As a member of the top developmental platform in the country, FC WIsconsin is proud to be the only team competing for an ECNL National Championship in North Carolina.

 

Co-Director of Coaching Billy Solberg adds, “We set a goal at the beginning of the year to have all our teams in the hunt for the ECNL National Playoffs. Every group made huge progress and huge strides in development, quality of play, quality of defending, goalkeeping, and togetherness within the club. All our teams’ success is amazing, but I think we’re most proud of the continued culture being set by all these groups. It is amazing when our younger players hang out at the fields, know all the older players names, give them a high five, and wish them luck every weekend. Our culture, which was already unmatched, continues to get even better. All our teams train and play games at one facility, creating relationships and mentorships within the age groups. Our team and club success will continue to grow thanks to the examples being set by our players as role models and good citizens. Every one of these teams that qualified for playoffs also did voluntary community service, giving back to our community. They are successful soccer players and great kids ... WE ARE FAMILY!"