FC Wisconsin is proud to report that four of our teams from the ECNL and ECNL Regional League have qualified for the ECNL National Playoffs this June. The U18 ECNL team has won its Conference Championship and finished the season ranked second in the country within the ECNL. They have qualified for the ECNL National Championship, which will consist of the top 32 teams from across the nation at the U18 age group and will compete for a National Championship in San Diego the week of June 25 through July 1.

 

The FC Wisconsin ECNL Regional League teams have seen huge success with three teams qualifying for the ECNL Regional League Playoffs which will be hosted in St. Louis the week of June 12-16. The club's U16, U17, and U18 ECNL RL teams have qualified for this event, with the U17 and U18 teams also winning their regular season Conference Championships. The U18 ECNL Regional League team has also advanced to the Wisconsin Youth Soccer State Cup Championship this week, and have already earned a berth at the USYS Midwest Regionals in two weeks’ time.

 

This is the first time in FC Wisconsin history that the club has won three Conference Championships across the ECNL and ECNL Regional League platforms.

 

The ECNL Midwest Conference consists of eight of the top clubs from across the Midwest Region with Chicago Magic, FC Pride, Indiana Elite, Minnesota Thunder Academy, St. Croix, Rockford Raptors, and reigning National Champion and Final Four participant Eclipse Soccer Club.

 

“It is a massive accomplishment for our U18 ECNL to win the Midwest Region, especially with the competition they have within that age group. To finish the season ranked second in the nation is testament to the group and all their hard work. There is a core group of players that have been with the club since U12 and younger and they deserve this success. While our U14 and U17 teams were unfortunate to narrowly miss out on also qualifying for Nationals, the ECNL Midwest Division continues to get stronger and stronger, which is great for our players and their development. The achievements of our ECNL Regional League teams this year have been outstanding and all the credit goes to ECNL Regional Director Neil Tolson and his staff. The success of these teams highlights that our long-term player development curriculum, and commitment to helping all players within all our programs reach their goals, is paying dividends for everyone associated with the club,” said Co-Director of Coaching Ben Shepherd.

 

The ECNL Regional League Midwest Division has already proven to be excellent competition for our ECNL RL teams and all of the FC Wisconsin teams have competed well within the platform. The U15 ECNL also narrowly missed out on qualification for the Playoffs, which highlights the strength of the teams and the program as they get older.

 

“To get three teams to the ECNL Regionals in our first year in the league is fantastic and a credit to all the players, families, and the coaches that believe in what we try to do as a club. We are excited to represent FC Wisconsin at not only the ECNL Regional Playoffs with our U16, U17 and U18 teams, but also at the USYS Midwest Regionals with our U18 group. I can’t thank the club enough for the support and commitment that they give to all our players and all our programs,” shared ECNL Regional League Director Neil Tolson.

 

FC Wisconsin is the only boys' club in the state to have ever won a National Championship, and being in the top developmental platform in the country, we are proud to be the only team competing for an ECNL National Championship. 

 

Co-Director of Coaching Billy Solberg added, “All our teams’ success is amazing, but I think we’re most proud of the continued culture being set by all these groups. It's 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, has gotten even better. All our teams training and playing games at one facility, creating relationships and mentorships within the age groups, is why we coach. Our teams' and club's success will continue to grow thanks to the examples being set as role models and good citizens from top to bottom in the community. Every one of these teams that qualified for the Playoffs also did voluntary community service, giving back to our community. Successful soccer players and great kids ... we are FC Family!”