The pinnacle event of the ECNL Girls season is here.
The ECNL Playoffs kick off Thursday in sunny San Diego, Calif., with teams participating in the Champions Cup, North American Cup and Showcase Cup A and B at the sprawling Surf Sports Park.
The Champions Cup is ECNL’s national playoffs. Teams qualified from league results or by winning the Conference Cup in March. Seven New England teams are playing in the national playoffs at the U-15 to U-19 age groups. FC Stars Blue leads the way with four teams (one at each age group), while Scorpions SC (U-15 and U-17) and Connecticut FC (U-16) also have squads in the Champions Cup.
Champions Cup teams are guaranteed three games within their group. If they win the group, they advance to the Round of 16 knockout stage. A win in that match punches a ticket to the ECNL National Finals in Richmond, Va., on July 18.
It’s safe to say there’s a lot at stake in California.
Several other local teams will also be participating in other postseason formats. South Shore Select’s U-15 and U-17 teams are in the North American Cup, FSA’s U-17 squad is in Showcase A and Scorpions SC’s U-16 group is also in Showcase A.
The ECNL Playoffs attract attention from college coaches across the country, making this a pivotal recruiting event as well.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the ECNL Girls’ Playoffs.
