The FC Stars Blue 2008 and 2009 teams earned automatic qualification into the ECNL National Playoffs after capturing New England Conference Cup titles on Sunday at the Susa Academy Complex in Long Island, N.Y.
The inaugural New England Conference Cup featured three group-stage games earlier in March. The top four teams in each age group then advanced to the semifinals and finals, with the winner earning an automatic bid for the playoffs. The format was similar to an NCAA Conference Tournament.
When the dust settled, FC Stars Blue were the biggest winners of the weekend from New England. The club had two teams clinch tickets for the playoffs in San Diego, Calif., a third win the title (2007), and secured an early-season accomplishment to build off. Teams who didn’t advance from group play or win the Cup still have the rest of the spring season to qualify for the playoffs.
