Boys ECNL announces new Mountain Conference for 2018-2019 season
RICHMOND, VA (Via Boys ECNL) – The Boys Elite Clubs National League (Boys ECNL) has announced the creation of the Mountain Conference for the 2018-2019 season. With the addition of the Mountain Conference, and the previously announced new Mid-Atlantic Conference, the Boys ECNL will consist of seven conferences spanning the country next season. The Mountain Conference will include 6 founding clubs:
- Arsenal Colorado
- Colorado Storm*
- New Mexico Rush
- Pride SC
- Real Colorado*
- Rio Rapids SC
*indicates existing Boys ECNL member club changing conferences
With the addition of these clubs, the Boys ECNL will reach 2 new geographic markets in Colorado, and provide new competitive and development opportunities for the best players in New Mexico. While Real Colorado and Colorado Storm are already members of the Boys ECNL this season, the Mountain Conference will include 4 new clubs:
Arsenal Colorado is the largest soccer club in northern Colorado, founded in 1978 in Fort Collins. The club has sent nearly 150 male players on to play collegiate soccer.
New Mexico Rush has sent dozens of players to collegiate programs in the past 10 years, with 2 current alums playing professionally – Ben Spencer (Toronto FC) and Justin Schmidt (Sacramento Republic).
Pride Soccer Club has helped over 50 players move on to play at the collegiate level in the past decade, and has had six players called into Youth National Team Camps.
Rio Rapids SC has placed over 130 players into college soccer in its history, with 13 players becoming professionals.
“Colorado and New Mexico have a rich history of great players and teams, and we are excited to be able to add clubs of this caliber,” said Boys ECNL President Christian Lavers. “With great conference competition, regular season showcases, and access to the ENPL Playoffs, these players and teams will have a fantastic experience next year.”
In the 2018-2019 season, each Boys ECNL member club will compete in five age groups (U14, U15, U16, U17, U18/U19) in both regular season conference competition and Boys ECNL National Event competition. In addition to the competition platform, the Boys ECNL offers player identification and development opportunities for top players in each conference, coaching development programs, and a direct path into the Elite National Premier League (ENPL) post season competition.
The Mountain Conference will begin formal competition in the Boys ECNL in August 2018.
