ECNL Boys accepts three additional clubs for 2022-23 national competition

RICHMOND, VA – ECNL Boys announced three more clubs will be joining ECNL national competition for the 2022-23 season: El Camino FC – Salinas (CA), Kansas City Athletics (MO), and Sporting Springfield (MO).

El Camino FC – Salinas enters the league after being promoted from NorCal Premier’s NPL and will play in the Northern Cal Conference, while Kansas City Athletics and Sporting Springfield will make the jump from the ECNL Regional League – Heartland to the Heartland Conference in the Club Competition.

“El Camino FC – Salinas, Kansas City Athletics and Sporting Springfield have all positioned themselves, through their on-field performance levels, for ECNL Club Competition membership next season,” said ECNL Boys Commissioner Jason Kutney. “ECNL Boys supports club development and aims to reward high performance within the ECNL pyramid across multiple age groups. All three clubs have done that and more, and will make the Northern Cal and Heartland Conferences that much more competitive for every team for the 2022-23 season.”

El Camino FC – Salinas
Salinas, CA

Founded: 2017
Home to more than 500 athletes on more than 30 teams
Alumni include Jerry Ayon, Alejandro Cano and Emmi Ochoa, the youngest player ever to sign a professional contract with San Jose Earthquakes

“Our club was founded under the ideals of continually seeking the best competitive platform for our youth in Salinas and surrounding communities,” said ECFCS President Julio Sanchez. “Since our early beginnings, we have accomplished this through a measured approach in decision-making as we moved between levels of competition and leagues. Today, with acceptance into such a prestigious league as ECNL Boys, we take our best leap forward. With this move, we have now solidified our pathway for players with aspirations and dreams of playing at the highest youth levels, collegiate soccer, and beyond.”

Kansas City Athletics
Kansas City, MO

Founded: 2015
Current U16 team has qualified for USYS Nationals for 2021-22 season
Club alumni include Jayvin Van Deventer (Sporting Kansas City II) and Erik Palmer-Brown (Troyes)

“KC Athletics is thrilled to be given the opportunity to represent ECNL Boys,” said Brad Linkens, KC Athletics founding member. “We plan to use our success on the pitch as a model to provide an excellent environment for growth and development for our boys. We respect the ECNL, which allows us a point of difference for our players. Our goal is to be a part of elevating the ECNL brand in the Midwest.”

Sporting Springfield
Springfield, MO

Founded: 1999
Alumni include Parker Mahar (STLFC) and Draven Barrett (Sporting Kansas City II)
Anchor tenant in brand-new, 94,000 square feet training facility with 12 fields

“Sporting Springfield is extremely excited to join the ECNL Boys Heartland Conference,” said Eric Sorlie, Sporting Springfield Executive Director. “We are looking forward to the many ways our club will be enhanced with the opportunities brought about by the ECNL. We can structure our ages that lead up to the ECNL in a way that will have a deeper impact on our player development. Having the ability to play against the very best opposition, in the region and country, will be great for players in Springfield, MO. We look forward to utilizing the high-quality competition, college recruitment events, and other opportunities the ECNL provides.”