ECNL Boys National Finals 2024: Day 1 Recap

The final event of the ECNL Boys 2023-24 season got underway on Monday with 40 teams beginning play at West Creek Field Complex in Richmond for the ECNL Boys National Finals.

All 40 teams who qualified from the ECNL Boys Playoffs in San Diego entered the day three wins away from the ECNL’s ultimate prize of a National Championship. (Scout List)

In the U17 age group, Heat FC advanced into the semifinals following a thrilling penalty kick shootout win over Dallas Texans Academy. After the two sides finished regulation tied at 2-2, Heat goalkeeper Gabriel Flores Luna made three saves in the shootout to help propel his side to the win. Heat FC will take on Louisville City Academy in the semifinals after their 1-0 win over Florida Premier FC. On the other side of the bracket, San Diego Surf kept their hopes of repeating as National Champions alive as they advanced past LAFC So Cal 1-0, while Mustang SC defeated Tennessee SC 3-1.

The U16 quarterfinals featured a number of thrilling games, including Florida Premier FC winning a seven-goal battle against San Diego Surf 4-3. Florida Premier will take on NVA in the semifinals after they survived a penalty kick shootout against Crossfire Premier to advance. LAFC So Cal advanced into the semifinals following a 4-1 win over Mustang SC, while NCFC Youth Academy advanced after a 3-1 win over Beach FC (CA).

Things were close throughout the day at the U15 age group, with all four games being decided by a lone goal. Last season’s U14 National Champions, Pipeline SC, advanced into the semifinals with a 2-1 win over San Diego Surf and will take on Rockford Raptors in the semifinals following their 1-0 victory over Utah Avalanche. On the other side of the bracket, South Carolina Surf advanced into the semifinals with a 1-0 win over Crossfire Premier, while Wilmington Hammerheads defeated Richmond United 2-1 to book their place in the final four.

It took penalty kicks at the U14 age group for LAFC So Cal to advance past Albion Hurricanes FC into the semifinals, where they await last season’s U13 National Champions, San Diego Surf, after their 2-0 quarterfinal win over Eastside FC. Dallas Texans Academy picked up a 2-0 win over Seattle United to advance into the semifinals, while Concorde Fire Platinum defeated Crossfire Premier 5-2 to round out the semifinalists.

Real Colorado Academy goalkeeper Aleksander Frey saved three penalty kick attempts in a shootout against Solar SC Academy to send his side into the U13 semifinals, where they will take on NCFC Youth Academy, following their high-scoring 6-3 win over Wilmington Hammerheads. Pipeline SC also booked their spot in the final four with a 3-2 win over Concorde Fire Platinum and will take on VDA, following their 2-1 win over Seattle United.

The semifinals of the ECNL Boys Finals will continue on Tuesday with the 20 remaining teams looking to punch their tickets to the ECNL National Championship Games.