ECNL Girls Playoffs: U18/19 title match set, while U16 and U17 group stage concludes

The fourth day of ECNL Girls Playoffs in Seattle was filled with action in the U16, U17, and U18/19 age groups, highlighted by the semifinals of the U18/19 Champions League, and the final day of group play in the U16 and U17 Champions League. (College Coaches List)

Concorde Fire Platinum booked their spot in the final after a thrilling penalty kick shootout win over SLSG Navy, after the two sides finished regulation tied at 1-1. While in the other semifinal, San Diego Surf advanced past Portland Thorns 5-2 to book their place in the championship match. Concorde Fire Platinum and San Diego Surf will square off on Thursday with the U18/19 National Championship on the line.

The last day of group stage play at the U16 and U17 age groups set up the 16 teams who are now one win away from advancing to Richmond for the ECNL Girls Finals.

At the U17 age group, Legends FC, PDA Blue, Slammers FC HB Køge, and Solar SC advanced through group play with perfect 3-0 records. They are joined in the Round of 16 by group winners Beach FC (CA), FC Dallas, Indy Eleven Pro Academy, Michigan Hawks, MVLA, Penn Fusion SA, and San Juan SC. Bay Area Surf, Crossfire Academy, Internationals SC, Kansas City Athletics, and NC Courage also advanced into the Round of 16 as the top five second place teams.

(Players to Watch: ECNL Girls National Playoffs and Showcase)

At the U16 age group, FC Stars Blue, Penn Fusion SA, Real Colorado National, and Slammers FC HB Køge advanced through the group stage with perfect 3-0 records. Crossfire Academy, De Anza Force, Michigan Hawks, Ohio Premier, PDA Blue, San Diego Surf, and Solar SC also advanced into the Round of 16 as group champions. Those 11 teams will be joined by MVLA, NC Courage, Ohio Elite Soccer Academy, San Juan SC, and Sporting Blue Valley, who advanced as the top five second place teams.

The championship matches are also set for the North American Cup and Showcase Cups at both the U16 and U17 levels.

Sporting Blue Valley survived penalty kicks against FC Stars White to advance to the U17 North American Cup Final, and will take on Orlando City in Thursday’s final, after they defeated FC Prime 4-0. In Showcase Cup A, Utah Avalanche advanced into the final following a 1-0 win over Pittsburgh Riverhounds, while Mustang SC defeated Scorpions SC 3-2 to book their spot in the final. Showcase Cup B will see De Anza Force take on Utah Royals FC-AZ in the final, after De Anza Force advanced past Ohio Elite SA on penalties and Utah Royals defeated Real Colorado Athletico.

At the U16 level, Florida Krush and Bethesda SC will meet in the North American Cup Final, after Florida Krush advanced through the semifinals with a 3-2 win over Rebels SC, while Bethesda SC advanced into the final with a 3-2 win over WNY Flash. The Showcase Cup A Final will see Challenge SC take on Colorado Rapids, after each of them picked up one goal victories in their semifinal matches, against LAFC So Cal and CESA Liberty, respectively. Charlotte Independence and Pateadores will battle it out for the Showcase Cup B Final, after Charlotte picked up a 3-1 win over Rockford Raptors in their semifinal, while Pateadores advanced past Sting Dallas Royal on penalties.

The U18/19 National Championship Game, as well as all U16 and U17 round of 16 matches, and Cup finals will take place on Thursday.