ECNL Girls to welcome trio of new member clubs for 2024-25 season

The ECNL Girls announced the addition of three new clubs for the 2024-2025 season: Colorado Rush (Texas Conference), Nationals SC (Midwest Conference), and Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals (North Atlantic Conference).

Acceptance into the ECNL Girls was based on the competitive performance of each club over the past years and assessment of the markets in which each club was located, as well as to optimize the competition framework within these three ECNL conferences. All three clubs have a history of winning championships and developing talent into both the collegiate and professional levels of the game.

In addition to joining the ECNL Girls, all three clubs will also be joining the ECNL Girls Regional League, fully aligning themselves with the ECNL pyramid.

“Over the past 3 years, the ECNL has promoted 18 clubs from the ECNL Regional League into the ECNL Girls based on their performance,” said ECNL Girls Commissioner Ralph Richards. “This year, looking broadly across the ecosystem, we felt that these three clubs merited being added into the ECNL and would be a limited exception to the ECNL Regional League pathway we have established over the past several years.”

“We are excited to add these clubs and their teams to the league,” continued Richards. “The ECNL is committed to creating a robust pyramid and pathway to and between the ECNL and the ECNL Regional League for clubs in every region of the country. We feel these decisions help to finalize that pathway and pyramid, and firmly establish the ECNL and the ECNL Regional League as the top two platforms in competition and showcasing opportunities in America for girls soccer.”

Colorado Rush
Littleton, Colorado
Founded: 1997

Since 2020, Colorado Rush has captured eight conference championships and a GA National Championship. Notable alumni from the club include USWNT Captain Lindsay Horan, Racing Louisville’s Jordan Baggett, 2023 Big Ten Defender of the Year Cori Dyke, and Civana Kuhlmann of the Washington Spirit.

“The ECNL is an extremely progressive and innovative organization, which matches the mentality of our club and membership,” said Colorado Rush Executive Director Mark Hiemenz. “This change benefits our players both short term and long, and I could not be more excited for our players to experience the challenges the ECNL provides.”

Philadelphia Ukrainians
North Wales, Pennsylvania
Founded: 1950

Philadelphia Ukrainians has had two Girls Academy national semifinalist teams and sent six teams to the GA Champions Cup over the past two seasons. Currently they have 27 Division 1 commitments collectively between their class of 2024 and 2025.

“We could not be more excited and thankful to be the newest member of the ECNL Girls,” said Technical Director Joe Nemzer. “Thank you to Christian Lavers, Ralph Richards, and league leadership for this tremendous opportunity for our club. As a club, we strive to provide our players with a premier training and developmental environment. We will embrace this opportunity to compete against some of the nations best clubs, both within the North Atlantic Conference and on the national stage. Dating back to our start in 1950, the Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals is one of the nations most historic clubs, and we can’t wait to begin writing our new chapter as members of the ECNL.”

Nationals SC
Detroit, Michigan
Founded: 2016

Nationals SC captured the GA Overall Club Championship in 2022 and has won the GA National Championship on eight different occasions. Notable alumni from the club include 2024 NWSL selection Celia Gaynor and 2021 NCAA Division II Player of the Year Cecilia Steinwascher.

“We are thrilled that Nationals Girls Academy is joining the prestigious ECNL Girls program,” said Nationals Girls Academy Director David Robertson. “The ECNL has established an exceptional platform that seamlessly aligns with our club’s culture and values, emphasizing growth and opportunity through its comprehensive programming, coaching education, player identification, and the highest level of competition in the United States. We look forward to forging strong partnerships with ECNL leadership and fellow member clubs nationwide, united in our mission to elevate the game and offer these exceptional young women the ultimate stage in youth soccer.”