More club promotions and additions announced for ECNL Boys and ECNL Girls

RICHMOND, VA – The ECNL announced that California Odyssey will be promoted to the ECNL Girls for the 2025-26 season in the Northern Cal Conference, and Los Gatos United will be promoted to the ECNL Boys for the 2025-2026 season, also in the Northern Cal Conference.

The ECNL Regional League Girls will also welcome Lexington SC into the ECNL Regional League Girls – Ohio Valley, South Carolina Surf to the ECNL Regional League Girls – Southeast, and Los Gatos United to the new club-based division of the ECNL Regional League Girls – NorCal.

“Los Gatos United have earned their promotion into the ECNL Boys through great performances over the last several years in the ECNL Regional League Boys – NorCal, and the club continues to show its quality on and off the field,” said ECNL Boys Commissioner Jason Kutney. “In a very competitive region they have consistently fielded successful teams and developed players that excel in college and beyond.”

“We are excited to recognize and reward the work and performance of California Odyssey through this promotion from the ECNL Regional League Girls – NorCal into the ECNL Girls next season, and to welcome Lexington SC, Los Gatos United and SC Surf into the ECNL Regional League and the ECNL pathway,” said ECNL Regional League Commissioner Chris Leahey. “All of these clubs will be focusing the efforts of their top teams and players on development and performance within the ECNL Regional League. Lexington SC and South Carolina Surf are new to the league on the Midwest and East Coast, and Los Gatos will be joining the new club-based ECNL Regional League Girls in NorCal. Each club will significantly enhance the platform, and will get to experience our incredible events, player programming, and proven pathway for elite teams and athletes.”

Below is more information about each club.

California Odyssey
League: ECNL Girls
Location: Clovis, CA
Founded: 2002

Cal Odyssey has had a strong year in the ECNL Regional League – NorCal leading to their promotion to the ECNL Northern Cal Conference for the 2025-26 season. Cal Odyssey’s G10 team currently sits tied for first in the ECNL Regional League – NorCal and also went an unbeaten 2-0-1 in the ECNL Regional League California National Event this month. In addition, the G08 team currently holds a playoff spot for this summer’s ECNL Regional League West Playoffs. In last summer’s ECNL Regional League West Playoffs, Cal Odyssey’s G11 team won their group, after earning qualification during the regular season.

“We are beyond thrilled with this opportunity to join the most prestigious girls player development platform in the country,” said Technical Director Vitalis Otieno. “With this promotion to ECNL Girls, our players now have a clear developmental pathway that will see a natural boom in California’s central valley. But getting here is just the beginning. Now, we go to work to excel and have staying power within the elite soccer landscape in the country.”

Lexington SC
League: ECNL Regional League Girls – Ohio Valley
Location: Lexington, KY
Founded: 2022

Founded in 2022, Lexington SC will join the ECNL Regional League – Ohio Valley for the 2025-26 season. Since its inception, Lexington SC has now grown to include almost 500 female players. In addition to their youth program, Lexington SC competes in the USL Super League and the USL W League, providing a runway for female players to compete at the professional level.

“Joining the ECNL RL is an exciting moment for our club,” said Youth Club Director Bryan Brooks. “Since its inception, the ECNL has been at the forefront of elevating the youth soccer experience, reflecting our own commitment to fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence. Our club’s mission has been to not only foster exceptional talent but also to instill a deep sense of community and social responsibility in our players. Joining the ECNL RL aligns perfectly with our goals, providing our players with unparalleled opportunities to compete at the highest levels, while also maintaining their love and passion for the game.”

Los Gatos United
Leagues: ECNL Boys, ECNL Regional League Girls – NorCal
Location: Los Gatos, CA
Founded: 1987

Los Gatos United has earned promotion into ECNL Boys through its success within the ECNL Regional League Boys – NorCal, where its B12 and B08 teams are currently holding playoff spots, and its B07/06 team is one spot away from doing so as well. Last season, the B07 team advanced to the knockout stages of the ECNL Regional League Boys Playoffs – West and had its B11 squad qualify for the playoffs as well. The club will aim to replicate that success within both the ECNL Boys and ECNL Regional League Girls, and with nearly 3,000 players within the organization, Los Gatos is primed to utilize the ECNL’s proven player pathway to do so.

“We are honored to be promoted into ECNL Boys and to be included in the ECNL Regional League,” said Executive Director Phil Gibson. “We look forward to the opportunity and challenge ahead, and to hopefully be aligned in our boys and girls programs as ECNL members in the future.”

South Carolina Surf
League: ECNL Regional League Girls – Southeast
Location: Mt. Pleasant, SC
Founded: 1981

Established in 1981, South Carolina Surf has a long-standing tradition of developing top soccer talent in the Charleston area. In the past five years, South Carolina Surf has helped over 100 players advance to the collegiate level, and their move to the ECNL Regional League advances their goal to always enhance the player experience and deliver the best product for their players.

“We are excited for our girls program to be invited to join the ECNL Regional League for the 2025-2026 season,” said Director of Coaching and Play Development Tam McGowan. “By aligning our girls and boys programs within the ECNL platform, we are providing all of our players with the best opportunities to compete at the highest level each year. The exposure and experience provided by the ECNL national event structure is unmatched and we are thrilled to extend those benefits to our girls program. We are confident this move will further elevate our club and expand opportunities for our players. We look forward to embracing this challenge and taking the next step in the 2025-2026 season.”