Virginia clubs head north for ECNL matchups

By Jimmy LaRoue

The Virginia Rush and Richmond Strikers ECNL teams make Maryland road trips this weekend when they both face Freestate Soccer Alliance and Bethesda SC, whose U-15 through U-18 teams begin their league seasons this weekend.

In U-14s, only Rush and Strikers have played twice, with Rush so far 1-1-0 and the Strikers 0-2-0 early in the season.

The Strikers are looking to rebound from last weekend, in which they lost four of five ECNL matches and scored a combined two goals, though one of those came in a 1-0 win over McLean Youth Soccer in U-15 action. The Strikers’ U-17s (1-0-1) have yet to give up a goal this season.

Rush’s U-14s, U-15s have each split a pair of games, winning their openers and losing in their second games of the season. Both will be looking to rebound this weekend in their two road games against typically talented teams.

Rush’s U-17s have also split a pair, but in reverse, getting shutout in the opener but rallying to win its own shutout against FC Virginia.

FC Virginia, after a strong start to its season, is off this weekend. Its U-18s, along with Rush’s U-18s, will be heading to Phoenix, Ariz. for the league’s first showcase of the season.

McLean is off from league play until Oct. 13.

All other clubs not taking part in the showcase will take a break from league play next week.