Virginia, Maryland teams experience mixed results at ECNL showcase in Fla.
Nineteen teams representing Virginia Rush, FC Virginia, McLean Youth Soccer, Richmond Strikers and Freestate Soccer Alliance experienced mixed fortunes at the Elite Clubs National League’s National Showcase: Sanford event in Central Florida last week.
Facing some of the most talented girls’ teams in the nation, the local sides did their best amid fierce competition in front of hundreds of scouts representing the U.S. National Team program as well as many top NCAA schools.
Most could only break even in terms of overall results, though there were several highlights: Freestate’s U-18 squad scored nine goals en route to a perfect 3-0 showing which puts them near the top of the ECNL National Flight B standings, while McLean’s U-17s notched three victories and allowed just one goal in all, keeping them in the hunt in their age group’s National Flight B.
Richmond Strikers’ U-17 team compiled a 2-1 record, with their only loss at the hands of New England powerhouse FC Stars of Massachusetts. FCV’s U-18s showcased a prolific attack which rolled up 10 goals through two wins and one loss, leaving them just a few points off the pace in National Flight B.
At U-16 level, Richmond and McLean are still in contention in National Flight B after compiling winning records in Florida.
Last week’s tournament, along with the league’s four other National Showcase Events, collectively dubbed “The Road to Waukegan,” determines ECNL’s national champions with the season culminating in the 2012 ECNL National Championship at the Waukegan Sports Park in Chicago, Ill. in late June.
