ECNL 2013-2014 CONFERENCE FOOTPRINT NORTHWEST CONFERENCE Crossfire Wash. Premier FC Nova Utah Avalanche San Juan Santa Rosa MVLA Mustang DeAnza Force Pleasanton Rage SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE LV Premier Heat FC SC Del Sol Sereno Surf Arsenal Strikers West Coast Real So Cal Slammers Blues Eagles MIDWEST CONFERENCE Real CO CO Storm Rush Sporting BV SLSG SLSG-Metro FC Wisconsin MN Thunder Eclipse Sockers Vardar Hawks TEXAS CONFERENCE TSC Hurricanes Sting Texans D Feeters Solar-Chelsea FC Dallas Lonestar Challenge Texas Rush AHFC SOUTHEAST CONFERENCE Birmingham Utd Atlanta Fire Concorde Fire GSA CESA Charlotte SA Orlando City VSI W. Florida Flames MID-ATLANTIC CONFERENCE Carmel Ohio Elite OP Internationals Maryland Utd Bethesda FC Virginia McLean Rich Strikers VA Rush NC Fusion CASL NORTHEAST CONFERENCE Stars Scorpions CFC SoccerPlus Albertson East Meadow PDA Match-Fit World Class Penn Fusion FC Bucks Continental! PAGE 1
CONFERENCE COMPETITION In 2013-2014, there will be seven (7) conferences across the country. (The Mountain Conference has been eliminated, and teams from the Mountain Conference have been moved to different conferences). The structure of each conference is listed below. Southwest Conference (12 Clubs): Each team will play the other teams in the Southwest Conference home and away, for a total of 22 conference games. Mid- Atlan<c Conference (2 Divisions of 6 Clubs Each): Each team is assigned to a division of six (6) clubs. Each team will play the other teams in its division home and away for a total of ten (10) games. Each team will play the teams in the other division either home or away for a total of six (6) games. In total, each team will play 16 conference games. Midwest Conference (2 Divisions of 6 Clubs Each): Each team is assigned to a division of six (6) clubs. Each team will play the other teams in its division home and away for a total of ten (10) games. Each team will play the teams in the other division once, at intra- conference showcases of three (3) games each, for a total of six (6) games. In total, each team will play 16 conference games. Northeast Conference (2 Divisions of 6 Clubs Each): Each team is assigned to a division of six (6) clubs. Each team will play the other teams in its division home and away for a total of ten (10) games. Each team will play the teams in the other division either home or away for a total of six (6) games. In total, each team will play 16 conference games. Northwest Conference (2 Divisions; one of 6 Clubs and one of 4 Clubs): Each team is assigned to a division. Each team will play the other teams in its division home and away for a total of 6-10 games. Each team will play the teams in the other division either home or away for a total of 4-6 games. In total, each team will play 12-14 conference games. Southeast Conference (8 Clubs): Each team will play the other teams in the Southeast Conference home and away, for a total of 14 conference games. Texas Conference (10 Clubs): Each team will play the other teams in the Texas Conference home and away, for a total of 18 conference games.! PAGE 2
U15-U17 PLAYOFF QUALIFICATION Southwest Conference (12 Clubs): The top four (4) teams in the conference, based on conference games only (points- per- game), will automamcally qualify for the ECNL Champions League. The 5 th and 6 th place teams, based on conference games only, will be in contenmon for wildcards into the ECNL Champions League. Mid- Atlan<c Conference (2 Divisions of 6 Clubs Each): The top two (2) teams in each division, based on conference games only (points per game), will automamcally qualify for the ECNL Champions League. The next two (2) teams with the highest points (points per game) in the conference, based on conference games only and regardless of division, will be in contenmon for wildcards into the ECNL Champions League. Midwest Conference (2 Divisions of 6 Clubs Each): The top two (2) teams in each division, based on conference games only (points per game), will automamcally qualify for the ECNL Champions League. The next two (2) teams with the highest points in the conference (points per game) based on conference games only and regardless of division, will be in contenmon for wildcards into the ECNL Champions League. Northeast Conference (2 Divisions of 6 Clubs Each): The top two (2) teams in each division, based on conference games only (points per game), will automamcally qualify for the ECNL Champions League. The next two (2) teams with the highest points in the conference (points per game) based on conference games only and regardless of division, will be in contenmon for wildcards into the ECNL Champions League. Northwest Conference (2 Divisions; one of 6 Clubs and one of 4 Clubs): The top team in each division, based on conference games only (points per game), will automamcally qualify for the ECNL Champions League. The next team with the most points in conference compemmon (points per game), regardless of division, will also automamcally qualify for the ECNL Champions League. The next two (2) teams with the highest points in the conference (points per game), based on conference games only and regardless of division, will be in contenmon for wildcards into the ECNL Champions League. Southeast Conference (8 Clubs): The top two (2) teams in the conference, based on conference games only (points per game), will automamcally qualify for the ECNL Champions League. The 3 rd and 4 th place teams, based on conference games only (points per game), will be in contenmon for wildcards into the ECNL Champions League. Texas Conference (10 Clubs): The top three (3) teams in the conference, based on conference games only (points per game), will automamcally qualify for the ECNL Champions League. The 4 th and 5 th place teams, based on conference games only (points per game), will be in contenmon for wildcards into the ECNL Champions League. The ECNL Champions League will have 24 AutomaMc Qualifiers based solely on conference games as outlined above. AUer the AutomaMc Qualifiers are determined, an addimonal 14 teams will be placed into a wildcard pool based on their conference points and conference standings as outlined above. Once in the wildcard pool, these 14 teams will be ranked based on points- per- game from all games played including conference games and namonal event games (and for the U14 age group, the inter- conference events). The top eight (8) teams in the wildcard pool will qualify for the ECNL Champions League. The six (6) teams that are in the Champions League wildcard pool that do not qualify for the Champions League Playoffs will automamcally qualify for the North American Cup Playoffs. The next 26 teams based on points- per- game from all games played including conference games and namonal event games regardless of conference finish will qualify for the 32 team North American Cup Playoffs. The 12 teams in each U15- U17 age group that do not qualify for the Champions League or North American Cup will have their season end auer their last regular season conference game. PAGE 3
U15-U17 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PLAYOFFS All qualifying teams will be placed into one of eight (8) groups of four (4) teams each based on seeding. Seeding will be done through use of four (4) different seeding pods. The top pod will include the seven (7) conference champions, and the next AutomaMc Qualifier team with the highest points per game from conference games only. From the seven (7) conference champions, the team with the highest points- per- game (based on conference games only) will be placed in Group 1 as Seed 1 (the top overall seed). The team with the second highest points- per- game (based on conference games only) will be placed in Group 2 as seed 1. This process will conmnue for the seven (7) conference champions, with the eighth team from the top pod in Group 8 ). (Note: For conferences with two divisions and thus two division winners, the conference champion will be the team with the most points (points per game) between the two division winners. If the teams are Med on points (points per game), the Me- breakers to determine the conference champion will be: (i) head- to- head result (or if the teams played more than once, the team with the most points in head- to- head compemmon); (ii) goal difference; (iii) goals scored; and (iv) goals against. The remaining pods will be determined based on points- per- game of all games played. Teams ranked 9-16 based on points per game will be placed in pod 2, teams ranked 17-24 will be placed in pod 3, and teams ranked 25-32 will be placed in pod 4. Teams will be randomly drawn from each pod for each group. If a team is drawn into a group that already includes a team from their conference, the team will be placed back into the pod and a new team will be drawn. All teams from pod 2 will be Seed 2 in their groups, all teams from pod 3 will be Seed 3 in their groups, and all teams from pod 4 will be Seed 4 in their groups. Teams will play a 3- game round robin at the ECNL Play- Offs. The group winner of each group of four will advance to the ECNL Champions League Finals. The ECNL Play- Offs will occur over a four days as follows: Day 1: Game 1 (1 vs. 4, 2 vs. 3) Day 2: Game 2 (1 vs. 3, 2 vs. 4) Day 3: Rest Day 4: Game 3 (1 vs. 2, 3 vs. 4) U15-U17 NORTH AMERICAN CUP PLAYOFFS All qualifying teams will be placed into one of eight (8) groups of four (4) teams each based on seeding. Seeding will be done through use of four different seeding pods based on points- per- game of all games - including conference and namonal event compemmons. Teams will be drawn into groups in the same fashion as outlined above for the ECNL Champions league. Teams will play a 3- game round robin at the ECNL Play- Offs. The group winner of each group will advance to the ECNL North American Cup Finals. The ECNL Play- Offs will occur over four days as follows: Day 1: Game 1 (1 vs. 4, 2 vs. 3) Day 2: Game 2 (1 vs. 3, 2 vs. 4) Day 3: Rest Day 4: Game 3 (1 vs. 2, 3 vs. 4) PAGE 4
U15-U17 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINALS - CROWNING NATIONAL CHAMPION The winners from each of the eight (8) ECNL Champions League groups advance from the ECNL Play- off event in June to the ECNL NaMonal Finals in July 2014. The 8 qualifying teams will be randomly drawn into two groups of four (4). The draw process will be a double blind draw to determine groups and placement. These eight (8) teams will be placed into one pot, the second pot will contain four (4) spots for Group A and four (4) spots for Group B. Teams will play three group games over four days to determine the group winner - two (2) group games, a day off, and then the final group game. The top two teams from each group will advance to the ECNL Champions League NaMonal Championship, while all other teams will play in placement games on that day. Day 1: 1 vs. 4, 2 vs. 3 Day 2: 1 vs. 3, 2 vs. 4 Day 3: Rest Day 4: 1 vs. 2, 3 vs. 4 Day 5: Final/Placement U15-U17 NORTH AMERICAN CUP FINALS - CROWNING NA CUP WINNER The eight qualifying teams will be randomly drawn into two (2) groups of four in the same manner as outlined above for the ECNL Champions League. Teams will play 3- group games over four days to determine the group winner. The top two (2) teams from each group will advance to the North American Cup Championship while the others play in placement games. Day 1: 1 vs. 4, 2 vs. 3 Day 2: 1 vs. 3, 2 vs. 4 Day 3: Rest Day 4: 1 vs. 2, 3 vs. 4 Day 5: Final/Placement U15-U17 TIEBREAKERS Group Play: If two teams are Med within their group play, the Me- breaker will be as follows: 1. Total points earned in head- to- head game. If more than two teams are Med, this Me- breaker shall not apply. 2. Goal difference (based on group play) 3. Goals for (based on group play) 4. Goals against (based on group play) 5. Penalty Kicks (per FIFA Rules) Championship & Placement Games: If two teams are Med at the end of regulamon on Day 5. Championship Matches: In the event of a Me at the end of regulamon of Championship ECNL match on played on Day 5, two (2) ten- minute overmme periods shall be played. There will not be a golden goal in overmme. If the ECNL CompeMMon remains Med at the end of the overmme periods, the winner shall be determined by kicks from the mark. The winner shall then be the ECNL Team that scores the most in five (5) kicks from the mark. If the game remains Med auer five (5) kicks, the winner shall be determined by sudden death in rounds of one (1) kick per team. Placement Matches: In the event of a Me at the end of regulamon of any placement match on played on Day 5, there shall be no overmme, and the winner shall be determined by kicks from the mark. The winner shall then be the ECNL Team that scores the most in five (5) kicks from the mark. If the game remains Med auer five (5) kicks, the winner shall be determined by sudden death in rounds of one (1) kick per team. PAGE 5
U18 ECNL CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFICATION 16 teams will qualify for ECNL U18 Champions League as follows: 3 Conference Champions (Southwest, Southeast, Texas) based on conference games only (PPG) 8 Division Champions (Midwest, Mid- AtlanMc, Northwest, Northeast) based on conference games only (PPG) 2 Conference Finalists (Texas, Southwest) based on conference games only (PPG) 3 Wildcards selected from 7 possible teams based on points- per- game (PPG) from all games: 1. Top Divisional Finalist from the Midwest, Mid- AtlanMc, Northeast, and Northwest 2. Southeast Finalist 3. Southwest 3 rd Place and Texas 3 rd Place U18 ECNL CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFICATION All qualifying teams will be seeded into four groups of four (4) through the use of four seeding pods. Pod 1: Top 4 Conference or Divisional Champions based on PPG in all games played. Pod 2: Next 4 Conference or Divisional Champions based on PPG from all games played Pod 3: Next 4 teams based on PPG from all games played Pod 4: Next 4 teams based on PPG from all games played Teams will be drawn from each pod into groups using a similar process as the U15- U17 Champions League draw (teams from Pod 1 will be Seed 1 for the group they are drawn into, etc.). Teams that are drawn into a group that already includes a team from their conference will be placed back into the pod and re- drawn. The U18 ECNL NaMonal Champion will be determined at the ECNL Play- Offs through a 5- game group stage compemmon as follows: Day 1: Group Stage 1 Day 2: Group Stage 2 Day 3: Group Stage 3 Day 4: Rest/Built in Inclement Weather Day Day 5: Semi- Finals Day 6: Championship The 60 teams that do not qualify for the U18 Champions League Finals will have their season end auer their last regular season conference game. PAGE 6
U14 ECNL CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFICATION 16 teams will qualify for ECNL U14 Champions League as follows: 3 Conference Champions (Southwest, Southeast, Texas) based on conference games only (PPG) 8 Division Champions (Midwest, Mid- AtlanMc, Northwest, Northeast) based on conference games only (PPG) 2 Conference Finalists (Texas, Southwest) based on conference games only (PPG) 3 Wildcards selected from 7 possible teams based on points- per- game (PPG) from all games: 1. Top Divisional Finalist from the Midwest, Mid- AtlanMc, Northeast, and Northwest 2. Southeast Finalist 3. Southwest 3 rd Place and Texas 3 rd Place U14 ECNL CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFICATION All qualifying teams will be seeded into four groups of four (4) through the use of four seeding pods. Pod 1: Top 4 Conference or Divisional Champions based on PPG in all games played. Pod 2: Next 4 Conference or Divisional Champions based on PPG from all games played Pod 3: Next 4 teams based on PPG from all games played Pod 4: Next 4 teams based on PPG from all games played Teams will be drawn from each pod into groups using a similar process as the U15- U17 Champions League draw (teams from Pod 1 will be Seed 1 for the group they are drawn into, etc.). Teams that are drawn into a group that already includes a team from their conference will be placed back into the pod and re- drawn. The U14 ECNL NaMonal Champion will be determined at the ECNL Play- Offs through a 5- game group stage compemmon as follows: Day 1: Group Stage 1 Day 2: Group Stage 2 Day 3: Group Stage 3 Day 4: Rest/Built in Inclement Weather Day Day 5: Semi- Finals Day 6: Championship The 60 teams that do not qualify for the U14 Champions League Finals will have their season end auer their last regular season conference game. PAGE 7
U15-U17 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFICATION SUMMARY TABLE Conference Automa<c Wildcard Maximum Qualifiers Considera<on Berths Southwest 4 2 6 (50%) Mid- Atlan<c 4 2 6 (50%) Midwest 4 2 6 (50%) Northeast 4 2 6 (50%) Northwest 3 2 5 (50%) Southeast 2 2 4 (50%) Texas 3 2 5 (50%) Total 24 14 U18 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFICATION SUMMARY TABLE Wildcard Max Conference Automa<c Qualifiers Considera<on Berths Southwest Conf. Champion, Conf. Finalist (2) 3 rd place Conf. (1) 3 Mid- Atlan<c Division Champions (2) Top Div. Finalist (1) 3 Midwest Division Champions (2) Top Div. Finalist (1) 3 Northeast Division Champions (2) Top Div. Finalist (1) 3 Northwest Division Champions (2) Top Div. Finalist (1) 3 Southeast Conf. Champion (1) Conf. Finalist (1) 2 Texas Conf. Champion, Conf. Finalist (2) 3 rd place Conf. (1) 3 U14 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFICATION SUMMARY TABLE Wildcard Max Conference Automa<c Qualifiers Considera<on Berths Southwest Conf. Champion, Conf. Finalist (2) 3 rd place Conf. (1) 3 Mid- Atlan<c Division Champions (2) Top Div. Finalist (1) 3 Midwest Division Champions (2) Top Div. Finalist (1) 3 Northeast Division Champions (2) Top Div. Finalist (1) 3 Northwest Division Champions (2) Top Div. Finalist (1) 3 Southeast Conf. Champion (1) Conf. Finalist (1) 2 Texas Conf. Champion, Conf. Finalist (2) 3 rd place Conf. (1) 3 PAGE 8