McLean Youth Soccer & the Elite Clubs National League Program Information & Update April 2017
The mission of the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) is to change the landscape for elite female soccer players in the United States through innovative, player-centered programming and to enhance the overall experience by creating a better, more enjoyable, and more successful player, coach, and club development model. The ECNL was founded in 2009. McLean Youth Soccer became a proud member Club in 2011.
What is the ECNL? The Elite Clubs National League, Inc. (ECNL) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit member-based organization founded in 2009 to enhance the developmental experience of female youth soccer players in the United States through: Improving the competitive environment through creation of a true national competitive league with multiple flights; Improving the process for identifying elite female soccer players for the U.S. Soccer youth national teams through a systematic scouting and identification program based on national competitions; and Improving the daily training environment at top female youth soccer clubs through developing best practices and training and organizational guidelines for its member clubs.
Why ECNL? An ideal developmental environment on the field includes 3 basic pillars: High Level Coaching Elite Training Environment Top Competition McLean Youth Soccer believes the ECNL has become the leader in female youth development in the U.S. today. It provides the top female competition in the country and the best girls national league in history. The ECNL provides our players and coaches a unique platform to train and showcase elite level players, manage their soccer participation, and allow our coaches to experience an unrivaled coaching environment. - Clyde Watson, MYS ECNL & Technical Director
WHY ECNL? The ECNL has become part of the foundation of recruiting in college soccer. The level of competition is very good and offers a unique experience. It is clear that the ECNL is very committed to the development of the game and its players. - Mark Krikorian, Florida State Head Coach (2014 NCAA National Champions) I would like to take this opportunity to let the ECNL know publicly that they took up the gauntlet and improved the level of the girls game in this country and did an incredible job. So much so that U-17s have qualified, the U-20s as well, and the USA has won the Women s World Cup. -Anson Dorrance, North Carolina Head Coach, Former USWNT Coach You ve got the best players here, in the top league, in ECNL. -Greg Ryan, Michigan Head Coach, Former USWNT Coach
ECNL Development Principles Why ECNL? A player s daily soccer environment is critical for developing skills & habits The quality of the player s soccer experience is more important than the quantity The process of learning & teaching is directly related to the integrity of the match-trainings-match cycle A true development program focuses on individual development within a team environment Matches should be competitive and of a high standard to ensure that the game holds players accountable for their decisions and execution The player development philosophy must apply to all ages & levels
ECNL Player ID Program The ECNL Player ID Program is based on the following assumptions: Players should be scouted & evaluated in their regular playing environment There should be no additional cost to players for scouting and identification Players should be evaluated by multiple people over multiple events to ensure accurate evaluations Coaches are the best source of information regarding the overall ability, mentality, and current form of their players. The ECNL Player ID Program uses multiple sources of information to identify top players competing in the ECNL: Independent scouting at ECNL National Event Competitions All-Event Team nominations from ECNL coaches Recommendations by selected coaches within ECNL Member Clubs
MEET THE ECNL CLASS OF 2017 1,671 TOTAL MEMBERS IN THE ECNL CLASS OF 2017 1,409 COLLEGIATE SOCCER PLAYERS 1,059 NCAA DIVISION I (75%) 92 % WHO WILL PLAY SOCCER IN COLLEGE 350 NCAA DIVISION II, III or NAIA (25%)
The ECNL Mid-Atlantic Conference Mid-Atlantic Conference 1 - McLean YSA 2 - Braddock Road 3 - Richmond United 4 - NC Fusion 5 - Carolina Rapids 6 - CASL 7 - CESA 8 - South Carolina United McLean Youth Soccer plays every team in the newly realigned Mid-Atlantic Conference twice per season. Each season, approximately 3 bus trips (to NC and SC) are required.
ECNL Showcases By Age Group* U13 & U14 One showcase per year in Greer, SC U15 Two showcases per year: one in Sanford, FL and one in Zarephath, NJ U16 & U17 Three showcases per year: one in Sanford, FL, one in Phoenix, AZ, and one in Zarephath, NJ U19 All showcases are subject to change One showcase per year in Sanford, FL * Showcases listed do not include ECNL National Playoffs and Semifinals/Finals, should a team qualify for those events (U14-U19 only). ECNL teams may also compete in local tournaments such as CASL, Bethesda Premier Cup and Jefferson Cup.
ECNL Composite Events U16 & U19 These events are established to provide players with additional competition structures for mixed age group teams, teams competing in non-traditional seasons, and for other development purposes. As well, they allow for additional showcase opportunities for uncommitted players. Select number of Composite Events per season will: ü Provide each participating team three games ü Encourage players to play up against older competition ü Consist predominantly of mixed age-group teams ü Provide like vs. like competition based on the make-up of each team
Why McLean s ECNL Program? Signature Style of Play Elegant possession game Quick, confident combination play Intelligent problem solving Fitness, athleticism & passion Individual technique & creativity MYS s goal is to create the best developmental environment for aspiring players to fulfill their potential.
Why McLean s ECNL Program? Character, Commitment & Camaraderie Snow Soccer in Medina, OH In-flight naptime (somewhere over CO) Beautiful sunrise warmups in Columbus, OH Team dinner in Raleigh, NC Pregame meeting in Zionsville, IN, hotel lobby A warm welcome from our Indiana hotel!
Why McLean s ECNL Program? Newly Renovated Facilities & Strong Club Support Continued investment in professional staff (i.e., new GK Director) Multi-million $ investments in Lewinsville Park & Spring Hill turf fields Sound financial position, no debt all programs self-supporting Lewinsville Park has two full-sized, lighted synthetic turf fields. Spring Hill has three turf fields.
Why McLean s ECNL Program? Quality coaching is the foundation of our program MYS teams are professionally coached and trained by some of the most experienced and successful coaches in youth soccer ECNL Director is Clyde Watson, former professional & Guyana National Team player, VA/DC Soccer Hall of Fame, NSCAA Youth Girls National Coach of the Year (2007), VYSA & USYS Region I Girls Competitive Coach of the Year (2011) In 2015, MYS was #16 ECNL Club nationally (out of 79) the highest ranking achieved by any Mid-Atlantic Conference Club (n=12) 2017-18 ECNL Coaching Staff Team Head Coach Credentials U13 ( 05) Clyde Watson National Youth License, USSF B License, UEFA A License U14 ( 04) Diane Drake NSCAA Premier Badge, USSF A License, National Youth License U15 ( 03) Spencer Henderson National Youth License, NSCAA Advanced National Diploma U16 ( 02) Nadir Moumen USSF B License, NSCAA Regional Goalkeeping Diploma U17 ( 01) Brent Leiba USSF B License, NSCAA Advanced National Diploma U18/U19 Cindi Harkes USSF C License U18/U19 Nadir Moumen USSF B License, NSCAA Regional Goalkeeping Diploma
Why McLean s ECNL Program? Coaching Honors/Awards & Credentials Clyde Watson, ECNL Director, Girls Technical Director & Coach 2014 VA/DC Soccer Hall of Fame - Meritorious Service 2011 USYS Region I Girls Competitive Coach of the Year 2011 VYSA Virginia Girls Competitive Coach of the Year 2000-2010 Assistant Coach, Washington Freedom (WPS) 2007 NSCAA Youth Girls National Coach of the Year 2002 ACC 50 th Anniversary Team 1998 Boys Youth Virginia Coach of the Year 1979 First-Team All-Star, American Soccer League 1973-1976 All-ACC Team, Clemson University Cindi Harkes, U13-U18 Girls Age Group Director & Coach 2013 W.T. Woodson High School Hall of Fame 2008 VA/DC Soccer Hall of Fame - Player Brent Leiba, Head Coach 2014-16 SWAC Conference (NCAA Division 1) Coach of the Year 2011 Great West Conference (NCAA Division 1) Coach of The Year
Why McLean s ECNL Program? Club Achievements (Girls Program) Virginia State Cup Champions 2016 U19 2014 U17, U18 2012 U16 2010 U18 2009 U16, U18, U19 2008 U18 2007 U16, U17, U18 USYS Region I Championships 2016 U19 Champion 2015 U18 Finalist 2010 U16 Champion 2007 U16 Champion USYS National Championships 2016 U19 Finalist 2010 U16 Finalist 2007 U16 Champion ECNL National Championships 2012 U17 B-Flight Champion 2013 U23 East Coast Champion 2015 U18 Semi-Finalist CCL PRO23 Championships 2016 Champion
Why McLean s ECNL Program? One of the Top Area ECNL Clubs in Standings 2012: U17 B Flight - National Champions & Conference Champions 2013: U16 Conference Champions & Champions League U23 East Coast Champions 2014: U17 Conference Champions & Champions League U18 Conference Champions & Champions League 2015: U18 Conference Champions & National Semi-Finalists U15 & U17 Champions League 2016: U16 Champions League 2017: U16 Conference Champions & Champions League U17 Conference Champions & Champions League
Why McLean s ECNL Program? Track Record of College Placement Long history of successfully placing players in NCAA soccer programs MYS professional coaching staff has extensive experience & connections with college coaches Intimate knowledge of the recruiting process Not every player may wish to compete at the college level, but we try to prepare and assist those who do in finding the right program to continue their athletic careers.
THE MYS CLASS OF 2015 28 players committed to 19 different institutions: 96% to Division I schools; 11 (39%) to ACC schools and 4 (14%) to SEC schools ACC & SEC are among the most competitive conferences in the NCAA
Why McLean s ECNL Program? Track Record of College Placement & Performance Since 2008, MYS has sent 192 female players to NCAA soccer programs* Placement rate is approximately 95-97% for top MYS team in age group MYS players are consistently placed in top conferences: ACC (44 players), SEC (18 players), Ivy League (13 players) & Big Ten (9 players) MYS players have been recruited to a total of 91 DI and DIII universities & colleges in 27 different athletic conferences across 28 states MYS & NCAA College Cup Fun Facts ü 2013 - Former MYS players on all Final Four team rosters (UCLA, UVA, FSU & VT) in the NCAA Championship game! ü 2014 - Former MYS players on NCAA Finalist (UVA) ü 2015 - Former MYS players on both NCAA Champion (Penn State) & Finalist (Duke) ü 2016 Former MYS players on five of Sweet Sixteen teams and on one Final Four team (Georgetown) *Includes verbal commitments for players still in high school
192 McLean Players in 91 NCAA Programs Since 2008
Why McLean s ECNL Program? 2008-2017: NCAA Women s Soccer Programs with MYS Players* American Amherst (D3) Army West Point Boston College Bridgewater (D3) Brown Carnegie Mellon (D3) Central Christian College Central Florida Christopher Newport (D3) Clemson Colgate Colorado College Connecticut Cornell Dartmouth Delaware Duke East Carolina Elon Florida Florida Atlantic Florida State Fordham George Mason George Washington Georgetown Georgia Gettysburg College (D3) Hamilton (D3) Harvard High Point Hofstra Howard Indiana State Iowa James Madison Kentucky Lafayette Liberty Lipscomb Loyola College (MD) LSU Mary Washington (D3) Maryland Massachusetts Lowell Mercer Miami (FL) Middlebury (D3) MIT (D3) Navy North Carolina Chapel Hill North Carolina Charlotte North Carolina Greensboro NC State Ohio State Old Dominion Oregon Penn State Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Princeton Purdue Radford Richmond Rochester (D3) South Carolina South Florida SMU St. John s Stanford Stony Brook Tennessee Texas - San Antonio UCLA UMBC Utah State Vanderbilt Villanova Virginia Virginia Commonwealth Virginia Wesleyan (D3) Virginia Tech Wake Forest Washington & Lee (D3) Wesleyan (D3) Washington St. Louis (D3) West Virginia William & Mary Williams (D3) Wisconsin * Includes verbal commitments as of April 2017. In cases where players transferred after 1 st or 2 nd year, both schools are listed.
Why McLean s ECNL Program? Clare Constant (McLean ECNL Class of 2018), named to the Best 11 Team at the 2016 Nike National Training Camp, was selected through the ECNL Player ID Program.
Why McLean s ECNL Program? MYS National Team Players Jenna Richmond U15 U16 U17 U20 U23 US National Team Caroline Miller U16 U17 U20 US National Team Julia Roberts U16 U17 U20 US National Team Lina Granados U20 Full Colombia National Team Morgan Stearns U15 U17 U18 U20 US National Team Marlo Sweatman U20 Jamaica National Team, Captain Alex Wong U18 US National Team Camp Hanna Hannesdottir U17 U19 U20 Iceland National Team Andi Sullivan U15 U17 U18 U20 U23 US National Team, Captain Amber Stearns U14 U15 U18 US National Team Pool Madeline McCracken U17 U19 US National Team Pool Mia Hoen-Beck U17 US National Team Camps Katelyn Jensen U14 US National Team Pool Mia-Irene Gyau U14 U15 U16 U17 U18 U20 US National Team Claire Constant U14 U17 US National Team Camps Cayla White U14 US National Team Camp ECNL players on U.S. WNT rosters (as of 6/12): U14 WNT: 30 ECNL players out of 48 (63%) U15 WNT: 17 ECNL players out of 24 (71%) U17 WNT: 23 ECNL players out of 24 (96%) U18 WNT: 19 ECNL players out of 24 (79%)
Former MYS Players Who Went Pro Jenna Richmond FC Kansas City 2013-14 Caroline Miller Washington Spirit 2012-13, 2013-14 Julia Roberts Washington Spirit 2012-13 Molly Menchel ROA (Norway) 2014 Iga Kunoichi (Japan) 2015 FC Kansas City 2016* Kara Wilson Washington Spirit 2015 Speranza FC Osaka Takatsuki 2016 Didi Haracic Washington Spirit 2017 Katie Yensen GBK (Finland) 2016 Morön BK (Sweden) 2015 FC Lugano (Switzerland) 2015
Why McLean s ECNL Program? Club Achievements Individual Player Honors Gatorade State Players of the Year Tess Sapone 2016 (VA) Kristina Diana 2015 (VA) Maddie Kulik 2014 (DC) Emily Hester 2013 (DC) Kara Wilson 2012 (DC) Kara Wilson 2011 (DC) Jenna Richmond 2010 (VA) Jenna Richmond 2009 (VA) Caroline Miller 2009 (MD) High School Soccer All-American Game Lauren Harkes 2014 Hannah Natanson 2014 NSCAA All-America Teams Jenna Richmond 2007, 2008 Julia Roberts 2007, 2008 Mia Hoen-Beck 2013, 2014 Mia Gyau 2013, 2014, 2015 Caroline Kerns 2015 Kristina Diana 2015 NCAA DI National Champion Jenna Richmond 2013 UCLA NSCAA All-American Caroline Miller 2011, 2012 MAC Hermann Trophy Caroline Miller Finalist, 2012 ACC Offensive Player of the Year Caroline Miller 2012
ECNL Commitment Program is Designed for Elite Players Elite program requires an elite commitment Practice 3-4 times per week plus games & scrimmages on weekends Extensive travel is required, varies by age group, some bus trips Ten months per year participation, players are rostered for a year Career commitment : Former players often return voluntarily to train with McLean on college breaks and over the summers (U23 Team), enhancing their preparation for college competition
McLean s ECNL Program: Tryout Schedule for 2017-18 Season All tryouts held at Lewinsville Park in McLean, VA. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, May 2-4, 2017 Age Group Time 05, 04 5:00-6:30 pm 03, 02 6:45-8:15 pm 01, 00, 99 8:30-10:00 pm ü Players should try to attend all 3 tryout sessions in their age group ü Information about how to pre-register for tryouts (required) will be posted on www.mcleansoccer.org soon!
McLean s ECNL Program: Frequently Asked Questions Can an ECNL player play high school soccer? Yes. McLean allows its ECNL players to compete in high school soccer and many do so, earning All-Met recognition and All-Conference honors. However, players are not exempt from attending practices and they must discuss participation with their ECNL coach in advance. McLean s ECNL schedule is designed around the Virginia public high school soccer schedule (meaning most ECNL games are scheduled in the Fall & Winter) but the team practices year-round. What is the roster size for a McLean ECNL team? While the ECNL allows for 30 players on a roster, a typical McLean roster has between 17 and 22 players, depending on the age group. We do frequently roster players from our Green teams. Those players will occasionally practice and play with the ECNL team but their primary team is the Green team.
McLean s ECNL Program: Frequently Asked Questions What is the Girls Development Academy (DA)? Starting in Fall 2017 Year-round program, players not allowed to play high school soccer, other high school sports, ODP or guest in tournaments, 4 practices per week required Is McLean participating in the Girls DA? No
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