MILWAUKEE, Wis. – From nearly 60 clubs that applied for membership, the ECNL Board of Directors recommended 12 new clubs for membership in the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL). The ECNL member clubs approved these recommendations, increasing the number of member clubs to 52 for the 2010-11 season.

The clubs granted membership for the 2010-11 season are:

Carmel United (Ind.)
DeAnza Force (Calif.)
FC Bucks (Pa.)
KCFC (Kan.)
Michigan Hawks
Real So Cal (Calif.)   San Diego Surf (Calif.)
Scorpions SC (Mass.)
Slammers FC (Calif.)
Utah Avalanche
Vardar (Mich.)
Washington Premier F.C.

This is the first year of expansion of the ECNL.  Expansion of the ECNL is a two-year process that will carefully and gradually establish the membership necessary to create regional and national competition in a 25- to 30-game schedule.  Significant additional expansion is expected for the 2011-12 season.

“There were many very good clubs that applied for membership that were not accepted this year,” said ECNL President Christian Lavers. “Several of these clubs will almost certainly be a part of the ECNL in the near future, and many more may be a part of the long-term future of the ECNL.  Likewise, we expect that other new clubs will emerge in the coming years that will continue to raise the level of the league.”

The new clubs are extremely excited for the 2010-11 ECNL season:

 “The Michigan Hawks Soccer Club is thrilled to be among the clubs invited to join this league and is looking forward to the challenge of competing against the nation's best. The Michigan Hawks Soccer Club has a proven record of developing elite female soccer players. The ECNL will provide our players with a national stage to showcase their ability and prepare them to transition seamlessly into the college ranks.”
--Brian Doyle, Michigan Hawks Soccer Club Director of Coaching

“The primary reason in joining the ECNL is the quality of the events and the clubs that are in the ECNL. We are really excited for our teams to play in the ECNL-scheduled events and have our teams compete against the best teams in the country. I always believed to be the best you have to play the best.”
--Walid Khoury, Slammers FC Director of Coaching

Acceptance decisions were based on the overall performance level of the clubs, as determined by the following factors: 1) long-term club history in female soccer, 2) long-term history in development of female soccer players, 3) club leadership and management structure and 4) geographical considerations.

“We are all very excited about the new member clubs that will join us next year,” said ECNL Vice President Doug Bracken. “We look forward to continuing to make the ECNL the best league for elite youth girls that this country has to offer. It is certain that these new member clubs will only enhance the overall experience for all of our players, and that they will help the ECNL to continue leading change, growth and development in female youth soccer.”

An announcement relating to the 2010-11 ECNL regular-season events will be made in late March.