June 23, 2024, | Courtesy of www.theecnl.com
The ECNL Girls National Playoffs kicked off on Saturday from 60 Acres Soccer Park in Seattle, Washington. 348 teams from all around the country across the U13-U18/19 age groups will compete over the next week to crown the champions of a number of competitions, including the U18/19 National Champion. Teams will also be competing to determine the 40 teams from the U13-U17 age groups who will advance to the ECNL Girls Finals in Richmond in July.
Saturday’s action was highlighted by the Round of 16 in the U18/19 Champions League. SLSG Navy, who is looking to complete a historic three-peat at this age group, advanced into the quarterfinals by way of a 1-0 win over Legends FC. The win sets up a quarterfinal showdown with La Roca FC who advanced into the quarterfinals after picking up a 2-1 win over GSA on Saturday.
Concorde Fire Platinum picked up a 3-1 win over last year’s U18/19 National Champions, Slammers FC HB Køge, to advance into the quarterfinals, where they’ll take on LA Breakers FC, following their 3-0 win over Internationals SC.
On the other side of the bracket, MVLA advanced into the quarterfinals following a 3-1 win over Ohio Elite Soccer Academy, and will take on Portland Thorns, who needed to survive penalty kicks to advance past FC Stars Blue.
In the last quarterfinal matchup, Solar SC will take on San Diego Surf after advancing past Michigan Hawks and FC Dallas, respectively.
In addition to the U18/19 Champions League, group play got underway for both the U16 and U17 Champions League age groups. Defending National Champion, Solar SC’S G07 team, put in a strong showing in their opening game of group play in the U17 Champions League, picking up a 4-0 win over World Class FC. The second day of group play for both the U16 and U17 age groups will be held on Monday.
Outside of Champions League play, six additional Cup competitions also got underway on Saturday, with the North American Cup, Showcase Cup A, and Showcase Cup B opening play in the U16 and U17 age groups.
In the U17 North American Cup, Sporting Blue Valley advanced into the quarterfinals following a high scoring 4-3 win over LAFC So Cal, and will take on Ohio Premier in the quarterfinals, who survived a thrilling penalty kick shootout over PDA White. The U16 North American Cup also had its share of goals scored, highlighted by La Roca’s goal-filled 6-5 win over Mustang SC.
Quarterfinal action in the U17 Cup competitions will take place on Sunday, while the U16 teams will be back in action for their quarterfinal rounds on Monday.