Elite Academy League Vs. ECNL

There is a tug-war between the soccer giants—Elite Academy League vs. ECNL. Who wins this scramble as the best youth soccer league in the U.S.?

Choosing the right league to join as a youth player is crucial for development and can pave the way to better opportunities.

Recently, two prominent options with so much attention are Elite Academy League and Elite Clubs National League (ECNL). So how do both leagues compare?

In this article, we look at both leagues tackling their similarities and differences. Lace-up those boots and keep reading!

Elite Academy League vs. ECNL: An Overview

We have the specular Elite Academy League (EAL) on the left side of the field. Elite Academy league aims to create a top-rated regional league and run at minimal costs.

EAL works primarily on an exclusive invitation-only system. Hence, they have a competitive atmosphere since they pick only top soccer teams nationwide.

Also, Elite Academy League brags about owning the best players and teams. This confidence is due to its careful selection process of picking only the most desirable.

More so, they believe talent and grit are what make great players. Here, they push players to the extreme. The rightful strain, they believe, makes future soccer stars.

We have the premier Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) on the other side of the field. ECNL was originally for females but now accommodates male players.

It has made a name for itself as a top league in the country. ECNL dares to do things differently.

The league prides itself on encompassing several age groups and male and female soccer teams.

ECNL focuses on player development. They prioritize taking the diamond out of the rough, which includes training, top-rated coaching, and competition.

ECNL has a habit of making well-rounded soccer players ready to withstand the storms professional soccer might bring!

Now that we have a rough view of each league’s makeup. Let’s look at their differences.

Selection and Recruitment

EAL selects its desired teams by invitation only. This system involves players and teams meeting set criteria.

They are rigid with these requirements. After reaching the requirements, teams undergo a stringent process to get a place in the league.

Alternatively, ECNL selects clubs based on their players’ development and performance.

Their selection process is lax and less laborious than EAL’s. Moreover, they have the flexibility to accommodate more clubs, so they do so.

Competition Level

Elite Academy League is for elite soccer players aged 13 to 19. The league provides an opportunity to play various top teams across the board.

They provide a platform to face consistent top-rated competition.

EAL has seven conferences and over 50 elite clubs—the clubs in each conference battle for the top spot. In the end, there will be seven conference winners.

The seven teams automatically qualify for the national championship. The National championship gives these clubs exposure and appropriate competition.

They meet other clubs at conferences and national showcase events.

ECNL is a highly-competitive league for 13-18 years old players. They prioritize development, and healthy competition fosters it.

It has different regional conferences depending on the location. Each conference has 9 to 16 teams, which battle fiercely for the spot on the top of their table.

Also, a season has about 30 to 40 games, including three showcase events.

ECNL teams face a lot of competition to earn the title of ECNL National Champion, which is, by many, the highest prize in America’s youth soccer.

Geographical Reach

The Elite Academy League has a nationwide presence from clubs across many regions. At the same time, ECNL had a wider reach.

The league has multiple divisions and conferences all around the country.

ECNL’s space enables them to cater to a broader range of players from various regions. As a result, they can showcase more players nationwide!

For ECNL, here are the regions where the league has member clubs:

• Texas: The original division of ECNL!
• Southeast
• Midwest
• Mountain west
• Northeast
• Northwest
• Pacific

For the Elite Academy League, there are similar conferences. Here are the ones as of April 2023:

• Southwest
• Southwest Desert
• Southeast
• Northwest NorCal
• Northwest Pacific
• Midwest
• Mid America

Player Development

ECNL and EAL place emphasis on their player development. Many of them include effective regimes, quality coaching, and special physical training.

However, the ECNL takes a step further. The league invests more in players’ growth, prioritizing skills, character development, and sportsmanship.

Pathway to College and Exposure

One of the goals of joining a national league is to get exposure and set a clear route to college.

EAL and ECNL do beautiful jobs ensuring their players get the scholarships they need to continue their soccer careers.

Without a doubt, experience gives an edge. The premier ECNL has been able to grow its branches far and wide, getting more exposure than its counterparts.

Both leagues have outstanding track records of successful transitions, but ECNL has a better track record. Their influence on U.S. youth soccer is indisputable.

Costs and Fees

The discussion of EAL versus ESNL is incomplete without discussing both leagues’ fees and costs.

This inclusion gives a rounded idea of what both offer and whether they are worth the sacrifice.

First, we have the Elite Academy League. The fees and costs are often paid as a team. However, each player has specific contributions. The fees include the following:

• Bond Fee
• Annual Club Fee- Divided by 6 Teams
• League Fees
• Registration/Insurance
• Events- (2 Events Mandatory) (1 For U13 & U14)
• Home clubs handle the ref fees for home games.

The cost of each varies but is a rough amount of $2,000. Nonetheless, this fee doesn’t cover all expenses.

There are also travel costs. The exact cost of traveling is challenging to estimate but traveling costs a lot.

On the other hand, we have ECNL fees. They can be pretty costly. However, this is not a surprise with how highly regarded the league is.

The registration cost goes to about $2,500 per player. The cost comes from registration and training fees. Besides the registration fee, there are other costs.

These expenses include the uniforms and team expenses. The initial player fees include coaches, fields, lights, staff, equipment, and the Soccer Performance Program.

Note: Fees are likely to change. Also, they tend to vary across different regions.

Branding and Fanbase

EAL and ESNL have significant branding and fanbase. Regardless, ECNL has a more loyal fanbase.

Most of this can be pinned on the fact that they have been on the scene for longer.

Nonetheless, when the conversation of which is the prominent youth league is brought up, ECNL has its name mentioned more.

The visibility and exposure of the league are nationwide.

Conclusion

Only starting in 2020, Elite Academy League is new to youth soccer. However, the league has made major steps to be put side-by-side with leagues like ECNL.

They have made notable progress. On the other hand, we have the ECNL.

The Elite Clubs National League has been in the game longer and has built itself well into the system. The winner is evident when the topic of Elite Academy League vs. ECNL is brought up.

Regardless, who knows what ten years from now will hold! Overall, it still boils down to preference. Each league is remarkable.