As the landscape of youth soccer is continually evolving and with the existence of various options, it is the job of the Club to do its part in determining what is best for this Club in the continued effort to provide an environment that is best for player development and the enjoyment of the game.

While the needs and desires vary from club to club, the Colorado Rapids feel that the girls ECNL program provides our players with high-level competition, and showcase events, that allow our female players the opportunity of developing into collegiate athletes, playing for our national teams, and to play at the professional level. In 2017 there were 4,078 ECNL alums on Division I college rosters, as well as 60 alums playing in the NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League). Each player on our girls 00/01G ECNL team has committed to a Division I programs.

The Club strongly believes that it is not only about the league that we participate in, but what the day to day environment looks like. We feel we have made strides in developing a culture and a way that is conducive to the furthered development of our players. The girls ECNL is the platform that we feel best helps us in providing our female players the tools to achieve their goals.

Current benefits to the girls ECNL program includes the option to play high school soccer and the flexibility of the substitution rules. While high school soccer may, or may not, be the best option for player development, we currently feel that players should have the option to choose. For those players that do not want to play high school soccer, we aim to provide a 10-month elite training option in the near future. In the Development Academy, there is no re-entry allowed after a substitution and are limited to 3 moments in which substitutions can be made. This format can make it difficult to provide consistent playing time from game to game and could have an effect on college exposure. To be seen, you need to play.

I want to reiterate that it is not the league that determines where players end up, but the quality of the day to day environment. We have the staff, resources, and innovation to help our players achieve success at every level of soccer. As soccer has changed so much over the years and will continue to do so, it is vital that we continuously evaluate and research all options in order to make decisions that are best for our players.

If you have any questions about the Rapids ECNL girls program, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Andrew Kummer, the Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club Technical Director of Elite Programming at [email protected]

If you have any questions about ECNL announcements and assignments, please contact Technical Director of Elite Programming, Andrew Kummer, at [email protected] for more information.