Three FC Wisconsin teams headed south for some warm weather, soccer, and huge college exposure at the ECNL and ECNL RL Florida events from January 6-10, 2023.  

The U18 ECNL Regional League team got underway first, with a great experience in Sanford, FL at Seminole Soccer Complex. In just its second year this event is already attracting hundreds of college coaches, with more than 70 scouts personally checking out FC Wisconsin games over 3 days. 

FC WI faced tough match-ups with games against Prince William Courage (VA), as well as powerhouse ECNL clubs Charlotte Soccer Academy and Match Fit Academy (NJ).  A strong 2-2 against PWSI was the standout performance of the weekend, however the group showed great competitiveness and style in all games.  Despite tight losses against Charlotte and Match Fit, FC WI had good possession and pressed well to force turnovers frequently. The difference in outcome was mainly related to the more clinical finishing of their opponents. Lessons learned and a good time had by all. 

These were the last games for a number of players who have been part of the FC WI Regional League program since it began 2 years ago. We are thankful for their commitment to the club, and how they have shaped the program for future teams. We wish those players the best of luck!

A few days later, FC Wisconsin’s U16 and U17 ECNL Club Competition teams took the field at the beautiful Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch, FL.  Watch some of their great goals here!

The U16 team may reflect on starting games slowly after falling behind in each of their three games, they were able gain a footing and out-perform their opponents for spells of each game. They staged a great fight back for a tie against Kings Hammer (OH) on day 2 but the quality of FC Stars (MA) and Sting Austin (TX) was too much to overcome in those games, though the results were tight. Overall, it was a good event for the U16 team with lots of growth and learning, and of course a huge number of college coaches from all over the country watching the games. 

The U17 team started the event well, with a 2-1 win over a physical Beach FC (VA). After taking some time to adjust to being back outside and in 11v11 games again, their attacking quality began to show as they came from behind for a comfortable win, creating multiple chances in the process. Day 2 was a lot harder against a Tennessee SC team full of quality and speed. FC WI kept pace for most of the game and were level at half time, before fatigue set in during the second half.  Similar to teh U16s, difference in finishing was the difference in the result.  Day 3 produced a seven goal thriller against FC Pride (IN). In a back and forth game FCWI would eventually lose by a single goal, but both teams played with great style and energy and can be proud of their effort. 

Both the ECNL and ECNL RL events once again proved why they are regarded as the top showcases in the nation. The quality of the facilities, the event experience, and the level of play were second to none. Showing exactly why more than 600 college coaches were in attendance, with over 200 personally attending games involving the three FC Wisconsin teams directly. 

Next up the U15 team get their moment, joining the U16 and U17 ECNL Club Competition teams in Houston in February.

Schools that attended the U16 or U17 FC WI ECNL Club games: 

Air Force

Akron

Appalachian State

Arkansas State

Austin Peay

Ball State

Belmont

Bowling Green

Brescia

Bridgewater College

Brown

Bryn Mawr

Bucknell

Butler

Calvin

Campbell

Carleton

Carnegie Mellon

Central Michigan

Chattanooga

Citadel

Cleveland State

Colby

Colorado College

Colorado State

Columbia

Columbus State

Concordia Wisconsin

Covenant College

Creighton

Dayton

DBU - Dallas Baptist

Delaware State

Depaul

Drake

Eastern Kentucky

Eastern Michigan

ECU

Emmanuel (Boston)

Emory

Farmingdale State College

Ferris State

Florida Gulf Coast

Florida Southern

Furman (N. Carolina)

George Washingon

Georgia State

Gonzaga

Grand Valley State Univ.

HBU (Houston Baptist)

Hood College

Houston

Illinois State

Indiana St.

Iowa State

Jacksonville State

Kentucky

Liberty

Longwood

Louisianna

Loyola

LSU

Marian

Marquette

Mary Baldwin (VA)

Memphis

Mercer

Miami - Ohio

Middle Tennessee

Minnesota State

Modonna University

Montana

Morehead State

Murray State

N, Alabama

N. Arizona Unveristy

N. Dakota St.

New Hampshire

NIU - Northern Illinois

Northern Kentucky

NYU

Ohio

Ohio

Olivet University

Pacific

Penn

Piedmont

Queens University (Char.)

Rhode Island

Rice

Rollins

SAM University

Samford

Seattle University

Sienna College

SIU Edwardsville

Slippery Rock University

South Carolina

Spring Hill

St. John's

St. Thomas

Swarthmore

Syracuse

Tampa University

Temple

Tennessee Tech

Trine

UIC

UNC Greensboro

UNC Wilmington

Univ. of Mary Washington

University of C. Arkansas

University of Chicago

University of N. Georgia

Unviersity of Cumberlands

USA Soccer

Utah

UW Green Bay

Valporaiso

Virginia Tech

VMI

W. Florida

W. Kentucky

Washington College

William & Mary

Wisconsin

Wofford

Wright State

Xavier

Schools that attended the FC WI ECNL Regional League Games: 

Akron University

Allegheny College

Austin Peay

Ave Maria University

Baldwin Wallace

Belmont Abbey

Berry College

Brewton-Parker College

Calvin University

Carolina University

Centenary University

Clarke Pride

Delware State University

Delta State University

D'Youville Saints

Emmanuel College

Farmingdale State University

Florida Southern College

Greensboro College

Huntingdon University

Lander University

Lenoir-Rhyne University

Letourneau University

Maine Maritime Academy

Marian University

Mary Baldwin University

McDaniel College

Mercyhurst University

Methodist University

Millsaps College

North Carolina Wesleyan University

North Greenville University

Northern Illinois University

Olivet College

Piedmont University

Presbyterian College

Reinhardt University

Rivier University

Rollins College

Salem College

Schreiner University

Sewanee University

Shanadoa University

Southeastern Louisiana University

St. Thomas Aquinas College

University of Dayton

University of St. Thomas

University of West Alabama

University of Southern Indiana

Univerity of Tampa

Valdosta State University

Washington & Jefferson College

Washington College

Wittenburg University