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U13–U19 · July Tryouts

Boys ECNL

Play locally. Get noticed nationally.

MTA fields a Boys ECNL team at every age in the league, U13 through U18/19. Teams compete in the ECNL Midwest Conference and at national events in front of college coaches from across the country.

  • U13–U18/19
  • Boys
  • Pre-ECNL at U11–U12
Get Tryout UpdatesSee Teams & Costs
MTA Boys ECNL player on the ball
Every AgeA Boys ECNL team at U13 through U18/19
AgesU13–U18/19Plus U11–U12 Pre-ECNL
Training3–4x per weekYear-round
SeasonAug–JulyU15+ Nov–July
WhereRichfield & Eden PrairieHoly Angels · Winter Park
Player FeeSee belowSee live costs below
How to JoinJuly Tryouts2027–28 season
2027–28 Tryouts: Coming July 2027Multiple dates in July. Join the MTA Nation newsletter to get dates the moment they’re announced.Get Tryout Updates
The MTA Pathway

The top of the boys pathway.

Boys move from Juniors (with Pre-ECNL teams at U11 and U12) into ECNL, ECNL-RL or N1 at U13, based on tryouts.

Ages 2–4Thunder SparksParent and childU5–U7ThunderBoltsYear-round, join any seasonU8–U12JuniorsTCSL teams, July tryouts
U13–U19N1 · ECNL-RL · ECNLPlus Thunder Girls Regional
Why Boys ECNL

A national stage for Minnesota boys.

College Exposure

ECNL regional and national events draw hundreds of college coaches. On this stage, the college scouts can’t miss you.

Meaningful Games

Strong regional and national competition every weekend, with a national playoff structure.

Play High School, Too

U15 and older teams play November through July, so players can compete for their high school in the fall.

Strength & Performance

U13–U14 ECNL players get TrainingHAUS performance training included in their fees.

Teams & Costs

2026–2027 MTA Boys ECNL Teams

Coaches, training days, fees and season plans for each team. Know the number before tryouts. Pre-ECNL teams at U11 and U12 are part of the Juniors program.

MTA Player Fee—Billed by MTA in Byga. Payment plans available.
Est. Team Fees—Tournaments, showcases and team events, paid through each team's Snap!Spend account. Plus personal travel.
Typical Year (Estimate)—Player fee plus estimated team fees, before uniforms and personal travel.
Loading teams…

Coaches, levels and season plans are set by the program directors and can change after tryouts. Team fees are estimates.

League & Events

What an ECNL season looks like.

ECNL Midwest Conference

8 clubs across Minnesota, Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana. Conference play runs September–June for U13–U14 and late October–June for U15+.

  • Chicago Magic
  • Eclipse Select SC
  • FC Pride
  • FC Wisconsin
  • Indiana Elite FC
  • Minnesota Thunder Academy
  • Rockford Raptors FC
  • St Croix SC

National Events

Teams play 1–4 ECNL National Events a year, typically November through May, in places like Texas, Florida, Arizona, South Carolina and Virginia.

Postseason

Top teams from each conference qualify for the ECNL National Playoffs and National Finals.

Program Leadership

Led by people who have been there.

Mark Yueill
Boys Director

Mark Yueill

USSF B License

Mark leads MTA’s boys program from Juniors through ECNL, with a focus on technical detail, attitude and hard work.

See All Coaches →
“I wanted to give him the best opportunity to be coached by the best coaches in MN and get some national exposure through ECNL. I believe that he has gotten both.”Don R., MTA Parent
FAQ

Questions families ask.

When are tryouts?
Tryouts for the 2027–28 season will be held on multiple dates in July 2027. Dates aren’t set yet. Join the MTA Nation newsletter to hear the moment they’re announced.
Are there early ECNL tryouts?
No. All Minnesota tryouts follow TCSL’s universal tryout window. Our Boys Tryout Prep Camp and ECNL Pre-Tryout Clinic are the best way to get ready.
How often do ECNL teams travel?
Depending on age, teams have 1–4 National Events and several away conference weekends, plus possible showcases and playoffs. Each team’s season plan is in the team list above.
Can my player play high school soccer?
Yes. U15 and older ECNL teams start in late October or November, after the high school season.
Which age group is my player in?
Teams are now formed by school year (August 1 – July 31 birthdates), so most players play with their grade. Find your player on the Age Groups & Grade Alignment page. Players with August or September birthdays can apply to play with their grade.
What do player fees cover?
Player fees cover league and home referee fees, indoor and outdoor fields, coach salaries and education, goalkeeper training, and club operations. Tournaments, showcases, uniforms and personal travel are separate. Full details are on Teams, Costs & Expectations.
Join the Thunder

If you have the skills to play with anyone, don’t just play with anyone.

Tryouts for 2027–28 are coming in July. Get the dates first, and see how to prepare.

Get Tryout UpdatesTryouts Overview