ECNL Regional League (Boys)

What is the ECNL Regional League?

The ECNL Regional League is a national league system operating under the Elite Clubs National League. Designed to foster player development and provide a competitive platform, the ECNL-RL offers a crucial pathway to the ECNL.

MTA and the ECNL Regional League

All Minnesota Thunder Academy’s Boys’ teams will compete in the ECNL-RL Midwest, facing off against the second teams of ECNL Midwest member clubs, and either ECNL-RL Twin Cities or Minnesota NPL, determined by team performance in the previous season.

Locally, the ECNL- RL Twin Cities will replace the Minnesota NPL Super bracket for all qualified teams. Both ECNL-RL Midwest and ECNL-RL Twin Cities present an opportunity for deserving teams to advance to the ECNL Regional League postseason.

Benefits

More postseason opportunities via ECNL-RL and NPL
Better opportunities for college scout exposure through ECNL-RL showcase events
Appropriately challenging competition both locally and regionally

TEAM

Training

Fees

Events

League

Team

ECNL-RL Twin Cities teams will be dependent on the standings this summer. We will update our teams as soon as we know them, but expect to have half of the teams play ECNL-RL Twin Cities and half play NPL. All 6 teams (U13-U18/19) will play in ECNL-RL Midwest conference regardless of their local status.

Training

Training Frequency: average 3-4 contacts per week.

Training Locations: Academy of Holy Angels (Richfield) and MTA Winter Park Training Facility (Eden Prairie)

All ECNL-RL players are strongly encouraged to sign up for Performance Training with Training HAUS, powered by Twin Cities Orthopedics. MTA players are offered discounted registration, and can train with TrainingHAUS before or after team training at our Winter Park facility.

Fees

Please see the Boys Team Expectations page under the Tryouts menu for current season information.

Uniforms, team events, tournament registration fees, coach travel and personal travel expenses are not included in player fees.

National Events

MTA Boys ECNL-RL teams will typically participate in 1-2 ECNL-RL national events per year in addition to ECNL Midwest Conference league play and ECNL post-season play (if the team qualifies).

Boys ECNL-RL national events are typically held in November, December, January, April, and May. The national and showcase events we will be participating in are to be determined currently.

The Boys ECNL-RL post-season includes the National Playoffs.

League

Boys ECNL-RL Midwest 6* clubs spanning 4 states.
*1-2 Clubs still pending

Chicago Magic	Chicago IL
Rockford Raptors FC	Rockford IL
Indiana Elite FC	Crown Point IN
FC Wisconsin	Milwaukee WI
St Croix SC	Stillwater MN
Minnesota Thunder Academy	Richfield MN

WE ARE THUNDER

Learn more about Minnesota Thunder Academy

MTA Camps and Events take place throughout the year

Camps Events

The ECNL Parent Experience

” I cannot say enough about how much I appreciate the MTA program. As a father of a player who is working towards playing collegiate soccer, I wanted to give him the best opportunity to get first be coached by the best coaches in MN and secondly get some national exposure through ECNL. I believe that he has gotten both. I cannot say enough about Mark Yueill, who is not just a great tactician, but has also showing the value of attitude and hard work.”
Don R. – MTA Parent

” There is no doubt that Joe made his biggest improvements as a soccer player while at MTA. He was taught tactical as well as technical things that have served him increasingly well as he developed. Perhaps more importantly, his coach Mark Yuiell placed an equal importance on being a good team mate, respecting the officials and your opponents and being dedicated to your team. This is often overlooked, but character development was a central tenet of Joe’s education at MTA and we are thankful for the balance Mark demanded. ”

Matthew H. – MTA Parent

” My daughter has not only improved her skills since being part of the MTA program, she has gained confidence and I cannot express how amazing it is to see her comfortable in an environment with her teammates, coaches and friends and free of anxiety and worries. It is truly a safe space for her and has been an incredible blessing to see her excited, happy and excelling. .”

Amanda Jane F. – MTA Parent

” If you want to play college ball, especially outside of the midwest then MTA would be a great option”

Anny C. – MTA Parent

” The costs are up front, but you know what you are getting and have consistently high-quality facilities to train in, strong coaches available when training is to happen and focused on players’ success and expectation that post-club play is what all players want.”

Michelle G. – MTA Parent

” The chemistry on my son’s team is unlike anything we’ve ever experienced and we feel much of that is due to the example set by the coaches and club directors. We didn’t know this kind of youth soccer existed in Minnesota and only wish we’d made the move earlier.“

Ashley B. – MTA Parent