We are very proud to announce Tennessee United Boys have been promoted to the ECNL after just one season in the ECNL RL. This is a tremendous achievement that only a handful of clubs can claim, but more importantly it is a significant step in achieving TUSC’s goal: ECNL as part of the player pathway for both boys and girls to provide top level competition, events, and exposure.
“I am incredibly excited for our Boys Program as a whole and deeply grateful for the opportunity to be part of ECNL beginning with the 26/27 season,” said Nduka Kemjika, ECNL Boys Director. “The growth and development of these boys has been evident across all age groups, from U13 to U19—and even within the younger teams coming through. We’ve made tremendous progress, climbing from NPL to ECNL in just three seasons—an almost unprecedented journey. This is a remarkable achievement for our players, coaches, families, and the broader community who have trusted the process. We look forward to continuing the hard work as we take the next step in our development within ECNL.”
TUSC Director of Strategic Initiatives, Colin Chesters shared, “I’m so happy for everyone involved. This is a giant step for the club and is well deserved. Everyone at TUSC from players, parents, board members, administration, directors and coaches all doing all they can to the best of their ability to push the club forward. It’s working and is a pleasure to be a part of.”
Team specific and player level details will be released in the coming weeks. Below is an excerpt from the official ECNL Press Release announcing our promotion.
Let’s go, United!
ECNL BOYS PROMOTIONS BEGIN WITH TWO ECNL REGIONAL LEAGUE CLUBS
–Coastal Rush, Tennessee United: showcase club pathway–
RICHMOND, Va. (March 11, 2026) – The ECNL Boys is proud to announce a pair of clubs have been promoted from the ECNL Regional League Boys to ECNL Boys for the 2026-27 season in the initial round of membership promotions. Coastal Rush and Tennessee United will both join the Mid-America Conference next season off the heels of stellar play within the ECNL Regional League.
“Coastal Rush and Tennessee United have shown tremendous performances in the ECNL Regional League Boys, and we are extremely excited to welcome both of these clubs into the ECNL Boys next season,” said ECNL Boys Commissioner Jason Kutney. “These two promotions are just the most recent of many examples over the last several years of the ECNL Regional League being a proving ground, where clubs show they can compete at a high level, and are rewarded for it. Pathways are earned and proven, and Coastal Rush and Tennessee United are great examples of that.”
Coastal Rush joined the ECNL Regional League Boys for the 2025-26 season in the newly-formed ECNL Regional League – Gulf Coast, following a season in ECNL Regional League – Florida, where the club’s U15 team earned a berth in the ECNL Regional League Boys Finals. This year, its U14, U15, and U16 are all at the top of the table, with the U13 and U17 squads also in position to qualify for the ECNL Regional League Playoffs – Southeast. Four of the club’s six teams have yet to suffer a loss this season, and with a combined 37-6-3 record, Coastal Rush is poised to immediately compete in the ECNL Boys Mid-America Conference.
Tennessee United also joined the ECNL Regional League Boys in the 2025-26 season, entering the ECNL Regional League – Mid-America. Five of their six age groups are in first place (U13, U14, U15, U16 and U18/19) and overall, the club has a combined record of 53-4-6 this season. The club will send nearly all of its teams to the ECNL Regional League Playoffs – Southeast, with the goal of reaching the ECNL Regional League Boys Finals.
Tennessee United SC
League: ECNL Boys
Location: Hendersonville and Goodlettsville, TN
Founded: 2004
Tennessee United SC is dedicated to fostering an environment that encourages individual confidence and team success by providing players the opportunity to enhance their personal development through the game of soccer. The long-term goal is to produce both quality players and people who can use soccer as a stepping stone for high school play, college admission, and life in general. Through this philosophy, Tennessee United SC has won multiple ECNL RL regular season championships, multiple state championships and regional qualifiers, and the 2022 U19 NPL National Championship.
“We are honored for the ECNL to recognize TUSC’s success and potential by granting the boys program membership,” said Executive Director Jonathan Wayland. “This is a testament to the hard work of our players, families, coaches, and administrative team. The quality, exposure, and professional environment of the ECNL will provide even more pathway opportunities for our players to move onto levels past their youth careers. We look forward to the possibilities and accept the challenge of being among the best clubs in the nation.”
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About the ECNL:
The ECNL is the nation’s leading youth soccer development platform for America’s top soccer players. The ECNL mission to provide the best youth sports experience in the world drives constant innovations in competitions and experiences for players, parents, families, coaches, referees, and partners. The ECNL has questioned convention and challenged the status quo of youth sport since 2009, pushing boundaries and striving for unmatched excellence. Together with its clubs and club leaders, the ECNL creates unforgettable memories and supports the development of youth players into college stars, professionals, world champions, and leaders.
www.TheECNL.com
ECNL FB: @TheECNL | ECNL IG: @TheECNL | ECNL X: @TheECNL
Official Press Release: https://theecnl.com/news/2026/3/11/ecnl-boys-ecnl-boys-promotions-begin-with-two-ecnl-regional-league-clubs.aspx
Tennessee United Soccer Club is proud to be a member club of the Girls ECNL Regional League for our U13-U18/U19 age groups. This is the result of the growing success of our club and long term commitment to player development platforms and leagues that provide a regional and national footprint for our players.
TUSC is a part of the ECNL Regional League – Mid America Conference.
The ECNL was founded in 2009 by forward-thinking Directors of Coaching across the country who saw a need for change in and special commitment to improving the daily environment for American elite female youth soccer players. These Directors came together and collaborated to build what would become the top female youth development platform in the world. The grassroots leadership and cooperation were unprecedented in American youth soccer, and the ECNL continues to be the most progressive and innovative development platform in the country while also being the home for the very best youth players in the United States.
ECNL RL is a regional youth soccer league for boys and girls, first piloted in 2018 and then expanded, which is managed and operated by the ECNL.
The biggest difference between ECNL and ECNL-RL is that the ECNL-RL is limited to playing teams in their region, whereas ECNL teams play nationally. When making the decision between the two leagues, one needs to consider the athlete’s talent, commitment, preferences, mobility, and long-term soccer goals. ECNL is the first-tier league and considered to be the more competitive league within the national pyramid. ECNL-RL is just a step below allowing the league focus and match appropriate developmental opportunities. ECNL-RL is basically an extension under the umbrella and oversight of the ECNL as a preparation or breeding ground for clubs and players seeking and aspiring for the top ECNL level.
It is a requirement that all clubs must register their top team in each age group from U13-U19. For the 2025/2026 year, the following Boys and Girls teams will be ECNL RL:
TUSC 2013 – U13
TUSC 2012 – U14
TUSC 2011 – U15
TUSC 2010 – U16
TUSC 2009 – U17
TUSC 2008 – U18
TUSC 2007 – U19
TUSC will be in the ECNL Regional League – Mid America South Division. The clubs in this division are:
GIRLS:
BOYS:
Travel distance will be similar to current Tennessee State League and/or USYS MidSouth Conference travel, with the addition of travel to some regional locations. There will also be the potential of more nationally based travel events and this will be based on standings and results during the regular ECNL-RL season. TUSC will play each of the other clubs in the Mid America Conference South Division twice – one home and one away during the year.
For our top teams in each age group (U13-U18/19), most likely not, but it is to be further assessed. Although there are no rules prohibiting ECNL-RL teams from doing so, the schedule demands and commitment make participation within the USYS pathway (State League, MidSouth, Regional Championships and National Championships) difficult. However, as a club we will be evaluating the feasibility of a hybrid approach for our ECNL-RL U13 and U14 teams.
For our ECNL-RL high school age teams (U15-U18/19), potentially not playing a state league schedule, can release weekends creating scheduling flexibility and opportunities to consider College Showcases as a viable supplement of highly competitive games and additional exposure to collegiate coaches.
Note: Our HS age 2nd teams, will most likely take advantage of state league participation and will supplement scheduling and number of games with additional local and/or regional based tournaments including collegiate showcases as well when appropriate.
Players in the ECNL RL can expect to pay similar types of fees to that of other TUSC teams: registration, league fees, tournament fees, travel expenses, uniform costs, coaching fees, and other miscellaneous expenses. The ECNL-RL is generally considered to be a more expensive option compared to state-level leagues, as it offers a higher level of competition/resources and requires more travel. 2025/2026 fees will be published in late-April / early-May. You can get an idea of what fees are involved on the Fee Structure page.
The season duration will be similar to current competitive travel soccer seasons (fall and spring) for our U13 and U14 teams (10 months). Our high school age girls teams will come together at the end of their HS season (early November) for a late Fall / early Winter season followed by a full Spring soccer season. The boys teams will compete from August through mid-January. Depending on qualifications, there are playoffs in June/July.
Coaching assignments for TUSC ECNL-RL teams will be available under 2025/2026 Staff. They will be highly qualified, committed, and licensed coaches. TUSC’s ECNL-RL program will be led by TUSC U11-U19 Girls Director Megan George. Additional support will be provided by assistant coaches, speed/agility trainers, and goalkeeper coaches.
The ECNL Regional Leagues offer a pathway to an ECNL Regional League post-season, featuring two stages: The ECNL Regional Championship Series to qualify into the ECNL Regional League Finals along with additional automatic qualifiers from ECNL Regional Leagues, which are held in conjunction with the ECNL post-season top tier.
Yes, in the 2024/2025 year there were 4-5 national events offered. Each event is a three-day tournament with one game per day. The number of events ECNL-RL teams will participate in will be assessed and determined as we approach the 2025/2026 year.
While we support players participating in other sports and their benefits, the expectation is that ECNL-RL players prioritize club soccer over other sports when there are conflicts. A diminished level of commitment does have consequences and ulterior effects on team chemistry and other dynamics. All elements that each team coach manages and takes into consideration on final decisions which are to be communicated to each player.
ECNL-RL tryouts will be held in conjunction with regular TUSC club tryouts. These will take place after the end of the Tennessee State Cup tournament in late May – early June.
Yes. ECNL rules allow our players to participate in non-ECNL events, providing maximum college exposure and development opportunities for Challenge players.
The training schedule will consist of a minimum of 3 practice days per week with the potential of an additional 4th session per week.
The ECNL commitment the same as the age group’s normal travel team commitment. Breaks will be scheduled around the competition schedule to permit appropriate rest and recovery for all players. U15-U19 ECNL-RL teams are expected to have a “staggered” commitment taking into account participation in High School soccer.
The ECNL-RL will expose the players to more collegiately attended showcase and playoffs events where exposure to college coaches will be visible.
Of course! We will still have skill and commitment appropriate teams that also compete in the USYS TSSA State League, tournaments, friendlies, and college showcases depending on the level and interest of the team to offer a full soccer experience and growth / development opportunities.
Parents are encouraged to learn more about the Girls ECNL-RL at the ECNL website:
GIRLS: https://theecnl.com/sports/ECNL-RL-girls.
BOYS: https://theecnl.com/sports/ecnlrlb
Families may also contact TUSC Director of Soccer Eddie Carvacho at eddiecarvacho@tnunitedsc.com
