The Boys ECNL is made up of 90 member clubs. The purpose of this league is to support, and give clubs, full freedom in the development of some of their elite level players. It is a collaborative club-based development program that features competition, player identification, and coaching and club development platforms. The Rapids Youth Soccer Club is a part of the Mountain Conference, which is comprised of five other clubs.

The CRYSC Boys ECNL offers placement for 13U, 14U, 15U, 16U, 17U, and 18U/19U. ECNL placement involves both regular season conference games and cross-conference events, with qualifying teams advancing to post-season playoffs. Rapids Boys elite programming offers player identification, training and development opportunities for top players within each conference and coaching development programs.

Boys are welcome to participate in fall high school soccer, as ECNL conference competition typically takes place outside the high school season. Boys are welcome to participate in fall high school sports, as scheduling is done to avoid conflicts with high school soccer

Training will occur a minimum of 3 times per week. Travel is required for one trip to New Mexico and one trip to Utah. Travel is required for National Event competition. Qualifying teams will also attend the National Playoff Event in June and National Playoff League Finals in July.

The selection process for the CRYSC Boys ECNL teams is an ongoing process, but invite only. The coaching staff will select a full-time roster at the end of May for the 13U-15U age groups and at the beginning of August for the 16U-19U age groups. Certain players may be added as part-time players throughout the course of the season. Part-time players are allowed to play a certain number of games with the assigned ECNL team, and are allowed to train with them when their CRYSC team does not have training. We are constantly evaluating current CRYSC players in order to fulfill our promise in the player pathway.

Preseason Event (13U & 14U Players Only)

  • When: Pre-Season events generally take place in early August
  • Who: All rostered CRYSC 13U & 14U Boys ECNL players

Season Overview

  • Training: 3x per week
  • High School Boys (15U-19U) ECNL Kickarounds in June/July
  • 13U-14U Kickarounds in April/May
  • CSA League Games: Early March-May (U13/U14 no longer play CSA games in the Fall)
  • ECNL League Games: Early January through March

Tournaments/Events

  • Arsenal Cup (13U & 14U only): August
  • ECNL National Events: All events are out of state, teams will attend 1-3 ECNL National Events per season depending on age group
  • National Event Requirements:
    • 13U & 14U: Optional
    • 15U: 1 Mandatory National Event
    • 16U & 17U: 2 Mandatory National Events
    • 18U/19U: 1 Mandatory National Even

For regular season and playoffs, players and families should expect:

  • 13U-14U: About 12 travel games per year (6 Away Conference games, 3 Showcase, and 3 Playoff games)
  • 15U-19U: About 15 travel games per year (6 Away Conference games, 6 Showcase, and 3 National Playoff games)

For travel events such as tournaments, players and families should expect:

  • 13U-14U: 2 Travel Events Per Year (1 Showcase / 1 National Playoff Final)
  • 15U-19U – 3-4 Travel Events Per Year (2-3 Showcase + 1 National Playoff)

Travel expenses for events can range from $800-$2,300 depending on the event location and the length of the event. Estimate costs are:

  • League Travel: $800 – $1,000 per trip
  • National Event Travel: $1,000 to $1,300 per trip
  • Playoff Travel: $1,600 to $1,700
  • National Event Registration Fee: $1,600 per event (National Event registration fee is split evenly among all full-time players)
  • Home Referee Fees: $140 to $175 per game (Referee fees are split evenly among players who play in the game)

We follow traditional team travel for our ECNL teams. This means teams will travel, stay and participate together for the entire event.  The entire event is classified as when the player arrives at the home airport to when the player returns to the baggage claim at the home airport. We feel group travel is important for many reasons.  Some of these benefits are (but not limited to):

  • Reduces costs for the majority of families not having to travel with their child
  • Deepens player relationships both on and off the field.
  • Efficiency of traveling with everyone together and being on the same schedule/itinerary.
  • Our teams represent the Club and State of Colorado on a national level and it teaches them the responsibility of representing more than just themselves.

It is not always easy to get flights and hotel arrangements for large groups and of course, it is always our goal to make these trips as cost-efficient as possible for all our families. When airfare is purchased, the cost of the tickets is averaged among all traveling teams so that teams are not penalized for having specific flight requirements. When purchasing a group ticket, we are ensuring that each player pays the same price, not that the first players to book pay the cheapest and the last players to book pay the most. Many times we have to purchase flights at different times because of the number of available seats. 

Families may find a less expensive ticket when they are buying one or two tickets at a time or when choosing a different airline. We choose to fly on airlines that allow for the teams and coaches to check additional luggage/balls/cameras, etc. without incurring additional fees, airlines who don’t charge an additional fee for seat selection and airlines that allow for name changes close to departure dates at no extra charge. Our tickets also come with special assistance should a team get stranded and need assistance with flight cancellation, rebooking, hotel, etc.   

Below is a list of the team fees players are responsible for:

  • Airfare, hotel, rental car(s), gas, meals/snacks, coach and chaperone(s) airfare, coach and chaperone(s) hotel, chaperone meals w/team, coach per diem and National Event registration fee (when applicable).  
  • Airfare, hotel and per diem for the Boys Elite Program Director and the Elite Director of Goalkeeping when they travel.  This expense is equally shared by all teams who are traveling with them.  

After a player commits to a team, and completes the registration, the player is considered registered to the club. Each player is bound to the club for the entire seasonal year, which runs from August 1 to July 31. Families have the option of paying in full or choosing a payment plan which requires an initial payment and the remaining balance is divided equally into four or eight installments. Each family is obligated to the full financial commitment, regardless of the choice made.

If there is movement between divisions during the calendar year which results in a change in fee, the player’s fees will be adjusted accordingly. A refund will be processed by the club or a payment will be made to the club to complete the transfer process.

Please note: Travel expenses for flights, hotels, transportation and more, as well as uniforms, and other additional expenses will be required throughout the season. You should expect an average of $1,000 per event in additional cost. This may vary depending on the location and length of the event.

Registration fees may be offset through need-based financial assistance and team fees may be offset through Club-sponsored fundraising including grocery rebate and bingo programs. Please see our website for additional information on these programs.

  • Complete Administrative Support
  • ECNL League Registration (Player Fee and Team Fee)
  • Elite Performance Center (synthetic turf fields, match-fit grass field, indoor futsal courts, classrooms) 
  • Part- and full-time head coaches; Part-time assistant coaches
  • Individual Player Development Plans
  • HUDL / Veo game videos (Plus team and player video analysis)
  • Sports Performance (in-season and off-season training/fitness program, support in areas of athletic performance, injury prevention, rehabilitation from injury)
  • Baseline Athletic Performance Testing
  • College placement support
  • Mental performance coach
  • Sports medicine support
  • Specialized player training
  • Travel Company
  • Referee Assignor Fees
  • Team Training Fund (Team and Goalkeeper Equipment
  • Other Expenses
    • Pre-season event for 11U-14U Boys ECNL teams
    • Tournament (external from ECNL) team registration fee for 11U-19U Boys ECNL teams 

Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club Elite programming follows a strict no-refund policy. Once you and your player accept an invitation for a Rapids Elite 11U/12U, ECNL, EDS, or Futsal team, and make a payment, all registrations are non-refundable. The refund policy is in place for a reason. It allows us to budget appropriately and provides coaches, facilities, administration, and additional resources that are necessary to run a non-profit youth sports organization.

If your player tries out and is invited to join a United Futsal team, and is later placed on a training team only, you may opt not to participate in the program and receive a refund of your initial registration fee. 

The club may, however, in its sole discretion, consider refund requests under the following: (1) a player moves more than 50 miles from a Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club region prior to the start of the season, (2) a player becomes injured or ill and can no longer participate in the season, or (3) any other exigent circumstances the club deems necessary or appropriate. Please note that in order for refund requests to be considered due to injury, such requests must be made within two weeks of the player’s injury/illness and must include a physician’s note for verification. No refunds will be provided for any reason after the third scheduled game of the season. All refunds, if granted, are subject to a processing fee.

Any travel expenses, including plane tickets, transportation, accommodations, coaches’ travel expenses, and coaches’ per diems purchased for team travel are non-refundable.

Thank you for your interest in the Rapids Boys ECNL program! If you would like to be contacted by the club with more information about the program please submit your information in the interest form below. We look forward to communicating with you.

Overview

The Boys ECNL is made up of 90 member clubs. The purpose of this league is to support, and give clubs, full freedom in the development of some of their elite level players. It is a collaborative club-based development program that features competition, player identification, and coaching and club development platforms. The Rapids Youth Soccer Club is a part of the Mountain Conference, which is comprised of five other clubs.

The CRYSC Boys ECNL offers placement for 13U, 14U, 15U, 16U, 17U, and 18U/19U. ECNL placement involves both regular season conference games and cross-conference events, with qualifying teams advancing to post-season playoffs. Rapids Boys elite programming offers player identification, training and development opportunities for top players within each conference and coaching development programs.

Boys are welcome to participate in fall high school soccer, as ECNL conference competition typically takes place outside the high school season. Boys are welcome to participate in fall high school sports, as scheduling is done to avoid conflicts with high school soccer

Training will occur a minimum of 3 times per week. Travel is required for one trip to New Mexico and one trip to Utah. Travel is required for National Event competition. Qualifying teams will also attend the National Playoff Event in June and National Playoff League Finals in July.

Selection Process

The selection process for the CRYSC Boys ECNL teams is an ongoing process, but invite only. The coaching staff will select a full-time roster at the end of May for the 13U-15U age groups and at the beginning of August for the 16U-19U age groups. Certain players may be added as part-time players throughout the course of the season. Part-time players are allowed to play a certain number of games with the assigned ECNL team, and are allowed to train with them when their CRYSC team does not have training. We are constantly evaluating current CRYSC players in order to fulfill our promise in the player pathway.

Dates & Deadlines

Preseason Event (13U & 14U Players Only)

  • When: Pre-Season events generally take place in early August
  • Who: All rostered CRYSC 13U & 14U Boys ECNL players

Season Overview

  • Training: 3x per week
  • High School Boys (15U-19U) ECNL Kickarounds in June/July
  • 13U-14U Kickarounds in April/May
  • CSA League Games: Early March-May (U13/U14 no longer play CSA games in the Fall)
  • ECNL League Games: Early January through March

Tournaments/Events

  • Arsenal Cup (13U & 14U only): August
  • ECNL National Events: All events are out of state, teams will attend 1-3 ECNL National Events per season depending on age group
  • National Event Requirements:
    • 13U & 14U: Optional
    • 15U: 1 Mandatory National Event
    • 16U & 17U: 2 Mandatory National Events
    • 18U/19U: 1 Mandatory National Even
Travel Expectations/Costs

For regular season and playoffs, players and families should expect:

  • 13U-14U: About 12 travel games per year (6 Away Conference games, 3 Showcase, and 3 Playoff games)
  • 15U-19U: About 15 travel games per year (6 Away Conference games, 6 Showcase, and 3 National Playoff games)

For travel events such as tournaments, players and families should expect:

  • 13U-14U: 2 Travel Events Per Year (1 Showcase / 1 National Playoff Final)
  • 15U-19U – 3-4 Travel Events Per Year (2-3 Showcase + 1 National Playoff)

Travel expenses for events can range from $800-$2,300 depending on the event location and the length of the event. Estimate costs are:

  • League Travel: $800 – $1,000 per trip
  • National Event Travel: $1,000 to $1,300 per trip
  • Playoff Travel: $1,600 to $1,700
  • National Event Registration Fee: $1,600 per event (National Event registration fee is split evenly among all full-time players)
  • Home Referee Fees: $140 to $175 per game (Referee fees are split evenly among players who play in the game)
Travel Policy

We follow traditional team travel for our ECNL teams. This means teams will travel, stay and participate together for the entire event.  The entire event is classified as when the player arrives at the home airport to when the player returns to the baggage claim at the home airport. We feel group travel is important for many reasons.  Some of these benefits are (but not limited to):

  • Reduces costs for the majority of families not having to travel with their child
  • Deepens player relationships both on and off the field.
  • Efficiency of traveling with everyone together and being on the same schedule/itinerary.
  • Our teams represent the Club and State of Colorado on a national level and it teaches them the responsibility of representing more than just themselves.

It is not always easy to get flights and hotel arrangements for large groups and of course, it is always our goal to make these trips as cost-efficient as possible for all our families. When airfare is purchased, the cost of the tickets is averaged among all traveling teams so that teams are not penalized for having specific flight requirements. When purchasing a group ticket, we are ensuring that each player pays the same price, not that the first players to book pay the cheapest and the last players to book pay the most. Many times we have to purchase flights at different times because of the number of available seats. 

Families may find a less expensive ticket when they are buying one or two tickets at a time or when choosing a different airline. We choose to fly on airlines that allow for the teams and coaches to check additional luggage/balls/cameras, etc. without incurring additional fees, airlines who don’t charge an additional fee for seat selection and airlines that allow for name changes close to departure dates at no extra charge. Our tickets also come with special assistance should a team get stranded and need assistance with flight cancellation, rebooking, hotel, etc.   

Below is a list of the team fees players are responsible for:

  • Airfare, hotel, rental car(s), gas, meals/snacks, coach and chaperone(s) airfare, coach and chaperone(s) hotel, chaperone meals w/team, coach per diem and National Event registration fee (when applicable).  
  • Airfare, hotel and per diem for the Boys Elite Program Director and the Elite Director of Goalkeeping when they travel.  This expense is equally shared by all teams who are traveling with them.  
Fees

After a player commits to a team, and completes the registration, the player is considered registered to the club. Each player is bound to the club for the entire seasonal year, which runs from August 1 to July 31. Families have the option of paying in full or choosing a payment plan which requires an initial payment and the remaining balance is divided equally into four or eight installments. Each family is obligated to the full financial commitment, regardless of the choice made.

If there is movement between divisions during the calendar year which results in a change in fee, the player’s fees will be adjusted accordingly. A refund will be processed by the club or a payment will be made to the club to complete the transfer process.

Please note: Travel expenses for flights, hotels, transportation and more, as well as uniforms, and other additional expenses will be required throughout the season. You should expect an average of $1,000 per event in additional cost. This may vary depending on the location and length of the event.

Registration fees may be offset through need-based financial assistance and team fees may be offset through Club-sponsored fundraising including grocery rebate and bingo programs. Please see our website for additional information on these programs.

  • Complete Administrative Support
  • ECNL League Registration (Player Fee and Team Fee)
  • Elite Performance Center (synthetic turf fields, match-fit grass field, indoor futsal courts, classrooms) 
  • Part- and full-time head coaches; Part-time assistant coaches
  • Individual Player Development Plans
  • HUDL / Veo game videos (Plus team and player video analysis)
  • Sports Performance (in-season and off-season training/fitness program, support in areas of athletic performance, injury prevention, rehabilitation from injury)
  • Baseline Athletic Performance Testing
  • College placement support
  • Mental performance coach
  • Sports medicine support
  • Specialized player training
  • Travel Company
  • Referee Assignor Fees
  • Team Training Fund (Team and Goalkeeper Equipment
  • Other Expenses
    • Pre-season event for 11U-14U Boys ECNL teams
    • Tournament (external from ECNL) team registration fee for 11U-19U Boys ECNL teams 
Refund Policy

Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club Elite programming follows a strict no-refund policy. Once you and your player accept an invitation for a Rapids Elite 11U/12U, ECNL, EDS, or Futsal team, and make a payment, all registrations are non-refundable. The refund policy is in place for a reason. It allows us to budget appropriately and provides coaches, facilities, administration, and additional resources that are necessary to run a non-profit youth sports organization.

If your player tries out and is invited to join a United Futsal team, and is later placed on a training team only, you may opt not to participate in the program and receive a refund of your initial registration fee. 

The club may, however, in its sole discretion, consider refund requests under the following: (1) a player moves more than 50 miles from a Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club region prior to the start of the season, (2) a player becomes injured or ill and can no longer participate in the season, or (3) any other exigent circumstances the club deems necessary or appropriate. Please note that in order for refund requests to be considered due to injury, such requests must be made within two weeks of the player’s injury/illness and must include a physician’s note for verification. No refunds will be provided for any reason after the third scheduled game of the season. All refunds, if granted, are subject to a processing fee.

Any travel expenses, including plane tickets, transportation, accommodations, coaches’ travel expenses, and coaches’ per diems purchased for team travel are non-refundable.

ECNL Interest Form

Thank you for your interest in the Rapids Boys ECNL program! If you would like to be contacted by the club with more information about the program please submit your information in the interest form below. We look forward to communicating with you.

Team Placement

Rapids Boys ECNL offers placement for 13U, 14U, 15U, 16U, 17U, and 18U/19U. ECNL placement involves both regular season conference games and cross-conference events, with qualifying teams advancing to post-season playoffs. Rapids Boys elite programming offers player identification, training, and development opportunities for top players within each conference, coaching development programs, and a direct path into Elite National Premier League (ENPL) post-season competition.  

Schedule

These teams will train 10 months out of the year, three days per week during the season and one to two days per week throughout winter (Jan-Feb) weather permitting. In addition to training there will be weekend games. The game schedules for these age groups will include ECNL league games, CSA league games (tentatively 13U and 14U only), along with various ECNL National Events and other tournaments that are selected by the Boys Elite Program Director. ECNL teams will play in 1-2 ECNL National Events per year depending on the age of the team. Out-of-state travel should be expected for ECNL teams. Fees associated with ECNL National Events and other tournaments are paid separately and directly to the team’s treasurer.  These fees can include items such as event registration costs, airfare, lodging, coaches expenses, rental cars, meals and other various travel related costs.

The 13U & 14U ECNL boys team will also participate in the Elite program’s preseason event. This event will be a three night, four day trip to Steamboat Springs occurring prior to the fall season.

Boys ECNL Registration Fees

$3495 / $2945 13U-14U | 15U-19U
  • Aug-Nov & Jan-June (13U/14U)

  • Oct-Jun (15U-19U)

  • Train 3x per week

  • Train 1-2x per week Jan-Feb weather permitting

  • Video of all Local ECNL Games

  • ECNL League Fees

  • Pre-Season Event (13U & 14U Only)

  • CSA League (as applicable)

  • Indoor Winter Training Space

  • Outdoor Winter Training (weather permitting)

Rapids Youth Soccer =

Boys ECNL Staff

Staff Member

Title

Contact

¿Habla
Español?

Daniel Agnew

Boys Director - Elite

[email protected]
719.401.0470

No

Daniel Agnew

Boys Director - Elite

Originally from Northern Ireland, Daniel's playing experience started with Ballymena United Football Club within the Northern Ireland Football League's (NIFL) professional development phase before moving to Ashford University, a nationally ranked men's soccer program in Iowa. Daniel has worked from grassroots to elite youth, holding numerous roles throughout his eight years with the Colorado Rapids, spanning four Regions of the Youth Club and the Major League Soccer (MLS) Academy. He plays an integral role in identifying and developing the best young players in the State of Colorado for a seamless transition to play at the next level, both regionally and on the national stage. A lifelong student and true soccer enthusiast, Daniel's dedication to education on and off the field is reflected in his master's degree and continued professional development across multiple governing bodies, including UEFA and USSF. He was selected in the 2023-24 class of the United Soccer Coaches 30-under-30 program, an education and mentorship opportunity designed to support up-and-coming members of the coaching profession who are 30 years of age or younger, leading the way in developing soccer players and enhancing the game.

Habla Español?: No

Jen Metz

Elite Programming Administrator

[email protected]
719.357.9747

No

Jen  Metz

Elite Programming Administrator

Jen is a Colorado native who grew up playing soccer. She graduated from Colorado State University with a BS in Business. She has worked in youth soccer for eight years and has been with CRYSC since 2019, primarily as an administrator. Since 2020 Jen has also served as the conference delegate for the Mountain Conference of the WPSL League, which the Colorado Rapids Women are part of. In 2021 the Colorado Rapids Women were crowned Mountain Conference champions and were also awarded with Franchise of the Year honors. She enjoys getting to work with such a great group of directors and coaches and for having the opportunity to create a positive experience for our members!

Habla Español?: No

Sebastian Giraldo

Regional Technical Director / Interim Girls ECNL Director - Elite

[email protected]
719.301.0742

Sebastian  Giraldo

Regional Technical Director / Interim Girls ECNL Director - Elite

Sebastian is originally from Pamplona, Colombia and has spent time with soccer clubs in Michigan, Texas, and Tennessee. He holds a Ph.D. in Elite Athlete Development from the University of Texas-Austin and a US Soccer A License. He also works with US Soccer Coach Education and is involved with several research initiatives examining elite youth soccer athletes and coach education.
Sebastian comes to Rapids Youth Soccer from US Soccer where he operated as a Coach Education Instructor on USSF Licenses and Grassroots Courses across the country. Additionally, he brings a wealth of experience from club-level, where he has held multiple positions in education and coaching methodology at San Antonio City SC and South Texas FC. Sebastian’s high-quality coaching background includes time spent in the ECNL, GA, ODP, and as Head Coach of USL League Two club Corpus Christi FC. At CRYSC, he will be using his experience and understanding of the youth soccer landscape to enhance and support the development of Central staff, coaches, and players.

Habla Español?:

Congrats to joshperez154 and asherc_4  for being selected as ECNL’s All Conference 1st Team members for the 21-22 season! 
#ecnlboys 
#CRYSCBoysECNL
#rapidsyouthsoccer
⚽️🌵⚽️ Rapids Boys ECNL #Best11 @ the ECNL National Event in Vegas this past weekend!! Congrats on some tremendous performances, boys 🤜🤛 Watch this space for more boys & girls #Best11’s after ECNL Showcases in 2020! #OneClub #CRYSCBoysECNL
Do you recognize some of these faces?? Our Colorado Rapids Elite team won their first game of the season 2-1 against the Denver West FC! #elitesoccer #ColoradoSoccer #coloradopremierleague #denversoccer #CRYSCBoysECNL
⚽️☀️🌊This past weekend the ECNL 02/03/04/05 Boys traveled to the ECNL San Diego Showcase. The 02B group would go 3-0 in their matches with a large number of the boys visiting UC San Diego's campus. For more information on this trip, visit our Facebook page. #CRYSCBoysECNL