Boys ECNL Academy | Arlington Soccer Association
Top Level Boys Academy  ·  U13–U19

Boys ECNL
Academy Program

The highest level of competition and player development offered by our club — built to develop complete athletes, elite competitors, and lifelong leaders.

15 + College Commitments
3 × Regional Champions
7 Age Groups
5 + Pro Path Alumni
ECNL National League
Professional Pathway
College Placement
Elite Coaching Staff

Developing players. Building futures.

We exist to give every player who walks through our doors the best possible opportunity to reach their full potential — on the field, in the classroom, and as a person.

Elite Technical Development

Individual skill training at the highest standard — position-specific coaching rooted in professional methodology from first touch to finishing.

Winning Team Culture

We compete to win at every training session and every match. Accountability, resilience, and maximum effort are the baseline — not the exception.

Dual Pathway Model

Every player benefits from both a Professional Pathway and a College Pathway — because elite development doesn't force you to choose between soccer and your future.

Character Before All Else

We develop people first. Discipline, coachability, and leadership on the field are the same qualities that define a meaningful life off of it.

We exist to give every player who walks through our doors the best possible opportunity to reach their full potential — on the field, in the classroom, and as a person. The ECNL Academy is not just our top program. It is our commitment to you.

Oscar Feliu  ·  Boys Academy Director

Results that speak for themselves.

2023–2024 Season
ECNL National Championship Qualifiers
Multiple age groups advanced to national playoff rounds
Regional Competition
3× ECNL Regional Champions
U14, U16, and U17 teams earned regional titles
League Standings
Top-10 National Rankings
Consistent presence in ECNL national top-10 across age groups
Player Recognition
Multiple ECNL All-Conference Selections
Academy players recognized by ECNL for outstanding performance
National Events
State Cup & Tournament Champions
Regular competitors and winners in top national showcases
Coaching Excellence
Licensed Staff at Every Level
All head coaches hold USSF A or B licenses minimum

Professional Pathway

From academy to the highest levels of the game

5+ alumni playing professionally or on pro-track college programs
  • Direct connections to MLS Academy affiliates and USL clubs
  • Regular identification camps attended by professional scouts
  • Tactical video analysis used by professional clubs
  • Dual training model supports elite development alongside academics
  • National team identification pipeline participation
  • Partnerships with regional pro clubs for loan/training opportunities

What the pathway looks like

A structured journey from U13 to professional

U13–U15 Foundation

Technical mastery, physical literacy, and competitive ECNL exposure

U16–U17 Refinement

Positional specialization, tactical complexity, and pro showcase exposure

U18–U19 Launch

Trials, academy contracts, and professional identification opportunities

College Pathway

Connecting players to DI, DII & DIII opportunities

15+ college commitments in the past two seasons alone
  • Dedicated college placement coordinator on staff
  • ECNL national showcases attended by 500+ college coaches each year
  • Annual College Night with recruitment guidance for players and families
  • Highlight film and player profile support from the club
  • Academic guidance for NCAA eligibility
  • Alumni network across DI, DII, and DIII programs nationwide

Recent commitments include

Programs where our alumni compete

  • Power 5 Conference Division I programs
  • ACC, Big Ten, SEC, Big 12, Pac-12 represented
  • Top-25 nationally ranked soccer programs
  • Full and partial scholarship recipients
  • Players earning academic + athletic scholarship combinations
  • Mid-Major DI and elite DIII academic institutions

A complete academy program structure.

The ECNL Academy is built around three integrated pillars: training, competition, and player support. Here is what that means in practice.

U13 U14 U15 U16 U17 U18 U19
01

Training & Coaching

4–5 training sessions per week depending on age group and season phase

Licensed coaches with USSF A/B credentials at every level

Video analysis integrated into team sessions and individual reviews

Small-group sessions for position-specific technical development

Strength & conditioning program, age-appropriate and periodized

02

Competition Calendar

Full ECNL league season competing against the best clubs nationally

National showcases including ECNL Nationals, Disney, and marquee events

State Cup participation for eligible age groups

Regional & national playoffs for qualifying teams

Friendlies & tuneups scheduled strategically throughout the year

03

Player Support

College counseling — individual meetings, camp recommendations, and outreach support

Highlight film production support provided by club staff

Nutrition & sports psychology education integrated into the program

Parent communication — regular updates, player reports, and seasonal reviews

Academic check-ins to ensure eligibility and student-athlete balance

Weekly Training Structure

Age Group Training Days / Week Season Length Competitions Key Showcases
U13 – U14 4 sessions August – June ECNL League + Regionals ECNL Showcase Events
U15 – U16 4–5 sessions August – June ECNL League + Regionals + Nationals Disney, ECNL Nationals
U17 5 sessions August – July ECNL + College Showcases ECNL Nationals, College Showcases
U18 – U19 5 sessions August – July ECNL + Pro/College Events ECNL Nationals, Pro Showcases

The people behind the program.

Our academy coaching staff brings professional playing and coaching experience to every session. Every coach holds a national license and is committed to the full development of every player in the program.

Academy Director
Oscar Feliu Boys Academy Director USSF 'A' · UEFA 'A'
Club Leadership
German Peri Technical Director
Mo Tayari Director of Coaching
Age Group Head Coaches
Elvin Arbaiza U13 · 2014/13 USSF 'B'
Oscar Feliu U14 · 2013/12 USSF 'A'
Oscar Feliu U15 · 2012/11 USSF 'A'
Elvin Arbaiza U16 · 2011/10 USSF 'B'
Alan Portillo U17 · 2010/09 USSF 'C'
Alan Portillo U19 · 2009/08 USSF 'C'
Academy & GK Staff
Jamil Walker Academy Coach USSF 'A'
Sean Hart Academy Coach UEFA 'A'
Andreas Tsaousis GK Director / Coach GK Specialist
JP Begazo GK Director / Coach FPF 'C'

Frequently asked questions.

Everything you need to know before applying to the Boys ECNL Academy program.

Training frequency varies by age group and time of year, but players should expect a full commitment schedule:
  • U13–U14: 4 sessions per week plus match days (typically weekends)
  • U15–U16: 4–5 sessions per week plus match days
  • U17–U19: 5 sessions per week plus match days, with additional individual and small-group work as needed
Training takes place at our primary facility on weekday evenings, with weekend sessions added during pre-season and competition phases.
Selection is based entirely on player ability, attitude, and potential — assessed through our formal tryout process held each spring for the following season:
  • Tryouts are open to all players in the applicable birth year range
  • Players are evaluated across multiple sessions by our coaching staff
  • Coaches assess technical ability, tactical understanding, athleticism, and coachability
  • Current club players are not guaranteed a roster spot — all positions are open
  • Players may also be identified through ECNL events, showcases, or coach referrals
Contact the club to be notified when tryout registration opens.
Program fees reflect the full-year ECNL Academy experience including coaching, facility access, league fees, and player support. Annual fees typically range from $3,500 to $5,500 depending on age group.
  • Fees are broken into payment plans with monthly or quarterly installment options
  • Travel and tournament costs are separate from program fees
  • Uniform package is an additional one-time cost for first-year players
  • A full fee schedule is provided upon acceptance to the program
We are committed to transparency — no surprise fees.
Yes. We believe financial circumstances should not prevent a qualified player from accessing elite development. Our scholarship and financial assistance program includes:
  • Need-based partial scholarships for families who demonstrate financial hardship
  • Merit-based awards for players of exceptional ability and character
  • Customized payment plans for individual family situations
  • Work-study opportunities within the club for older players
Scholarship applications are reviewed confidentially. Contact our Academy Director directly to discuss your situation.
The Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) is the premier youth soccer platform in the United States for boys — the top developmental and college-exposure pathway in the country.
  • The ECNL features the highest club talent density in the country across all age groups
  • National showcases draw 500–1,000+ college coaches per event
  • ECNL data and rankings are referenced directly by MLS Academies and national team scouts
  • ECNL is recognized by US Soccer for national team identification events
For serious players with college or professional aspirations, the ECNL is the clearest path to being seen.
We encourage multi-sport participation at younger ages (U13–U14). For older age groups (U15+), the demands of the ECNL schedule make it difficult to maintain another sport at a high level simultaneously.
  • High school sports participation is accommodated on a case-by-case basis — discuss with your coach at the start of each season
  • Attendance expectations and conflict policies are outlined in the Academy handbook at signing
Communication is key. We work with families, not against them.

Ready to take the next step?

Reach out to our Academy Director to learn more, discuss your player's fit, or ask any questions about the program.

Contact the Academy Director
Boys ECNL Academy  ·  U13–U19  ·  Elite Clubs National League