The ECNL announced today LAFC Slammers as the ECNL Girls Overall Club Champion for the 2020-21 season. This honor is awarded to the club that has earned the highest point totals from regular season Conference titles, advancement into the ECNL National Playoffs and Finals, and overall success in these Postseason events. Achieving this recognition is no small feat, requiring consistent excellence across all age groups throughout the year.

“Winning the club title is something we set out to achieve every year at Slammers,” said Walid Khoury, LAFC Slammers Director of Coaching. “We are so proud of this accomplishment and even more proud to say we're just the second club in ECNL history to win it back-to-back. To our administrators, coaches, parents and most importantly our athletes, we all share in this success. We thank you and are so proud!”

LAFC Slammers captured three regular season conference titles, finishing no worse than third in any age group. The club averaged 2.65 points per game across all teams and sent a team from every age group to the ECNL National Playoffs. 

The California club advanced four teams (U13, U14, U16 and U17) to the ECNL National Finals, where the U13 and U16 teams each won a national championship. The U17 and U14 teams finished second and third respectively. 

LAFC Slammers clinched the ECNL Overall Club Champion title for the fourth time in league history, the most of any ECNL club to date. Only two clubs have accomplished this feat even twice, Michigan Hawks and PDA. LAFC Slammers is also just the second club to win the overall club championship in back to back seasons.

“Achieving the title of Overall Club Champion is a massive accomplishment that is earned by every player and coach, at every training and through every competition,” said Jen Winnagle, ECNL Girls Commissioner. “Reaching this level of excellence facing as many quality teams as LAFC Slammers did, is tremendous. And to win the award in two consecutive seasons is phenomenal. Congratulations to the LAFC Slammers coaches, staff and players on this award and for continuing to be leaders on and off the field.”

The overall club championship for LAFC Slammers continues to recognize the club’s ability to bring the best out of their players. Khoury established the club with the mindset to focus on personal and team development rather than wins and losses. Through positive reinforcement and allowing his players the ability to make and learn from mistakes, success as followed, including awards such as regional tournament and national championship titles, overall club championships and alumni reaching the professional ranks. 

“Don’t put the emphasis on winning; the winning will come from building the teams right,” Khoury said. “They just need that positive reinforcement, and letting them know that they made a mistake without saying, ‘you made a mistake.’ Positive reinforcement at the youth level goes a very long way. When they know they can make mistakes, that’s when players can reach their best potential. We just want them to become exceptional soccer players and exceptional people. We have created our own culture at Slammers and people that belong in that culture always seem to find us.” 

Previous Overall Club Championship Winners

2019-2020: N/A

2018-2019: LAFC Slammers

2017-2018: Sting Dallas

2016-2017: Michigan Hawks

2015-2016: Slammers FC

2014-2015: Michigan Hawks

2013-2014: PDA

2012-2013: PDA

2011-2012: Slammers FC

2010-2011: Eclipse Select

2020-21 Top 25 Clubs

1. LAFC Slammers

2. Solar SC

3. PDA Blue

4. So Cal Blues

5. SLSG Navy

6. Eclipse Select

7. Real Colorado National

8. Charlotte SA

9. San Juan SC

10. Internationals SC

11. Crossfire Premier

12. San Diego Surf

13. Concorde Fire Platinum

14. MVLA

15. SUSA FC

16. FC Dallas

17. Tennessee SC

18. Michigan Hawks

19. McLean YSA

20. Kansas City Athletics

21. Tampa Bay United

22. Richmond United

23. GSA

24. FC Stars Blue

25. DKSC 

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About the ECNL:

The ECNL is the nation’s leading youth soccer development platform. The ECNL respects and celebrates the unique individuality of every youth soccer player and club, supporting and enabling them to unleash their unfettered passion and fierce tenacity in striving to achieve their potential. 

The ECNL mission to Raise the Game is a total commitment to create the best possible environment for players, coaches, referees and administrators, with a determination to constantly question convention and challenge the status quo in youth sports.

The ECNL Commitment:

We will lead, set our eyes on new horizons, and pursue them relentlessly. Born out of the belief in a better way. Continued in the ever-evolving pursuit of excellence.

www.TheECNL.com