Ten Clubs Promoted to ECNL Regional League – NorCal for 2026/27 Season

(2025-04-15) After 25 clubs were selected as founding members of the NorCal Premier Soccer ECNL Regional League for its inaugural season this past year, NorCal is pleased to announce the promotion of ten further clubs for the upcoming 2026-27 campaign.

Joining the ECNL RL are Alameda Soccer Club, Elk Grove Soccer, Reno APEX Soccer Club, Santa Cruz United Soccer Club, and South Valley United Soccer Club on the girls side.

On the boys side, Central Valley Premier, Diablo Valley Futbol Club, Legends FC, Stockton TLJ, and Turlock Academica Jrs are slated to be granted ECNL RL club status.

Administered by NorCal Premier Soccer, the ECNL RL – NorCal is a first-team league that serves as both the top level of play that NorCal offers as well as a proving ground for clubs seeking promotion on both the boys’ and girls’ sides.

All ten clubs were promoted on the basis of meeting a series of benchmark standards including having all of their first teams in the State Premier or higher, fielding some teams in the ECNL RL (individual teams can earn promotion to the RL should the club not meet the standards among all of their teams), or qualifying multiple teams to the National Premier League or another equivalent league.

Additionally, each of these clubs were required to have a director with a B license or higher and a staff in which all coaches had a D license or higher.

“Each club was evaluated on objective standards that they earned in our merit-based competitions in order to make it to this level,” said NorCal ECNL RL Coordinator Kelcey Chaidez. “Earning designation of an ECNL RL club is a huge accomplishment for each of these ten organizations.”

“We’re looking forward to adding all ten clubs in order to increase the level of competition in Northern California and ultimately improve the ability for all of the players in Northern California to develop,” Chaidez said.

With the addition of the 10 new clubs, each ECNL RL division will be expanding to include teams from all ten clubs as well as several “wildcard” teams who qualify individually rather than club-wide.

This hybrid approach allows NorCal to offer a club-based league while still providing a pathway for top teams in NorCal Premier to earn their place in the highest level of competition.

Those clubs who succeed can find their way to the ECNL as Folsom Lake Surf and Stanislaus United did this past season thanks to several years of top-level play from teams in every age group.

What they’re saying:

Alameda Soccer Club

“Being accepted into the ECNL Regional League is a huge moment for Alameda Soccer Club. It reflects the work we’ve put into raising standards across every part of the club, from training to culture to performance. What excites us most is what comes next. We’re building an environment where players are challenged, supported, and inspired every day, and we’re committed to continuing to develop, raise standards, and compete with top elite level competition. We’re grateful to ECNL RL for this opportunity.”

• • Alameda Soccer Club Director of Coaching Mark Savvides

Central Valley Premier

“NorCal Premier’s Central Valley Region 7, and to be more specific the southern part of the Central Valley, has long had the level of quality needed for players and coaches to compete at any level as is currently happening in the League Cup. We are just pretty far south for a lot of clubs to travel for one match. Now that we are an official ECNL RL club it’s easier for an entire boys side of a ECNL RL club to coordinate the trip down here to see what we can deliver. NorCal has given us this opportunity now it is on Central Valley Premier FC to deliver, and we will.”

• • Central Valley Premier President Rob Blair

Diablo Valley Futbol Club

“We are excited and looking forward to competing within the ECNL-RL, providing our players with unmatched local competition and player exposure opportunities.”

• • Diablo Valley FC Executive Director Jon Scoles

Elk Grove Soccer

“This is a proud moment for Elk Grove Soccer and a reflection of the consistent work being done across the entire club. This opportunity is going to be huge for our players. Competing under the ECNL umbrella allows our girls to test themselves against the very best teams in the region, which is exactly the type of environment needed for long term development. This recognition is a credit to everyone involved. Our coaches for their commitment to high standards, our parents for their continued support, and most importantly, our players. The girls show up day after day, week after week, putting in the work, and they’ve earned this.”

• • Elk Grove Soccer Director of Coaching Dan James

Legends FC

“This promotion into ECNL RL – NorCal is a significant milestone for Legends FC NorCal (SJ) and a testament to the hard work of our players, coaches, and families. Our focus has always been on player development and creating a competitive, supportive environment, and this platform allows us to continue elevating that mission. We’re excited to compete at a higher level and provide our players with greater exposure and opportunities for growth.”

• • Legends FC Executive and Director Vikram Arwade

Reno APEX Soccer Club

“This is a proud moment for Reno APEX and the Northern Nevada soccer community. The ECNL Regional League is the next step in our process rooted in development, accountability and doing things the right way. We are proud of Reno and excited to be able to provide this pathway to our players and showcase the talent that comes from our area.”

• • Reno APEX Director of Coaching Jen Mavis

Santa Cruz United

“We are proud that Santa Cruz United FC has been accepted as an ECNL RL girls member club for the 2026/27 season. As founding members of NorCal and the NPL, we believe this opportunity offers the right blend of regionalized competition within an established national platform. Our acceptance reflects the hard work of our players, coaches, and families over many years, while further strengthening the pathway for girls soccer in Santa Cruz County. We are excited and grateful to be included in ECNL RL and see this as an important next step for players to develop and represent Santa Cruz at the highest levels.”

• • Santa Cruz United Sporting Director Ashley Edgar

Stockton TLJ

“Joining the ECNL Regional League is a testament to our coaches, managers, staff, and families pulling together to move this club forward. It represents a vital stop on our roadmap to creating a high-performance environment where our players can chase their dreams. We are proud of how far we’ve come, but we are even more excited about where we’re going. We look forward to the competition and continuing our climb.”

• • Stockton TLJ Director of Coaching Jarret Hendrickson

South Valley United

“This milestone strengthens our commitment to providing the highest level of competition and development in the South Valley. For over 22 years, we have built a clear pathway for our athletes to access top-tier leagues, gain meaningful exposure, and advance to collegiate and professional levels. Adding ECNL RL for our girls further elevates that pathway and our mission to raise the standard in our community. We are honored to compete in the ECNL RL on both sides and look forward to representing the South Valley with pride, passion, and purpose. The pathway continues. The standard rises. The opportunity grows.”

• • South Valley United Founder and Director Jeremy Schultz

Turlock Academica Jrs

“We’re incredibly proud of our players, coaches, and families for their dedication and hard work that made this promotion possible. We look forward to embracing the challenges of ECNL RL and continuing to develop top-level talent, taking Turlock to the next level.”

• • Turlock Academica Jrs Executive Director Tevin Jones