ECNL Clubs in Kansas

Kansas City Athletics (KCA) is a prominent youth soccer organization operating in the Kansas City area, including locations like Merriam, KS, and Tonganoxie. The club was originally established in 2013 as FCKC, later rebranding to Kansas City Athletic Club in 2018, and expanding significantly through a merger with SDB Academy in 2020. KCA serves a wide range of age groups, from Pre-K through 3rd grade with programs like Mini FC and Futures/Pre-comp, extending to U-19 for competitive teams. A unique aspect of KCA is its holistic approach to developing both the player and the person, aiming to inspire passion, competitiveness, integrity, and respect. The club strives to be a "destination club" that caters to players of all ability levels, providing a seamless training system from recreational to high-level youth soccer. Kansas City Athletics is recognized for its strong competitive programs, notably being the only full ECNL program in the Kansas City area. The Academy Elite Girls teams joined the ECNL in 2018, followed by the Academy Elite Boys teams joining the ECNL Boys competition level in 2022. The club's Boys' Premier Programs are set to join the ECNL Regional League for the 2025-2026 season.

Leagues: ECNL Girls, ECNL RL Girls, ECNL Boys

Sporting Blue Valley (SBV) is a prominent youth soccer club based in Overland Park, Kansas, operating within the Kansas City metropolitan area. The club's origins trace back to 1977 as the Blue Valley Soccer Club, later re-branding to Sporting Blue Valley in 2012 following a merger and affiliation with Sporting Kansas City, the MLS team. This affiliation is a key distinguishing feature, establishing SBV as a feeder club for boys into the Sporting KC Academy, providing a direct pathway to professional opportunities. SBV trains at the Scheels Overland Park Soccer Complex, recognized as a premier turf field facility. The club emphasizes a player-first philosophy, focusing on holistic development and offering a unique tiered system within its competitive Premier program. Sporting Blue Valley competes in top-tier leagues including MLS NEXT, USYS Elite 64 League, and National Academy League for boys, and the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) and ECNL-RL for girls. The club boasts a strong record of player development, including a US Youth Soccer U19 National Championship in 2022 and a significant number of players advancing to collegiate programs.

Leagues: ECNL Girls, ECNL RL Girls, MLS Next 2