Inaugural Pre-ECNL Midwest Cup concludes in Ohio with 18 champions crowned

LEBANON, OH – The inaugural Pre-ECNL Midwest Cup took place over the weekend in Lebanon, Ohio, where 72 girls teams and 64 boys teams competed in 18 flights across three age groups.

The Pre-ECNL Cups are designed to inspire U10-U12 players in challenging regional tournament play and to supplement the growing number of Pre-ECNL leagues around America intended to improve the local competition environment for players, coaches, families and referees.

It was the first of four Pre-ECNL Cups throughout the 2025-26 season, culminating with the first-ever Pre-ECNL Champions Cup in late Spring. The Pre-ECNL Champions Cup will invite winners of the other Pre-ECNL Cups throughout the year, and other top teams, for a season-ending celebration of soccer.

This weekend’s event took place over two days, with teams playing two group stage games on Saturday, one group stage game on Sunday, and group winners advancing to Sunday afternoon’s championship matches.

U11-U12 teams played 9v9 games with 30 minute halves, while U10 teams played 7v7 games with 25 minute halves.

Following two exciting days of action all across Warren County Sports Park, 18 teams were left standing to lift the inaugural Pre-ECNL Midwest Cup Champions trophies.

View this weekend’s champions as well as the upcoming Pre-ECNL Cups below.

Boys Champions

• U12 Midwest Cup Champions Phantom: Potomac Soccer
• U12 Midwest Cup Champions Mercurial: Crystal Lake Force
• U12 Midwest Cup Champions Tiempo: St. Croix
• U11 Midwest Cup Champions Phantom: Indiana Elite FC
• U11 Midwest Cup Champions Mercurial: Roadrunners SC
• U11 Midwest Cup Champions Tiempo: Ohio Premier
• U10 Midwest Cup Champions Phantom: Roadrunners SC
• U10 Midwest Cup Champions Mercurial: Nationals SC Oakland Black

Girls Champions

• U12 Midwest Cup Champions Phantom: Pittsburgh Riverhounds
• U12 Midwest Cup Champions Mercurial: Michigan Hawks
• U12 Midwest Cup Champions Tiempo: GTFC Impact Premier
• U12 Midwest Cup Champions Premier: Liverpool FC IA Central
• U11 Midwest Cup Champions Phantom: Michigan Hawks
• U11 Midwest Cup Champions Mercurial: Nationals SC Oakland Blue
• U11 Midwest Cup Champions Tiempo: Michigan Hawks Magic
• U11 Midwest Cup Champions Premier: Chicago Inter Soccer II
• U10 Midwest Cup Champions Phantom: Nationals SC Oakland Black
• U10 Midwest Cup Champions Mercurial: Pittsburgh Riverhounds

Upcoming Pre-ECNL Cups (Boys and Girls)

• Pre-ECNL Carolina Cup (U11-U14) – Oct 11-13 Girls, Oct 17-19 Boys in Wilmington, NC*
• Pre-ECNL East Coast Cup (U10-U12) – Nov. 1-2, 2025 in Richmond, Va.
• Pre-ECNL Northern Cal Cup (U11-U12) – March 13-15, 2026 in Davis, Calif.
• Pre-ECNL Champions Cup (U10-U12) – May 15-17, 2026 in Provo, Utah

* This event will also include U13-U14 tournament play