ECNL Regional League Boys National Finals 2026: Day 1 Recap

Day one of the ECNL Regional League Boys National Finals is finished, and four teams in each age group booked their spot in the semifinals. It was competitive across the board, with three of the four age groups featuring a penalty shootout. Get caught up on all the action below. (Event Homepage)

U17 Bracket

The U17 bracket was filled with thrills, as multiple games came down to the wire. Northwest United beat Strikers Miami FC by one goal, advancing to play Houstonians FC in the semis. FC Dallas battled hard with Cuyahoga Valley SA, earning a 2-0 victory, and will meet Central Valley Premier FC in the semifinals after the latter beat Bloomingdale Lightning FC in penalties.

Quarterfinal Scores
Houstonians FC def. STA 4-1
Northwest United def. Strikers Miami FC 3-2
FC Dallas def. Cuyahoga Valley SA 2-0
Central Valley Premier FC def. Bloomingdale Lightning FC 2-2 (4-2)

Semifinal Matchups
Houstonians FC vs. Northwest United
FC Dallas vs. Central Valley Premier FC

U16 Bracket

Every game in the U16 bracket remained close from start to finish. Playmaker Futbol Academy and Legends FC defeated Northern Indiana Express and FC Westlake by one goal, respectively, to move on to the semis. HTX South won on penalties after finishing scoreless at full-time with Coastal Rush., and Villarreal Virginia Academy had the largest margin of  victory, defeating Steel City FC 3-1 to advance.

Quarterfinal Scores
Playmaker Futbol Academy def. Northern Indiana Express 2-1
HTX South def. Coastal Rush 0-0 (5-4)
Villarreal Virginia Academy def. Steel City FC 3-1
Legends FC def. FC Westlake 2-1

Semifinal Matchups
Playmaker Futbol Academy vs. HTX South
Villarreal Virginia Academy vs. Legends FC

U15 Bracket

The lone remaining reigning champion, Folsom Lake Surf continued its quest for back-to-back titles with a win against MAFC Guerreros Houston to advance to the semis, where they will play Steel City after their victory in the quarterfinals. On the other side of the bracket, Columbus Force earned a hard fought clean sheet, and will now face Houstonians FC, who won in a penalty shootout.

Quarterfinal Scores
Steel City FC def. YMS 3-2
Folsom Lake Surf def. MAFC Guerreros Houston 6-0
Columbus Force def. FC America 2-0
Houstonians FC def. SF United FC 2-2(4-2)

Semifinal Matchups
Steel City FC vs. Folsom Lake Surf
Columbus Force vs. Houstonians FC

U14 Bracket

Western United Pioneers had the closest win in the U14 quarters, defeating Strikers Miami FC after both teams traded goals. Houstonians FC and HTX South held their opponents scoreless to advance, while Indiana Elite defeated Slammers FC White.

Quarterfinal Scores
HTX South def. FC United Iowa 3-0
Western United Pioneers def. Strikers Miami FC 2-1
Indiana Elite FC def. Slammers FC White 4-1
Houstonians FC def. Rebels SC 3-0

Semifinal Matchups
HTX South vs. Western United Pioneers
Indiana Elite FC vs. Houstonians FC

U13 Bracket 

Both Kansas City Surf and Solar SC earned big wins to advance to the semifinals over East Meadow SC and San Diego Surf White, respectively. Meanwhile, San Diego Surf Blue edged out Houstonians FC in a close matchup, while Alabama FC Huntsville won on penalties over LA Krewe Rush.

Quarterfinal Scores
Kansas City Surf def. East Meadow SC 7-3
San Diego Surf Blue def. Houstonians FC 1-0
Solar SC def. San Diego Surf White 7-1
Alabama FC Huntsville def. LA Krewe Rush 0-0 (4-3)

Semifinal Matchups 
Kansas City Surf vs. San Diego Surf Blue
Alabama FC Huntsville vs. Solar SC