ECNL Players Dominate the 2016 U17 FIFA Women’s World Cup Roster

RICHMOND, VA (September 6, 2016) – Players competing in the ECNL and developed by ECNL clubs have dominated American youth national teams for the past seven years.  In the 8th year of the ECNL’s existence, the impact of the ECNL and its clubs on youth national team rosters is even more dramatic.

The U17 FIFA Women’s World Cup will be held in Jordan from September 30 through October 21, 2016, and is the only Women’s World Cup competition that the United States has never won. The American roster for the 2016 U17 FIFA Women’s World Cup was announced last week with 21 players who will attempt to end this drought.  ECNL players account for 20 of the 21 players on the roster of a team that has been labeled as one of the most talented American youth national teams ever:

  • Hillary Beall (So Cal Blues)
  • Jordan Canniff (Richmond United)
  • Lia Godfrey (Jacksonville FC)
  • Jaelin Howell (Real Colorado)
  • Laurel Ivory (West Florida Flames)
  • Civana Kuhlmann (Colorado Rush)
  • Meagan McClelland (PDA)
  • Kiara Pickett (Eagles SC)
  • Brianna Pinto (CASL)
  • Adrienne Richardson (Minnesota Thunder Academy)
  • Isabel Rodriguez (Michigan Hawks)
  • Karina Rodriguez (So Cal Blues)
  • Ashley Sanchez (So Cal Blues)
  • Emily Smith (De Anza Force)
  • Sophia Smith (Real Colorado)
  • Alexa Spaanstra (Michigan Hawks)
  • Frankie Tagliaferri (PDA)
  • Kennedy Wesley (So Cal Blues)
  • Kate Wiesner (Slammers FC)
  • Sydney Zandi (Penn Fusion)

Good luck to these Amazing Young Women as they prepare to represent the United States, and congratulations to all of the clubs, coaches, and teammates that have helped these players in their journey.

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About the Elite Clubs National League: The Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) was founded in 2009 to enhance the developmental experience of female youth soccer players in the United States through: (i) Improving the competitive environment through creation of a true national competitive league; (ii) Improving the process for identifying elite female soccer players for the U.S. Soccer youth national teams through a systematic scouting and identification program based on national competitions; and (iii) improving the daily training environment at top female youth soccer clubs through developing best practices and training and organizational guidelines for its member clubs.  The ECNL is sanctioned by US Club Soccer and is sponsored by Nike Soccer.

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