There are twelve new clubs in ECNL. I would assume that until the regional play truly takes shape in 2011-2012...they will just add six to Bracket A & six teams to Bracket B this year. Having done some initial review...my guess (and it is just that) is that the breakout will look like this for 2010-2011 season:
Returning Teams - Challenge A
Sting
Arsenal
CASL
Eclipse Select
Ohio Premier
Mustang
PDA
Colorado Rush
FC Virginia
Challenge
Bethesda
Charlotte SA
Real Colorado
Concorde Fire
Crossfire Premier
Sereno SC
D'Feeters
San Juan (Promoted)
Lonestar (Promoted)
Solar (Promoted)
New Teams - Challenge A
Carmel United ('08 R1` Champ; '09 State Champ)
Michigan Hawks ('08 State Champ; #5 by NSR)
Real SoCal ('10 CA-S State Finalist; #10 by GS)
San Diego Surf (#6 by GS; #17 by NSR)
Scorpions (USYSA Finalist; R1 Champ)
Slammers (#15 by GS)

New Teams - Challenge B
DeAnza Force (#337 by GS)
FC Bucks (#107 by GS)
KCFC (#83 by GS; May supplant Carmel United in A)
Utah Avalanche (#209 by GS)
Vardar (#356 by GS)
Washington Premier (#154 by GS)
Returning Teams - Challenge B
FC Stars of Mass. (Relegated)
Irvine Strikers (Relegated)
S.L.S.G. (Relegated)
SoccerPlus CT
Freestate SA
FC Delco
Albertson Fury
Atlanta Fire
BUSA
CESA Premier
Connecticutt FC
SC Del Sol
West Coast FC
FC Milwaukee
Minnesota Thunder
FC Dallas
Virginia Rush
Pleasanton Rage
Ohio Elite SA
Neusport FC

I think you are spot on ChelseaFan. Man, talk about some quality competition for all of us!!!

For those who don't already know...we will also have an expanded ECNL regular season this year, too. There will be 4 regional games added to the three tournament commitment for a total of 9 regular season games. The good news is that we know that Lonestars will play all four NTX based ECNL teams as part of our regular season! The other piece of news is that the ECNL National Championship next year will be determined by a playoff of the top eight teams instead of the top four teams that decided it this year. Exciting changes if you ask me.

check that...I meant a total of 13 regular season games...not nine.

STx teams, Challenge, Lonestar, Albion (?), are going to have to raise their games significantly to clear the NTx gauntlet and have any shot at qualifying, even with an eight team final tournament. Even then, this system is significantly better than the existing USYSA system, where those teams have little or no shot of making the national finals unless they can win the brutal Region III tourney.

I could not agree with you more that NTX is still ahead of STX overall, especially at the '95 age group. NTX has the National Champions and the National League winners in their court. That said...I do believe the difference in quality of play has diminished a bit but we still have a ways to go. But, that is why they play the games.

See you on the pitch!

BTW...had their been a top eight this year, Challenge was 1 win away from qualifying and Lonestar was a PK away from winning the Challenge B. Maybe not as far away as Futbolplayah wants to believe...but again...we have some work to do.

Well I know it is off the thread point but didnt Lonestars 91 win Nationals too?? Region 3 is a bear no question but after the ECNL teams drop out it should be a bit easier

CF, no question in my mind that your LS 95s can already hang with Solar and likely Dfeeters, dependent upon effect of transfers. I'm just saying that having to play two of the best teams in the country as part of your region is not going to help you in the standings. Are you guys bringing in any ringers for next year?

ECNL is getting stronger and stronger! Next year should be even more exciting. It will be interesting to see how much weaker USYS Regionals and Nationals are after next season when ECNL teams don't participate. If you look at the top 8 teams in each region (GS), most are participating in the ECNL. There are very few strong teams from each region not participating in the ECNL (VSA Heat, Beadling, Mt. Laurel, Chantilly from Region 1, JB Marine, Blast FC, Javanon, Chicago Fire from Region 2, Hurricane FC, GSA, Brandon FC, NASA from Region 3, Blues, LV Premier, Sereno, Breakaway from Region 4). Looking forward to next year.

...and the plans are to expand ECNL again next year...probably to 64 clubs. So...the list of non ECNL top teams will shrink considerably.

ChelseaFan wrote:...and the plans are to expand ECNL again next year...probably to 64 clubs. So...the list of non ECNL top teams will shrink considerably.

Texans, Blues, VSA, Sereno, etc. will all be in ECNL for the 2011-2012 season.

Uncle Numanga wrote:

ChelseaFan wrote:...and the plans are to expand ECNL again next year...probably to 64 clubs. So...the list of non ECNL top teams will shrink considerably.

Texans, Blues, VSA, Sereno, etc. will all be in ECNL for the 2011-2012 season.

Huh? You yanky my chain?

is already part of ECNL

socrocks wrote:

Uncle Numanga wrote:

ChelseaFan wrote:...and the plans are to expand ECNL again next year...probably to 64 clubs. So...the list of non ECNL top teams will shrink considerably.

Texans, Blues, VSA, Sereno, etc. will all be in ECNL for the 2011-2012 season.

Huh? You yanky my chain?

Not for the upcoming year. The one after that. It only makes sense.