New Pyramids, Postseasons and Pathways: A Look Inside The Collaboration Between US Club Soccer, ECNL and NPL | Ep. 131

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It's 2026 and Breaking the Line is back for a brand new episode following the holiday break, and it's a meaty one as ECNL President Christian Lavers and ECNL Vice President Doug Bracken sit down with US Club Soccer President Mike Cullina to discuss a major announcement in the youth soccer world. 

On Dec. 18, US Club Soccer, ECNL and NPL announced a new postseason integration for the 2026-27 season, along with a new competition pyramid placing ECNL at the top, ECNL Regional League in the middle, followed by NPL and then local leagues at the bottom. The new postseason structure creates a new pathway for NPL teams to directly compete with ECNL RL teams, and creates opportunities for team and club movement between levels. 

With such a major announcement right before the holidays, the powers that be sat down to discuss why now, what does this mean for players, coaches, parents and clubs, what does the future hold, and ultimately, how does this change the youth soccer landscape?

It's a riveting discussion, one that gives listeners an inside look at the thought process of these organizations, the pathway that led us here, and the road map for the future. 

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