Leagues & Affiliations

Spokane Sounders is a Premier, Select and Developmental soccer club.

The leagues we play in are an important part of the overall commitment to the development of our players. In order to strive for excellence, we must play excellence. The ECNL, GA and RCL provides the national and statewide platform to achieve that.

Leagues - Comprehensive Programs

Boys ECNL U13 - U19

The ECNL Boys Regional Leagues are operated and managed so as to ensure a consistent environment and level of professionalism across all leagues, facilitating more club connectivity between levels of play and providing a path for more players within each Member Club to reach their fullest potential. Each league allows for coordination and collaboration between the teams of different levels within ECNL clubs, or opportunity for teams and players in other clubs to develop through regular high-level competition.

The ECNL Boys Regional Leagues will offer a pathway to the ECNL Boys Regional League Finals, held in conjunction with the ECNL Boys Playoffs in San Diego, CA.

Accepted Clubs in our Northwest Conference: TBA

Training Schedule: ECNL RL teams will offer three to four training sessions during the summer, fall and spring based upon event schedule and league games. During the winter training will be two to three times.

College/Pro Development: Spokane Sounders have placed more players onto collegiate and pro programs than all other youth clubs combined in our area. The ECNL is the top platform. In the last few years we have had Ray Serrano and Chris Perretti called into professional environments (MLS - Seattle Sounders and Real Salt Lake.) Each graduating player had the option to attend and play collegiate soccer, some players chose to attend school and not play. With this programming players will have the best platform in our area to provide the best opportunity to be showcased at the highest level.

Travel: ECNRL teams may attend either a ECNLRL National Event (determined by the league) or an event such as the Mayor's Cup as well as potentially the league playoffs. League play will consist of three event weekends of match play with three games - August 4-6 at WPFC Fields, September 1-3 at 60 Acres and a third in October at the Polo Grounds - for all U13-U17 teams as well as competing in the RCL. The oldest U19 side will play a traditional ECNL RL match play schedule. High school aged teams (U15-U19) do not play league games during the spring high school soccer season.

Teams will travel to events ONLY (not league play) as a team. Parents are welcome to attend and stay at the same hotel, but the players will travel and stay with the team, RMA certified chaperones, and coaches. The teams will follow a strict itinerary (which parents will have access to) as the players continue to be prepared for collegiate soccer and all aspects of life.

Coaching Staff:
Jesse Retan
John Palladino
Bryan Hernandez
Nick Piger
Abbas Faridnia

Girls Academy U13 - U19

The Girls Academy (GA) is the leading youth development platform for the best female soccer players in the United States. The GA is the only national youth soccer platform that represents the collective vision of member clubs and actively engages the voice of the players to take real ownership in the GA. This collaborative philosophy creates a culture guided by a shared set of core values, which produces an unparrallelled experience uniquely designed in the best interest of the players. The GA embraces the desire of club members and GA players alike to maintain an unrivaled standard of excellence in coach, competition, and regional and national showcase events throughout the year. Lastly, the GA is committed to cultivating an environment that empowers each player to reach their best potential as an exceptional athlete and human being by celebrating the player's journey with a lifelong love of the game through competition, showcases and camaraderie.

Accepted Club in our Northwest - North Conference: OL Reign Academy, Washington Timbers, Bridge City Soccer Academy, Eugene Timbers, ISC Gunners, EW Surf, and Harbor FC

Training Schedule: GA Teams will offer three training sessions during the summer, fall and spring based upon event schedule and league games. During the winter training sessions will be twice a week.

College/Pro Development: Spokane Sounders have placed more players onto collegiate and pro programs than all other youth clubs combined in our area. With our players now having the ability to be showcased on a national platform this will only increase. Kelcie Hedge and Kelsey Turnbow are the most recent pro players with both being drafted. Each of our graduating players had options to attend and play collegiate soccer, some players chose to attend school and not play. With this programming players will have the best platform in our area to provide the best opportunity to be showcased at the highest level.

Travel: For league play, we will travel to play doubleheader weekends away. This will mean three travel trips for league play. For U13 and U14 in the fall season they will play in the RCL . High school aged teams (U15-U19) do not play league games during the fall high school soccer season. There will also be events that each age group will attend. GA National Events are required with each age attending at least one of the events, and the U16 and U17 attending at least two events. Last year there were, until Covid-19, two weekends to Northern California as well. These trips are in replacement of when our teams used to do State Cup (two-three trips) and FarWest Regional League (two trips.)
Teams will travel to events and Nor-Cal ONLY as a team. Parents are welcome to attend and stay at the same hotel, but the players will travel and stay with the team, RMA certified chaperones, and coaches. The teams will follow a strict itinerary (which parents will have access to) as the players continue to be prepared for collegiate soccer and all aspects of life.

Coaching Staff:
Kevin Moon
Ali McCready
Cam Bushey
Bryan Hernandez
Abbas Faridnia

Regional Club League (RCL) U13 - U19

The RCL is made up of the top 18 clubs of Washington State, and provides the highest level league play and player development in the state. RCL outlines rigorous standards including criteria and levels of coaching licensure, player development curriculum and training guidelines to ensure a high level of competition. Spokane Sounders are the only club in Spokane accepted to meet those standards.

Accepted Clubs in the RCL: Crossfire Premier, Seattle United, Washington Premier FC, PAC Northwest, Eastside FC, Washington Timbers, Snohomish United, Washington Rush, Northwest United, Three Rivers SC, Federal Way FC, Blackhills FC, Kitsap Alliance FC, Sound FC, Whatcom FC Rangers, Souzo FC and Valor.

Training Schedule: RCL players will have two to three training sessions during the summer, fall and spring based upon event schedule and league games. During the winter training sessions will be twice a week.

College Development: Spokane Sounders have placed more players onto collegiate and pro programs than all other youth clubs combined in our area. Our RCL players attend showcase events (Mayor's Cup, PAC Winter Showcase, etc.) and the Washington State Cup. Many of our RCL players have the opportunity to play collegiate soccer and have/are playing collegiate soccer. This pathway continues and does provide the opportunity for players that only Spokane Sounders players can be a part of.

Travel: For league play, we will travel to play doubleheader weekends away as much as possible. This will mean three to five trips across the state. High school aged teams (U15-U19) do not play league games during their high school soccer season, though the U13s and U14s will continue to play. There will also be events that each age group will attend. Events will vary based upon age. Older teams will travel further for showcase events than younger teams.

Coaching Staff:
Kevin Moon
Adrian Washington
Jesse Retan
Brett Wanner
Dave Ellis
Noah White
Jason Sandobal
Bryan Hernandez
John Palladino
Nick Piger
Abbas Faridnia

Development Player League (DPL) U13 - U19

The DPL believes through superior experiences, players will be able to showcase their talent, discover collegiate opportunities and create community around the game. DPL is a standards driven national league connected to the Girls Academy that will encourage clubs to compete and grow, maximizing the development of their players. By creating a cohesive framework in line with the most dynamic organizations in the country, where nothing is given and everything earned.

Accepted Clubs in the DPL: Mt Rainier FC, Albion SC Portland, Washington East, Albion SC Idaho, Thorns North, Soccer Chance Academy, Central Washington Sounders

Training Schedule: DPL players will have two to three training sessions during the summer, fall and spring based upon event schedule and league games. During the winter training sessions will be twice a week.

College Development: Spokane Sounders have placed more players onto collegiate and pro programs than all other youth clubs combined in our area. Our RCL/DPL players attend showcase events (Mayor's Cup, PAC Winter Showcase, etc.) and the Washington State Cup. Many of our RCL players have the opportunity to play collegiate soccer and have/are playing collegiate soccer. This pathway continues and does provide the opportunity for players that only Spokane Sounders players can be a part of.

Coaching Staff:
Kevin Moon
Adrian Washington
Jesse Retan
Brett Wanner
Dave Ellis
Noah White
Jason Sandobal
Bryan Hernandez
John Palladino
Nick Piger
Abbas Faridnia

Washington Premier League (WPL)

The Spokane Sounders U11 & U12 teams as well as Spokane Sounders Copa teams play in the WPL which is affiliated with US Club Soccer. Our teams play in a local league which includes teams from the Spokane and Eastern Washington area as well as Northern Idaho.

Washington Inland Soccer League (WISL)

The Spokane Sounders Junior Program (U10) plays in the WISL, which is affiliated with Washington Youth Soccer. With SJP teams organized geographically within the Spokane community, they play one another as well as other teams from throughout the greater Spokane area and north Idaho in the WISL.

Memberships, Partnerships and Affiliations

Washington Youth Soccer

SSC Shadow is a member of Washington Youth Soccer, the governing body of soccer in our state, whose mission it is to foster youth through soccer at all levels of age and competition in Washington. Washington Youth Soccer cooperates with the Seattle Sounders in its Elite Player Development (EPD) Program, created to identify and train young athletes in conjunction with US Youth Soccer’s Olympic Development Program. SSC Shadow teams play in the Regional Club League (RCL), the highest level of competition offered through WYS. WYS also administers four state-wide tournaments to provide teams at all levels the opportunity to compete in post-league play, including the Washington State Championships, in which SSC Shadow teams compete for an opportunity to represent their state in Far West Regional and National Championships.

US Youth Soccer

US Youth Soccer is the largest youth sports organization in the country and largest member of US Soccer. US Youth Soccer registers more than 3.2 million players annually, ages 5 to 19, and over 900,000 administrators, coaches and volunteers in 55 member state associations. The US Youth Soccer membership is divided into four regions; Washington Youth Soccer is part of the West (Region IV) which encompasses Alaska, Arizona, California-North, California-South, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Wyoming.

US Club Soccer

US Club Soccer is a national association member of the U.S. Soccer Federation. US Club Soccer is an organization committed to the development and support of soccer clubs in the United States.

US Soccer Federation

The US Soccer Federation, founded in 1913, is one of the world’s first organizations to be affiliated with FIFA. As the governing body of soccer in the United States (recreational, amateur and professional), US Soccer has continued to develop the sport at all levels, and found success in making soccer a preeminent sport in the United States.

FIFA

Since 1904, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has been the worldwide governing body of soccer. With 208 member associations across the globe, FIFA provides both elite competition (World Cup) and guidance to all levels of soccer being played in order to share its mission: “Develop the game; touch the world; build a better future.”