FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Fort Lauderdale United FC is proud to introduce our official pathway to the professional level with the addition of the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL Boys), ECNL Regional League (ECNL RL), and National Premier League (NPL) programs. The integration of these prestigious, proven, and elite platforms completes the pathway from youth to professional opportunities, aligning with Fort Lauderdale United FC’s announcement of the men’s professional team. This significant step underscores our commitment to nurturing South Florida’s top young talent by providing a comprehensive pathway for them to actualize their dreams of pursuing professional soccer and gain increased exposure for college recruitment opportunities.
The ECNL program will be led by Marcelo Neveleff (Technical and Methodology Advisor) and Thiago Oliveira (Academy Director).
Neveleff’s vast experience and impressive résumé makes him the perfect fit to structure and advance the program. As the current head coach of the Dominican Republic senior national team and Youth National Team director for the Caribbean country, Neveleff’s experience will be invaluable to the curriculum. Neveleff’s knowledge and expertise in the youth and professional environment will be an asset to the organization, and he will be crucial to implement the club’s approach into practice and managing the growth of the academy.
With Oliveira’s proven leadership and successful track record in the ECNL Boys’ Florida Conference, the club has great things ahead. Oliveira also led the Fort Lauderdale United FC USL Academy squad to a National Finals Playoff run in its inaugural season and will look to build on that success in its second year.
The ECNL, ECNL RL and NPL have a plethora of teams across the United States, and the club season runs from September to May. Member clubs maintain six teams across six divisions, with each division based on age, ranging from 13 to 19 years. Notably, member clubs in the state of Florida collectively attribute nine teams at each age division.
By competing in these highly respected leagues, players will have the opportunity to train and develop in a professional environment, gain exposure at the highest levels of youth soccer and take the next step toward their goals.
The journey starts here – Join us and be part of the future of professional soccer in South Florida. For more information and to register, visit ftlutd.com and follow @FTLUTD on Instagram, X and TikTok.