Breaking the Line: The ECNL Podcast

Elite Clubs National League
  • 4.8 (39)
  • Sports
  • Updated Biweekly

The Elite Clubs National League was founded in 2009 and continues to lead by daring to do things differently, embedded with grit, collaboration and tenacity – all things learned from the beautiful game. The ECNL protects and propels the integrity of the game and everyone it impacts by facilitating the perfect symmetry of excellence and humility, exclusivity and accessibility, freedom and community. We believe that challenging everyone to rise to their best creates game-changers that live well, long after cleats are unlaced. Born out of the belief in a better way. Continued in the ever-evolving pursuit of excellence.

  1. Aug 5

    A Discussion Continued: Ideas to Improve American Youth Soccer Part 2 | Ep. 143

    Let us know the topics of interest to you! Following a robust discussion and an incredible response from you, the Breaking the Line listeners, ECNL President Christian Lavers and ECNL Vice President Doug Bracken continue their discussion of ideas to improve youth soccer within the United States, and expand on topics previously discussed in the Special Edition episode two weeks ago.  Since the last podcast, Lavers did a deep dive into how solidarity payments and training compensation work in other parts of the world, not just for international transfers but domestic transfers as well, and brings hard data with him to showcase exactly how much other clubs are spending, and how much these clubs are also receiving.  Armed with this information, Lavers examines then what those types of payments could look like in the United States, along with failed attempts to institute them previously in American soccer. The two then spend time brainstorming how training compensation would work in the US, what are the potential barriers to that system, and what are other forms of funding youth clubs could receive.  It's an absolutely riveting discussion that brings a ton of research and data to the table, and paints a strong picture of the global economics of soccer.  As always, make sure to submit any questions to https://ecnl.info/BTL-Questions, to subscribe to Breaking the Line on Youtube and all your favorite podcast platform, and to follow the ECNL on all social channels.

  2. Jul 22

    BTL Special Edition: Ideas to Improve American Soccer | Ep. 142

    Let us know the topics of interest to you! It's a special edition of Breaking the Line, the ECNL Podcast, as ECNL President Christian Lavers and ECNL Vice President Doug Bracken, fresh of the ECNL Boys and ECNL Girls National Finals and the World Cup Final, sit down to discuss tangible, actionable ideas to improving American soccer at all levels.  Following the US' World Cup exit, much of the discussion has been centered around how US Soccer can break through to the next level of soccer success and make deep runs in the World Cup on the men's side, as we've seen it done on the women's side multiple times.  On this special edition episode, the Breaking the Line team examines how incentives can change at the professional, collegiate and amateur levels to promote development, what types of national investments can be made and where, how to build and maintain culture following a massive domestic World Cup following, and so much more.  If you have ideas to improve American soccer, submit them at https://ecnl.info/BTL-Questions, and as always, like and subscribe to Breaking the Line on YouTube and on your favorite podcast platforms, and follow the ECNL on all social channels.

  3. Jul 16

    Breaking the Line: Live at ECNL Girls National Playoffs and Finals | Ep. 141

    Let us know the topics of interest to you! Breaking the Line is once again live in Seattle, this time at the ECNL Girls National Playoffs and Finals.  ECNL President Christian Lavers and ECNL Vice President Doug Bracken are joined by esteemed guests Erin Montoya, MVLA Girls Technical Director, Ronnie Woodard, ECNL Girls Director for Tennessee SC, and Chris Leahey, ECNL Girls Commissioner.  Following the great live episode in San Diego, Lavers and Bracken chat with the guests about how the girls' game has grown over the years, how to continue to grow the sport following an important World Cup run by the USMNT, the anticipation for the Women's World Cup in 2027 and more.  As always, make sure to submit any questions to https://ecnl.info/BTL-Questions, to subscribe to Breaking the Line on Youtube, and to follow the ECNL on all social channels.

  4. Jul 1

    Breaking the Line: Live at ECNL Boys National Playoffs | Ep. 140

    Let us know the topics of interest to you! Breaking the Line returns for Episode 140, where ECNL President Christian Lavers and ECNL Vice President Doug Bracken sit down with guests on the sidelines of the ECNL Boys National Playoffs at Surf Sports Park in San Diego, California.  Lavers and Bracken open with ECNL Boys Commissioner Jason Kutney as the episode’s first guests, then bring on Ray Selvadurai, Director of Coaching at Manhattan SC, and Novi Maric, CEO of Florida Premier FC.  The entire episode is filled with incredible conversations about the ECNL, the ECNL Boys National Playoffs, the state of youth soccer, World Cup aspirations, and more.  As always, make sure to submit any questions to https://ecnl.info/BTL-Questions, to subscribe to Breaking the Line on Youtube, and to follow the ECNL on all social channels.

  5. Jun 22

    Pitch Talk: Lessons from the 2026 World Cup and Some of Sport’s Sharpest Minds | Ep. 139

    Let us know the topics of interest to you!

  6. Jun 3

    Pitch-Proven Results: How US Soccer Compares to the European Game | Ep. 138

    Let us know the topics of interest to you! Fresh off the heels of the ECNL International Tournament, powered by Coaches' Voice and in association with Everton International Academy, Oklahoma Energy Director of Coaching Mark Howard joins Breaking the Line to discuss everything about the European event and more.  Conversing with ECNL President Christian Lavers and ECNL Vice President Doug Bracken, Howard begins with his upbringing in Manchester, England, joining Manchester United's academy and playing professionally in Europe before coming to the US.  Armed with his experiences, BTL dives into what it was like for him to be back in England for the ECNL International Tournament, what the perception was about the American teams before and after the event, and what are the differences between the youth systems in the US and Europe and why are they that way?  Along the way, the team lays out a better path forward, while also giving their thoughts about the upcoming World Cup and a few predictions. As always, make sure to submit any questions to https://ecnl.info/BTL-Questions, to subscribe to Breaking the Line on YouTube, and to follow the ECNL on all social channels.

  7. May 20

    Connecting ECNL Players to the Pros with Data and Video feat. Hudl | Ep. 137

    Let us know the topics of interest to you! ECNL President Christian Lavers and ECNL Vice President Doug Bracken welcomed Matt Mueller, President of Hudl, to Breaking the Line this week to dive into everything about the video streaming platform and the partnership between Hudl and the ECNL.  The Breaking the Line crew dives into Hudl’s start with Nebraska football, how the company has expanded into nearly every amateur sport, how Hudl and the ECNL continue to expand and grow video capabilities and access and what the future holds for both organizations.  It’s a great discussion about the power of video and data in sports, and how both are leaders in their respective fields.  As always, make sure to submit any questions to https://ecnl.info/BTL-Questions, to subscribe to Breaking the Line on YouTube, and to follow the ECNL on all social channels.

  8. Apr 23

    ECNL Goes International: Building Culture, Memories and Passion | Ep. 136

    Let us know the topics of interest to you! ECNL President Christian Lavers and ECNL Vice President Doug Bracken return to the airwaves with ECNL Boys Commissioner Jason Kutney and North Carolina FC Youth CEO Gary Buete for an in-depth look at the ECNL International Series and its first two events: the ECNL International Tournament, Powered by Coaches' Voice and in association with Everton International Academy, and the ECNL International IberCup. Participating in the ECNL International Tournament and serving as the host site for the ECNL International IberCup, Buete discussed why these international events were important for NCFC Youth as a whole, what it can provide for their players, and why its vital as a club that the ECNL as a league facilitates opportunities such as these.  Along the way, the four also discuss the differences in local soccer culture between the United States and Europe, how the US can continue to build a strong soccer culture and more. As always, make sure to submit any questions to https://ecnl.info/BTL-Questions, to subscribe to Breaking the Line on YouTube, and to follow the ECNL on all social channels.

See All (144)

Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
39 Ratings

About

The Elite Clubs National League was founded in 2009 and continues to lead by daring to do things differently, embedded with grit, collaboration and tenacity – all things learned from the beautiful game. The ECNL protects and propels the integrity of the game and everyone it impacts by facilitating the perfect symmetry of excellence and humility, exclusivity and accessibility, freedom and community. We believe that challenging everyone to rise to their best creates game-changers that live well, long after cleats are unlaced. Born out of the belief in a better way. Continued in the ever-evolving pursuit of excellence.

Information

  • Creator
    Elite Clubs National League
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    144
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Breaking the Line: The ECNL Podcast
  • Show Website
    Breaking the Line: The ECNL Podcast

You Might Also Like