Team Naming Conventions

At Eastside FC, team names are designed to reflect both a player’s competitive level and their training environment within one unified club.

From U8 through U19, all teams compete in the RCL, providing a consistent and competitive foundation across every age group. As players progress, our structure connects directly to the highest levels of youth soccer in the country, creating a clear and intentional pathway.

 

Beginning at U13, our top team in each age group competes in the ECNL, with the second team competing in ECNL RL. These two teams represent the highest level of competition within the club and are always based in Preston. From U8 to U12, this top tier is represented by our Red and White teams, which serve as the primary entry point into the club’s long-term development pathway.

 

Beyond the top two teams, Eastside FC fields additional teams in Preston (Blue, Grey, Navy) and our West teams based in Bellevue (West Red and West White) and Mercer Island (West Maroon). These teams are formed based on competitive level within each age group, but their relative positioning can vary from year to year. In some cases, a West Red team may compete at a similar level to a Blue or Grey team; in others, the alignment may look different. Team names should not be interpreted as a fixed ranking beyond the top two levels.

 

It is also important to understand that team placement is not static. Within the RCL, teams move up and down divisions based on performance, similar to a promotion and relegation model. This structure allows each team to consistently compete at the appropriate level and ensures meaningful games across the club.

 

Ultimately, Eastside FC operates as one club with multiple training hubs and a shared methodology. Players across all teams are evaluated within the same system, and movement between teams and locations remains fluid based on development. Our team naming structure is simply a way to organize that pathway—while keeping the focus where it belongs: on long-term player growth and opportunity.