Eastside FC, Mercer Island FC, and XL are excited to announce a new partnership, effective for the 2026-2027 season and beyond.
Introducing: Eastside FC West
XL teams will be rebranded and wear the Eastside FC badge, while continuing to train on Mercer Island and in Bellevue. Teams will compete in the RCL and have access to the full developmental pathway at Eastside FC, including the ECNL.
Both XL teams and Eastside FC Bellevue teams will take on Eastside FC West names.
MIFC Director of Soccer & Community, Sean Morris, will work in a leadership role within Eastside FC West, while remaining in his working role with MIFC.
All Eastside FC & Eastside FC West players, regardless of training location, will be part of the same 'ECNL and beyond' developmental pathway.
The RCL represents a high quality, locally-oriented league, featuring some of the most established and well-known clubs in the region, providing a stable league experience, that prioritizes local competition.
ECNL is a national league which represents the highest youth league level available, and is the pinnacle of the girls' pathway, providing unrivaled competitive access and opportunity for Mercer Island and Bellevue players to pursue soccer at all levels.
NOTE: MIFC is a part of the EYSA, an association of clubs which collaborated to create and promote Eastside FC as the premier soccer pathway in the region. This framework represents an opportunity to strengthen our existing connection to EFC and the EYSA, and build a platform to provide growth and strength across the association.
Tryouts + Team Formations
Training, League, & Logistics
Tryouts
Eastside FC West evaluations will be centralized in Preston as part of Eastside FC's overall process for consistency and opportunity.
- Commitment to May – April soccer
- Expectation that players will attend all scheduled practices and games
Team Placement
Tryouts are performance-based; but no Mercer Island or Bellevue family is required to train in Preston unless the make a top team and choose to accept.
Eastside FC West Maroon teams will train on Mercer Island and in Bellevue
Eastside FC West Teams will participate in the RCL
Eastside FC West Teams use TeamSnap for registrations, scheduling, and communication. Any player registering will require an active TeamSnap account
- Training Schedule
- Training 3x per week
- May - August: Weekly 3x per week training and tournaments throughout the summer
- August - November: League play in RCL*
- December: Break
- January – April: Winter/Spring League Play, State tournaments* (State tournaments run in the Spring)
*RCL division placement will be dependent on the best fit and most competitive environment for each team.
How Does This Impact Teams & Options?
North Puget Sound League
| Example Team | Tryouts | Training | League | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G14 Maroon | Mercer Island | Mercer Island | NPSL | No Change |
| MIFC B11 Maroon | Mercer Island | Mercer Island | NPSL | No Change |
Regional Club League
| Example Team | Tryouts | Training | League | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastside FC West G14 Maroon (Formerly XL) | Preston | Mercer Island & Bellevue | RCL | League, Club Name, Team Name, Tryout Location |
| Eastside FC West B11 Maroon (Formerly XL) | Preston | Mercer Island & Bellevue | RCL | League, Club Name, Team Name, Tryout Location |
Elite Clubs National League
| Example Team | Tryouts | Training | League | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastside FC G14 ECNL | Preston | Preston | ECNL | No Change (New Player Pathway) |
| Eastside FC B11 ECNL | Preston | Preston | ECNL | No Change (New Player Pathway) |
Questions & Answers
What does this partnership mean for current MIFC & XL players?
After tryouts this Spring, XL teams will be renamed and compete wearing the Eastside FC badge, giving players access to full Eastside FC club resources, programs, and development pathways, including ECNL and ECNL RL leagues.
Players who earn a spot on the newly formed Eastside FC West teams will continue training at Mercer Island and Bellevue locations.
Mercer Island FC players will have all the same programs and teams available, but will now be a direct part of the Eastside FC player pathway.
Will Mercer Island FC still exist?
Yes!
The XL naming will be retired, and teams will compete wearing the Eastside FC badge.
All Mercer Island FC teams and programs outside of the Eastside FC West program will continue to operate and train on Mercer Island.
What does this partnership mean for current tryouts and player opportunities?
All tryouts for Eastside FC West will take place in Preston.
All tryouts for Mercer Island FC will take place in Mercer Island.
Players select a preferred team base when registering for tryouts (Bellevue, Mercer Island, or Preston); however, placement is based on evaluation and roster availability, and players must earn a spot on a team. Families are encouraged to consult with a coach prior to tryouts to discuss fit and expectations.
Who will be the coaches for Eastside FC West teams based on Mercer Island?
Full coaching slates will be announced prior to Spring 2026-2027 tryouts.
Where will XL players train next season?
Players who earn a spot on next year’s Eastside FC West Maroon teams will train on Mercer Island and in Bellevue. Some players may be offered a spot on Bellevue-based or Preston-based teams.
Tryouts are merit-based, but families will never be forced to switch locations.
Does this partnership give Mercer Island FC and XL players access to the full Eastside FC pathway?
Yes.
MIFC Players: Full access to all MIFC programs; Rec, Juniors, & Select, while retaining the opportunity to move into Eastside FC West/Eastside FC by displaying the commitment, motivation, and competitive capacity to earn their place.
XL Players: Playing as an EFC-branded team, with full access to the Eastside FC pathway, and direct opportunities to be promoted into a Preston-based ECNL/ECNL-R team through merit of performance and dedication.
Following tryouts, all Eastside FC players—regardless of training location—are part of the Eastside FC family. Players are evaluated holistically based on ability, potential, attitude, and overall fit. Current Mercer Island & XL players who participate in Eastside FC tryouts will be fully considered for placement within the ECNL, ECNL RL, and RCL pathways.
Player Pathway
