For over 35 years Delaware FC has been providing engaging soccer programs so players of all ages and skill levels can learn and enjoy the beautiful game.
- Players
- 3,500
- Ages
- U4–U23
- Plays
- Boys & Girls
- Programs
- 27
Where on the ladder
Level 2 to Level 6
Each level below lists the leagues this club plays in. Your kid's level depends on the team they make. The six levels are our own reading of public league play. They are not an official ranking.
Sanctioned by Delaware Youth Soccer Association (US Youth Soccer). The club’s site also lists US Club Soccer. We have not confirmed that from the body’s own member list, so we do not call the club sanctioned. It also lists United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA), United States Soccer Federation (USSF), Acela League. We have not placed those leagues on the ladder, so they do not count above.
See how the whole ladder worksFrom the league tables
Delaware FC, every team.
Last season Delaware FC fielded 23 teams in the leagues we track: 15 boys and 8 girls, from national elite down to competitive regional. The ladder tops out in Pre-ECNL from U11 up.
| lvl | U11 | U12 | U13 | U14 | U15 | U16 | U17 | U18 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECNL / MLS NEXT / Girls Academy | |||||||||
| ECNL Regional, Pre-ECNL, Aspire, EAL | |||||||||
| ECNL Regional, Pre-ECNL, Aspire, EAL |
Each dot is one team in the 2026-27 season. We place it by the league the team actually plays in, not by the club’s own team names. A tap on a dot shows that team’s league, flight and record. The dots come from published league tables, so a team playing outside those leagues will not appear here.
Check the tables yourself
The link opens the event's flight list on Total Global Sports, where the ECNL family posts its tables. Your kid's birth year is one of the rows, and the Standings link beside the flight opens the table. Each season gets a new event page, so theecnl.com is the place to pick up a later one.
The link opens the event's flight list on Total Global Sports, where the ECNL family posts its tables. Your kid's birth year is one of the rows, and the Standings link beside the flight opens the table. Each season gets a new event page, so theecnl.com is the place to pick up a later one.
The link opens the event's flight list on Total Global Sports, where the ECNL family posts its tables. Your kid's birth year is one of the rows, and the Standings link beside the flight opens the table. Each season gets a new event page, so theecnl.com is the place to pick up a later one.
Programs
The programs, age by age
These come from the club's site, grouped the way the club groups them. Your kid starts in the one that fits their age.
Discovery Program
3, 4, and 5-year-olds
Our Discovery programs for 3, 4, and 5-year-olds are managed by DEFC staff coaches, providing a fun and engaging introduction to soccer.
DEFC North Recreational Program
Discovery U4, Discovery U5, Discovery U6, U8, U10, U12, U14, HS
The DEFC North recreational program offers a 7-week Fall 2026 season for players in Hockessin, Wilmington, Newark, and Southern Chester County.
DEFC Central Recreational Program
Discovery U4, Discovery U5, Discovery U6, U8, U10, U12, U14, HS
The DEFC Central recreational program offers a 7-week Fall 2026 season for players in the Middletown, Odessa, Townsend, Smyrna, Bear, and Cecil County areas.
DEFC South Recreational Program
Discovery U4, Discovery U5, Discovery U6, U8, U10, U12
The DEFC South recreational program is a 7-week program designed for boys and girls between the ages of 3 and 11. Sessions are run by DEFC professional staff coaches with the assistance of volunteer parents.
TOPSoccer
age 4-19
TOPSoccer is a community-based soccer program for young athletes with disabilities. It concentrates on development, training, and meaningful participation rather than competition.
DYSA
Recreational All Star Program
U8 & U10; U12 & U14 · 4v4
Fall U8 and U10 recreational coaches nominate players for a 4v4 All Star Play Day. Spring U12 and U14 coaches nominate players for DEFC North versus DEFC Central All-Star Games.
U8 Academy
birth years 2018, 2019, 2020
Delaware FC U8 Academy is an age appropriate introduction to the travel program for dedicated and motivated young players. The program focuses on technical skills, ball mastery, athletic development, and game understanding.
feeds into DEFC U8 or U9 Travel teams
ECNL / Pre-ECNL
U11 - U19 Players
The top tier program provides a competitive development pathway across the state. Pre-ECNL prepares players and teams for ECNL at U13.
ECNL · ECNL-RL feeds into ECNL at U13
Boys ECNL
U13-U19
The Elite Clubs National League is described as a premier platform for elite youth soccer development and college recruitment. Delaware FC Boys First teams will participate in ECNL Boys North Atlantic Division.
ECNL
Boys ECNL RL
U13-U19
The ECNL Regional League provides a pathway to ECNL National events and college showcase opportunities. Delaware FC Boys 2nd teams will participate in ECNL RL Boys North Atlantic Division.
ECNL-RL feeds into ECNL National events
Girls ECNL RL
U13-U19
The ECNL Regional League provides a high-level playing environment and college showcase opportunities. Delaware FC Girls First teams will participate in ECNL RL Girls North East Division.
ECNL-RL feeds into ECNL National events
Boys and Girls Pre-ECNL
U11-U12
The U12 teams play a year round Pre-ECNL schedule, while U11 teams play Acela League in Fall 2026 and Pre-ECNL league in Spring 2027. The pathway prepares players and teams for ECNL at U13.
ECNL · Acela League feeds into ECNL at U13
U8-U10 Local Program
U8-U10
U8-U10 players register and play by location in the North, Central, or South areas.
USYS
Ospreys Summer Select
U8-U14
Summer Select is a supplementary development program for travel and aspiring travel players, open to all players regardless of club affiliation. It offers an intensive summer training and game environment.
Delaware Ospreys Juniors
U8–U12
The Ospreys Juniors program offers supplemental professional training and future competition opportunities in a fun, club-neutral environment for ambitious female athletes.
Delaware Ospreys
U23
The Delaware Ospreys are the club's women's Premier Soccer League U23 team and an extension of the DEFC Girls player pathway.
WPSL
Delaware Ospreys
U23
The Men's Ospreys team is an extension of the DEFC Boys player pathway and competes in the USL League Two Mid-Atlantic Division.
USL2
Summer Camps
all ages and ability
Delaware FC Soccer Camps create a fun and safe learning environment for players of all ages and ability. Camps are offered at North, Central, and South locations.
Pre-Season Team Academy
boys and girls U8-U12
The Fall Pre-Season Team Academy helps players improve technical and tactical abilities in training and match situations and prepares Delaware FC teams for the upcoming fall season.
Goalkeeping Academy
all ages
The Goalkeeper Academy provides specialized training throughout winter, summer, and holiday breaks. Sessions focus on handling, positioning, 1v1s, high balls, distribution, and match simulation.
Speed and Agility Training
Speed and Agility Training focuses on coordination, balance, and overall cardiovascular health. It is open to any individual and is independent of any club, team, or organization.
Ospreys Summer Select South
U8-U14
The South program includes training and a tournament, with additional tournament and playday opportunities for interested players.
Ospreys Summer Select North
U8-U14
The North program includes training and tournaments, with an additional tournament and playday available for interested players.
Ospreys Summer Select Central
U8-U14
The Central program is training-only with a playday, plus an optional tournament at an additional cost.
Beach 3v3 Tournament
U8 – 14, Boys & Girls · 3v3
The Beach 3v3 Tournament includes a three-games guarantee plus a divisional championship game, with rosters limited to six players.
Spring Classic Tournament
U8 – U12, Boys & Girls
The annual Spring Classic is a small-sided tournament for boys and girls teams U8-U12, with games played in the New Castle County area.
Winter Futsal Series: IceBreaker
U8 – U14, Boys & Girls · 5v5
The Winter Futsal Series: IceBreaker is a 5v5 tournament with a three-games guarantee plus a divisional championship game.
Coaching
Who coaches here
81 names from the club's own staff page. The titles and licenses are what the club lists.
Justin Romano
Director of Coaching - North / Pre ECNL
North / Pre ECNL
Anthony Dirienzo
Director of Coaching - Central
Central
Lance Berry
Director of Coaching - Central Girls Zone 2
Central Girls Zone 2
Bryan Thorp
Director of Coaching - Girls Zone 2
Girls Zone 2
Dave Scruggs
ECNL Director / DEFC South DOC
ECNL / DEFC South
Pete Hayes
Recreational Director, Communications Director
Recreational
Nick Hess
Camps Director - North
North camps
Joel Flores
Recreational Director - Central
Central recreational
Where they play
31 fields
The fields the club lists as its own. Directions open in Google Maps, so you can check the drive before you sign up.
Smith EstatesPrimary
740 Evanson Rd., Hockessin, DE 19707 · Turf
Smith EstatesPrimary
740 Evanson Rd., Hockessin, DE 19707 · Grass
Alfred G. Waters
1235 Cedar Lane Road, Middletown, DE 19709
Appoquinimink High School
Artesian Fields
ASPIRA Academy
Brandywine Springs Elementary School
Brobyns House
Castle Sports
Cavalier Stadium
24 fields aren’t located on the map yet.
Fees
What it costs
What the club charges, from its own price list.
FREE
Add-ons
$75 per player optional tournament.
Get in touch
How to reach DEFC
Is DEFC the right move for your kid?
Tell us about your kid and we’ll rank this club against every other option inside your drive time, on level, cost, and where its players end up.