Two Leading Northern Virginia Soccer Programs Partner to Create Fairfax BRAVE Soccer Club.

This new club, a partnership between Braddock Road Youth Club and Vienna Youth Soccer, will compete in Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) starting in the 2022-2023 season.

Braddock Road Youth Club (BRYC) and Vienna Youth Soccer (VYS) are excited to announce a new partnership to build teams to compete in the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL), effective for the 2022-2023 seasonal year. This partnership will expand upon the successes of both clubs and elevate the effectiveness of the established BRYC ECNL teams through rosters strengthened by top level players from VYS.

“The creation of Fairfax BRAVE Soccer Club is an important milestone for our Elite Academy,” stated BRYC President Carol Harrity. “We recognize that the competitive landscape for soccer is changing, with many clubs looking to partner and consolidate player talent at the elite level. In VYS, we have a partner who shares our vision, and can complement our player pool. Together, we can continue to build on our many years of success.”

“The creation of Fairfax BRAVE Soccer Club is a landmark moment for Vienna Youth Soccer,” stated Matt Carrier, VYS President. ”BRYC is our geographical neighbor, and we share a vision for the program. Our partnership will provide the opportunity to compete at the highest level in a way that is practical and accessible for our players and families.” Fairfax BRAVE aims to appeal to players from across Fairfax County, while the two founding partners are acknowledged with the Braddock Road And Vienna ECNL acronym: BRAVE.

“This partnership provides us the opportunity to advance in three significant ways,” stated Mark Dolansky, BRYC Elite Academy Commissioner. “It will help us improve and sustain the competitiveness of our teams for years to come, it will extend ECNL development and pathway opportunities to more players, and it will support the club's long-term strategy to meet the increasing competition demands for ECNL-level players in our area.”

“Bravery is also a trait we value in playing philosophy and player character,” stated Kevin James, VYS Executive Director. “Fairfax BRAVE SC intends to become the natural home for elite players from across Fairfax County, and our name and logo reflect that aspiration and ambition.”

Fairfax BRAVE will field both boys’ and girls’ teams from U13-U19 age groups (12 teams total) beginning in the 2022-2023 season. BRYC and VYS will continue to independently operate their existing programs while acting as primary feeder clubs for Fairfax BRAVE. The continued success of each club will ensure a strong and growing pipeline of talented players in the years to come.

For more information on Fairfax BRAVE SC, please attend our town hall on March 15, 2022.