ECNL should make a deal with the NCAA in a hurry or partner with US Soccer somehow.
Despite the fact that ECNL had a huge head start and that they have done a wonderful job building their platform, DA/DPL is US Soccer. US Soccer is not going to allow ECNL to occupy the top of any pyramid.
The ONLY chance ECNL has to remain viable in the long term is to find a partner that is not deeply embedded with US Soccer - so not MLS, not NWSL, not USL, not DA - perhaps the NCAA???
Even that is unlikely to be viable.
I am NOT predicting the demise of ECNL in the next year or two, but I cannot see how it survives as a significant player in 5 years.
Boys ECNL and ECNL 2 are only going to accelerate the outcome.