Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

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Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer CEO, Chris Branscome, to Speak at “The Economics of the World Cup” Event

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Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer CEO Chris Branscome will be among the featured speakers at The Economics of the World Cup, an upcoming event hosted by the British American Business Council on May 21 in Philadelphia.

Held in anticipation of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the event will bring together leaders from sport, tourism, and the international business community to explore the global economic impact of the world’s largest sporting event.

Branscome will join a panel that includes Meg Kane (FIFA World Cup 26 Philadelphia™), Larry Needle (PHL Sports, Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau), and Andrew Rocks (Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP).

The discussion will examine how the World Cup drives investment, tourism, infrastructure development, and long-term regional growth. With matches set to take place in Philadelphia, the conversation will also highlight the opportunities the tournament presents for the city and surrounding region.

Panelists will draw on insights from past tournaments while looking ahead to 2026, as global attention turns to North America. The event will also provide a networking opportunity for attendees to connect with professionals and decision-makers from across the region.

Pre-registration is required, and space is limited.

Register here: babcphl.com/2026/03/the-economics-of-the-world-cup/

Unified Champions School Day Connects Lehigh Valley Students Through Sport

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Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer partnered with Special Olympics Greater Lehigh Valley Pocono Region for a Unified Champions School Day, bringing together schools from across the Lehigh Valley for a day centered on inclusion and connection through sport.

Participating schools included Emmaus, Whitehall, William Allen, Dieruff, Parkland, Salisbury, and Catasauqua. The event welcomed Unified athletes and Unified partners, creating an environment where students of all abilities could take part alongside one another.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer supported the day by leading soccer-based activities, giving participants the opportunity to get involved, work together, and enjoy the game in a fun and inclusive setting.

Unified Champions School Day highlights the role sport can play in building confidence, fostering connections, and creating meaningful experiences for everyone involved.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer is proud to support initiatives like this alongside Special Olympics Greater Lehigh Valley Pocono Region and continue creating opportunities for inclusive play.

ODP Pathway Day Brings Players Together at USTC

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ODP Pathway Day took place on April 26 at United Sports Training Center in Downingtown, bringing players from across the state together for a full day of training.

The event featured age group pool sessions, with players training alongside others in their age group in a different environment than their usual team setting. The format created a competitive atmosphere while also giving players the chance to connect with others across the program.

Beyond the training sessions, the day focused on the bigger picture of ODP. Players were introduced to the pathway beyond the state level, including opportunities for regional and national identification.

Older age groups also trained in front of college coaches, adding another layer to the experience.

ODP Pathway Day continues to be a key part of the program, combining development, exposure, and insight into what comes next for players in ODP.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Hosts Marketing of Soccer: 2026 and Beyond presented by Bank of America at Independence Visitor Center

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Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer welcomed leaders from across the sports and business community to the Independence Visitor Center in Philadelphia on April 22 for Marketing of Soccer: 2026 and Beyond, presented by Bank of America.

The afternoon brought together professionals from soccer, marketing, and communications to explore how the game is evolving in the lead-up to 2026 and what that means for brands, organizations, and the fan experience.

Headlining the event was keynote speaker Catherine Newman, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for U.S. Soccer, who shared insight into the Federation’s approach to storytelling, fan engagement, and building momentum ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The panel discussion featured Derek Aframe (EVP, Octagon), Marc Horine (Chief Business Officer & Founding Partner, For Soccer), and Garrett Shea (President, Sports, Sponsorships and Events Consulting, LLC), who offered perspectives on sponsorship trends, the growth of soccer in the United States, and how organizations can better connect with audiences in an increasingly competitive sports landscape.

Throughout the program, speakers emphasized the opportunity surrounding 2026, not just as a moment for the sport, but as a catalyst for long-term growth across communities, businesses, and the broader soccer ecosystem.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer would like to thank Bank of America for its support in making Marketing of Soccer: 2026 and Beyond possible.

US Club Soccer and US Youth Soccer Announce National 1 League

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The National 1 League, the competition previously referred to as “NewComp,” has been officially announced as the new top team-based competition across US Club Soccer and US Youth Soccer.

Set to launch in the 2026-27 season, the National 1 League will bring together top teams from both organizations into a single, aligned competition structure.

The league is being introduced to better connect competition across the country and create a more unified approach at the highest level of the youth game. It will feature a structure that allows teams to compete within their regions while remaining part of a broader national competition.

As part of the transition to the National 1 League, both the National Premier Leagues (NPL) and the National League will conclude following the current season. Top-performing teams will have opportunities to advance within the evolving competition structure, including connections to the ECNL Regional League.

The introduction of the National 1 League represents a shift in how top team-based competition is organized across the U.S., aligning leagues and creating a clearer pathway for teams through performance within their respective environments.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Joins SoccerFest 2026 to Expand Youth Opportunities

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As excitement builds around the FIFA World Cup 26™ this summer, new opportunities to connect with the game are coming to the Lehigh Valley.

SoccerFest 2026, hosted by ArtsQuest at SteelStacks from June 11 to July 19, will feature an expanded lineup of youth programming designed to engage players of all ages and introduce new families to the sport.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer will be part of that effort, helping bring high-quality soccer experiences to the region through clinics, 3v3 tournaments and youth-focused events held alongside World Cup watch parties.

Programming will take place throughout the festival and reflects the continued growth of the game both nationally and within eastern Pennsylvania, where more than 110,000 players participate in Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer programs each year.

Local clubs, including Penn Rising XI, will also play a role in delivering programming, with coaches helping lead clinics and 3v3 tournaments throughout the event.

SoccerFest Youth Programming Includes:

3v3 Youth Tournaments (Ages 9–14)
Saturday, June 13 (Girls)
Sunday, June 14 (Boys)
Registration closes June 1 at noon

Free Adaptive Clinic (Ages 5–14)
Saturday, June 20

Free Youth Clinic (Ages 5–12)
Saturday, June 20

Youth Field Trips (Ages 5–18)
Monday, June 22 & Tuesday, June 23
Includes campus tours, soccer-themed activities and World Cup match viewing

Free Spanish-Language Youth Clinic (Ages 5–14)
Saturday, June 27

Spots are still available for all youth programming, with registration required.

For more information and to register, visit the SoccerFest page on the ArtsQuest website.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Part of Lehigh Valley Soccer Festival & Viewing Party This Summer

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The Lehigh Valley Soccer Festival & Viewing Party is coming to SteelStacks from June 11 through July 19 as part of the FIFA World Cup 2026 celebration. The monthlong event will bring fans together for match watch parties, entertainment, and youth-focused programming throughout the summer.

As part of the festival, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer will be involved in youth programming designed to inspire the next generation of players, including clinics and 3v3 opportunities for young athletes of all abilities. The event highlights the continued growth of soccer in the Lehigh Valley and creates opportunities for players and families to engage with the game in a fun, community-centered environment.

Don’t miss the Lehigh Valley Soccer Festival & Viewing Party at SteelStacks this summer. For more information, click here.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Teams Head to USYS National League Winter Event

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Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer will be well represented on the national stage as three teams prepare to compete in the US Youth Soccer National League Winter Event, taking place January 30 through February 1 at the Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa, Arizona.

The event brings together top boys and girls teams from across the country, with competition spanning the 14U through 19U age groups during the 2025-26 season. Teams are placed into four-team groups, with each side playing three matches over three days in a highly competitive round-robin format.

Group winners advance directly to the 2026 US Youth Soccer National Championships. In select age groups, top second-place finishers may also qualify for Nationals, while remaining second-place teams advance to The National League Cup Playoffs. Final postseason destinations will be determined following the conclusion of the January event and the application of tiebreakers.

Eastern Pennsylvania teams competing in Mesa include two girls teams and one boys team, all looking to make a statement against elite opposition. Full schedules for each Eastern Pennsylvania team are listed below.

1776 United FC 08/07G 

  • FW United FC 2007/08G NL (IN) vs. 1776 United FC 08/07G (PA-E) 
    • January 30, 2026 | 10:00 AM MST 
  • 1776 United FC 08/07G (PA-E) vs. United PDX 07/08G Premier (OR) 
    • January 31, 2026 | 9:00 AM MST 
  • 1776 United FC 08/07G (PA-E) vs. Nationals Union 08G Black (MI) 
    • February 01, 2026 | 8:00 AM MST 

Warrington FC United 10G (PA-E) 

  • Atletico Dallas Youth 10G (TX-N) vs. Warrington FC United 10G (PA-E)  
    • January 30, 2026 | 12:15 PM MST 
  • Nationals Union 10G Black (MI) vs. Warrington FC United 10G (PA-E)  
    • January 31, 2026 | 11:15 AM MST 
  • TFA 10G NL (OH) vs. Warrington FC United 10G (PA-E)  
    • February 01, 2026 | 10:00 AM MST 

HEX FC Dominion 07/08B  

  • Spire FC 07/08B Black NL (OH) vs. HEX FC Dominion 07/08B (PA-E) 
    • January 30, 2026 | 10:00 AM MST 
  •  HEX FC Dominion 07/08B (PA-E) vs. Midwest United FC SCOR 08 Black (MI)  
    • January 31, 2026 | 9:00 AM MST 
  •  HEX FC Dominion 07/08B (PA-E) vs. Raiders FC 07/08 NL (IL)  
    • February 01, 2026 | 8:00 AM MST 

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Announces 2026 Awards Banquet and Annual General Meeting, Award Recipients Named

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Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer will host its 2026 Awards Banquet and Annual General Meeting on Friday, February 27 and Saturday, February 28, 2026, at the Sheraton Valley Forge in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.  

The 2026 Awards Banquet will take place on Friday, February 27 from 6-9 PM, celebrating the outstanding players, coaches, volunteers, administrators, and clubs who made a lasting impact during the 2025 season.  

Tickets for the 2026 Awards Banquet are available for purchase online at: eventbrite.com/e/2026-eastern-pennsylvania-youth-soccer-annual-awards-banquet-tickets-1898461041079 

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Saturday, February 28, with check-in beginning at 8:30 AM and the meeting starting promptly at 10 AM. Required attendees will receive AGM details directly via email.  

2026 Awards Banquet Recipients 

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer is proud to recognize the following award winners:  

  • Administrator of the Year: Irene Dobrin, Dynamo United & Penn Athletics 
  • Volunteer of the Year: Janine & Pete Afflerbach, Harleysville FC 
  • Boys Team of the Year: YMS 10B Premier United 
  • Girls Team of the Year: Carlisle Area Youth Soccer Cannons 07/08G 
  • Boys Coach of the Year: Charlie Dodds, Lower Merion SC 007 
  • Girls Coach of Year: Adam Freeman, Penn FC Youth 2007 F Black 
  • D’Anjolell Award: Phoenixville Area Soccer Club 
  • Mike Barr Excellence in Coaching Award: Antonio Bayon and Danielle Fagan 
  • Service to Youth Award: Randy Garber and Mike Gorni 
  • Service to Community Award: Carlos Najera 

“These awards recipients highlight the coaches, volunteers, and organizations who continue to make a meaningful impact in youth soccer throughout Eastern Pennsylvania,” said Chris Branscome, CEO of Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer. “We look forward to celebrating their achievements and connecting with our membership during this special weekend.”  

Information about the 2026 Awards Banquet along with previous winners can be found here. Information about the Annual General Meeting can be found here.