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US Youth Soccer Announces Format Change for National Championships 

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TO: Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Member Organizations  
FROM: David Jones, Director of Competitions  
DATE: September 25, 2025 
RE: US Youth Soccer Announces Format Change for National Championships 

US Youth Soccer has announced a major format change to its National Championships, aimed at creating the best youth sports experience in the country. Beginning with the current season, State Cup champions from all 54 state associations will directly advance to the National Championships, eliminating the Regional Championship round.  

For Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer, this does not change the structure or format of our State Cup. Our competition will continue to operate as it always has, with the same rules, format, and schedule in place. Presidents Cup and Challenge Cup will also remain the unchanged.  

This exciting change is designed to: 

  • Enhance the value and visibility of State Cups as core qualifying events 
  • Streamline the championship pathway to reduce travel demands 
  • Celebrate tradition while embracing progress to deliver a more focused, player-centered experience at the national level 

Along with the State Cup champions, group winners from National League Winter events will also qualify, bringing even more representation and competition to the national stage.  

This format change reflects the feedback of member associations, clubs, coaches, and families, aligning with USYS’ long-term vision of enhancing competition while easing the burdens on players and parents. The result is a streamlined, meaningful, and memorable pathway to the National Championships.  

More details about qualification timelines, host locations, and event details will be shared in the coming weeks.  

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Announces Title Changes for David Jones and JT Dorsey 

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Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer is proud to recognize two staff members with new titles that reflect their leadership and impact across the game.  

David ‘DJ’ Jones, formerly State Cup Manager, has been promoted to Director of Competitions. In this role, he will oversee all competitive events and programming, including the State Cup, Indoor State Cup, and other major competitions.  

JT Dorsey, previously Grassroots Soccer Manager, has been promoted to Director of Soccer Development. He will lead initiatives focused on players, coaches, and club development across Eastern Pennsylvania.  

“These promotions reflect the tremendous work and dedication both DJ and JT have shown to the game and our members,” said Chris Branscome, CEO of Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer. “Their leadership and experience will help us continue to raise the standard of youth soccer in our state.” 

Branscome added, “Their new roles allow us to continue growing the game at every level in Eastern Pennsylvania. We’re excited to see the positive impact they’ll make in the seasons ahead.  

About Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer: Since 1972, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer has worked throughout the 36 counties in Eastern Pennsylvania to promote, foster, and perpetuate the game of soccer to the region’s youth. Through competitions, educational programs, outreach efforts, and coaching clinics, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer impacts the lives of more than 130,000 youth soccer players from ages 5 to 19. Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer is one of 54 state associations in US Youth Soccer and a member of the United States Soccer Federation. Additional information can be found at epysa.org.  

High School Games of the Week: September 22-28

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High school soccer takes center stage this week across Eastern Pennsylvania, with rivalries, conference matchups, and big early-season tests on the schedule. From Friday night lights to packed student sections, there’s no shortage of energy and storylines as teams look to make their mark each fall.  

Check out the games below and make plans to get out and support your local teams this week! 

  • District 1 Girls: Avon Grove at Downingtown West 3:45 P.M. 
  • District 11 Boys: Moravian Academy at Banger 4 pm 
  • District 11 Girls: Bangor at Moravian Academy 4pm 
  • District 2 Boys: Hanover Area vs MMI Prep School 4:15 P.M. 
  • District 4 Girls: Meadowbrook Christian at Sullivan County 4:30 P.M. 
  • District 4 Boys: Jersey Shore art North Penn-Liberty 4:30 P.M. 
  • District 2 Girls: Dallas at Wyoming Valley West HS 6:30 P.M. 
  • District 3 Boys: East Juanita at Halifax 6:30 P.M. 
  • District 3 Boys: Elizabethtown at Ephrata 7:00 P.M. 
  • District 1 Boys: Souderton at Quakertown 4:15 P.M. 
  • District 4 Girls: Montgomery at South Williamsport 4:30 P.M. 
  • District 2 Girls: Wyoming Seminary College Prep at Lake-Lehman 6:00 P.M. 
  • District 2 Boys: Pittston Area at Crestwood 6:30 P.M. 
  • District 4 Boys: North Schuylkill at Lourdes Regional 6:30 P.M. 
  • District 11 Girls: Saucon Valley at Southern Lehigh 6:30 P.M. 
  • District 3 Girls: Middletown at East Pennsboro 7:00 P.M. 
  • District 3 Boys: Daniel Boone at Reading Senior High 7:00 P.M. 
  • District 11 Boys: Pen Argyl at Catasauqua 7 P.M. 
  • District 3 Girls: Hershey at Central Dauphin East 4:00 P.M. 
  • District 11 Girls: Northwestern at Moravian Academy 4 P.M. 
  • District 4 Girls: Halifax at Line Mountain 4:30 P.M. 
  • District 3 Girls: Cocalico at Solanco 5:30 P.M. 
  • District 4 Boys: Bloomsburg at Shamokin 5:30 P.M. 
  • District 11 Boys: Moravian Academy at Northwestern 6:30 P.M. 
  • District 1 Girls: Kennet at Avon Grove 7 P.M. 
    • Senior Night 
  • District 3 Girls: Wyomissing at Schuylkill Valley 7:00 P.M. 
  • District 2 Boys: Wyoming Area at Lake-Lehman 3:30 P.M. 
  • District 1 Girls: Strath Haven at Springfield 3:45 P.M. 
  • District 1 Boys: Conestoga at Lower Merion 4 P.M. 
  • District 11 Boys: Lehighton at Palmerton 4 P.M. 
  • District 4 Girls: Hughesville-Lewisburg at Lewisburg 4:30 P.M. 
  • District 4 Boys: Northumberland Christian at Schuylkill Haven 6:15 P.M. 
  • District 3 Boys: Fairfield at York Catholic 7:00 P.M. 
  • District 1 Boys: Harry S. Truman at Jenkintown 3:45 P.M. 
  • District 3 Girls: Harrisburg Christian School at Harrisburg Academy 4:00 P.M. 
  • District 1 Boys: Upper Dublin at Faith Christian 7 P.M. 
  • District 2 Girls: Hanover Area at Holy Redeemer 7:30 P.M. 
  • District 11 Boys: Palisades at Wilson 10 A.M. 
  • District 4 Boys: Northumberland Christian at Loyalsock 11:00 A.M. 
  • District 4 Boys: Central Columbia at Camp Hill 11:00 A.M. 
  • District 4 Girls: Northeast Bradford vs. Warrior Run 3:00 P.M. 

24 EPA Players Receive USYS National Championship Individual Award 

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US Youth Soccer has announced its individual award winners from the 2025 National Championships presented by New York Life and National Presidents Cup, with 24 Eastern Pennsylvania players receiving recognition for their outstanding performances. 

Players were named to their respective age group’s Best XI or recognized as an MVP, Golden Boot, or Golden Glove recipient. 

Selections for the Best XI and Golden Ball were determined by votes from team coaches during the weeks of competition in Tampa and Orlando, Fla. The Golden Boot was awarded to the top goal-scorer in each age group, while the Golden Glove went to the goalkeeper who allowed the fewest goals. 

National Championships

U19 Boys  

  • Brian O’Neil- FC DELCO NAL ’06 
  • Benjamin Goodrich- HEX FC Dominion 06/07B 
  • Braeden Brownholtz- HEX FC Dominion 06/07B 

U19 Girls  

  • Viktorya Luckenbach- Penn FC Youth 2007 F Black
  • Haley Bull Penn- Penn FC Youth 2007 F Black

Golden Ball  

  • Benjamin Goodrich- HEX FC Dominion 06/07B 

Golden Glove 

  • Chelsea Coburn- Penn FC Youth 2007 F Black

National Presidents Cup

19U Boys  

  • Fusia Donzo- Lower Merion SC 007’s  
  • Grahm Costello (MVP)- Lower Merion SC 007’s
  • Bennet Kane- Lower Merion SC 007’s  

19U Girls  

  • Mackenzie Hermann- Towamencin Youth Assn Tornadoes

18U Boys  

  • Adam Shiloni- Vereinigung Erzgebirge SC Mountaineers 
  • Ryan Falcone- Vereinigung Erzgebirge SC Mountaineers   
  • Keegan Courduff- Vereinigung Erzgebirge SC Mountaineers 

18U Girls  

  • Reese Hughes- Carlisle Area Youth Soccer Cannons
  • Samantha Knisely- Carlisle Area Youth Soccer Cannons
  • Ella Garmen- Carlisle Area Youth Soccer Cannons

17U Boys  

  • Vincenzo Harwood- Huntingdon Valley AA Sting 2008 

16U Boys  

  • Jay Koch- FC Montco Legends

16U Girls  

  • Elyse Shull- Keystone FC Premier
  • Allison Scheungrab- Keystone FC Premier

15U Boys  

  • Kevin Wagner- Huntingdon Valley AA Stingers 2010

14U Boys 

  • William Booth- Steel United 11B Elite

Golden Glove 

  • Grahm Costello- Lower Merion SC 007’s  
  • Elisabeth Bordner- Carlisle Area Youth Soccer Cannons  
  • Grace Grim- Keystone FC Premier  

Golden Boot  

  • Fusia Donz- Lower Merion SC 007’s
  • Mackenzie Siler- Keystone FC Premier 

Aspire Academy Global Summit 2025 Comes to Philadelphia 

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Soccer leaders from across the world are gathering in Philadelphia for the Aspire Academy Global Summit 2025, a premier event bringing together coaches, managers, and performance experts to share insights that shape the future of the game.  

This year’s program features some of the biggest names in soccer including Gareth Southgate, Rafa Benitez, Carli Lloyd, Bradley Carnell, Wilfried Nancy, and Alessandro Nesta.  

Key topics include Tactical Approaches, Performance & Recovery, Managing Calendars, Sports Technology, and the Growth of Women’s Soccer. The summit will also feature roundtable discussions and practical clinics led by international experts from clubs like AC Milan, Juventus, Ajax, FC Porto, and the U.S. Women’s National Team.  

Full details and registration are available here.  

College Games of the Week: September 15-21

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College soccer is in full swing across Pennsylvania, with Division I, II, and III programs set for a bust week of action. From West Chester hosting Holy Family to Senior Day celebrations at Saint Joseph’s, Villanova, and Drexel later in the week, it’s a packed schedule across Eastern Pennsylvania.  

Whether you’re catching Temple under the lights on Tuesday, cheering on Kutztown’s Youth Soccer Night Wednesday, or tuning in for Ivy League rivalries on Friday, there’s plenty of games this week.  

Stay tuned for next week when we highlight the High School Games of the Week! 

  • D2: West Chester Men’s Soccer vs. Holy Family 
    • Monday, November 3 | 2 P.M. | John A. Rockwell Field 
  • D3: Delaware Valley Men’s Soccer vs. University of Valley Forge  
    • Monday, September 15 | 4 P.M. | Robert A. Lipinski Field at James Work Memorial Stadium   
  • D3: Eastern Men’s Soccer vs. Ursinus 
    • Tuesday, September 16 | 3:30 P.M. | Olson Field 
  • D1: Temple Men’s Soccer vs. Lafayette  
    • Tuesday, September 16 | 7 P.M. | Temple Sports Complex  
  • D1: Drexel Men’s Soccer vs. UPenn 
    • Tuesday, September 16 | 7 P.M. | Vidas Field 
  • D3: Widener Men’s Soccer vs. Swarthmore 
    • Tuesday, September 16 | 7 P.M. | Elizabeth J. Hirschmann Field at Leslie C. Quick Jr. Stadium 
  • D2: Thomas Jefferson Men’s Soccer vs. Bloomsburg  
    • Wednesday, September 17 | 4 P.M. | Ravenhill Field 
  • D2: Shippensburg University Women’s Soccer vs. Bloomsburg 
    • Wednesday, September 17 | 5:30 P.M. | David See Field 
  • D3: Kutztown Women’s Soccer vs. Shepherd – Youth Soccer Night 
    • Wednesday, September 17 | 7 P.M. | Keystone Field 
  • D3: University of Scranton Men’s Soccer vs. Penn State Abington 
    • Wednesday, September 17 | 7 P.M. | Weiss Field 
  • D1: University of Pennsylvania Women’s Soccer vs. Princeton 
    • Friday, September 19 | 6 P.M. | Rhodes Field 
  • D3: Franklin & Marshall Women’s Soccer vs. Muhlenberg 
    • Saturday, September 20 | 12 P.M. | Tylus Field (Kenny Gramas ‘88 Pavilion)  
  •  D1: Saint Joseph’s Women’s Soccer vs. Rhode Island – Senior Day 
    • Saturday, September 20 | 1 P.M.  | Sean Sweeney Field 
  • D3: Millersville Men’s Soccer vs. Lock Haven 
    • Saturday, September 20 | 2 P.M. | Pucillo Field   
  • D1: Villanova Women’s Soccer vs. Seton Hall – Senior Day 
    • Saturday, September 20 | 4 P.M.  | Higgins Soccer Complex   
  • D2: Bloomsburg University Women’s Soccer vs. West Chester 
    • Saturday, September 20 | 4 P.M.  | Steph Pettit Stadium 
  • D3: Penn State Harrisburg Men’s Soccer vs. Messiah 
    • Saturday, September 20 | 7 P.M. | Multipurpose Turf Field 
  • D1: Drexel Women’s Soccer vs. Hampton – Senior Day 
    • Sunday, September 21 | 1 P.M. | Vidas Field  

FIFA World Cup 26™ Ticket Sales Open Today 

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The wait is over. Starting today, fans can take their first step toward experiencing the biggest FIFA World Cup™ yet, as the Visa Presale Draw Officially opens on Wednesday, September 10 at 11:00 A.M.  

How to Apply 
Fans must register with FIFA ID at FIFA.com/tickets to enter the draw. Once registered, qualifying Visa cardholders can log in and submit their entry during the presale period. The draw is open from Wednesday, September 10 at 11:00 A.M. E.T. until Friday, September 19 at 11:00 A.M. E.T. 

Thanks to FIFA’s Official Payment Technology Partner, Visa, fans will enjoy a secure and seamless checkout process. The Visa Presale Draw is subject to official rules on FIFA.com, and entrants must be 18 or older. No purchase is necessary to enter.  

Ticket Details 

  • Group-stage tickets start at just $60 
  • Tickets for all 104 will be made available in this phase, along with team-specific and venue-specific packages 

After the draw closes, succesful applicants will be randomly selected and notified by email beginning September 29. Each winner will receive a purchase window starting October 1. Please note: a successful entry does not guarantee ticket availability during the assigned time slot.  

Upcoming Phases 
Additional opportunities to purchase tickets are coming: 

  • Phase 2 (October 2025): Early Ticket Draw 
  • Phase 3 (After Final Draw): Random Selection Draw 
  • Closer to the Tournament: First-come, first-serve sales on any remaining inventory 

FIFA will also launch an official resale platform later this year to protect fans form invalid or unauthorized resales.  

Join Us for the Special Olympics PA Inclusion Cup Tournament! 

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The Special Olympics Pennsylvania Greater Lehigh Valley Pocono Region is excited to host the Inclusion Cup Soccer Tournament on Sunday, September 7th, at St. Luke’s Sports Center.  

This community event celebrates the power of sports, inclusion, and teamwork — and we need YOUR help to make it a success! 

The Special Olympics Pennsylvania is looking for volunteers of all ages to come out and support this event!  

  • Community Service Hours: Students can earn volunteer hours for school. 
  • Age Requirement: Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. 
  • Ways to Help: Assist with event setup, cheer on athletes, run skills activities, or referee games. 

Special Olympics Community Soccer Tournament Volunteers 

Below is the link to sign up to referee at this event. 

2025 Greater Lehigh Valley Pocono Region – Soccer Officials Interest Form 

Event Details 

  • Opening Ceremony: 8:30 AM 
  • Competition Format: 
  • 5v5 games in the upper rink 
  • 7v7 games in the Fieldhouse 
  • Individual skills challenges outdoors (weather permitting) 

This is a day filled with energy, inclusion, and community spirit — and it wouldn’t be possible without the support of volunteers like you. 

For questions, please contact: lcsopa.soccer1@gmail.com  

Let’s make this year’s Inclusion Cup Tournament an unforgettable celebration of community, competition, and inclusion! 

20 Players from Eastern Pennsylvania Named to ODP East Regional Teams 

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Twenty players from Eastern Pennsylvania have been named to the Olympic Development Program East Regional Teams. 

ODP, established by US Youth Soccer, identifies and nurtures high-potential athletes through accelerated development pathways. Through rigorous training and competition, ODP provides exposure to higher levels of play, including regional and national identification.  

Players selected to the East Regional Teams will represent Eastern Pennsylvania and compete against teams from the Midwest, South, and West regions at the ODP Interregional Tournament in Orlando, Florida in January 2026. Girls will compete January 16-19 while the boys will compete January 22-26. At this event, they will be evaluated for potential inclusion on the ODP National Select Teams.  

ODP Boys East Region Selections from Eastern Pennsylvania:  
– 2009 Boys: Oscar Gasga 
– 2010 Boys: Zayan Yasir 
– 2012 Older: Rockford Martin 
– 2012 Younger: Iker Lucas-Avila 
– 2013 Older: Hunter Kruk 

ODP Girls East Region Selections from Eastern Pennsylvania: 
– 2008 Girls: Sophia Arvelo  
– 2009 Girls: Sydney Miller and Vivian Salerno 
– 2011 Girls: Francesca Fiore and Samantha Boyer and Brookelynn Bundy 
– 2012 Older: Brynn Slade 
– 2012 Younger: Juliana Bastidas and Brooke Evans 
– 2013 Older: Hadley Riggs and Piper Mascio 
– 2013 Younger: Alena Ritacco, Clara Knauss, Charlotte Hawkins, Emmi Boran 

To view the full boy’s roster, click here. To view the full girl’s roster, click here. 

Congratulations to all the players and their clubs on this outstanding achievement! 

For more information about Eastern Pennsylvania’s ODP programs, click here.