Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

General

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.  

West Chester United Wins National Amateur Cup

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West Chester United was crowned champions of the USASA National Amateur Cup Championship after defeating RWB Adria 4-3 in extra time. This win secured a spot in the 2026 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, West Chester United’s seventh tournament qualification.

The United States Adult Soccer Association Cup is the national final for amateur soccer teams and the highest award that can be won in the USASA. West Chester United was announced as a club on January 18, 2017, as a part of the National Premier Soccer League. In 2020 West Chester United joined the USL league two in the Mid Atlantic Division. After beating Sin City FC in the Semifinals 3-2 West Chester United advanced to the USASA National Amateur Cup.

West Chester United’s Josh Luchini, a former member of the Lehigh University Men’s Soccer team, scored first in the 11th minute. RWB answered with a goal from Victor Manon in the 34th minute to tie the game at one. Ten minutes later, Manon scored his second goal of the night to put RWB up 2-1 at halftime.

Two minutes into the second half, Jack Jasinski gave West Chester United their second goal to tie the game at two. In the 75th  minute West Chester United took the lead with a goal from Giuliano Whitchurch.

West Chester United had a 3-2 lead going into the five additional minutes of stoppage time. Manon scored his third goal of the game with just seconds left to tie the game 3-3.

Moments away from penalty kicks West Chester United defender Joseph McDaid, who played for FC Delco, scored a header on a cross from Dylan Lacey in the 120th minute to win their first National Amateur Cup championship.

West Chester head coach Blaise Santangelo said that the National Amateur Cup is something “we’ve been chasing since 2018.” Santangelo considers the Fritz Marth Cup National Amateur Cup the “‘Holy Grail’ of amateur soccer trophies.”  

Santangelo is proud that he and his team can bring such an important amateur trophy back to a city with such a rich soccer history and cement themselves as a part of it.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Unveils New 2026 Logo

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Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer is proud to unveil a new logo for the 2026 season, celebrating a historic moment for soccer and the region. The special edition mark commemorates the United States’ 250th anniversary, the global spotlight of the FIFA World Cup coming to Philadelphia, and the continued growth of youth soccer in our region. 

Rooted in history and purpose, the new design blends iconic elements of Pennsylvania and Philadelphia’s legacy with modern symbols of the global game. Each detail in the logo carries meaning: 

  • The Liberty Bell anchors the design as a nod to Philadelphia and the city’s role in the nation’s founding.  
  • The Keystone shape honors Pennsylvania’s identity as the Keystone State and Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer’s legacy since 1972.  
  • The bold lightning bolt crack represents both Ben Franklin’s famous kite and key experiment and the electric energy surrounding Philadelphia’s World Cup host city status.  
  • The number 26, styled in homage to the official 2026 FIFA World Cup logo, sits prominently at the center, marking the year the world’s game comes to our backyard.  
  • The red, white and blue stripes reflect the spirit of the National Semiquincentennial celebrations.  
  • A classic soccer ball and our traditional wordmark ground the design in our organization’s roots while looking ahead to the future.  

This commemorative logo will be featured throughout the 2026 season across Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer programming, events, and gear, as we honor the past, celebrate the present, and inspire the future.  

Camp 2025: Thank You!

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A Summer to Remember: 2025 Resident Soccer Camp with Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

As the final whistle blows and the last pair of cleats are packed away, we reflect on an unforgettable week at our EPYS 2025 Summer Resident Soccer Camp. From sun-up drills, yoga classes to sun-down scrimmages, the energy, enthusiasm, and camaraderie that filled the fields left a lasting impression on everyone involved.

Our dedicated staff coaches and counselors poured their hearts into every session, bringing not just skill and instruction, but also mentorship, laughter, and support to the campers. Their passion for the game and commitment to youth development made this week an inspiring journey for players of all levels.

Campers not only improved their technical abilities and tactical awareness, but they also forged friendships, built confidence, and embraced the spirit of teamwork that defines soccer at its best. Whether it was intense morning practices, evening games under the lights, or bonding over meals, every moment contributed to an incredible experience.

To all the players, families, coaches, and supporters—THANK YOU for making the 2025 camp such a success. Your enthusiasm and love for the game are what keep us coming back year after year.

We’re already counting down the days to 2026 summer camp, and we can’t wait to welcome both returning players and new faces to next summer’s adventure. Be sure to keep an eye out for early registrationopening in late November/December—spots fill fast, and we want to see YOU on the field again!

Until then, keep training, keep growing, and keep the passion alive.

Thank you,

Fernando Carrizo
Camp Director

Chris Branscome Elected Commissioner on U.S. Soccer Youth Council 

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We are proud to share that our CEO, Chris Branscome, has been elected to serve as Commissioner of the U.S. Soccer Youth Council. This national leadership role represents a significant opportunity to help guide the vision and priorities for youth soccer across the country.  

As Commissioner, Chris will work closely with U.S. Soccer and member organizations to strengthen programs, support player development, and advocate for the needs of the youth soccer community at every level.  

We congratulate Chris on this achievement and look forward to the positive impact he will make in shaping the future of youth soccer in the United States.