Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

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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 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.  

2026 United Soccer Coaches Convention – Single Day Passes

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Registration is now open for Single Day Passes to the 2026 United Soccer Coaches Convention, taking place in Philadelphia.

Eastern Pennsylvania coaches and members can take advantage of a significantly discounted rate by using a special promo code during registration.

Single Day Pass Details

  • Standard cost: $250
  • Discounted cost: $100
  • Promo code: PASingleCV26

Important Registration Information

  • The discount code must be used during online registration
  • Codes are valid through Friday, January 9
  • After January 9, the system will no longer accept discount codes
  • Codes cannot be used on site in Philadelphia
  • Each code is valid for one person, for one day only
  • Additional days must be purchased on site at the regular rate

Single Day Pass registration is available online and only offers the option to purchase one day at a time.

Register Here

Philadelphia’s 2026 World Cup™ Match Lineup 

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Philadelphia will host six FIFA World Cup™ matches at Lincoln Financial Field this summer, bringing global talent and international fanbases to the region. The slate includes group stage action featuring Brazil, France, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Croatia, and more, followed by a Round of 16 match on July 4.  

Fans across Eastern Pennsylvania will have the chance to experience World Cup™ soccer in their own backyard as the city takes the global stage.  

Philadelphia Schedule: 

  • June 14: Ivory Coast vs. Ecuador (7 P.M.) 
  • June 19: Brazil vs. Haiti (9 P.M.) 
  • June 22: France vs. FIFA Playoff Winner 2 (5 P.M.) 
  • June 25: Curaçao vs. Ivory Coast (4 P.M.) 
  • June 27: Croatia vs. Ghana (5 P.M.) 
  • July 4: Round of 16 Match (5 P.M.) 

West Chester Advances to National Quarterfinals

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West Chester University Women’s Soccer is moving on! The Golden Rams earned a 1-0 victory over Shepherd on Sunday afternoon to claim their eighth Atlantic Regional Championship and secure a spot in the NCAA Division II National Quarterfinals.

It marks West Chester’s second regional title in the last four years and another milestone under head coach Betty Ann Kempf Townsley, a former Eastern Pennsylvania Olympic Development Program coach who continues to lead one of the region’s most consistent postseason contenders.

With the victory, West Chester improves to 16-2-4 and remains one of the last teams standing in the national bracket. Next up is a National Quarterfinal matchup with Franklin Pierce on Saturday, December 6 with the winner advancing to the National Semifinals in Colorado Springs.

Good luck to the Golden Rams as they continue their postseason run!

U.S. Women’s National Team Wraps Up 2025 With 2-0 Win Over Italy

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The U.S. Women’s National Team closed its 2025 campaign with a 2-0 victory over UEFA Women’s Euro semifinalist Italy on Monday night in Fort Lauderdale. The match marked the 30th game under head coach Emma Hayes and capped a successful year in which the USWNT finished 12W-0D-3L with a 41-8 goal differential and an impressive 43 first-time caps, the most in a single year since 2001.

The USWNT struck twice in the first half. Catarina Macario opened the scoring with her eighth goal of the year. Minutes before halftime, Jaedyn Shaw doubled the lead after a well-timed pass from Alyssa Thompson, securing her ninth international goal. Lily Yohannes, one of three teenagers in the starting lineup, added an assist.

Defensively, the U.S. stayed locked in. Goalkeeper Claudia Dickey posted her third consecutive shutout and her fourth straight start, anchoring a back line that limited Italy to just one shot on target. The match also featured a milestone first start for defender Kate Wiesner, who debuted following her NWSL playoff run with the Washington Spirit.

With the win, the USWNT closes the year on a high note and will regroup for January training camp in Southern California. The team is set to play Paraguay on January 24 at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. with a second match to be announced soon.