Welcome to Next XI, the youth soccer newsletter spotlighting scores, highlights, and rising players across NYC, Long Island, and the Tri-State.
Each week you’ll find recaps, standout performances, and updates from local tournaments and league play. Our goal is simple: to give youth athletes, clubs, and families the recognition they deserve.
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Tournament Wrap-Up: FC Delco Kickoff Classic:
The FC Delco Kickoff Classic once again delivered high-level competition, with East Coast clubs battling for championship honors. The weekend at the FC Delco Kickoff Classic delivered competitive finals across multiple age groups, with local powerhouses and regional standouts claiming championship honors.
Girls Championship Results:
In the U9 division, the Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals 17G Black emerged as champions after a commanding performance throughout the weekend. They topped Bracket A with an undefeated record and then secured the title with a 5–2 victory over SUSA FC G17 in the final.
SUSA FC G16 ran the table at the U10 Girls Championship Division, finishing unbeaten and sealing the title with a 5–2 win over Springfield SYC Pre-GA in the final. Springfield impressed with three straight group wins to reach the championship, while Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals and Bethesda SC also turned in strong weekends in their brackets. SUSA’s dominant attack (26 goals scored, only 3 allowed) made them the clear class of the division.
Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals 15G Black claimed the U11 Girls Championship with a 4–2 win over SJEB FC Pre-GA in the final. Both sides entered unbeaten from group play, with SJEB powering through Bracket A and Ukrainian Nationals controlling Bracket B. Springfield SYC and SUSA FC also delivered strong showings, but it was the Ukrainians’ balanced attack and tough defense that carried them to the trophy.
FC DELCO Pre-ECNL ’14 rolled through Bracket B unbeaten and carried that form into the final, defeating SUSA FC G14 Pre-ECNL East 4–2 to secure the U12 title. SUSA topped a competitive Bracket A behind strong wins over Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals and Torpedoes SC, while NJ Premier and STA both posted solid showings in Bracket B. In the end, DELCO’s consistent attack and lockdown defense made the difference, sealing a perfect weekend run.
Photo Credit: @LVURush2013girls (Instagram)
In the U13 bracket, LVU Rush GA 2013 emerged as champions after a dramatic run, edging SJEB FC GA in penalties (4–2) following a 1–1 draw in the final. Bracket A set the tone for the weekend with SJEB, Springfield SYC, and East Coast Surf 2013 locked in a three-way tie, forcing an unprecedented three-team penalty shootout to decide who advanced. SJEB survived the shootout, then went on to upset FC DELCO ECNL in the semis, while LVU stunned Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals ECNL on the other side. SUSA FC and Springfield capped their weekends with strong consolation wins, but it was LVU’s resilience that carried them to the top.
FC DELCO ECNL ’12 captured the U14 title with a 1–0 victory over SUSA FC ECNL in the final, completing an unbeaten weekend. Both DELCO and SJEB FC battled to the top of Bracket A, with their head-to-head ending in a scoreless draw, while SUSA edged past Baltimore Bays and Springfield to take Bracket B. The championship match was a defensive grind, but DELCO found the breakthrough to lift the trophy.
Club Focus
Few names carry more weight in youth soccer than FC DELCO.
FC DELCO is a club built on history and excellence. Formed through the merger of Spirit United (1982) and FC DELCO (1989), the two legendary programs came together in 2013 as Continental FC before proudly returning to the FC DELCO name in 2019 to honor its legacy. Over the years, the club has claimed 8 National Championships, countless regional and state titles, and produced some of the country’s most recognizable players, including Zack Steffen (USMNT & Manchester City), Nicole Barnhart (two-time Olympic gold medalist), Ben Olsen (former D.C. United coach), and Jeff Larentowicz (MLS Cup champion).
That tradition of excellence continues today, with FC DELCO fielding top boys’ teams in MLS NEXT and girls’ teams in the ECNL, while also hosting one of the region’s marquee events, the Spirit United Kickoff Classic. Now in its 39th year, the tournament not only brings elite competition to Chester County but also serves as a living celebration of the club’s mission: building pathways for players to reach the highest levels of the game while staying true to its community roots.
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Additional Notable Scores from the Weekend
U9 Elite: Reading Rage Surf G17 1–1 (Delaware FC 2017 Girls Pre ECNL Black wins PKs 8–7)
U10 Elite: Baltimore Union SC Elite 16G 2–0 Montgomery United SC 2016 Girls APEX Black
U11 Elite: OSU Force Academy Black GU10 T1 0–0 (PKs 4–3 Keystone FC Pre-Academy 15G)
U12 Elite: North Union United SC NUU 14F Valor 1–1 (PKs 4–2 OSU 2014 Girls Force Academy Black)
U13 Elite: Anthracite FC 2013 Girls Barca 1–1 (PKs 3–2 Maryland Rush 13G Blue Hawks)
U14 Elite: Penn Fusion SA ECNL RL 2012 0–2 Commack Soccer Crossfire G12
