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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This Weekend: FC STARS CUP
The countdown is on for one of New England’s biggest youth soccer weekends — the FC Stars Cup 2025. With top boys’ and girls’ programs from across the Northeast, the tournament is set to deliver three days of nonstop action. In this edition, we’re focusing on two spotlight brackets — BU14 Premiership and GU13 Premiership — but we’ll be following along with all brackets and age groups throughout the weekend. If you’re on the ground, send us your updates and highlights to be featured!
About the FC Stars Cup
FC Stars was founded in 2000 and has since grown into one of New England’s most respected clubs, with over 200 teams competing across every level of the game.
Over the past 15 years, FC Stars teams have captured more than 30 Massachusetts State Cup titles and even national championships, including the 2005 USYSA U19 girls and the 2015 U16 boys at US Club Soccer.
The Stars Cup has become the club’s signature event — a stage where ECNL, GA, and RL squads collide, offering a true showcase of the region’s best talent.
Boys U14 – Premiership Bracket
The BU14 Premiership bracket at Game On Fitchburg is loaded with familiar rivals:
Saturday, Aug 30
11:00 AM – Select North ECNL RL vs. Select South ECNL RL (Select derby)
11:00 AM – FC Stars ECNL Boys vs. CFC North ECNL RL (Stars’ opener)
3:30 PM – CFC North vs. Select North
3:30 PM – Select South vs. FC Stars
Sunday, Aug 31
9:30 AM – FC Stars vs. Select North
9:30 AM – Select South vs. CFC North
12:30 PM – 🏆 Championship Final
Expect high pace, program bragging rights, and a final that could swing any direction.
Girls U13 – Premiership & Beyond
The GU13 Premiership is the spotlight bracket, featuring ECNL powerhouses and host-club contenders:
Friday, Aug 29
5:15 PM – FC Stars White ECNL vs. Select ECNL G13 (opening showcase)
Saturday, Aug 30
Bracket A: PDA White Shore ECNL, SUSA FC ECNL, Stars Blue ECNL battle head-to-head.
Bracket B: Select, Scorpions, Stars White ECNL fight for semifinal places.
Sunday, Aug 31
9:45 AM – Semi-finals
2:15 PM – 🏆 Premiership Final at Progin Park Field 7
Other Divisions:
Championship: Various GA and ECNL-RL compete for a Sunday final.
Leagues 1–4: Tiered brackets with squads from Stars, Select, NEFC, Seacoast, Albertson, Bayside, and more — all wrapping up with championship games on Aug 31.
📩 Share Your Scores & Player Nominations!
This edition spotlights the BU14 and GU13 Premiership brackets, but the excitement runs through every age group and division at the FC Stars Cup 2025. We’ll be keeping tabs on all brackets throughout the weekend — and we want to hear from you.
Next XI is all about shining a light on the incredible talent across our region, but we can’t do it without the community. Coaches, parents, and players: send us your game results, standout moments, and Player of the Week nominations so your team gets the recognition it deserves. Whether it’s a last‑minute winner, a goalkeeper making clutch saves, or a team going unbeaten through the weekend, we want your stories.
Help us celebrate the game by making sure your club and players are featured in the next issue!
Help Us Grow! Forward Next XI to your team, your club, or your soccer friends — and encourage them to subscribe.
