MLS NEXT

MLS NEXT Fest Comes To Historic End

The 2025/26 MLS NEXT Fest is officially in the books — and once again, it delivered where it matters most: pressure games, real consequences, and a clear separation between contenders and pretenders. For players, this wasn’t just another showcase. It was a direct audition for one of the most important youth stages in North America.

With the final whistle blown, the field for the 2026 Generation Adidas Cup is now set. For the academies that qualified, this isn’t about trophies — it’s about access. GA Cup is where domestic prospects are tested against elite international opposition, and where professional pathways accelerate.

Cedar Stars Academy Bergen secured their GA Cup berth the hard way, edging IFA 4–3 on penalties after a deadlocked final. These are the moments that matter in youth development: knockout games, emotional pressure, and execution when there’s no margin for error.

Their qualification run was no fluke. Cedar Stars Bergen controlled the tournament from start to finish, posting wins over San Francisco Glens (6–0), Michigan Wolves (2–0), Springfield (2–0), and Albion San Diego (4–1). Dominance over multiple styles and regions is exactly what selectors look for at this level.

On the MLS NEXT Pro side of U-15 qualification, Connecticut United made their statement with a 4–2 win over Chattanooga FC. Devin Hughes led the way with a brace, supported by goals from Gabriel Machado and Matthew Goncalves — a reminder that production in big games is still the currency of progression.

For both Cedar Stars Bergen and Connecticut United, qualification now shifts the conversation. Next year isn’t about proving they belong domestically — it’s about measuring themselves against top academies from around the world.

The U-16 final delivered peak MLS NEXT energy. Sockers FC edged Cedar Stars Academy Bergen 3–2 in a game defined by tempo, momentum swings, and individual quality. Goals from Luka Vukelic, Dyland Navarro, and Adrian Luna sealed the title in a match that felt every bit like a final.

The win sends Sockers FC back to the Generation Adidas Cup for the second straight year, following their U-19 qualification in 2025. That kind of consistency matters — it signals a program that isn’t just producing talent, but sustaining it across age groups.

MLS NEXT Fest isn’t hype. It’s a sorting mechanism. The teams advancing now are positioning their players closer to pro environments, international competition, and the moments that actually shape careers.

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NCAA DIVISION I SOCCER

Huskies Make History In Cary

Washington is officially on top of college soccer.

The Huskies captured their first-ever NCAA Men’s Soccer Championship on Monday night, edging NC State 3–2 in a final that delivered exactly what the moment demanded: momentum swings, late drama, and a title decided under maximum pressure at First Horizon Stadium.

This wasn’t a one-game miracle. Washington closed the tournament with a 16-6-2 record and did something no team had ever done before — winning six road matches on the way to a national title. That level of consistency away from home is rare at any level, and it’s often the difference between good teams and champions.

The breakthrough came late in the first half when Zach Ramsey opened the scoring, giving the Huskies control heading into the break. That control grew early in the second half as Richie Aman’s delivery found Joe Dale, who finished cleanly to make it 2–0 in the 62nd minute.

NC State didn’t fold. Donavan Phillip pulled one back just four minutes later, assisted by Nikola Markovic, and the Wolfpack kept pressing until Taig Healy equalized with just over three minutes left. At that point, the match shifted from tactics to mentality.

In extra time, Harrison Bertos delivered the defining moment, scoring with 1:54 remaining to seal the championship and cap Washington’s run.

Washington’s title is a reminder that the college pathway still produces pressure-tested players. Six road wins, late-game resilience, and execution in extra time are traits that translate — whether the next step is MLS, USL, or beyond. This wasn’t just history for the program; it was a statement about competitive readiness at the highest level of NCAA soccer.