Jefferson Cup 2025 Boys Showcase Recap: U15-U19 division champs crowned

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By Sean Maslin
SoccerWire Staff Writer

Richmond, VA – The 2025 Jefferson Cup Boys Showcase, one of the top tournaments in the country, was held from March 28-30, featuring over 400 elite-level teams across the U15-U19 age groups. (FULL RESULTS)

The event showcased some of the best cross-league competition of the year, as teams from 21 different U.S. states and Canada went head-to-head, representing top leagues such as MLS NEXT, ECNL Boys, National Academy League and more.

The event also played host to hundreds of college coaches from across NCAA Divisions I, II and III, and other levels of the college game including NAIA. The National Event is also a major litmus test for teams whose ambitions include playing for their respective playoffs and vying for National Championships.

“[The Jefferson Cup] is always great for us,” said NVA 2008 ECNL Head Coach Gonzalo Rabella. “It gives us opportunities to get our reps in ahead of the ECNL playoffs and gives us chances to keep our players in the environment that we need them to be in.”

“Playing in the Jefferson Cup is always valuable for us,” said Arlington SA ECNL 2009 Head Coach Omar Ismail. “With our team in the [ECNL] playoffs it is important for our team to keep their rhythm and chemistry going. Also, for our older groups, it gives many of our players some good last-minute looks to try to get them committed.”

U15 Showcase Divisision

Bracket A

STA 2010 ECNL (3-0-0, 27 points) placed first in Bracket A, finishing the weekend with consecutive shutout victories over Beach FC ECNL 10 (1-0) and Charlotte SA Academy ECNL 10 (4-0). Their attack led the charge on Friday scoring five in their victory over Fairfax Union ECNL 10 Boys (5-2)

Finishing in a close second were OSU Academy Black (2-0-1, 21 points out of Ontario. Canada. Their weekend was bookended by a pair of 1-0 victories over VDA 2010 ECNL and NC Fusion ECNL 10 while earning a 2-2 draw against NVA ECNL 10. Their two goals allowed was tied with STA and Beach for the lowest in the U15 Showcase Bracket A

Beach FC rounds out the top three in Bracket A (2-1-0, 18 points). Despite their tough result against STA Beach earned two strong victories over SYC U15 MLS NEXT (3-1) and Cleveland Force ECNL 10 to put them into the top three.

Bracket B

Richmond United earned top honors in Bracket B thanks to three shutout victories (3-0-0,27 points) over Charlotte SA Academy ECNL 10 (1-0), FC Europa RL 10 (2-0), and East Coast FC 2010 ECNL/RL (2-0). They are the only team in the U15 Showcase to not allow a goal in their three matches

Potomac Soccer ECNL 10 placed second (2-0-1,22 points), earning two 3-2 victories over Wake FC U15 and FC Europa RL 10. On Friday, their defense held strong against a tough attacking team in YMS 2010 Boys Premier United booking a 0-0 draw.

Villarreal VA 2010B ECNL/RL (2-0-1, 21 points) wrap up the top three in Bracket B securing their spot on Sunday with a 1-1 draw against Maryland United FC 2010 ECNL. Their goal-scoring prowess was on full display throughout the weekend, knocking off NC Fusion ECNL B10 6-2 on Friday before defeating Baltimore Celtic ECNL 10 2-1 on Saturday. Villarreal’s eight goals were the most goals scored in Bracket B and tied with NVA ECNL 10 for the second most overall in the U15 Showcase Division.

U16 Championship Division

VDA 2009 ECNL (2-0-1,22 points) finished atop the U16 Championship Division by blanking BVB IA Texas ECNL RL 09 (Eligio) 3-0 on Sunday. It was their second clean sheet on the weekend, having secured a 0-0 draw against Woodbridge 2009 Boys OPDL on Saturday. Their lone goal allowed came on Friday in a tight 2-1 victory against STA 2009 ECNL. Their one goal allowed was the lowest among all U16 Championship Division teams.

SYC U16 MLS NEXT (2-0-1,20 points) placed second in the top flight securing back-to-back victories over STA-MUSC 2009 ECNL (2-1) and Woodbridge 2009 Boys OPDL (1-0) on Saturday and Sunday. Strong defensive work was a calling card for SYC all weekend as they secured a 0-0 draw against Oakville Soccer Club 2009 Boys OPDL to start their weekend.

Cincinnati United CUP 09 Gold placed third (2-1-0,19 points) with back-to-back victories over Richmond United 09 ECNL (4-0) and Wake FC U16 (3-2). After falling just short against Arlington SA 2009 ECNL team (0-1) they regrouped on Saturday with an emphatic 4-0 result against Richmond. Their goals against Richmond were scored by Owen Kammerer (2027), Maddox Rose (2027), Austin Harding (2027), and Alex Hou (2026). Their seven goals scored was the most among all U16 Championship Division teams.

Rounding out the top four was Arlington SA 2009 ECNL (2-1-0,17 points) who wrapped up play on Sunday with a 3-1 victory over Oakville Soccer Club 2009 Boys OPDL.

After being on the end of both sides of a 1-0 result on Friday and Saturday (victory over CUP and loss to FC DELCO NAL ‘09) Arlington we’re looking for more on the attacking end. They received it with goals from midfielder Christopher Banegas, forward/midfielder Dev Agarwal and midfielder/defender Lohamba Okoko.

“It was a good game,” said Arlington SA 2009 ECNL head coach Omar Ismail. “With three games in three days there were obviously some tired legs but I think we finished off strong. Our boys are mostly playing high school right now so they aren’t training as a group so they were able to get some valuable minutes and make them count.”

Although Arlington took the early 2-0 lead they faced strong resistance from Oakville midway through the second half. The Canadian side cut their deficit to one and continued to push for an equalizer.

But Arlington’s defense and midfield held firm, retaining possession for long portions of the match and forcing their counterparts to chase. Midfielder/defenders William Cohen, Harley Kerr (2027), and Adam Yatribi (2027) organized their defensive efforts, connecting both sides of the pitch with quick, pacey passes.

“We had some different personnel playing in the middle today,” added Ismail. “Will [Cohen], Harley [Kerr], and Adam [Yatribi] really controlled possession and we were able to create some chances. We were unlucky that we didn’t score more goals but we are pretty happy with their performances.”

U17 Championship

Richmond United ECNL 08 finished atop the Championship Division (2-0-1, 19 points) after knocking off Real Colorado 08 National 4-0 on Sunday. It was their second consecutive shutout victory at this year’s Jefferson Cup, having previously blanked Cincinnati United CUP 08 Gold 1-0 on Saturday. Their lone goal conceded came in a tough 1-1 draw with Charlotte SA Academy ECNL in their opener.

VDA 2008 ECNL finished second in the group (2-1-0, 19 points) having scored a Championship Division best ten goals. In their first two matches they knocked off Torpedoes U17 Red (5-1) and Black Rock FC Northwood U17 Boys (7-0) before falling to Cincinnati United CUP 08 Gold 1-0 on Sunday.

Coming in right behind VDA was New York Elite Alleycats FC 2008 NAL (2-1-0, 19 points) who earned a huge 2-0 victory over Charlotte SA Academy ECNL 08 on Saturday. They followed it up on Sunday with an equally impressive effort, defeating NVA ECNL 08 3-1 to finish their weekend.

NVA finished out the top four in the U17 Championship Division with a tough 4-3 victory over SUSA FC 08 ECNL on Saturday. NVA’s goals were scored by Christian Tshiteya, Chase England, David Arroyo, and Ethan Summers.

“I thought it was a great match,” said Ramella. “SUSA always brings a strong team. They had a set approach which is very direct and physical so we had to adjust to that and I thought our boys were up for that challenge. Overall, it was a good win for us and we were able to showcase what we can do.”

After holding on against Real Colorado National 1-0 on Friday, NVA were looking to set the tone early. They wasted little time in setting the tone for the match, earning a free kick within the first five minutes of the match. Tshiteya made the most of his opportunity, hitting a low curling free kick over SUSAs wall into the back of the net.

“[Our work on set pieces] is a mentality thing,” added Ramella.”We work on them weekly and the guys know the importance of them both on the attack and on defense which can change a game and you saw that today.”

Despite being down SUSA maintained their composure using their technical savvy and speed to create open up play through the midfield. They nearly grabbed the equalizer in the 23rd minute when Jack Dorsey slipped through the NVA defense and hit a crisp chip shot that just went over the bar.

NVA wouldn’t be as fortunate minutes later when SUSA’s Matthew Benavides hammered home his shot from distance. But they would immediately respond with Amanueil Mequanint earning a free kick. On the ensuing set Mequanint found a surging England whose curling shot put NVA ahead 2-1 just before halftime.

The action continued early in the second with NVA extending their lead to 3-1. Tshiteya delivered a pinpoint cross at the top of the box which found David Arroyo. With multiple defenders descending upon him Arroyo hit a quick low shot into the back of the net

SUSA weren’t willing to give up and continued to press the NVA defense. Their efforts resulted in a free kick early in the second half, with Benavides burying their second goal of the match. But NVA responded right back with Summers pushing the lead to 4-2. SUSA added a third goal late but there wasn’t enough time for a fourth.

U19 Championship

Woodstock Academy (3-0-0,27 points) earned top honors in the U19 Championship Division having won all three of their matches on the weekend, Their defense was particularly on point, allowing just two goals in victories against NVA ECNL 07/06 (3-1), NCFC Youth 06/07 ECNL (2-0) , and Charlotte SA Academy ECNL 07/06 (7-1)

Finishing in a close second were SYC 2006 MLS NEXT who also ended the weekend with a perfect record (3-0-0, 27 points). Their attack was in form throughout the weekend, scoring ten goals in victories over TSF Academy NJ 2007 Boys NAL (5-1), Baltimore Celtic ECNL 06/07 (2-0), and Black Rock FC | Northwood U19 Boys (3-2)

Richmond United 06/07 (2-0-1, 22 points) pulled out a third place showing giving their 2006s one final strong performance for their hometown fans. They started the weekend strong with a pair of victories over Charlotte SA Academy ECNL 07/06 (3-1) and Black Rock FC | Northwood U19 Boys (3-2) before finishing off with a 1-1 draw with Cincinnati United CUP 07/06 Gold.