Jefferson Cup 2025 Championship Division Preview: U19 Boys

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SoccerWire continues its annual article series previewing the Jefferson Cup’s top brackets. In this edition, we take a look ahead at the U19 Boys Championship Division.

This year’s top flight features 12 of the top teams in the country in a showcase-style format. (COLLEGE COACHES)

Arlington SA 2007-06 ECNL: Finished off the 2024-2025 Mid-Atlantic Conference schedule with a five-game unbeaten run (3-0-2, 11 points). At their home showcase event in January, they knocked off their local rivals SYC U19 MLS NEXT 2-0 and another impressive result at the Loudoun Soccer College Showcase, defeating NVA ECNL 2-1

Baltimore Celtic ECNL 06/07: Started off North Atlantic Conference play with a 2-1 win over HEX FC Dominion. Celtic are a highly experienced group with six players having just received Maryland All-State honors for their standout high school play last fall (Imad Skoudarli- First Team, Lucas Gardeniers-First Team, Jacob Bondya- Second Team, Tyler Warfel- Second Team, Thomas Nock- Honorable Mention, Hamin Oladokun-Honorable Mention).

Black Rock FC Northwood U19: Demolished the competition at the Players College Showcase, winning all four matches by a combined score of 16-5. They want to continue their strong run of form down in Richmond after placing third at last year’s Jefferson Cup in the Elite Division (2-1-0, 19 points).

Charlotte SA Academy ECNL 07/06: Leading into this year’s Jefferson Cup, Charlotte enter the competition on a five-game unbeaten run (3-0-2, 11 points) in the Mid-Atlantic Conference. At January’s ECNL National Event in Florida, Charlotte showed that they can deliver big results under pressure knocking off Kings Hammer SC (3-0), Parkland SC (3-0), and HEX FC Dominion (2-2) earning an undefeated record.

Cincinnati United CUP 07/06 Gold: CUP have dominated the National Academy League Mid-America South Conference, winning their first seven matches. Their 29 goals scored is the most among all Mid-America South Conference while their 11 goals conceded is the fourth lowest among all teams.

FC Boston Bolts 2007/06 NAL: Started their 2025 off on the right foot, earning two victories over NY Rush 07B Select NAL (6-2) and Seacoast of Bedford United Elite (3-1) while drawing level with FC Boston Bolts 2007 South Shore NAL (2-2). The Bolts are the reigning NAL New England Conference Champions and will look to use their time down in Richmond to prepare for the NAL’s second season.

NCFC Youth 06/07: Placed first at the visitRaleigh.com Boys College Soccer Showcase in the Showcase Division-Bracket A (2-0-1, 7 points) defeating Louisiana TDP Elite NEXT 07B (6-1) and South Carolina Surf 07/06 ECNL (2-1). They are currently right in the hunt for a Champions League spot out of the ECNL Mid-Atlantic Conference and seem to be firing on all cylinders ahead of the spring season.

NVA ECNL 07/06 ECNL: Secured a critical 1-1 draw against the Wilmington Hammerheads to put them level in the Mid-Atlantic Conference (4-4-5, 17 points). NVA’s 2007 core made it to the ECNL National Playoffs last year and will look to use their experience at the Jefferson Cup to continue to gel ahead of their move to MLS NEXT.

Richmond United ECNL 07/06: Wrapped up their 2024-2025 ECNL Mid-Atlantic Conference season with a close 3-2 victory over Charlotte SA back in February. In a Showcase format Richmond has found success at finding the back of the net as evidenced by their run at the visitRaleigh.com Boys College Showcase. In bracket C of the Showcase Division they won all three of their matches outscoring their opponents 20-1.

SYC 2006 MLS NEXT: Secured a 1-1 draw against Solar SC’s Academy team at the recent Best of the East Showcase competition in January. The Jefferson Cup is a competition that SYC’s combined age group should feel comfortable in with their 2007s finishing second in last year’s U17 Championship Division.

TSF Academy 2007 NAL: Knocked off Cedar Stars Academy Hudson Valley on March 22 3-2 to earn their third victory in four games in the NAL’s Northeast Conference. Although it is early in their season, TSF have already amassed 13 goals which is the third highest in their conference.

Woodstock Academy U19: Pulled off back-to-back undefeated marks at the NEFC Spring Showcase (3-0-0, 9 points) and at the Best of the East Showcase (2-0-0, 9 points). Their defense was on point during both national events, allowing just three goals while booking two shutouts.