Big wins over MLS NEXT Homegrown and top ECNL programs highlight impressive runner-up finish in elite U17 division.

SARASOTA, FL – November 9, 2026 — DME Academy Sarasota’s U17 Boys MLS NEXT Academy team delivered one of the club’s most impressive tournament performances of the season, advancing to the championship final of the 2026 Tampa Bay Super Cup after securing three significant victories against top-level academy competition.

Competing in the tournament’s top U17 Championship Division, featuring 12 teams across four brackets, DME emerged as Bracket D champions before advancing through the semifinals and ultimately finishing as tournament runners-up.

Along the way, the squad defeated programs competing in both the MLS NEXT Homegrown and ECNL pathways, reinforcing DME Sarasota’s growing reputation as a serious competitor in the elite youth soccer landscape.

A Statement Win Against Orlando City MLS NEXT Homegrown

DME opened the tournament with arguably one of its biggest results of the weekend, defeating Orlando City Soccer Club South MLS NEXT Homegrown 1-0.

The victory was particularly meaningful given Orlando City’s connection to the MLS NEXT Homegrown pathway, where professional club development programs compete at a high level.

For DME, an emerging MLS NEXT Academy program, the result represented another important step in demonstrating its ability to compete against established youth development organizations.

The boys followed that performance with another disciplined 1-0 victory, this time against Doral SC ECNL, completing group play with a perfect 2-0-0 record.

DME finished atop Bracket D with six points, two clean sheets, and zero goals conceded.

PK Win Over North Carolina FC in the Semifinals

After advancing out of group play, DME faced North Carolina FC Youth Academy ECNL in the championship semifinals.

In one of the team’s most impressive attacking performances of the weekend, DME secured a 4-2 victory, punching its ticket to the championship final.

The result was particularly noteworthy against a respected North Carolina youth academy program competing in the ECNL pathway.

With three consecutive victories against MLS NEXT Homegrown and ECNL opposition, DME had firmly established itself as one of the tournament’s standout teams.

Championship Final Against Florida Premier FC North

DME’s championship run culminated in a matchup against Florida Premier FC ECNL, another strong program that had advanced through the tournament undefeated.

Despite a determined effort, DME fell 3-1 in the final, finishing as runners-up in the top U17 division.

The loss did little to overshadow an impressive weekend in which DME compiled a 3-1-0 record, scored seven goals, and recorded two shutouts.

DME U17 Tampa Bay Super Cup Results

Opponent	Result
Orlando City MLS NEXT Homegrown	1-0 W	Group Stage
Doral SC ECNL	1-0 W	Group Stage
North Carolina FC Youth Academy ECNL	4-2 W	Semifinal
Florida Premier FC ECNL	1-3 L	Final

Tournament Finish: Championship Finalists — 2nd Place

Proving DME Belongs Among the Region’s Best

The significance of this tournament run extends beyond the results themselves.

DME Academy Sarasota continues to build a competitive development environment designed to challenge players against the strongest possible opposition, regardless of league affiliation.

The Tampa Bay Super Cup provided an opportunity to measure the club’s MLS NEXT Academy players against teams competing in the MLS NEXT Homegrown and ECNL platforms.

Three victories against those programs, including a semifinal win over North Carolina FC, speak to the quality and progress of DME’s U17 squad.

As the club continues to grow its MLS NEXT Academy pathway, performances like these demonstrate that DME is not simply participating at the next level — it is competing, winning, and earning respect on and off the field of play.

Do More Everyday. Ignite the Dream.