DME boys battle the heat, weather and top competition to open the 2026–27 season with six finalist appearances and a U17 championship.

The 2026–27 season officially kicked off at the Lake Nona Season Opener, and the DME Academy Sarasota boys wasted no time showing the depth, competitiveness and continued growth of the program.

Across 14 teams from U10 through U19, DME competed against quality opposition from across Florida and beyond, while also battling the August heat, thunderstorms, rain delays and the challenges that come with the first tournament of a new season.

The result? Six DME boys teams reached the finals, with the U17 NAL Boys bringing home the title.

U17 NAL Boys Lead the Way

The DME U17 NAL Boys highlighted the weekend, finishing 2-1 and capturing the Lake Nona Championship topping TWO MLS clubs.

The championship continues the momentum of DME’s older boys program and reinforces the standard being built throughout the club: compete against strong opposition, develop players for the next level and expect to win.

Six Teams Reach the Final & or Finish In The Top 2 of Group Play

Beyond the U17 championship, DME showed impressive depth throughout the boys program.

Five additional teams finished as finalists:

• U11 Blue: 2-1-1 — Finalist
• U12 Blue: 1-1 — Finalist
• U13 NAL: 1-1-1 — Finalist
• U13 N1: 1-2 — Finalist
• U15 NAL: 1-0-2 — Finalist
• U16 NAL: 2-1 — Finalist
• U17 NAL: 2-1 — CHAMPIONS

From the younger developmental teams through the NAL pathway, DME consistently put teams in position to compete for hardware on Sunday.

Results Across the Boys Program

The weekend was about more than trophies. For many teams, Lake Nona represented the first competitive test of a long season and an opportunity for coaches to evaluate where their groups stand and where the work needs to continue.

Full DME Boys Results:

U10 Boys Black: 2-1
U10 Boys Blue: 1-1-1
U11 Black: 2-1
U11 Blue: 2-1-1 — Finalist
U12 Black: 1-2
U12 Blue: 1-1 — Finalist
U13 NAL: 1-1-1 — Finalist
U13 N1: 1-2 — Finalist
U14 NAL: 2-0-1
U15 NAL: 1-0-2 — Finalist
U15 N1: 0-3
U16 NAL: 2-1 — Finalist
U17 NAL: 2-1 — Champion
U19 NAL: 1-2

Building Something Bigger

One tournament doesn’t define a season, particularly in August. But it can reveal the mentality and depth of a program.

From U10 through U19, DME teams competed, battled through difficult conditions and gained meaningful early-season experience. Some groups walked away with medals. Others walked away knowing exactly what needs to improve.

Both matter.

The objective remains bigger than any single weekend: develop technically sound, intelligent and competitive players while creating teams capable of competing at the highest levels available to them.

Lake Nona was the first test.

One championship. Six finalists. Fourteen teams competing. And a lot of soccer still ahead.

The standard has been set.