DME Academy, Sarasota continues to create real pathways to the global game and now one of its own is headed to Portugal.

2009 standout Dylan Honorato has been invited to train and trial with S.C. Braga, a top five club in Portugal’s Primeira Liga (1st division) known for its high-level academy and European competition pedigree. Dylan will spend two weeks inside Braga’s professional environment in March, gaining invaluable experience training within one of Europe’s most respected player-development systems.

The opportunity comes following a collaborative showcase event that brought together DME Academy, FootDraft, and RDA, three organizations aligned around one goal: putting players first and creating authentic pathways to the professional game. The event drew international attention, including from Braga’s scouting department, and ultimately led to Dylan’s invitation.

Jose Luis Antunes, Chief Youth Scout at S.C. Braga, shared his thoughts after the event:

“I was very impressed with the conditions and the quality of your players. I especially liked the younger players. The organization of your event was excellent. It was good for our club to learn about your situation and, who knows, maybe we can develop a deeper partnership in the future.”

For Dylan, this is a major step in his journey, an opportunity to experience a professional European environment and test himself at the highest level for his age.

Jared Antista, Owner of DME Academy Sarasota, emphasized the collaborative effort behind the moment:

“Collaboration is key to success. There is a lot of talent out there, but relationships, support, and networking create real opportunities. At DME, we go to bat for our players. This is an awesome, life-changing moment for Dylan and he’s just a great kid with big dreams. Huge credit to FootDraft and RDA as well, this event was built with one mission: put the kids first and open doors. Together, we made that happen.”

The partnership between DME, FootDraft, and RDA reflects a growing model in youth soccer, organizations working together, not against each other, to create meaningful exposure and opportunities for players. Dylan’s upcoming trip to Portugal is a direct result of that shared vision.

As he prepares to head overseas, Dylan carries with him the support of an entire community and three organizations united around player development. For DME Academy Sarasota, this moment is another sign that the word pathway here actually means something, and that Southwest Florida talent can reach the global stage when the right people work together.

Think we are done with just this announcement? You should know better by now… Big news dropping soon on more players from our school and club.