Overcoming injuries and a slow start, DME’s U16 squad wins its bracket and defeats Utah opposition in the championship final.

SARASOTA, FL – November 9, 2026 — Sometimes it’s not how you start. It’s how you finish.

That was the story for DME Academy Sarasota’s U16 Boys MLS NEXT Academy team, which battled through injuries, adversity, and a challenging opening day to emerge as 2026 Tampa Bay Super Cup Gold Division Champions.

Competing in the third bracket in a tournament featuring 13 brackets at U16, DME went undefeated across four matches, finishing the weekend with two wins, two draws, and a championship victory over North Utah County Soccer’s Revolution FC.

For a team missing key players due to injury, the performance was a testament to its resilience, and ability to find a way to win when it mattered most.

A Slow Start, but No Panic

DME opened tournament play on Saturday with two competitive draws against ECNL Regional League opposition. Games, we believe we need to win at DME.

The first matchup ended 2-2 against Cape Coral Soccer ECNL RL, followed by a 1-1 draw against FC America ECNL RL.

While the results weren’t exactly what the team had hoped for, the boys remained unbeaten and positioned itself to compete for the bracket title.

And that’s exactly what it did.

A Statement Win to Take the Bracket

Sunday morning brought a must-win opportunity against Sporting SA JAX ECNL RL.

DME responded with its strongest group-stage performance of the weekend, earning a convincing 2-0 victory to secure first place in Bracket B.

The win gave DME five points from three matches, enough to finish ahead of Sporting SA JAX, FC America, and Cape Coral Soccer.

More importantly, it demonstrated the team’s ability to respond under pressure and deliver when the stakes were highest.

Championship Final: DME Takes Down Utah Opposition

With the bracket secured, DME advanced to the Gold Division championship match against North Utah County Soccer’s Revolution FC from Utah.

The championship proved to be a tightly contested battle, with both teams fighting for every opportunity.

When the final whistle blew, DME Academy Sarasota stood victorious with a 1-0 win, completing an undefeated tournament run and bringing home the championship.

The result was especially meaningful considering the team’s difficult opening day and the adversity it faced throughout the weekend.

Rather than allowing injuries or early draws to define its tournament, DME grew stronger as the competition progressed. And Utah was no walk in the park, they were ranked #3 in Utah ahead of many ECNL and MLS Next programs in the state.

U16 MLS NEXT Academy — Tournament Results

Opponent	Result
Cape Coral Soccer ECNL RL	2-2 Draw
FC America ECNL RL	1-1 Draw
Sporting SA JAX ECNL RL	2-0 Win
North Utah County Soccer Revolution FC (Utah)	1-0 Win — Final

Final Record: 2 Wins, 0 Losses, 2 Draws

Gold Division Champions | Bracket B Winners | Undefeated

It’s How You Finish

The weekend offered a valuable lesson for every young athlete.

Not every tournament starts perfectly. Not every match goes according to plan. Injuries happen, adversity comes, and sometimes the path to success requires patience.

What matters is how a team responds.

DME’s U16 Boys responded by winning their final two matches, recording back-to-back clean sheets, and lifting the championship trophy.

Congratulations to the players and coaching staff on a tremendous weekend and another important milestone for DME Academy Sarasota.

Undefeated. Bracket Winners. Tournament Champions.

Do More Everyday. Ignite the Dream.