DME Academy is expanding its DME Nationals program for the 2026–27 season, creating a club-neutral select platform designed to bring talented and motivated players together to compete at some of the highest-level tournaments in the country, and internationally.

The concept is simple:

Find the right players. Build competitive teams. Seek out the biggest challenges.

DME Nationals is not designed to replace a player’s home club. Instead, it creates additional opportunities for players from DME programs, partner organizations, affiliates and other clubs to come together for select events throughout the year.

Players are evaluated and selected based on ability, mentality, positional needs and their fit within each roster. The goal isn’t to build the biggest program. It’s to build the right teams for the right events.

DME Nationals has already operated as a select platform utilizing players from throughout the DME network, collaborative clubs and talented guest players from outside DME. We’ve played across the Globe as well as the states at high profile events like WAGS & The Jefferson Cup.

A CLUB-NEUTRAL OPPORTUNITY

Youth soccer can become too focused on badges, leagues and club boundaries.

DME Nationals takes a different approach.

If a player can help the team compete, fits the culture and wants to challenge themselves at another level, we want to know who they are.

Players remain committed to their primary clubs while having the opportunity to represent DME Nationals at selected tournaments that provide a different level of competition, exposure, travel and experience.

For some players, that means traveling outside Florida to compete against teams they would rarely encounter during their normal league season.

For others, it means their first opportunity to represent a team internationally.

For everyone selected, the expectation is the same:

Compete. Represent. Grow.

THE 2026–27 DME NATIONALS CALENDAR

WAGS

Virginia • October 2026
U13 Girls | U15 Girls

DME Nationals heads north to Virginia for WAGS, giving selected girls teams an early-season opportunity to compete outside the Florida market against strong regional and national opposition.

JEFFERSON CUP

Virginia • March 2027
U16 Girls | U17 Boys (potentially more)

One of the major spring travel opportunities on the Nationals calendar, Jefferson Cup gives our older players another chance to step outside their normal environment and test themselves against quality competition.

EASTER CUP

Florida • April 2027
U11/U12 Boys & Girls

The Nationals concept isn’t reserved for older players.

Our younger select teams will have opportunities as well, beginning with U11 and U12 boys and girls competing at Easter Cup. The objective at these ages is exposure to a more demanding environment while allowing talented young players to experience playing alongside other high-level athletes.

LES BLEUS CUP 🇫🇷

France • June 2027
U13+

The Nationals calendar culminates on the international stage.

Selected DME Nationals teams will travel to France for the Les Bleus Cup, giving players the opportunity to compete internationally while experiencing the culture, history and passion surrounding the world’s game.

International soccer experiences can change a player’s perspective. Different opponents, styles of play, environments and cultures force athletes outside their comfort zones — exactly where growth often happens.

DME NATIONALS PLAYER POOL

The broader DME Nationals player pool will span boys and girls teams across multiple age groups:

Girls: U11, U12, U13, U14, U15 and U16
Boys: U11, U12, U13, U14, U15, U16 and U17

Not every age group will participate in every event. Teams will be assembled strategically based on tournament opportunities, player availability, roster strength and competitive fit.

That selectivity is intentional.

CHALLENGE IS THE POINT

DME Academy Sarasota has established a culture built around competition and player development, and that mentality has already produced significant results, including the club’s first national championship in 2026.

DME Nationals represents another step forward.

“This is about challenge. We want to put players in environments that force them to raise their level and compete against the best competition we can find. DME Nationals also gives us an opportunity to set the tone for what our club and our brand represent — ambitious players, high standards and a willingness to compete at the highest level. And importantly, you don’t have to leave your club to be part of it. If you’re good enough and you’re the right fit, we want to compete with you.”

— Jared Antista, Owner & GM, DME Academy, Sarasota

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