Footy Access coverage
Reporting, player profiles and analysis from across youth soccer. Follow the story, then explore the competition.
Born in the United States and developed at Queen City Mutiny, Samuel Pereda moved to Alianza Lima and has now won a bronze medal with Peru at the 2026 South American Games.
Lucas Aguirre ·
Diego Kochen has entered a new stage of his career after leaving Barcelona on loan to Lyngby, where he has become the starting goalkeeper and played every minute of the Danish Superliga season so far. His strong start earned him his first USMNT call-up under Mauricio Pochettino, while his eligibility for Peru and Venezuela has made his international future a long-running storyline. Despite that interest, Kochen says his full focus is currently on representing the United States.
Lucas Aguirre ·
Carolina Reyna has been selected for the United States U-17 Women’s World Cup roster for the 2026 tournament in Morocco. Seven years after her older brother Gio represented the U.S. at the 2019 U-17 World Cup in Brazil, Carolina will become part of the first brother-sister duo to play for the United States at a FIFA U-17 World Cup. The milestone continues a remarkable soccer legacy for the Reyna family, which also includes former USMNT captain Claudio Reyna.
Lucas Aguirre ·
Josh Munson has signed his first professional contract with Red Bull New York II and earned his first-ever U.S. Youth National Team call-up. The 17-year-old center back joined the Red Bulls Academy in 2024 after Michigan Jaguars, made his MLS NEXT Pro debut in May 2026 and scored his first professional goal in June. His new contract runs through 2028-29, with a planned Homegrown move to the MLS first team for 2029-30. Munson was then selected for the U.S. U-17 camp in Spain, the final camp before the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup roster is chosen.
Lucas Aguirre ·
Jahmarie Nolan, 16, has earned his first Jamaica senior national team call-up after a breakout 2026 with the country’s U-17 and U-20 teams and Toronto FC II. The teenager was instrumental in Jamaica’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup, winning the Concacaf U-17 Qualifiers Best Player award, before starring at the U-20 level and recording 13 goal contributions for Toronto FC II in MLS NEXT Pro.
Lucas Aguirre ·
The Vertex Cup moves from Miami to London for its second edition, bringing together Argentina, Mexico, China and Tanzania at U-17 level. All four nations have qualified for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup, giving the tournament an added significance as a preparation opportunity before Qatar. The story also looks back at the inaugural Miami edition and the journeys that have taken the four London participants to the World Cup.
Lucas Aguirre ·
At 17, Australian winger Akol Akon has signed a multi-million-dollar deal with Colorado Rapids after breaking multiple age records with Sydney FC.
Lucas Aguirre ·
The second edition of the MESSI CUP was officially announced, with the U-16 tournament expanding from eight to 16 elite academies. Inter Miami will host clubs including Barcelona, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Ajax, Atlético Madrid, Inter Milan, River Plate, Boca Juniors, Flamengo, Palmeiras and Independiente del Valle in South Florida from October 25 to November 1.
Lucas Aguirre ·
Donavan Phillip scored his first MLS goal for Colorado Rapids against Seattle, adding another milestone to a breakthrough year that began with winning the 2025 MAC Hermann Trophy.
Lucas Aguirre ·
