Players to Watch: Jefferson Cup 2026 Boys Showcase Weekend

The 2026 Jefferson Cup Boys Showcase Weekend will take place between March 27-29 in Richmond, VA as 480 total teams will compete across the U15-U19 age groups.

Many of the best clubs in the country will be represented at the prestigious showcase, which annually hosts cross-league competition between top sides from ECNL, MLS NEXT, National Academy League, ECNL Regional League, and USYS National League. The Jefferson Cup is recognized as one of the premier college showcase events in the nation, hosting close to 2,000 teams over the course of four weekends each March. (COLLEGE COACHES)

Ahead of the Jefferson Cup Boys Showcase Weekend, here are some players to know for the tournament. Players are listed according to their graduation year.

You can also nominate a player that will be attending the event. To nominate a player for consideration, CLICK HERE.

2029

Liam Baldwin | Defender
Charlotte SA 2011 ECNL (NC)

Anchoring the Charlotte defense, Baldwin has been integral to the team’s rapid rise through the Mid-Atlantic Conference standings (7-1-1, 22 points). The January USYNT ID Center invitee has a keen sense of when to clear the ball and when to restart play from the field. Thanks to his efforts along the backline Charlotte has conceded just four goals in ECNL Mid-Atlantic Conference play this season, which is the lowest in the 2011 age group.

2028

Pangiotis Daniel Veves | Midfielder 
Benfica Residency Academy RA U17 (FL)

Slotting primarily in as a defensive midfielder, Veves leads a tough Benfica defensive unit that allowed just two goals in four games in February’s Weston Cup and Showcase. The Hungarian U17 Youth International can read what attackers are planning and immediately plug gaps in a defense. He is also equally adept at building possession out of the back, opening up play with quick passes out to teammates in open space.

2027

Amare Reese | Forward / Midfielder
FC Pride 2009 ECNL (IN)

Alternating between the forward and midfield positions, Reese serves a sparkplug for the FC Pride attack. The 2024-2025 ECNL Midwest All-Conference Second Team member has a smooth first touch and can use his speed to open up play for his teammates. Thanks to his efforts, the Pride are currently right in the heat of the Ohio Valley Conference (2-2-1, 7 points).

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Aid Hasanovic | Forward
Richmond United Red ECNL RL 2009 (VA)

Recently invited to the Bosnia and Herzegovina U17 National Team training camp, Hasanovic is steadily becoming one of the top forwards in the ECNL Regional League. He has a nose for goal and can use his height (5’10”) to make life difficult for defenders in both the air and on the ground. In tight spaces, he can make the small cuts necessary to retain possession and give himself space to create goal-scoring opportunities.

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Ryan Curcio | Midfielder / Forward
SUSA FC ECNL 2009 (NY)

Alternating between the midfield and forward positions Curcio has been integral to SUSA’s quick start in ECNL New England Conference play (4-0-0, 12 points). Thanks to his sharp field awareness and willingness to take on multiple defenders, SUSA have scored ten goals in their first four matches. The 2024-25 ECNL New England Conference First Team member is looking to build off of a strong campaign with Commack High School last fall, having won the AAA New York State Championship.

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Alex Kuhner | Defender
NC Fusion 2007/2008 (NC)

Against significant pressure in a tough ECNL region, Kuhner shined this year leading a Fusion backline to five shutouts across all competitions this season. In open space, Kuhner can make the timely tackles necessary to end attacking chances but also avoid costly fouls. With the second half of the season still to go, the Fusion are looking primed for another deep run in the ECNL playoffs this year.

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Melid Music | Defender
Oakwood SC 2010 MLS NEXT 1 (CT)

The Under-17 Montenegro Youth National Team member provides lockdown defensive work for Oakwood, using his strength and tactical awareness to limit opponent’s work inside the Oakwood eighteen. He is also more than comfortable at building possession out of the back, lacing together long sustained drives into the midfield.

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Braden Mathis | Midfielder
Charlotte SA ECNL 2009 (NC)

Serving as CSA’s captain, Mathis has led Charlotte right into the thick of the ECNL Champions League playoff race this season. The 2024-2025 ECNL Mid-Atlantic All-Conference First Team member has a strong first touch and quickly transition CSA into the attack, hitting difficult diagonal passes to the outside with relative ease. In addition to playing for CSA at the U-17 level he has also played for their U-19 and UPSL teams as well.

2026

Austin Tyler | Defender / Midfielder
Maryland United FC 2008 ECNL (MD)

Serving as Maryland’s captain, Tyler has led United to an early undefeated record in ECNL North Atlantic Conference play (3-0-0, 9 points). Playing primarily as a center-back, Tyler consistently remains calm under pressure and can deliver timely passes and crosses to extinguish attacking chances. He can also play in the midfield which shows in his timing on and off of the ball. In December, Tyler was selected to participate in the ECNL South Carolina National Selection Game.

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Nathan Forst | Forward / Midfielder 
Virginia Development Academy 2008 ECNL (VA)

Operating in both the forward and midfield positions, Forst is a dynamic attacking force for a VDA team that scored 35 goals in Mid-Atlantic Conference play this season (11-2-0, 33 points). The 2024-2025 ECNL All-American First Team member is comfortable with the ball at either foot and can hit shots on target with both speed and pace. Forst has committed to playing college soccer next season at Virginia Commonwealth.