MARSHALL LOCKS DOWN DEFENDER OF THE YEAR
Marshall was a wall at the heart of Vermont Green’s defense. The club captain anchored a backline that allowed just 12 regular-season goals, added 7 clean sheets, and conceded only twice in the playoffs. After earning Eastern Conference Team of the Year honors, Marshall became the second straight Vermont Green center-back to claim USL League Two Defender of the Year, following Moussa Ndiaye in 2025.
THE BAY RULES THE W.
Salmon Bay FC officially sit atop the USL W League. In front of a record-setting 2,096 fans at Interbay Stadium, the Seattle side battled Vermont Green FC to a 1-1 draw through 120 minutes before capturing the 2026 National Championship with a 5-4 penalty shootout win.
The title capped an unreal postseason run where Salmon Bay conceded just two goals across 450 minutes of playoff soccer, both coming from dead-ball situations. The victory delivered the first national championship in club history and made Salmon Bay the fifth different USL W League champion, joining Tormenta FC, Indy Eleven, North Carolina Courage U-23 and Utah United. From Seattle to the summit—the Bay rules the W.
JULY BELONGS TO BRONNIK.
Mark Bronnik was absolutely cooking for Tacoma Defiance in July. Through just three appearances, Bronnik delivered 3 goals and 3 assists, totaling six goal contributions while emerging as one of the league’s most dangerous attacking threats. Whether finding the back of the net or creating for his teammates, Bronnik made his presence felt every time he stepped on the pitch. Three games. Six contributions. One huge month.
STAR BOY ARRIVES.
Owen Jorgensen etched his name into the history books with a milestone moment. The 16-year-old center-back found the net for his first professional goal at just 16 years and 153 days old, becoming one of the youngest goalscorers in MLS NEXT Pro history. A huge moment for the rising defender as he continues to make his mark at the professional level. The Star boy is just getting started.
NEIL PIERRE IS HIM.
Neil Pierre continues to show he belongs on the biggest stage. At just 18 years old, the young center-back is already making his presence felt in MLS with the Philadelphia Union, scoring two goals across his last three matches while holding it down defensively. From rising through the Union pipeline to delivering at the first-team level, Pierre continues to answer every challenge thrown his way. Neil Pierre is HIM.
THE THRONE STAYS GREEN.
Vermont Green FC have done it again. The Green defeated the Flint City Bucks 2-1 at Atwood Stadium to capture their second consecutive USL League Two National Championship, becoming the first club to go back-to-back since 2003.
The title capped off an unreal 2026 campaign that saw Vermont finish 18W-1D-0L, score a ridiculous 85 goals, and extend their unbeaten streak to 42 matches across all competitions. Another season, another trophy, and another piece of history for Vermont. The crown stays put. The throne stays green.
FROM ATHENS TO EL TRI.
Ava Stack is taking her game to the international stage. The University of Georgia standout has earned a call-up to Mexico’s U-20 National Team training camp, adding another major milestone to her rising career. From representing the Dawgs in Athens to earning an opportunity with El Tri, Stack continues to make moves at both the collegiate and international levels. From Athens to El Tri.
BARÇA CALLING.
Khadijah Cissé is taking her talents from the SEC to one of the biggest clubs in world football. The Montreal native and Canadian Youth National Team goalkeeper has signed a professional contract with FC Barcelona Femení B after just one season at Kentucky.
Cissé made an immediate impact with the Wildcats, recording 32 saves while allowing only 10 goals, earning a spot on the TopDrawerSoccer Top 100 Freshmen list and picking up multiple collegiate shutouts. Her freshman campaign also included representing Canada at the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, where she started four matches and helped Canada reach the quarterfinals. Now, the next chapter takes her to Barcelona. From Kentucky to Barça—the dream move is official.
ANNA CHANGE IS DIFFERENT.
Anna Change is already making history at just 15 years old. The U.S. U-15 Youth National Team standout became the youngest player in VDA history to start and score for the club’s USL W League side, proving she can make an impact well beyond her age group. From shining with the USYNT to delivering against experienced competition in the W League, Change continues to establish herself as one of the young names to watch. 15 years old and already rewriting the record books.
EAST COAST DOMINANCE.
The East put on a show on one of youth soccer’s biggest stages. Team East exploded for five first-half goals before cruising to a dominant 6-1 victory over Team West in the 2026 MLS NEXT All-Star Game. D.C. United’s Oscar Avilez led the charge with two goals and an assist to earn MVP honors, while Jamil Danjaji, Liam Stribling, Marcus Singleton II and Charlotte FC’s Daniel Brown all found the back of the net.
The statement win also kept Team East perfect across all five editions of the MLS NEXT All-Star Game, continuing their grip on the matchup. East Coast dominance.
THE RECORD BELONGS TO MCCAMMON.
Ainsley McCammon is rewriting the NWSL record books at just 18 years and 344 days old. The Seattle Reign midfielder delivered two assists in a 2-0 road win over San Diego, becoming the youngest player in NWSL history to record a multi-assist match and breaking the previous mark set by Trinity Rodman at 19 years and 143 days.
McCammon’s vision and range of passing have quickly become major weapons for the Reign, and her rise isn’t slowing down. Already established as a U.S. youth international, the 18-year-old continues to make her mark at both the club and international level. The future is bright, but the record already belongs to McCammon.
THE FUTURE IS RED.
Benny Rodriguez is taking the next step in the Red Bulls pipeline. The 18-year-old winger has signed an MLS NEXT Pro contract with Red Bull New York II through 2027, with plans to join the first team as a Homegrown Player beginning in the 2027–28 season.
The former North Carolina FC Academy standout has already made his presence felt, recording seven goal contributions across his first 15 matches of the 2026 season, including four goals. After helping Red Bulls II capture the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Cup, Rodriguez’s pathway to the first team is officially set. From the academy to the pros—the future is Red.
