Zip_ME87

Aiden Benitez selected to represent El Salvador in the upcoming CONCACAF U20 World Cup Qualifiers (listed at ~2:26 in the video below; they still list him as Butler University).... https://www.concacaf.com/competitions/under-20-championship/news/schedule-and-venues-confirmed-for-2026-u-20-championship The tournament – part of Concacaf’s revamped Youth National Team competitions calendar – will also serve as the qualifying competition for the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2027 and the 2028 Summer Olympics Men’s Football Tournament. The four teams that reach the semifinals of the 2026 Concacaf U-20 Championship will qualify for next year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, while the tournament winner will also qualify for the 2028 Summer Olympics. Should the United States—already qualified as host of the Olympics—win the regional competition, the Olympic berth will be awarded to the runner-up.

This seemed like the best thread in which to place this. Thomas O'Rourke has been selected to participate at the Santo Domingo 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games (https://jcc2026.org/en) for the Dominican Republic... https://www.fedofutbol.do/seleccion-dominicana-anuncio-convocatoria-femenina-y-masculina-para-centroamericanos-y-del-caribe-2026/ English translation of the key points from that website... The Dominican National Football Team announced the rosters of players who will represent the Dominican Republic at the Santo Domingo 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games, for both the women's and men's teams. On the men's side, the roster consists of 11 players developed within the domestic league—though four of them currently play abroad—and nine based outside the country who have previously participated in youth national team programs, with some even having received call-ups to the senior squad. It is worth noting that, as this falls outside the official FIFA international window, some players did not receive permission from their clubs to participate in the event. The men's squad will gather for a training camp starting July 14 at the Dominican Football Federation's High-Performance Center, remaining there until July 28, when they must join the competition. Dominican Men's National Football Team for the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games: Midfielders: Thomas O’Rourke (Akron Zips – USA), Yordy Álvarez (Real Tomayapo – Bolivia), Sergio Cuello (CYD Leonesa – España), Lucas Bretón (Málaga CF – España), Cristian Ciccone (UDC Txantrea – España), Adrián García Jaquez (CD Leganés – España) y Nicolás Cruz (Cibao FC – RD). Per AI: At the Santo Domingo 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games, football (soccer) does not offer direct qualification spots to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Instead, the tournament acts as a major developmental milestone and seeding platform for regional national programs. While the matches themselves do not punch a direct ticket to LA28, they impact the international soccer landscape in several specific ways: 1. Seeding for the Direct Olympic Pathway CONCACAF (the governing body for North, Central America, and the Caribbean) uses separate under-20 (U-20) tournaments to determine direct Olympic qualification. However, the team rosters built, tested, and scouted during Santo Domingo 2026 form the core talent pool for the upcoming CONCACAF Men's and Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournaments.

Travelled to Lansing, MI Monday afternoon and was treated to a first half show by Jack Roman and Remi Agunbiade. Wish I could find video to share.

Thanks again to @TennZip and all who scoured our opponents’ websites to provide us the majority of the schedule prior to its release. 👏👏👏

He and his teammates are making Canadian Mens National Team history ... So happy for Richie and his family!

Thanks @TennZip and all who contributed.

@Zips1991 Darn. So close, but what a great save by the defender.

Per an IG post, Jared Embick and Ger Coppinger are in attendance in Toronto. Go Richie, Go 🇨🇦!!!

Some Ben Lundt highlights, discussion, and interview in this video…

MLS changed their roster rules a few years ago. A player can be drafted and return to college for 1 additional season. If the player were to remain in college for a 2nd season after being drafted, then the player would re-enter the draft is my understanding. Remi has the collegiate eligibility, but I don't expect he would return for a second season after being drafted by San Diego. As I recall, Dyson Clapier and Malik Henry returned for the Fall 2024 season after being drafted by Sporting KC and CF Montreal, respectively, in December 2023 (MLS 2024 Superdraft). Malik ended up at Toronto FC through a trade, not by re-entering the draft, https://en.cfmontreal.com/news/cf-montreal-acquires-up-to-75-000-in-general-allocation-money-and-third-round-pick-from-toronto-fc)

Featuring quotes from Captain Leo Morana … https://varsiq.com/cleveland-force-scs-rally-falls-short-in-4-3-home-opening-loss-to-pittsburgh-riverhounds-2/

Congratulations to Zips Men’s Soccer alum Aodhan Quinn.