By Jennifer L. Barton
June 19, 2026
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Every great soccer journey starts somewhere, and for one local boys’ soccer club, their chances at success have never been higher.
The Palm Beach Gardens Predators Boys 2009 ECNL team has secured their place in the coveted Elite Club National League (ECNL) Champions League Playoffs in San Diego, California. A chance to compete with the best-of-the-best, the ECNL is the nation’s leading youth soccer development platform, and the National Finals tournament opens the doors for serious collegiate-level scouting and some intense competition.
Slated for the week of June 25—July 2, 2026, the weeklong tournament takes 64 qualifying teams from across the country and pits them against each other round robin-style. Winners of the group games then advance to a single-elimination knockout round for the top 16 clubs. The surviving 8 teams will then head to Striker Park in Richmond, Virginia to compete in the pinnacle event that will determine the official national champions.
As the US, Canada and Mexico host the FIFA World Cup during the coming weeks, eyes from all over the world will be watching the soccer-playing elite compete to bring home the top prize. But it can be easy to forget that every World Cup hero once played for local teams just like the Predators. They may be young and the stage may be smaller, but the Predators are bringing the same energy, heart and intensity into their own national playoff run. For them, the matches are more than just competition; they’re part of a larger journey that connects their hometown to the global game.
For many, soccer exemplifies the ultimate team sport, and the Predators success reflects that drive. At this level, players must communicate well while they coordinate their efforts with every pass, defensive stop and transition. For a team to succeed, that team-first mindset must become one of its greatest strengths and the Predators have proven to have the right chemistry to make that a reality.
Kris Steeves, Technical Director and Coach for the Predators’ Boys program, has been working with the club for more than a decade and is enthusiastic about their progress. “I have had the wonderful privilege of training the team and helping them develop their athletic and competitive prowess,” Steeves said. “There are more than 150 boys’ clubs across the country that are part of the ECNL, so for our players to advance to this level of competition speaks volumes about how hard they have worked to get here,” he added.
Training at this level is rigorous. The Predators practice four nights each week, and then often have to travel for matches. Balancing athletics and academics can be challenging with such a grueling schedule, but the sport demands fitness, strategy and relentless effort from each member of the team. That level of commitment is not for the faint of heart.
“The boys have been training together for many years now and they’ve developed into a very close-knit team,” Steeves said, “and the ECNL Playoffs is exactly the type of challenge we’ve been preparing for. The boys have put in the time, effort and commitment and now we’re proud to make the most of this moment to see how we measure up.”
While they are thrilled to compete in the tournament, the team is also facing the reality of expensive airfare and lodging costs. To try to help raise funds, the boys took it upon themselves to organize two street soccer events to mentor local youth players in the sport they love. For a nominal fee, other area soccer enthusiasts received coaching and mentorship from the 2009 Boys ECNL team at Palm Beach Gardens North District Park during some action-packed small-sided games. Usually structured as 3-vs.-3 or 5-vs.-5 scrimmages and often held on smaller fields, small-sided games are an amazing tool used to accelerate skill development where every player is an active, hands-on contributor. Participants interact with the ball more often because of the smaller team sizes, teaching them how to better anticipate plays, which, in turn, challenges them to make decisions more quickly under pressure.
“Hosting street soccer events alongside my teammates was really fun,” said 2009 ECNL player Cameron Manners. “We just wanted to share a bit of what we’ve learned from our coaches who challenge us and push us. Hopefully, we helped some other kids realize the fun that can be had while playing soccer. You have to love the game to give it your all.”
Team organizers have also worked with local businesses to raise funds. One vendor, Paddy Mac’s Irish Restaurant in Palm Beach Gardens, hosted a successful brunch and donated a portion of the proceeds to support the team’s journey to nationals. The Predators have also started a GoFundMe page with the goal of collecting $15,000 to help offset the travel expenses. Donations of any size are greatly appreciated, and all contributions will directly help these young athletes achieve their dreams and experience this incredible opportunity.
“The team is incredibly excited to show off their discipline on the national stage,” Steeves enthused. “These boys have worked so hard—and for many years. In fact, I’ve had the pleasure of coaching many of them since elementary school, and that work continues as we prepare to face teams from across the country.”
While the team focuses on their championship mindset, the lessons the players gain along the way will last long after the final whistle. Soccer has given the players more than just skills with the ball—it has also helped shape them as people.
“It’s been an honor to have grown alongside my teammates,” said 2009 ECNL player Matthew Armwood. “Many of us have been playing together for a long time and it’s truly incredible what we’ve been able to accomplish as a team. It’s good to have friends I can trust.”
The playoffs begin on Thursday, June 25, at the Surf Sports Park (formerly San Diego Polo Fields) in Del Mar, California. The event will be covered by ESPN and can also be live-streamed—see schedule here.
For more information about the Predators, or about the Elite Club National League (ECNL) Champions League Playoffs, including official team roster and postseason structure, click here. To support the team’s fund-raising efforts, visit the GoFundMe page for more details.
Special thanks to sponsors and supporters of the Predators:
- Anchor Bank
- Bricks & Minifigs
- Bulk Candy Store
- Burn Boot Camp
- Class 101 College Planning
- Colab Kitchen
- District Table & Bar
- Driftscape Landscape & Design
- Gardens Pediatrics
- Mazda of Palm Beach
- PBGYAA
- PBGYAA Flag Football
- Paddy Mac’s Irish Restaurant
- Palm Beach Gardens Athletic Association
- Predators Soccer
- Venetian Nail Spa
