FYSA Introduces College Showcase to State Cup Group Play
Florida Youth Soccer Association (FYSA) is strengthening player identification opportunities by embedding a College ID Showcase directly into group play at the 2026 Florida State Cup, bringing more than 35 colleges and talent scouts into meaningful championship matches.
Unlike traditional college showcases that require separate registration, travel, and additional costs, the FYSA College Showcase is fully integrated into existing State Cup group play for 16U & 17U teams. Student-athletes will be evaluated in competitive; high-stakes matches teams are already preparing for, providing college coaches with a more authentic view of players in real game environments. In addition, 18U/19U teams from the Fall 2025 State Cup will be invited to participate in the showcase at no additional cost.
“This showcase is a clear reflection of our commitment to providing accessible and equitable opportunities for player identification,” said Ryan Foley, CEO of FYSA. “By embedding college exposure into games that already matter, we’re creating a model that is practical, inclusive, and player-centered.”
As an association-led initiative, the showcase leverages an existing competition weekend, minimizing disruption for clubs and families while maximizing value. Traditional college showcases can exceed thousands of dollars per team, while State Cup entry fees remain under $1,000, lowering the financial barrier to college exposure.
The showcase will feature more than 35 colleges representing NCAA Division I, Division II, Division III, NAIA, and Junior College programs across both boys and girls age groups. FYSA will designate select group play fields as showcase fields while maintaining the integrity of the existing State Cup competition format. Each participating team will play two group play matches during the weekend.
The Florida Soccer School (TFSS) will support college coach coordination and engagement throughout the event. TFSS is known in the state for hosting events such as the International Coaching Symposium, IDX College ID Showcase, Monster Mash, and their high performance Elite Residential Academy Summer Camps.
“We’re incredibly excited to partner with FYSA to provide an impactful collegiate recruitment experience for the players involved,” said Fred Dikranian, Founder of The Florida Soccer School. “FYSA State Cup will now provide a significant recruitment opportunity for Florida clubs, teams, and players, and it’s a testament to the leadership and collaboration of everyone involved at FYSA in making this vision a reality.”
Earlier this year, FYSA announced that State Cup registration would be open to teams from any governing body, removing structural barriers and expanding access to Florida’s premier championship competition. FYSA’s three Cup competitions grew to more than 1,000 teams statewide this seasonal year, reaching a new benchmark from recent years.
“This unanimous investment from FYSA’s Board of Directors reinforces the association’s commitment to player-centered innovation,” said Daragh Cullen, President of FYSA. “We are building a model that accelerates access to affordable, meaningful identification opportunities now and into the future.”
Together, open State Cup registration, expanded team capacity, and integrated college identification reflect FYSA’s continued focus on innovation, accessibility, and long-term player development.
FYSA will track college coach engagement and player identification outcomes as part of its broader effort to evaluate and refine player-focused initiatives. Additional details, including a list of participating schools, information on new recruitment profiles, and a recruitment education webinar for players and families, will be announced in the coming weeks.
