The Southern Soccer Academy (SSA Swarm) Residential Program at Darlington, more commonly known as Darlington School Soccer Academy, entered the May 2026 MLS NEXT Cup in Salt Lake City as a new and ambitious MLS Next program, competing against top youth academies from across North America in the season’s premier championship event.
Darlington’s U17 SSA team completed early-round matches playing against high-level opponents with a dominant 4-0 shutout victory over Virginia Revolution SC on May 24 and a hard-fought 3-1 win over Monarchs Arizona on May 25. They demonstrated both attacking quality and resilience against strong competition, advancing them to a quarterfinal matchup against The Saint James Academy from Northern Virginia. Through the first two rounds of the tournament, Darlington has the best goal differential in the tournament at 6, scoring 7 and only conceding a single goal thus far.
Darlington’s participation in MLS Next Academy Division marks a significant milestone in the academy’s first MLS NEXT cycle, reflecting a successful progression from regional qualification into national competition. Their inaugural year in the MLS Next program was a resounding success, winning the Southern Division in the fall of 2025 with the best goal differential in the MLS Next Academy Division at the end of the fall 2025 season. This outstanding performance qualified the U17 team to compete in the MLS Next Cup without additional qualifying spring tournaments.
Coach Chad Liddle, the Darlington Soccer Academy Director, says that the "The early success at MLS Next Cup showcases the exceptional education and athletic opportunities across all programs at Darlington School,” said Chad Liddle, director of Darlington School Soccer Academy. "Darlington players currently competing in the MLS Next Cup are getting attention from over 20 NCAA Division 1 colleges and universities nationwide, including the 4 Big East schools, widely considered the top soccer conference in the country, along with two U.S. Service Academies; five Patriot League programs; two Ivy League schools; one Atlantic Coast Conference; and two West Coast Conference schools, as well as schools from the Big West, Mid-American, Summit League, Big Ten, the Colonial Athletic Association and three Division III programs."
The national quarterfinal game will kick off Wednesday, May 27, at 10 a.m. EST. Fans can follow Darlington SSA Swarm Boys on Veo Live for a livestream of the game.
Click here to learn more about Darlington School Soccer Academy.
Photo by Scott Edwards
Photo by Scott Edwards
