Matthew Doherty

England

Writer at We Got This Covered

Writer at Freelance

Articles

MLS Next Cup: Which New England teams qualified for the Playoffs?

3 days ago | soccerjournal.com | Matthew Doherty

The MLS Next regular season is over. After nine months of exhilarating action throughout the region, the regular season slate for the seven New England clubs wrapped up this past weekend. However, a few fortunate teams still have postseason soccer on the horizon. Seven New England teams from the U-15 to U-19 age groups qualified for the MLS Next Cup Playoffs, held June 14 to June 22 at the Richard Siegel Complex in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Qualifying for the Cup is a major accomplishment.
MLS Next: 5 takeaways from U-17 Bayside vs. Oakwood winner-take-all match

5 days ago | soccerjournal.com | Matthew Doherty

PORTLAND, Conn. — The Bayside FC U-17 squad is headed to the MLS Next Cup Playoffs. In a winner-takes-all match on Saturday afternoon, Bayside scored twice in the first half and then held off a furious comeback attempt from Oakwood to secure a 2-1 victory and punch the final postseason ticket from the Northeast Conference. Bayside players fell to the ground, hugged each other and posed for pictures after the final whistle blew at rainy Oakwood Soccer Park in the regular season finale.
ECNL Boys: Which New England teams, players stood out at the Virginia showcase?

1 week ago | soccerjournal.com | Matthew Doherty

The final national showcase of the ECNL Boys’ regular season occurred this past weekend in Virginia. ECNL Virginia was held from May 24-26 at River City Sportsplex in Midlothian, Va., and featured 150 teams from the U15-U17 age groups, including three New England clubs. FSA FC, Connecticut FC and FC Stars competed at ECNL Virginia and performed admirably against the top teams in the country. Across the 2008 and 2009 age groups, FSA, CFC and FC Stars combined for a 12-5-1 record.
MLS Next Flex: 5 impressive under-the-radar players at the event

2 weeks ago | soccerjournal.com | Matthew Doherty

BOYDS, Md. -- We’ve already unveiled our positional standouts from MLS Next Flex. But several other players impressed at the premier five-day tournament (May 9-13) at the Maryland SoccerPlex. They deserve to be highlighted for their contributions. These under-the-radar players showcased versatility, did the dirty work and, most importantly, contributed to winning. Many of these players have caught my eye throughout the MLS Next season, and it’s time to shout them out.
MLS Next Flex: 5 New England U-17 standout midfielders from the event

2 weeks ago | soccerjournal.com | Matthew Doherty

BOYDS, Md. -- MLS Next Flex is an important tournament for club teams as they try to punch their ticket to the MLS Next Cup Playoffs next month. But the five-day event (May 9-13) at the Maryland SoccerPlex also provides a valuable opportunity for players to showcase their skills in front of college coaches. With hundreds of colleges in attendance, the tournament is a critical part of the recruiting calendar, especially for uncommitted players in the Class of 2026 and 2027.
MLS Next Flex: 4 New England U-17 standout forwards from the event

3 weeks ago | soccerjournal.com | Matthew Doherty

BOYDS, Md. -- MLS Next Flex is an important tournament for clubs, as teams try to punch their ticket to the MLS Next Cup Playoffs next month. But the five-day event at the Maryland SoccerPlex also provides a valuable opportunity for players to showcase their skills in front of college coaches. With hundreds of colleges in attendance, the tournament is a critical part of the recruiting calendar, especially for uncommitted players in the Class of 2026 and 2027.
MLS Next Flex: 4 takeaways from the national event

3 weeks ago | soccerjournal.com | Matthew Doherty

BOYDS, Md. -- MLS Next Flex is the premier event on the MLS Next calendar, as the top teams from across the country descend to the Maryland SoccerPlex with a trip to the MLS Next Cup Playoffs on the line. The mission is simple at Flex: win your group and automatically qualify for the Cup. I attended the five-day event, held May 9-13, for the final three days and watched all the qualified U-16 and U-17 New England teams play.
MLS Next Flex U-17 preview: schedule, teams and players to watch

1 month ago | soccerjournal.com | Matthew Doherty

The biggest event on the MLS Next calendar has arrived. MLS Next Flex will take place from Friday to Tuesday at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Md. There are 232 teams, including 12 from New England, competing at the culminating event across the U-15 to U-19 age groups. The stakes are high. Teams qualified based on points-per-game rankings during the regular season.
MLS Next Flex U-16, U-19 preview: schedule, teams and players to watch

1 month ago | soccerjournal.com | Matthew Doherty

The biggest event on the MLS Next calendar has arrived. MLS Next Flex will run from Friday to Tuesday at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Md. There will be 232 teams, including 12 from New England, qualified for the culminating event across the U-15 to U-19 age groups. The stakes are high at MLS Next Flex. Teams qualified based on points-per-game rankings during the regular season.
Recruiting: Why South Shore Select's Nina Mathelus reclassified and chose Cal

1 month ago | soccerjournal.com | Matthew Doherty

Over the last few years, Nina Mathelus has not only established herself as one of the best prospects in New England. Her standout play with South Shore Select, the Philippines National Team and Thayer Academy made her a highly sought-after commodity for Division 1 programs nationwide. Last month, Mathelus’ recruitment process heated up when she reclassified from the Class of 2027 to the Class of 2026. One month later, Mathelus found her home for the next four years. The Braintree, Mass.