BRADENTON, Fla. - The 2025 USL Academy Finals kicked off today from IMG Academy. The eight Round of 16 matchups featured the Academy League’s top teams, end-to-end action and dramatic finishes.

Lexington SC 3, Westchester Flames 0 

Lexington SC got the day started with a comfortable win over Westchester Flames powered by a brace from Felipe Valencia.

Sporting JAX 3, Staten Island Monarchs 1 

Making its first ever appearance at the USL Academy Finals, Sporting JAX completed the comeback over Staten Island Monarchs in part thanks to two clutch penalties by captain Adis Mesic. 

Miami FC 1, AC Connecticut 2 – A.E.T 

In a rematch of last year’s quarterfinal, Johan Bermudez struck his second goal of the day quickly into extra time for AC Connecticut helping them pull away with a victory over Miami FC’s U20 squad.

Richmond Kickers 1, San Antonio FC 1 – Richmond Kickers win 4-2 on penalties 

The match of the day award would go to this game thanks to the late-game heroics and penalty dramatics from the Richmond Kickers. Nick Sarantakos scored the equalizer with the last kick of the second half, before Colby Macomber stood tall in goal helping Richmond take down San Antonio FC on penalties. 

Indy Eleven 3, Western Mass Pioneers 0 

The defending Academy Finals champs rolled to a shutout victory today with goals from Ephram Amones, Landyn Hoyhtya, and Grant Paskus. 

Orange County SC 2, Lancaster FC 1 

Orange County SC went ahead by two goals before Lancaster FC was able to pull one back to make it dicey, but the County Boys were able to book their spot in the Quarterfinals. 

El Paso Locomotive FC 1, City SC San Diego 2 

City SC San Diego came out with a strong performance in the first half, grabbing a 2-0 lead. El Paso Locomotive FC was able to pull one back in the second half, but City SC found the victory. 

SSA Swarm 1, Utah Red Wolves SC 2 

A tightly contested game the whole way through, SSA Swarm came out buzzing scoring an early goal. Utah Red Wolves SC fought its way back finding the equalizer and scoring the late winner off a corner.

Quarterfinal Matches 

12 p.m.

Orange County SC vs. Utah Red Wolves SC – Field 6 

Indy Eleven vs. Richmond Kickers – Field 7 

2 p.m.

Lexington SC vs. City SC San Diego – Field 6 

Sporting JAX vs. AC Connecticut – Field 7 

Invitational Division 

10 a.m.

Westchester Flames vs. East Atlanta FC – Field 2 

Staten Island Monarchs vs. Inter Gainesville KF – Field 6 

Western Mass Pioneers vs. Westchester SC – Field 7 

Philadelphia Lonestar FC vs. Miami FC U19 – Field 8 

12 p.m.

LFE All-Stars vs. El Paso Locomotive FC – Field 2 

Lancaster FC vs. SSA Swarm – Field 8 

2 p.m.

Tampa Bay Rowdies 2 vs. Miami FC U20 – Field 2 

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC II vs. San Antonio FC – Field 8