2026 City Connect Summer Recap

The 2026 City Connect weekend brought players, coaches, and families from across the City SC Affiliate Network together in Carlsbad for a weekend of training, competition, and time together. Players traveled from City SC clubs across the network to meet their new teammates, work with City SC coaches, and get their first opportunity to play together.

From the first training session to the final game, the weekend gave players a chance to step outside their regular club teams, meet players from other City SC locations, and come together as one City Connect team.

From Across the Network to One Team

One of the best parts of City Connect is seeing players arrive from different locations and, within a short amount of time, start to feel like a team. The weekend kicked off with players meeting their coaches and teammates and getting on the field together. Training sessions gave each group time to learn how one another played, build chemistry, and prepare for the games ahead. For many, it was their first time playing alongside teammates from other City SC clubs, and it was great to see those connections start to form both on and off the field.

Competing Together

After training together, the teams had the chance to put it into action with competitive matches throughout the weekend. Playing with a new group isn’t always easy. Players had to adjust quickly, communicate, figure each other out, and find ways to compete together at the 2026 Carlsbad Cup. The games were an important part of the weekend, but the experience went well beyond the results. It was a chance for players to challenge themselves in a new environment, take on different roles, and represent City SC alongside teammates from across the network.

More Than the Games

Some of the best parts of the weekend happened away from the field. Players and families from different City SC communities had the chance to meet, spend time together, and get to know one another. Those relationships are a big part of what makes City Connect special and what we hope players take away from the experience. And for this group, those relationships will be especially important because their City Connect journey is only getting started.

Next Stop: The UK

The teams will continue to train and prepare together over the coming months before traveling to the UK in Spring 2027. The trip will include Premier League academy training sessions, international friendlies, stadium visits, and the opportunity to experience soccer in England firsthand.

The time together in Carlsbad gave the players a chance to start building the relationships and chemistry they’ll take with them overseas next spring.

A big thank you to all of the players, families, coaches, and staff who helped make the 2026 City Connect weekend possible. We’re excited to see these teams continue to come together over the coming months and can’t wait to follow their journey to the UK.