Cleveland Force SC U11 & U12 Boys Make Their Mark at IberCup USA
An unforgettable international experience, a historic upset, and a pair of deep tournament runs highlighted a memorable Labor Day weekend for Cleveland Force SC at IberCup USA.
Over Labor Day weekend, Cleveland Force SC’s U11 and U12 Boys had the incredible opportunity to compete at IberCup USA, the first-ever U.S. edition of one of the world’s premier youth soccer events, held in partnership with the ECNL.
IberCup brought together more than 60 of the top youth teams from the United States and around the world, creating a unique international environment where players competed against elite opposition representing different countries, cultures, and playing styles.
With global powerhouse clubs featured throughout the competition, the event provided Cleveland Force players with an experience that went far beyond the results on the field.
U11 Boys Compete in Elite Group
The Cleveland Force U11 Boys were placed in the tournament’s Elite Group, an accomplishment in itself and a reflection of the level the team has reached.
The team opened the tournament against Japanese J.League Academy powerhouse Kashima Antlers, facing a world-class opponent that ultimately went on to win the entire tournament after defeating Benfica in the championship match.
While the Force suffered a difficult result against Kashima Antlers, the team responded by competing throughout the remainder of the group stage, finishing with a 1-2-2 record and advancing to the Round of 32.
In the knockout round, Cleveland Force battled through a tight match that required a last-minute equalizer to send the game to a penalty shootout. The Force ultimately fell
7-6 on penalties, bringing an end to an impressive tournament experience against some of the world's top youth teams.
U12 Boys Deliver Historic Run
The Cleveland Force U12 Boys produced one of the tournament's most memorable runs, finishing third overall among more than 60 teams.
Competing in the International Gold Bracket, the Force won all four of their group-stage matches, including a dominant victory over a team from Ecuador. Their undefeated group-stage performance earned the team a move into the Elite Bracket playoff.
After a strong Round of 32 victory over SUSA, Cleveland Force drew one of the biggest names in world soccer: FC Porto.
What happened next will be remembered for years to come.
The Force produced an incredible
7-4 upset victory over FC Porto, delivering one of the tournament's standout results and creating a lifetime memory for the players, coaches, and families who were there to experience it.
The run continued into the quarterfinals, where Cleveland Force faced Solar, the No. 1-ranked U12 team in the United States.
Once again, the Force showed tremendous resilience, scoring a last-second equalizer to send the match to penalties. After the shootout, Cleveland Force's remarkable run came to an end.
The U12s finished third overall and were one of only three U.S. teams to reach the quarterfinals.
The tournament was ultimately won by Brazilian powerhouse Palmeiras, adding another layer of international prestige to an already memorable experience. Palmeiras has a remarkable history of developing elite players, including Brazilian legends Cafu, Rivaldo, and Roberto Carlos.
For Cleveland Force, sharing the field with clubs of this caliber provided a unique opportunity for players to test themselves against some of the highest levels of youth competition available.
More Than a Tournament
IberCup USA was about more than wins, losses, and standings.
The event created an environment where Cleveland Force players could experience international soccer firsthand — competing against teams from different countries, encountering different playing styles, and building relationships with players and families from around the world.
For players with high-level ambitions, experiences like IberCup provide an opportunity to step outside their normal competitive environment and discover what it takes to compete on an international stage.
“Overall I left incredibly proud of our teams, players and program and know that our players will remember these experiences forever.”
— Nick Howitt, Cleveland Force SC Head Coach & U9-U12 Boys Regional Program Director
That sentiment was echoed by the families who experienced the tournament alongside their players.
A Youth World Cup Experience
One U12 parent described the experience as something unlike anything the family had previously experienced:
“The closest analogy I can think of is that Iber Cup was like a youth World Cup: nothing we've experienced came close to its level of soccer and atmosphere. Not only the players but siblings and parents too met people from across the world, and our boys competed against extremely talented teams with a wide array of playing styles. It was a first class experience that's already given our son and his teammates a new level of confidence going into the rest of the season.”
For the players, those memories are even more personal.
U12 player Ethan Hopkins summed up one of the tournament's defining moments simply:
“I will never forget scoring 2 goals against FC Porto.”
From competing against a Japanese J.League Academy to defeating FC Porto and pushing the No. 1-ranked U12 team in the country to penalties, Cleveland Force's IberCup experience delivered everything an international competition is designed to provide — elite competition, adversity, unforgettable moments, and opportunities to grow.
The U11 and U12 teams returned home with more than tournament results. They returned with greater confidence, new experiences, international perspective, and memories that will stay with them for years to come
Goal by Ethan Hopkins
Goal by Ethan Hopkins
GOAL BY Ethan Finkelstein
What's Next for IberCup?
The IberCup experience doesn't end in the United States.
A select group of top U13-U14 Boys will be representing the Cleveland Force and the United States at the prestigious IberCup Christmas 2026, December 13–20, 2026.
The trip represents the next step in Cleveland Force's growing international pathway and will provide players with another opportunity to compete in an elite international environment — this time on the global stage in Portugal.
More than simply another international tournament, the Portugal experience is being built around a USL-level program designed for players committed to a professional-track developmental environment.
As Cleveland Force continues to align its standards with the highest levels of American soccer, the IberCup Christmas 2026 trip will serve as a centerpiece of the club's premier player pathway, providing players with the opportunity to challenge themselves against international competition while experiencing the culture and environment of the global game.
From IberCup USA to Portugal, the journey continues.
The next stage of the pathway awaits.
To learn more about the IberCup, visit:
www.ibercup.com
