With more than 200 fans & supporters in attendance, the match between DME Academy and the Next Generation 04/05 team from Sarasota, FL was a huge success. This exhibition was of course about soccer but more importantly, it was an opportunity to build culture and showcase the vision for the partnership between DME Academy in Daytona and DME Academy in Sarasota. With Carousel’s Icery on hand, games for the kids, candy stations, apparel for purchase, and all proceeds going to fund the Sarasota club’s tournament participation, it was a great experience for everyone in attendance.
The match itself featured some hard-nosed play and boasted some incredible soccer by both teams. The DME Academy boys found the back of the net with some dynamic play and cool finishing. Next Generation soccer fought hard but in the end, we ended up winning with a score of 6-0.
“We were happy to take the bus down here and scrimmage Sarasota. That team is strong & they played well. There are some really good players here already and we’re going to keep building the DME Soccer program across this state. Thank you for the hospitality to JT, Jared, and the rest of the Sarasota team that organized the event. We’ll definitely be back down or have the boys up to our field to play soon.” says, Todd Eason, Director of Soccer at DME Academy.
This game is much more about opportunities and pathways than it is about the scoreline. Some of the Sarasota boys are already guests playing with the National team here at DME. The goal of this event was set up to unite the two clubs and show everyone the vision and possible pathways for committed and skilled soccer players in all of Southern-Central Florida.
The DME Academy boys’ U19 soccer team has clinched the prestigious Easter International Cup in Kissimmee, Florida. The competition was held from April 5th to April 8th, 2023, and featured over 200 top youth soccer teams from across the country and 25 international teams. DME put on a remarkable performance throughout the tournament, showcasing their talent and skill on the pitch. The team, led by experienced soccer coach Todd Eason, emerged victorious in the final match against Florida Rush, winning 6-1.
“As our season starts winding down, participating in this tournament showed just how talented our boys are. This group continues to impress me with their passion for competition and overall durability,” said Todd Eason, Director of Soccer at DME Academy. “Five games in four days under the Florida heat, against prominent clubs is not easy. So, I can’t say enough about this group. They have exceeded my expectations and it’s been a great honor to work with these high-level players.”
DME Academy has quickly made a name for itself as a leading soccer program in Florida, attracting some of the most promising young players from across the country and overseas. The academy is known for its commitment to developing well-rounded soccer players who excel on the pitch and prioritize academic excellence and character development. The Easter International Cup win is a testament to DME’s dedication to cultivating talented soccer players who can perform at the highest level while upholding core values such as teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship.
The victory at the Easter International Cup is a significant achievement for DME Academy’s budding soccer program, providing a major boost to the players’ confidence and motivation. The win also serves as a testament to the coaching staff’s hard work and dedication to developing young soccer players. The Easter International Cup victory is a major milestone for the DME Academy, cementing its status as one of the top youth soccer programs in the country.
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Daytona Beach, FL – DME Academy is excited to announce the hiring of Thales Peterson as Head Soccer Coach. Peterson is set to take over the reins of DME Academy’s fast-growing soccer program on May 15th. Peterson brings a wealth of soccer experience to the program and possesses strong leadership qualities that had him pegged for the position.
Peterson comes to DME Academy with an impressive coaching background. He has been coaching at various youth and professional levels for decades and holds a USSF A License.
Peterson began his career as an Assistant Coach at the Empire Strykers (then named the Ontario Fury) in Ontario, California, and spent 13 years with FC Golden State, helping to build the youth program from scratch. Today, the club features thousands of players, many of which are MLS Next status. After his tenure with the Empire Strykers, Peterson was named head coach for the professional soccer club, Los Angeles Force, which plays in the National Independent Soccer Association out of Los Angeles, California. Most recently, he was the Girls Director and Head Coach at an ECNL-R club in the Sarasota, Florida area. Peterson is well-respected in the soccer community and has a proven track record of developing players and producing winning teams.
“We are thrilled to have Thales Peterson join the DME Academy family as our Head Soccer Coach,” said Todd Eason, Director of Soccer at DME Academy. “His extensive coaching experience, passion for the game, and commitment to player development make him the perfect fit for our program. His Brazilian roots and international ties will aid us in continuing to bring the best players from around the world to the fields at DME in Daytona.”
Peterson is equally excited about the opportunity to lead the DME Academy soccer program.
I’m excited to work with a professional staff, at a state-of-the-art facility, and with high-level aspiring athletes. With dedication, the right mindset, and execution, you can achieve all your goals. I’m honored to help ignite the dream and make a positive impact on the lives of so many student-athletes.”
The DME Academy soccer program is known for its commitment to excellence, both academically and athletically. With Peterson at the helm, the soccer program is positioned to continue its upward trajectory and achieve even greater success.
About DME Academy
DME Academy is a private school in Daytona Beach, FL that offers a rigorous academic curriculum for grades 6-12. The school also has several highly competitive athletic programs, including soccer, basketball, volleyball, and baseball. DME Academy is committed to developing well-rounded student-athletes who are prepared to excel both on and off the field.
The DME boy’s soccer team last weekend traveled to Montverde, Florida for two matches. They took on Vaughan Azzurri, from Canada, Friday night; the following day, they took on Montverde’s SIMA Gold team.
The games were held at the Montverde Academy soccer fields for the SIMA Friendlies showcase, where a large crowd had gathered to watch the high level of soccer that was about to be showcased throughout the weekend.
Friday night’s game, DME Academy struck first, with a goal from Charles Christian, the team’s newest addition, who comes all the way from Ghana. DME Academy struck again with a late goal from Pootanet Petchtae to finalize their win of 2-0. Kol Bennet was stone-cold in the net and secured another shutout on the season.
Saturday’s showdown against Montverde’s SIMA Gold team was a hard-fought battle, with each team netting goals. In proving his value to the DME team, it was Christian that put one in the back of the net for the DME boys, securing the tie for the team.
DME Academy, comprised of a group of determined, dedicated, and diverse players, faced off against the nationally ranked team in this highly-anticipated match. Despite being heavily outmatched on paper, DME refused to back down and put up a fierce fight against the highly favored Montverde. When the last whistle blew, DME managed to hold their ground against the top team in the country, fighting to the end for the tie. In DME’s augural season, they surprised spectators and teams alike. But not themselves or their coaches.
“This weekend the boys faced many challenges and rose to the occasion during both games.” States Kioki Hutchings, Assistant Director of Soccer at DME. “They are a special group to be working with and I believe they have put DME soccer on the map after both of these battles.”
After the game, Todd Eason, Director of Soccer, and Kioki Hutchings were crowded by college scouts and coaches from Wake Forest, Notre Dame, the University of Maryland, the University of Portland, the University of South Florida, Boston College, and the University of Central, Florida, all inquiring about the star-studded DME roster.
DME Soccer continues to make a name for itself on the field, wherever they travel to. To learn more about the young program, check it out here!
