2025 had its moments, most of them positive, and I’m excited about what’s in store for 2026.

As year winds down, I wanted to share some of mine (and your) favorites from the blog and beyond.

Top Soccer Stories

Abington’s Randy Garber Wins State Title in Final Game, but His Legacy Will Continue for Years to Come. (Philadelphia Soccer Now, November 17, 2025)

I took my first trip to the PIAA State Soccer Finals where the stars aligned. One of my favorite youth coaches won the state title in what happened to be his final game. I was grateful to be able to capture the moment, well deserved and probably long overdue. I spoke with several Abington legends and former EPYSA players who shed light on what makes Garber such a valuable coach in our game. The story was the third-most read on PSN in 2025, and the social media reactions from one day at the PIAA finals went well beyond anything I’d covered this year, including Club World Cup, Union playoffs, and the USWNT.

West Chester Cruises, VE Comes Back Late to Set Up Much Anticipated EPSA Amateur Cup Final (Philadelphia Soccer Now, December 8, 2025)

Two of the best amateur clubs in the area over the past decade will meet again in the state final, which is now scheduled for February 2026. Both games were played at Bryn Athyn College, setting up an ideal opportunity to cover all of the action in one place. VE beat Philadelphia SC 3-2, while West Chester topped the Ukranian Nationals 7-1. Both teams will also be in EPSA Open Cup play in the early spring, and West Chester will be the area’s lone representative in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

Juventus Legend Alessandro Del Pierro Reflects on Philadelphia, the U.S., and the Club World Cup (Philadelphia Soccer Now, March 14, 2025)

The U.S. is in the middle of the greatest hosting duties in our soccer’s history, which began with last summer’s Club World Cup. I was fortunate enough to sit in on several high-profile interviews, and it doesn’t get much better than Alessandro Del Pierro. The former Italian World Cup winner and Juventus star shared his thoughts on several topics, including his time in Philly.

From 1994 to 2026: How Player Development in the U.S. Has Evolved Leading Up to the FIFA Club World Cup (Philadelphia Soccer Now, May 13, 2025)

Over a series of interviews ahead of the Club World Cup, I sat in and spoke with some of the best representatives in the game, both internationally and in the U.S: Arsene Wenger, Jill Ellis, Juan Pablo Angel, and Carlos Bocanegra. All legends in their own ways, the players, coaches, and executives spoke about the growth of soccer in the U.S, sharing personal experiences during their numerous years both here and abroad.

Top Stories from the Blog

The Crossing Fawn (June 17, 2025)

The low point of the year was my mother’s passing, which affected our family greatly. I was fortunate to be able to celebrate her in the moment and share my gratitude, and the fact that it was read by so many on my site shows how many other lives Mom touched.

July’s Book of the Month: Think Like a Monk: Train Your Mind for Peace and Purpose Every Day by Jay Shetty (July 16, 2025)

It’s no coincidence I dove into this book when I did. And I just recently re-read it the past few weeks because it’s so good. Shetty shares his techniques for finding purpose and controlling the thoughts and emotions that can sometimes take over our minds and hearts. His weekly podcast is even better, filled with guests who offer numerous strategies for living your best life.

Rent vs Buy: How to Choose (August 13, 2025)

This was the most discussed topic of my year in real estate, so I wasn’t surprised this post had the amount of readers it did. There are many potential homebuyers, especially first-time homebuyers, playing the game of rent vs buy. Plenty are waging the short-game of affordable rents vs rising monthly mortgage payments and the long-game of building equity in a growing market vs not. The good news is that the 2026 forecast looks better for buyers than last year. Interest rates are trending down, but housing prices are still up with little supply, so how much better remains to be seen.