Zach Barrett: McGuire Cup Hero, NCAA Champion – A Look Back

2026-01-15

Early December saw us catch up with Zach Barrett, who led MLS Next Pro’s Huntsville City FC to a 14-6-8 record and a playoff berth in 2025. Prior to turning pro, he notched two major titles: the US Youth Soccer National Championship with Lehigh Valley United and the NCAA National Championship with the University of Vermont.
Boasting a full season of pro experience, Barrett now reflects on his journey and opens up about his favorite memories along the way.

At which stage of your youth career did you start believing all this success was within reach?

I’ve always trusted in my abilities and knew soccer could take me as far as I dared to go. I don’t have a specific “aha” moment to name, but that dream of turning pro has always stayed with me.

From your championship experience—what separates title-winning teams besides talent? Is it mindset, team chemistry, or something similar?

Team culture is the make-or-break factor for championship teams. In every high-performing side I’ve been on, strong leaders are the backbone of that culture. Teammates giving their all for the win create an infectious drive that lifts the entire team.
Off-field camaraderie is also a must for winning teams. Whether it was the 2019 Lehigh Valley United crew or the 2024 Vermont team, we were all close and hung out constantly away from the field. Playing with your best friends eases the pressure; you remember it’s just a game, and those relationships outlast any final score.

Five years prior to winning the NCAA National Championship with Vermont, you captured the US Youth Soccer National Championship with Lehigh Valley United. How special was it for your team to have your names added to the James P. McGuire Cup—the oldest trophy in youth sports?

Being part of US Youth Soccer history with the McGuire Cup is an absolute honor. Our LVU coach, Mike Gorni, is a Philadelphia soccer legend. Ahead of the National Championship and during the National League, he kept emphasizing our potential and warning us not to squander the opportunity. Before the final, he told us this could be our only shot at a national title in our careers, so we had to play without holding back. That talk unified the team and fueled our victory.

You became an instant starter at Vermont as soon as you arrived on campus. How did competing in US Youth Soccer events and the National League prepare you for that?

US Youth Soccer events like EDP and the National League prepped me perfectly for Division I soccer intensity. I was one of the smaller players on the Vermont team as a freshman, but I had unshakable spirit and mental grit—traits honed through USYS. Competing nationwide exposed me to diverse players and game situations. Facing top talent in critical matches pushed me to develop more than just technical skills; I became a “mentality monster.” That edge is why I secured a starting spot from day one at Vermont.

You were team captain at Vermont. How did that role help you grow personally?

Captaining Vermont was a huge honor, and I treated it with the utmost respect. Driving team culture is a critical job, and this role changed me for the better. I never led a youth team—I was always one of the youngest players, so I just focused on working hard and staying in the background. But being captain showed me that wasn’t enough. I had to speak up and make decisions, while also learning to listen to my teammates. That give-and-take has been my biggest takeaway.

As a defender, every goal is special. Do you have a favorite among the seven you scored at Vermont?

My top pick is the senior-year goal against Albany. It was senior night, the game was tied 0-0 late in the second half, and we got a corner. The ball came into the box, I broke free from my marker, and I buried it. Simple as that, but unforgettable.

You had a stellar Catamount career with awards like America East All-Conference First Team, All-ECAC First Team, and America East Man of the Year. Is there one that stands out above the rest?

The most important award to me was the final one I won: America East Man of the Year. The award honors senior male student-athletes who excel academically, athletically, in service, and in leadership.

Being nominated alongside top athletes from across the conference was a privilege. What makes this award so meaningful is that it recognizes more than just soccer success. I loved contributing to the community and leading on campus, so being celebrated for both on and off-field work was the ideal end to my college career

You signed with Huntsville City FC earlier this year. How was your debut season?

I loved my time in Huntsville—we had a strong team season, qualifying for playoffs and securing the club’s first playoff victory. Personally, I logged plenty of minutes and gained key pro experience, including notching my first career goal against the New York Red Bulls. I re-signed with the club in October and I’m locked in for next season.

What tips do you have for current National League players?

Great players = great teammates. Everyone’s chasing the next step—college or pro—and the easiest way to get noticed is with a winning mindset and teammate-first attitude. Celebrate every goal and big tackle, stay receptive to advice, and be coachable. That’s how you make an impression.

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