​BRISTOL, Va. (WJHL) — After an impressive eleven-game run this season, the Bristol Rhythm soccer team boasts an undefeated 11-0-1 record. On Saturday night, they captured the National Premier Soccer League’s Southeast Conference championship with a decisive four-to-one victory over the Knoxville-based 865 Alliance.Now, they are preparing to face the Mid-Atlantic Conference champion, Ristozi FC out of Baltimore, in the quarterfinals of the national playoffs. Just two years ago, Bristol might have been considered the little engine that could, but today, they are completely locked in on a national championship.Right back James Bakou reflected on the journey, noting that they were fighting to be a top team in the conference, especially after struggling a bit over the last two years. He shared that getting this far this year has been amazing.Midfielder Elliott Edwards agreed, stating that the goal from the very start was to win the conference, get into the playoffs, and go from there. He added that they are on the right track to do exactly that at the moment.Goalkeeper Noe Delmotte is practically in disbelief over their success. He admitted that he sometimes pinches himself to see if this is all real, adding that the team always finds a way to win because it is simply in their DNA. For him, this summer has been a dream.The Rhythm will face Ristozi FC on July 18 in the eight-team national playoffs.Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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