Alejandro Palacio’s Rise at Harvard: IFA Alumni Shines in Freshman Year

Written By IFA Media

October 19th, 2025; Intercontinental Football Academy (IFA) of New England alumni Alejandro Palacio has enjoyed a stellar past few weeks for the Harvard Men’s soccer team as he continues to make his mark as a Freshman.

The Milton Academy graduate has now featured in nine of Harvard’s eleven matches starting the last four. This Saturday he picked up his second goal of the season with a back-post header against Brown in a fine 4-2 win for the Crimson.

Palacio’s first collegiate goal came with a fine solo effort against Boston University in a dramatic 3-2 loss on September 30th.

On 10/7 the dynamic left-back completed his first full 90 minutes as the Crimson blanked #1 ranked University of Vermont in Cambridge. Harvard were the first team to shut out the Catamounts this season. Palacio, who played for IFA for his U17 and U19 seasons, tallied one shot on goal in a strong showing against the National Champions.

Then, on the 14th of October, the North Andover native started his third consecutive match as Harvard took on eternal rivals Yale. He played 75 minutes in a 1-1 tie in Ivy League play. 

He started again and played the full 90 as Harvard overcame the Brown Bears yesterday, opening the scoring after only four minutes. Harvard is currently 4-4-4 for the season.

Discussing his adaption to the college game, Palacio had this to say: “I think Club soccer set me up quite nicely for College soccer. That's not to say that Club and D1 soccer are the same. D1 is much more physical and direct, but it's not a significant difference that overwhelmed me.”

“I think club soccer, especially now more than ever with the MLS next league, is a high level that provides incoming freshmen with the tools to impact a team in the first couple weeks and IFA was a massive help in my college recruiting,” added Palacio.

IFA New England provides extensive support for our college-bound student-athletes. Starting before they begin high school, our players have access to detailed yearly college placement seminars and individualized support, Q&A sessions with college coaches nationwide, and a wide array of guidance to help prepare them for the college recruitment process

To learn more about the IFA College  program, please click here or click here to tryout for an IFA New England team.

IFA Media
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