Four clubs – U-15 New York Red Bulls, U-16 Atlanta United, U-17 LA Galaxy, and U-19 New England Revolution – took home the titles in their respective age groups
NEW YORK (Sunday, June 25, 2023) – The 2022-23 MLS NEXT Cup champions emerged victorious on Saturday and Sunday night, punctuating a 10-month long season and a week-long MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs and Showcase event in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The 2022-23 MLS NEXT Cup champions all came from MLS academies: U-15 New York Red Bulls, U-16 Atlanta United, U-17 LA Galaxy, and U-19 New England Revolution. All four championship matches were played at Toyota Stadium, home to MLS club FC Dallas, and streamed live on MLS Season Pass.
Three of the winners – New York Red Bulls (U-15), Atlanta United (U-16), and LA Galaxy (U-17) – all won the competition for the first time in their club history. In the U-19 age group, the New England Revolution became the first club to win in back-to-back seasons, after they also took home the title in 2022. Additionally, three different non-MLS academies made the finals – Strikers FC (U-16), Real Colorado (U-17), and FC DELCO (U-19) – the most since 2021 (four).
MLS NEXT also announced the Top Scorer, Best Goalkeeper presented by Allstate, and MVP presented by adidas for the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs in all four age groups. The Revolution’s Max Weinstein (U-19) made history, becoming the only player to win an award (MLS NEXT Cup Best Goalkeeper presented by Allstate) in consecutive seasons.
U-15 MLS NEXT Cup Champions: New York Red Bulls
The New York Red Bulls produced a dramatic late comeback victory against CF Montréal to earn their first-ever MLS NEXT Cup title. Montréal, the first Canadian club to make a final, kept the game scoreless deep into the second half thanks to the play of Best Goalkeeper presented by Allstate Jean-Christophe Belzile. The Canadians then took the lead in the 76th minute, when Zaky Lachhab finished from close range as the trophy appeared in their grasp. However, U-15 MVP presented by adidas Julian Hall equalized for the Red Bulls just two minutes later after stealing the ball from a defender and finishing at the near post. With the game in the balance, New York’s Tanner Rosborough became a hero in extra time, dribbling past one defender and firing home a sensational volley to win the title.
View full match highlights HERE.
U-15 MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs Individual Awards
- MLS NEXT Cup Top Scorer: Robert Jacobs (Strikers FC)
- MLS NEXT Cup Best Goalkeeper presented by Allstate: Jean-Christophe Belzile (CF Montréal)
- MLS NEXT Cup MVP presented by adidas: Julian Hall (New York Red Bulls)
U-16 MLS NEXT Cup Champions: Atlanta United
Atlanta got off to a quick start and held on to their lead to produce a 3-1 victory over Strikers FC in the U-16 age group. The Five Stripes’ Cooper Sanchez opened the scoring in the 15th minute, collecting the ball at the top of the 18-yard-box and launching a perfect strike into the upper corner of the net. Atlanta earned a penalty kick eight minutes later and the U-16 MVP presented by adidas Rocket Ritarita stutter-stepped and calmly slotted the ball past the Strikers goalkeeper. Dillon Griner, the MLS NEXT Cup Best Goalkeeper presented by Allstate, made several key saves to keep Atlanta in front but finally conceded to Strikers in the 57th minute when Cole Harris scored from a header off a corner kick. Griner continued to shine in net until Joseph Gonzales scored the decisive third goal on the counterattack in stoppage time.
View full match highlights HERE.
U-16 MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs Individual Awards
- MLS NEXT Cup Top Scorer: Colton Swan (Michigan Jaguars)
- MLS NEXT Cup Best Goalkeeper presented by Allstate: Dillon Griner (Atlanta United)
- MLS NEXT Cup MVP presented by adidas: Rocket Ritarita (Atlanta United)
U-17 MLS NEXT Cup Champions: LA Galaxy
In a back-and-forth match against Real Colorado, the LA Galaxy prevailed 4-2, through their dynamic attack. The U-17 Top Scorer Julian Placias bagged his fifth and sixth goals of the tournament in the second half, which proved to be the decisive moments in the contest. U-17 MLS NEXT Cup MVP presented by adidas Harbor Miller opened the scoring for the Galaxy in the first half before star midfielder Paulo Rudisill added a second shortly after. Colorado refused to give up and battled back with goals from Eduardo Macias and Cooper Hineline to tie it up before halftime. Yet with the momentum turning, Placias collected the ball in the box and poked a finish past the ‘keeper just five minutes after the break. He sealed the victory by dribbling past a defender and firing a near-post effort in the 70th minute to give the Galaxy a two-goal cushion and their first-ever MLS NEXT Cup title.
View full match highlights HERE.
U-17 MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs Individual Awards
- MLS NEXT Cup Top Scorer: Julian Placias (LA Galaxy)
- MLS NEXT Cup Best Goalkeeper presented by Allstate: Lucca Adams (LA Galaxy)
- MLS NEXT Cup MVP presented by adidas: Harbor Miller (LA Galaxy)
U-19 MLS NEXT Cup Champions: New England Revolution
The Revolution became the first club in MLS NEXT history to win consecutive MLS NEXT Cup Finals in the same age group after taking home the title in 2022. New England defeated FC DELCO, 2-1, with a resurgent second-half performance. DELCO took the lead in the first half when U-19 Top Scorer Kaio Reis scored his fifth goal of the tournament. The ‘Revs bounced back in the second half with substitute Peyton Miller equalizing through a thunderous volley from outside of the box in the 51st minute. Despite going down a man, Alex St. John completed New England’s comeback with just 10 minutes left, flicking home a cross from fullback Alexandru Parvu. New England’s Max Weinstein, the U-19 Best Goalkeeper presented by Allstate, made several clutch saves in extra time to preserve back-to-back titles.
View full match highlights HERE.
U-19 MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs Individual Awards
- MLS NEXT Cup Top Scorer: Kaio Reis (FC DELCO)
- MLS NEXT Cup Best Goalkeeper presented by Allstate: Max Weinstein (New England Revolution)
- MLS NEXT Cup MVP presented by adidas: Jason Zacarias (New England Revolution)
About MLS NEXT
MLS NEXT is a new paradigm for player development, launched in 2020 to transform youth soccer in North America. Founded on a collaborative approach to governance and a commitment to innovation, MLS NEXT players have access to the highest level of competition, training and personal development opportunities that will prepare them for their futures, both in soccer and in life. Membership for the 2022-23 season includes 137 clubs, 628 teams and over 13,000 players across the U.S. and Canada. Official partners of MLS NEXT include adidas, Allstate, and DoorDash. For more information about MLS NEXT, visit www.mlssoccer.com/mlsnext.
