MLS NEXT Cup: Finals Wrap Up on Sunday

MLS NEXT Cup: Finals Wrap Up on Sunday
by Travis Clark
June 26, 2023
Players featured in this article:
MF | Atlanta United
Julian Hall |  2026
F | NY Red Bulls
Cole Harris |  2025
D | Strikers FC
F | Real Colorado
D | LA Galaxy
MF | Charlotte FC
F | NY Red Bulls
MF | Atlanta United

This year's MLS NEXT Cup wrapped this weekend, with all four age groups coming to close.

The four teams emerged as winners, battling through tough conditions and heat to come out on top.

Here's a recap of each fina.

U15: Red Bulls cap wild comeback

CF Montreal was just minutes away from capping off an excellent run at MLS NEXT Cup. A Zaky Lachhab in the 76th minute had the Canadian side up 1-0 against New York Red Bulls. Despite weather a second-half storm from New York, once again the Under-15 squad was poised for another result.

Enter New York's front line.

Star forward Julian Hall -- who was named MVP of the age group -- equalized just two minutes after Lachhab. Forward Tanner Rosborough, who had been a menace in the second half and hit the post, stepped up. Battling with a couple of defenders in the box, he latched onto the ball in the box and lashed home the eventual winner.

U16: Atlanta United holds off Strikers FC

Facing an MLS side once again in the second straight U16 final, Strikers FC came up just short.

Atlanta United produced an organized and efficient performance, winning 3-1.

Goals from Cooper Sanchez and Rocket Ritarita had the MLS side up two goals within the game's first 25 minutes. Cole Harris cut into the lead in the 57th minute, and when Sanchez picked up a second yellow card, forcing Atlanta to hold on down a man.

They did that and some, as sub Joseph Gonzalez iced the game with a late goal.

U17: Galaxy beat Real Colorado with two second half goals

Over the course of hte first half, Real Colorado and LA Galaxy battled to a 2-2 draw.

Harbor Miller (who was named the MVP of the U17 age group) and Ruben Ramos both scored to put the Galaxy up two goals. But Real Colorado, tested against high-level opposition all season, battled back. Tallies from Eduardo Macias and Cooper Hineline restored parity at the half.

But as he's done all season, Julian Placias was the difference. The Golden Boot winner for the U17 age group, Placias scored twice in the second half, leading the Galaxy to the win.

U19: New England Revolution repeat

The faces are different, but the trophy is the same for the New England Revolution.

One year after winning the U19 age group, the Revolution overturned a 1-0 deficit at the half, defeating FC Delco by a 2-1 score.

Kaio Reis, the Golden Boot winner for the oldest age group, tallied just before the break to take the lead.

It helped to bring in a Homegrown signing from the bench. Peyton Miller, entering as a sub at the half, tied the game five minutes into the break. Alex St. John deliverd the winning goal, make it two seasons in a row for the Revolution U19s.

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