MLS Next: U15, U16 first round predictions
The MLS Next postseason here, with a new format: a knockout tournament for the qualified teams at the U15, U16, U17 and U19 age groups.
Games begin with the Under-15 and Under-16 sides in action starting on Friday in Frisco, Texas. Each age group starts with a field of 32, and will be whittled down to one winner in the beginning of July.
It’s unclear what teams may look like, with minimal information available ahead of the competition. Even in the face of that, check out a brief overview of the two youngest age groups and a prediction for each first round below.
All games listed in Central Time and take place on June 25.
U15
More than half the teams at this age group have ties to professional teams, whether it’s a Major League Soccer squad or an academy team from a USL Championship team. It’s safe to say that a pro academy is likely to emerge at this age group.
LA Galaxy are the top seeded team – although it’s hard to read too much into seeding considering how the pandemic impacted schedules – but a potential Round of 16 match against the Philadelphia Union looms. Atlanta United, Orlando City and Inter Miami are all dangerous at this age group as well, while Austin FC has a tricky test in the first round against Barca Academy-AZ.
Outside of the pro teams, Cedar Stars Academy have played well during their chances in MLS Next matches. They are the highest non-pro team at this age group in the Soccer Masters TeamRank Top 25. Other prominent clubs to keep an eye on include Total Futbol Academy, the winner of Real Colorado-Indiana Fire and De Anza Force.
FC Dallas vs. Chicago Fire FC, 10 a.m.
Predicted winner: FC Dallas
Cedar Stars Academy Bergen vs. Murrieta Surf, 10 a.m.
Predicted winner: Cedar Stars Academy Bergen
Inter Miami CF vs. Total Futbol Academy, 10 a.m.
Predicted winner: Total Futbol Academy
Orlando City SC vs. Real Salt Lake, 10 a.m.
Predicted winner: Orlando City
Real Colorado vs. Indiana Fire, 12 p.m.
Predicted winner: Real Colorado
New England Revolution vs. De Anza Force 12 p.m.
Predicted winner: De Anza Force
LA Galaxy vs. PA Classics, 6 p.m.
Predicted winner: LA Galaxy
Sacramento Republic vs. Oakwood SC, 6 p.m.
Predicted winner: Oakwood SC
Sporting KC vs. D.C. United, 6 p.m.
Predicted winner: Sporting KC
Atlanta United FC vs. Albion SC, 6 p.m.
Predicted winner: Atlanta United
Sockers FC vs. Tampa Bay United, 6 p.m.
Predicted winner: Sockers FC
LAFC vs. Michigan Wolves, 6 p.m.
Predicted winner: LAFC
LA Surf vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 6:05 p.m.
Predicted winner: LA Surf
Philadelphia Union vs. Portland Timbers, 8 p.m.
Predicted winner: Philadelphia Union
Austin FC vs. Barca Academy, 8 p.m.
Predicted winner: Barca Academy
Phoenix Rising vs. New York City FC, 8 p.m.
Predicted winner: New York City FC
U16
Most MLS squads compete in just the U15 or U17 age groups, leaving a long runway for a non-professional side to claim the U16 crown.
The winner of St. Louis FC and Baltimore Armour could yield the contender for the crown, as the former sits at No. 1 in the U16 Soccer Masters TeamRank Top 25. In one-off games, anything can happen, leaving overall rankings not as important.
Prominent club programs dot the bracket. From Tampa Bay United, BW Gottschee, FC Delco, Nomads SC, Real Colorado, Solar SC – the list goes on. Whichever team can see off the conditions and deliver in big moments will end up lifting the trophy.
Indiana Fire Academy vs. Tampa Bay United, 10 a.m.
Predicted winner: Indiana Fire Academy
Beachside SC vs. BW Gottschee, 10 a.m.
Predicted winner: BW Gottschee
Baltimore Armour vs. St. Louis FC, 10 a.m.
Predicted winner: Baltimore Armour
FC Delco vs. FL Rush, 10 a.m.
Predicted winner: FL Rush
Nomads SC vs. Albion SC, 12 p.m.
Predicted winner: Nomads SC
Real Colorado vs. FC United, 12 p.m.
Predicted winner: Real Colorado
PDA vs. Barca Academy-AZ, 6 p.m.
Predicted winner: Barca Academy-AZ
Jacksonville FC vs. Vardar, 6 p.m.
Predicted winner: Vardar
LA Surf vs. Cedar Stars Academy, 6 p.m.
Predicted winner: LA Surf
Sockers FC vs. FC Boston Bolts, 6 p.m.
Predicted winner: Sockers FC
Solar SC vs. Atlanta United FC, 8 p.m.
Predicted winner: Solar SC
Seacoast United vs. De Anza Force, 8 p.m.
Predicted winner: De Anza Force
IMG Academy vs. RSL Arizona, 8 p.m.
Predicted winner: IMG Academy
Weston FC vs. Michigan Wolves, 8 p.m.
Predicted winner: Weston FC
Phoenix Rising vs. Bethesda SC, 8 p.m.
Predicted winner: Bethesda SC
Los Angeles United Futbol Academy vs. San Antonio FC, 8:35 p.m.
Predicted winner: Los Angeles United Futbol Academy
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