Everything You Need To Know Before MLS NEXT Cup

MLS NEXT Cup kicks off Saturday June 15th beginning with the round of 32 U16 matches. These matches are set to include multiple MLS Academy squads. Some games to watch out for are Mrs Next newcomers NEFC as they take on the highly rated U16 Philadelphia Union side at 9:30 AM. This is followed by a rematch of last year’s Under-16 final as Atlanta United are set to take on Strikers FC. At MLS Next Flex these two squads faced off and Strikers came home with a 5-0 victory, but Atlanta United filled a squad of primarily 2010 born players (U14).

I the evening slate of games, the U15s will take the field. Multiple highly ratee academy players will play in the matches. The field is set to feature five matchups which will be all MLS Academy teams. The Seattle Sounders against New England Revolution and Atlanta United vs NY Red Bulls highlight this slate.

The following day will begin with the U19 matches. Once again, the U19 matches are set to feature many MLS Academy squads including 2 time defending champions New England Revolution. Another teams to look out for at this level will be FC Dallas, Ballistic United, and Real Colorado. Last season, Real Colorado made it all the way to the MLS NEXT U17 final where they fell to La Galaxy 4-2. Their U19 squad will be comprised of many players from this team, and they will be an early favorite in this bracket.

Many will argue that the best is saved for last in the U17 bracket. This brackets featured the most MLS Academy squads, and is noted by many to be the premier age group of MLS Next. Injury the opening round, some games to look out for will be La Galaxy vs Austin FC. La Galaxy boasts one of the most talented 2009 players in the country in Mathis Albert who has not been with the squad as of late, but he is rumored to possibly be returning for this tournament. The Generation adidas Cup champions Philadelphia Union will face a very talented Orlando City SC side in the first round as well. Last year, both the U15 and U17 Philadelphia Union sides fell in the first or second round, so they will be looking for redemption at this year’s edition.

Ones To Watch At The Tournament

Earlier this week, we highlighted some players who we consider to be ones to watch at MLS NEXT Cup.

Beginning with the U15 bracket, we chose Steel Cook (FC Dallas). Cook has been a promising 2009 born midfielder who has been a regular with the USYNT. Solomon Bonakollie (Ny Red Bulls) is another name we have on our list. Bonakollie is often overshadowed by some bigger names on this NY Red Bulls U15 roster, but every time we watch him he impresses. We are bookmarking this Cup as a potential breakout tournament. He will be facing off against Ivory Covington (Atlanta United) in the first round. Covington is a dynamic winger who was one of the top players at the Generation adidas Cup. His performances here earned him a call up to a USYNT training camp. The lone U16 player we noted was Daniel Dixon from the Philadelphia Union. Dixon was recently called up to the Slovenia national team, and he has been one of the top players oaths U16 Philadelphia Union squad.

In the U17 age group, Omar Hassan (Seattle Sounders) was one of the first names on our list. Hassan is one of the 2009 players who more than likely going to be playing up an age group with the Seattle Sounders. Hassan recently one MVP at a youth tournament in Croatia for the USYNT, and is an electric winger. Ian James (Sporting Kansas City) is another names we will be tracking. The central defender is a lock down defender who has bursted onto the scene with SKC as he has picked up many minuted for their second team this year. He also earned his first USYNT call up a few months ago, and made his debut in friendlies in Argentina. Vitaliy Hlyut is in a very similar situation as James. Hlyut bursted onto the scene with the Chicago Fire, and the USYNT. An electric winger who could easily light up the MLS Next Cup stage in the coming days.