What to Know About the Upcoming MLS NEXT Cup

The bracket for the 2024 MLS NEXT Cup has been revealed and each of the teams qualified for the event already knows its rivals for what will be the last major event of the 2023-2024 season.

The 2024 MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs and Showcase will begin next Saturday, June 15 until June 23 when the best youth teams from the United States and Canada compete to be crowned MLS NEXT Cup Champions for the 2023-2024 season. 32 of the top teams in each of the four different age groups (U-15, U-16, U-17, U-19) will face off at the Richard Siegel Soccer Complex; Nashville, Tennessee.

The MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs are a single-elimination competition featuring the top 128 teams in four age groups (U-15, U-16, U-17, U-19). Teams qualified for the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs based on league results or by winning their respective group in MLS NEXT Flex, a qualifying event that took place from May 10-14. The event marks the culmination of the 2023-2024 MLS NEXT season.

MLS NEXT Cup Playoff matches will last 80 minutes in the U-15 age group and 90 minutes in the other three age groups. If the game is tied at the end of regulation time, all playoff games will be played with kicks from the penalty spot, except for the four championship games, which will feature two five-minute extra periods. If the championship matches are still tied after extra time, they will be decided by kicks from the penalty spot.

Teams that do not qualify for the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs may also participate in the MLS NEXT Cup Showcase. The Showcase provides a premier platform for MLS NEXT players to compete in front of hundreds of international coaches and professional scouts. All clubs participating in the MLS NEXT Cup Showcase will play three games over a four-day span. Clubs that are eliminated in the first two rounds of the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs are also eligible to participate in the Showcase.

The pending match between Houston Dynamo vs Austin FC U-17 will remain to be decided this coming Saturday to find out who will be the last classified in the South Central Division. The winner will play their match in the MLS NEXT Cup against the recent GA Cup semifinalist and last champion of the last edition of the MLS NEXT Cup U-17, LA Galaxy.

United States Upset Argentina!

Today at 10 AM EST, the United States U-19 youth national team faced the Argentine U-19 team. Led by coach Michael Nsien, the U.S. squad is preparing for the upcoming Concacaf U-20 Championship, scheduled for next August in Mexico.

The U.S. squad featured players born in 2005 and younger, including the notable 2008-born forward Nimasha Berchimas, who will be playing against older opponents. Another standout is Zavier Gozo from Real Salt Lake. Born in 2007, Gozo will be making his debut with the team and is a potential candidate for the U.S. national team in the 2027 U-20 World Cup.

Midfielder CJ Olney has been added to the roster following an injury to forward Kris Fletcher. Olney has been impressive for Philadelphia Union 2 in the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season, with 9 games, 3 goals, and 4 assists.

The United States upset Argentina 1-0, thanks to a goal from Liverpool academy graduate Keyrol Figueroa. Sixteen-year-old Nimfasha Berchimas also started, making him the youngest player on the squad by three years.

Following the recent participation of the United States U-16 national youth team in Argentina, the U-19 team will also compete against Uruguay in Montevideo on June 11.

Dual National Players Called for International Duty

Several dual-national players have been recently called up for youth international duties with their respective national teams.

Inter Miami central defender Victor Fung has joined the Venezuelan U-20 national team for friendlies in Spain. Born in 2007, Fung is eligible to represent the United States, Venezuela, and Canada. He has previously played for Canada in the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Also in the Venezuelan squad is standout midfielder Santiago Pita from Weston FC U-17 from MLS NEXT. Additionally, Lorenzo D'Agostini, a forward who previously played at Inter Miami and currently with Lazio, will be part of this team.

Inter Miami U-17 forward Daniel Pinter recently participated in friendlies in Uzbekistan with Hungary's U-17 national team. Born in 2007, Pinter has gained international experience after previously representing the United States U-16 and U-17 teams.

A total of 10 U.S.-based players have been called up to El Salvador's U-20 domestic camp. Notable players include Sporting Kansas City U-17 academy forward Aiden Benitez and LA Galaxy holding midfielder Gabriel Arnold. Arnold has been in impressive form this season, contributing to LA Galaxy's second-place finish in the Generation Adidas Cup and gaining minutes with Ventura County FC, becoming one of the academy's most valued players.