The 2024 MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs and Showcase will take place in Nashville, Tennessee starting tomorrow, as the top youth teams from the US and Canada compete to win the title of MLS NEXT Champions.

The single-elimination knockout tournaments will be held June 15-23 at the Richard Siegel Soccer Complex in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and the four championship games will be played on Sunday, June 23 at Nashville SC's GEODIS Park, the specific stadium largest soccer game in the US and Canada.

In 2023, four different MLS clubs, New York Red Bulls U-15, Atlanta United U-16, LA Galaxy U-17 and New England Revolution U-19 took home championships in their age group. Additionally, three different MLS NEXT Elite Academies finished in second place, Strikers FC U-16, Real Colorado U-17 and FC DELCO U-19, which was the most since 2021. The New England Revolution Under-19 team will look to become the first club to win three consecutive championships in a single age group. Notable featured players in MLS NEXT Cup who have gone on to become MLS stars include Inter Miami CF's Benjamin Cremaschi, who win 2021 MLS NEXT U16 Cup MVP with Weston FC, New York Red Bulls' Julian Hall who win MLS NEXT U-15 Cup 2023 and was MVP and Taha Habroune of the Columbus Crew who get 2022 MLS NEXT U-17 Cup runner-up.

Additionally, the U-13 and U-14 age groups will return this year to compete in the MLS NEXT Cup Showcase. 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 event will also host five MLS NEXT 'Best Of' matches in which the best players from the MLS NEXT Cup Showcase teams will compete in the U-13, U-14, U-15, U-16 and U-17 categories. These players are selected based on their performance in the league, in MLS NEXT Fest and in MLS NEXT Flex. 'Best Of' matches provide a unique opportunity for players to compete against each other while top university, international and professional coaches evaluate their performances.

US U-19 Closes Tour in South America With Two Victories Against the Powers Argentina and Uruguay

The United States U-19 Men's Youth National Team finished its South American training camp with a 1-0 victory against Uruguay. Goalkeepers Adam Beaudry and Julian Eyestone combined to make five saves and keep a clean sheet.

The United States scored the only goal of the game in the 63rd minute after the Uruguayan defense lost the ball deep in the attacking area. Midfielder Niko Tsakiris took advantage and dribbled past two defenders on the left side of the box before sending a dangerous central pass towards striker Keyrol Figueroa. Uruguayan defender Nicolás Ramos, who born in Miami, Florida, tried to clear the pass, but put it in the back of his own goal.

The United States had to defend against a late charge from Uruguay in injury time. The locals received three corner kicks in a row to end the game.

Beaudry made the best save of the game in the first half. In the eighth minute, Uruguay's Renzo Machado broke free of his marker, ran into the box and sent a cross to teammate Agustín Albarracín. But Beaudry came off his line and dived at the Uruguayan's first attempt to deny the opportunity.

The United States almost took the lead in the 42nd minute. Marcos Zambrano had the ball at the top of the area, he turned and shot into the frame, forcing the goalkeeper to give up the rebound. Cruz Medina reached the ball and shot with his own hand, but missed from the right side.

This was the United States' final preparation ahead of this summer's CONCACAF U-20 Championship in Guanajuato, Mexico, which will serve as qualification for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile.