All 2023 MLS NEXT Cup champions decided across U15-U19 divisions

NEW YORK – The 2022-23 MLS NEXT Cup champions emerged victorious on Saturday and Sunday night, punctuating a 10-month long season and a week-long MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs and Showcase event in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

The 2022-23 MLS NEXT Cup champions all came from MLS academies: U-15 New York Red Bulls, U-16 Atlanta United, U-17 LA Galaxy, and U-19 New England Revolution. All four championship matches were played at Toyota Stadium, home to MLS club FC Dallas, and streamed live on MLS Season Pass.

Three of the winners – New York Red Bulls (U-15), Atlanta United (U-16), and LA Galaxy (U-17) – all won the competition for the first time in their club history. In the U-19 age group, the New England Revolution became the first club to win in back-to-back seasons, after they also took home the title in 2022. Additionally, three different non-MLS academies made the finals – Strikers FC (U-16), Real Colorado (U-17), and FC DELCO (U-19) – the most since 2021 (four).

MLS NEXT also announced the Top Scorer, Best Goalkeeper presented by Allstate, and MVP presented by adidas for the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs in all four age groups. The Revolution’s Max Weinstein (U-19) made history, becoming the only player to win an award (MLS NEXT Cup Best Goalkeeper presented by Allstate) in consecutive seasons.

U-15 MLS NEXT Cup Champions: New York Red Bulls

The New York Red Bulls produced a dramatic late comeback victory against CF Montréal to earn their first-ever MLS NEXT Cup title. Montréal, the first Canadian club to make a final, kept the game scoreless deep into the second half thanks to the play of Best Goalkeeper presented by Allstate Jean-Christophe Belzile. The Canadians then took the lead in the 76th minute, when Zaky Lachhab finished from close range as the trophy appeared in their grasp. However, U-15 MVP presented by adidas Julian Hall equalized for the Red Bulls just two minutes later after stealing the ball from a defender and finishing at the near post. With the game in the balance, New York’s Tanner Rosborough became a hero in extra time, dribbling past one defender and firing home a sensational volley to win the title.

View full match highlights HERE.

U-15 MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs Individual Awards

MLS NEXT Cup Top Scorer: Robert Jacobs (Strikers FC)
MLS NEXT Cup Best Goalkeeper: Jean-Christophe Belzile (CF Montréal)
MLS NEXT Cup MVP: Julian Hall (New York Red Bulls)

U-16 MLS NEXT Cup Champions: Atlanta United

Atlanta got off to a quick start and held on to their lead to produce a 3-1 victory over Strikers FC in the U-16 age group. The Five Stripes’ Cooper Sanchez opened the scoring in the 15th minute, collecting the ball at the top of the 18-yard-box and launching a perfect strike into the upper corner of the net. Atlanta earned a penalty kick eight minutes later and the U-16 MVP presented by adidas Rocket Ritarita stutter-stepped and calmly slotted the ball past the Strikers goalkeeper. Dillon Griner , the MLS NEXT Cup Best Goalkeeper presented by Allstate, made several key saves to keep Atlanta in front but finally conceded to Strikers in the 57th minute when Cole Harris scored from a header off a corner kick. Griner continued to shine in net until Joseph Gonzales scored the decisive third goal on the counterattack in stoppage time.

View full match highlights HERE.

U-16 MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs Individual Awards

MLS NEXT Cup Top Scorer: Colton Swan (Michigan Jaguars)
MLS NEXT Cup Best Goalkeeper: Dillon Griner (Atlanta United)
MLS NEXT Cup MVP presented: Rocket Ritarita (Atlanta United)

U-17 MLS NEXT Cup Champions: LA Galaxy

In a back-and-forth match against Real Colorado, the LA Galaxy prevailed 4-2, through their dynamic attack. The U-17 Top Scorer Julian Placias bagged his fifth and sixth goals of the tournament in the second half, which proved to be the decisive moments in the contest. U-17 MLS NEXT Cup MVP presented by adidas Harbor Miller opened the scoring for the Galaxy in the first half before star midfielder Paulo Rudisill added a second shortly after. Colorado refused to give up and battled back with goals from Eduardo Macias and Cooper Hineline to tie it up before halftime. Yet with the momentum turning, Placias collected the ball in the box and poked a finish past the ‘keeper just five minutes after the break. He sealed the victory by dribbling past a defender and firing a near-post effort in the 70th minute to give the Galaxy a two-goal cushion and their first-ever MLS NEXT Cup title.

View full match highlights HERE.

U-17 MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs Individual Awards

MLS NEXT Cup Top Scorer: Julian Placias (LA Galaxy)
MLS NEXT Cup Best Goalkeeper: Lucca Adams (LA Galaxy)
MLS NEXT Cup MVP: Harbor Miller (LA Galaxy)

U-19 MLS NEXT Cup Champions: New England Revolution

The Revolution became the first club in MLS NEXT history to win consecutive MLS NEXT Cup Finals in the same age group after taking home the title in 2022. New England defeated FC DELCO, 2-1, with a resurgent second-half performance. DELCO took the lead in the first half when U-19 Top Scorer Kaio Reis scored his fifth goal of the tournament. The ‘Revs bounced back in the second half with substitute Peyton Miller equalizing through a thunderous volley from outside of the box in the 51st minute. Despite going down a man, Alex St. John completed New England’s comeback with just 10 minutes left, flicking home a cross from fullback Alexandru Parvu. New England’s Max Weinstein, the U-19 Best Goalkeeper presented by Allstate, made several clutch saves in extra time to preserve back-to-back titles.

View full match highlights HERE.

U-19 MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs Individual Awards