Academy Update: U-15, U-16, U-17 Sides Conclude Participation at this Year’s MLS NEXT Flex Tournament

U-15 Academy team clinches 2024 MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs berth 

From May 10 through 14, the Inter Miami CF Academy presented by Baptist Health was in action at this year’s edition of the MLS NEXT Flex tournament which took place at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Md. Our Academy’s U-15, U-16 and U-17 sides competed in groups of four in their respective categories in search of securing 2024 MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs berths, with the U-15 boys clinching their spot in the postseason tournament. 

Let’s take a look below at how our Academy teams performed at this year’s MLS NEXT Flex tournament:

U-15

Our U-15s performed flawlessly from start to finish, collecting eight points through two wins and a draw to top Group F in the MLS NEXT Flex U-15 category and qualify for the 2024 MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs..

First, the team earned a 2-2 draw against the New England Revolution on Saturday, May 11, before claiming the extra point by winning 4-5 in the subsequent penalty shootout. The team then capped off its participation with back to back wins, defeating the Portland Timbers 3-0 on Sunday, May 12, and Strikers FC 1-2 on Tuesday, May 14.

U-16

Moving onto our U-16 boys, the team placed second in Group K with six points, the same as the team in first place, but missed out on a ticket to the 2024 MLS NEXT Playoffs due to goal differential. NOTE: The U-16 side may still clinch a playoffs berth through the team’s performance throughout the regular season. 

Our Academy’s U-16 team opened up the competition with a 1-2 win over Real JFC on Friday, May 10, before defeating City SC 1-0 on Saturday, May 11.

The team then closed out its participation in this season’s MLS NEXT Flex tournament narrowly falling 2-1 to Silicon Valley SA on Monday, May 13. 

U-17

Lastly, our Academy’s U-17 side also had a noteworthy participation, finishing second in Group K of the Boys U-17 category and just missing out on directly qualifying to the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs. NOTE: The U-17 side may still clinch a playoffs berth through the team’s performance throughout the regular season. 

The team kicked off the competition with a thriller on Saturday, May 11, drawing 2-2 against D.C. United before winning 3-4 in the subsequent penalty shootout to claim the extra point.

The team then fell 3-1 against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Sunday, May 12, before finishing off their participation with an emphatic 6-1 win over Global Football Innovation Academy on Tuesday, May 14. 

The 2024 MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs will conclude the MLS NEXT season. The postseason competition will take place from June 15 to 23, 2024 at the Richard Siegel Soccer Complex in Nashville, Tennessee. Thirty-two of the top teams from the regular season will compete to win an MLS NEXT Cup championship in four different age groups (U-15, U-16, U-17, U-19). Teams that do not qualify for the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs can participate in the MLS NEXT Cup Showcase, which will be held at the same venue. U-13 and U-14 age groups will also participate in the MLS NEXT Cup Showcase in 2024.

For additional coverage of our teams, you can follow our Academy’s journey online via X @InterMiamiAcad and Instagram @InterMiamiCFAcademy!