Academy Update: U-15, U-16 and U-17 Teams Shine at MLS NEXT Flex

Benjamin Cure

U-15 and U-16 Academy Teams Clinch MLS NEXT Playoff Berths

From May 12 to 16, the Inter Miami CF Academy presented by Baptist Health was in action at the 2023 MLS NEXT Flex tournament that took place at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Md. Our Academy’s U-15, U-16 and U-17 teams competed in groups of four in search of finishing first to clinch an MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs berth, with the U-15 and U-16 boys sealing their places in the postseason.

Let’s take a look below at how they performed:

U-15

Our U-15 boys recorded two wins and a loss, topping the Seattle Sounders 1-2 and New York Soccer Club 0-2, to place third in group K despite claiming just as many points as the first and second teams in their group. Because of top performances and results throughout the season, the U-15 team secured a spot in the MLS NEXT Playoffs without having won the group.

U-16

Our U-16 team had a stellar showing at the tournament, finishing first place in Group L with an undefeated record to clinch a spot in the MLS NEXT Playoffs. The team convincingly defeated the San Francisco Glens 4-0, won 0-1 against FC Westchester and tied against FC United Soccer Club.

U-17

Lastly Our U17 squad had a promising showing in the competition as they finished second in Group E and just missed out on a MLS NEXT CUP Playoffs berth. The team played several close matches throughout the tournament, winning 1-2 against the Vancouver Whitecaps, narrowly falling against the Chicago Fire and earning a draw against BW Gottschee Academy.

The 2023 MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs will now mark the conclusion of the MLS NEXT season. The action will take place from June 17 to 25 in Dallas-Fort Worth at Toyota Soccer Center and MoneyGram Soccer Park. For the teams that didn’t qualify for the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs, there will still be an opportunity to participate in the MLS NEXT Cup Showcase which will be hosted at the same venue.

For additional coverage of our team, you can follow our academy’s journey online by following our Twitter @InterMiamiAcad and Instagram @InterMiamiCFAcademy accounts.