MLS NEXT Cup: U16 Game-Changers

by Travis Clark

May 21, 2026

Players featured in this article:

	Joaquin Figueroa \| 2028 MF \| Strikers FC
	Joseph Guastella \| 2028 F \| PDA
	Gabriel Jones \| 2029 MF \| FC Cincinnati
	Adrian Maldonado \| 2030 F \| FC Cincinnati
	Ashton Marquis \| 2028 D \| TSF Academy
	Will Moddelmog \| 2029 D \| Dynamo
	Jaxon Prather \| 2030 D \| Orlando City
	Djibril Rivera \| 2030 MF \| FC Cincinnati
	Ryan Schlotterbeck \| 2029 F \| FC Cincinnati
	Seth Sigur \| 2028 MF \| De Anza Force
	Dialessandro Sulin \| 2028 D \| Total Futbol Academy
	Arthur Wheaton Schopp \| 2028 F \| Bethesda SC

In the Under-16 age group, MLS academy sides that qualified will once again send out their 2011 teams. That could open the door for a non-pro team to battle for the crown.

Here are some of the key players to watch.

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Boys Girls

	Joaquin Figueroa \| 2028 MF \| Strikers FC
	Joseph Guastella \| 2028 F \| PDA
	Gabriel Jones \| 2029 MF \| FC Cincinnati
	Adrian Maldonado \| 2030 F \| FC Cincinnati
	Ashton Marquis \| 2028 D \| TSF Academy
	Will Moddelmog \| 2029 D \| Dynamo
	Jaxon Prather \| 2030 D \| Orlando City
	Djibril Rivera \| 2030 MF \| FC Cincinnati
	Ryan Schlotterbeck \| 2029 F \| FC Cincinnati
	Seth Sigur \| 2028 MF \| De Anza Force
	Dialessandro Sulin \| 2028 D \| Total Futbol Academy
	Arthur Wheaton Schopp \| 2028 F \| Bethesda SC