|
|
Juan Arizmendi
|
2027
D
|
Crew SC
|
|
|
Oscar Avilez
|
2028
F
|
DC United
|
|
|
Hugo Berg
|
2027
D
|
Chicago Fire
|
|
|
Deven Cadigan
|
2027
MF
|
NY Red Bulls
|
|
|
Jared Cardenas
|
2027
F
|
FC Cincinnati
|
|
|
Nash Dearmin
|
2028
D
|
Inter Miami CF
|
|
|
Alexander Duzek
|
2027
MF
|
Sockers FC
|
|
|
Jordyn Eason
|
2027
MF
|
FC Dallas
|
|
|
Judah Fisher
|
2027
D
|
Sacramento Republic FC
|
|
|
Carlos Gonzalez
|
2027
MF
|
Charlotte FC
|
|
|
Brady Kendall
|
2027
MF
|
Orlando City
|
|
|
Joshua Kwon
|
2028
MF
|
Atlanta United
|
|
|
GK
|
RSL
|
|
|
Declan Lannon
|
2027
D
|
Phil. Union
|
|
|
Mateo McLean
|
2027
D
|
LA Galaxy
|
|
|
Omar Mendez
|
2027
F
|
Barca Academy
|
|
|
Sebastian Moran
|
2027
F
|
Strikers FC
|
|
|
Jacob Peale
|
2027
F
|
Arlington SA
|
|
|
Florian Rapp
|
2027
D
|
Orlando City Youth Soccer
|
|
|
Garrett Rhodes
|
2028
MF
|
FC Delco
|
|
|
Adam Salman
|
2027
D
|
Shattuck St. Mary's Academy
|
|
|
Gianluca Salvatore
|
2028
MF
|
Athletum FC Academy
|
|
|
Benjamin Smalarz
|
2027
GK
|
NEFC
|
|
|
Max Suttner
|
2027
MF
|
Indy Eleven
|
|
|
Theodore Talbott
|
2028
MF
|
Bethesda SC
|
|
|
Renden Thomas
|
2027
MF
|
LAFC
|
When the 2009 age group begins play on Saturday at MLS NEXT Cup, it’s an opportunity for the Chicago Fire to defend its title.
As last season the Under-15s was one of the two age groups of emphasis, several teams are back with the same core groups to compete in the Under-16 competition this year. Chicago won last year’s tournament, beating LA Galaxy by a 3-1 score in the final. Depending on which players might feature for the Fire this year, the MLS side can easily be counted among the favorites. Real Salt Lake enters the tournament fresh off winning the Generation adidas Cup back in April.
In all, 17 MLS sides will compete for honors. Several other impressive and talented sides outside of the pro ranks have the talent to go far: from Bethesda SC, Barca Residency Academy, Sockers FC to FC Delco and Athletum FC, knockout soccer has the potential to serve up some surprises.
Ahead of the Under-16 tournament, below are some of the top talents to watch from each position.
