For most of the older age group, this weekend’s MLS Next Cup tournament is the final stretch of a club career.
Players heading off to college with the class of 2025 will head off to college later this summer, with scores taking one more stab at club glory.
This year’s competition is set to look slightly different. In past competitions the MLS Academy sides were scarce in the oldest age group, with a handful of exceptions. With that changing ahead of the 2024-25 season, MLS teams are a bit part of the oldest age group.
That leaves a crucial element when considering the contenders for this age group: who makes the trip. If Orlando City brings all of its best players, including the likes of Justin Ellis and Gustavo Caraballo, they’ll shoot up to the top of the list of teams capable of winning it all.
Regardless, here’s a rundown of some of the top players expected to play crucial roles on their teams.
