A spot in the 2024 MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs is on the line for Sporting Kansas City's U-17s and U-15s as they head to the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Md. from May 10-14 for MLS NEXT Flex. Both squads qualified for the competition after finishing amongst the top 64 teams in their age groups based on their points-per-game rank in the 2023-24 MLS NEXT season.

Qualifying teams were drawn into sixteen groups of four, and the winners of each of these groups will automatically qualify for the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs. The 80-minute U-15 matches and 90-minute U-17 matches that end regulation in a draw will move to penalty kicks where the winner of penalty kicks will earn two points, while the loser will take home one point.

• MLS NEXT Flex schedule & standings

Coming off impressive showings at GA Cup last month, the U-17s and U-15s will look to lock up a spot in the playoffs with three matches in four days at Flex.

Sporting KC's U-17s, led by first-year head coach Angel Rivillo, enter MLS NEXT Flex off a strong performance at GA Cup in April. After rallying from an opening-match defeat they rattled off back-to-back clutch wins to secure a wild card spot in the Championship Bracket. In the Round of 16 of bracket play, they found themselves in a two-goal hole to FC Cincinnati in the second half.

With a herculean effort, they leveled the match, conceded late and pulled even again in stoppage time to force kicks from the spot. They emerged victorious from the shootout and punched their ticket to the GA Cup Quarterfinals. There, they met eventual runner-ups LA Galaxy and dueled with the MLS originals on Apple TV. A first-half goal from LA was all the California club needed to advance.

Following the tournament, the U-17s returned to Swope Soccer Village to begin training for the rest of the 2023-24 MLS NEXT season. They suffered a defeat in a back-and-forth affair with FC Dallas and took a 2-1 win over Austin FC. Featuring an incredibly well-balanced roster, with two youth national team participants in the last month, a sturdy SKC U-17 group comes into Flex looking to go atop a group with Atlanta United, De Anza Force and Ventura County Fusion.

Sporting KC U-17 MLS NEXT Flex Roster

Sporting KC U-17s Schedule - Group O

The U-15s, coached by Luis Pacheco, had a similar GA Cup to the U-17s, dropping their first match before making a deep run in Premier Bracket knockouts. In the GA Cup Premier Bracket, the U-15s dispatched of D.C. United 1-0 before having to partake in two shootouts.

The first came against Weston FC, following a scoreless regulation. In penalties, SKC's goalkeeper saved two attempts to help lift them past Weston 4-3. They then took on the Colorado Rapids and went 14 rounds with their neighbors to the west, prevailing 12-11 in the lengthy shootout to advance to the Premier Bracket finals.

Taking on the Chicago Fire on MLS Season Pass, the Fire tallied early in the first and packed it in defensively to claim the Premier Bracket crown. Coming into Flex, the U-15s slipped at home to FC Dallas and came back to earn a point against Austin FC. They will be on the hunt for a spot in the playoffs, taking on Atlanta United, Met Oval and San Francisco Glens.

Sporting KC U-15 MLS NEXT Flex Roster

Sporting KC U-15s Schedule - Group O

MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs

The MLS NEXT season concludes with the 2024 MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs, which will be held June 15-23 at Richard Siegel Soccer Complex in Nashville, Tennessee.

For the single-elimination competition, 32 teams per age group will qualify based on regular-season play or by winning their group at MLS NEXT Flex. 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.

MLS NEXT Flex will also provide an opportunity for North America’s top youth talent to be seen by college, youth national team and professional coaches, as well as scouts and evaluators, in a single location. The MLS Match Evaluator program, which features former professional players who are trained on-site to identify top talent, will continue at both MLS NEXT Flex and in the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs.

About MLS NEXT
MLS NEXT is a new paradigm for player development, launched in 2020 to transform youth soccer in North America. Founded on a collaborative approach to governance and a commitment to innovation, MLS NEXT players have access to the highest level of competition, training and personal development opportunities that will prepare them for their futures, both in soccer and in life. Membership for the 2022-23 season includes 137 clubs, 628 teams and over 13,000 players across the U.S. and Canada. Official partners of MLS NEXT include adidas, Allstate, DoorDash, and the University of South Carolina. For more information about MLS NEXT, visit www.mlssoccer.com/mlsnext.