Sporting Kansas City's U-15s will look to etch their name on some hardware when they compete in the 2025 MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs in Nashville, Tennessee, from June 14-22. The tournament begins Saturday morning with a Round of 32 matchup with Atlanta United at Richard Siegel Soccer Complex in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
The U-18s and U-16s will play three showcase matches each to put a bow on their 2024-25 MLS NEXT Season.
Sporting's U-15s, guided by Luis Pacheco in his eighth season with the Sporting KC Academy, punched their ticket to the MLS NEXT Cup playoffs with a perfect showing at MLS NEXT Flex in May. The group took down De Anza Force, Strikers FC and Metropolitan Oval without conceding a goal in the three matches.
A close-knit group, the U-15s core group has played together as far back as COE, with more players being added over the years. This group has championship pedigree, winning the 2024 Easter International Cup and placing second at Patterson Cup.
The group boasted a 6-2-2 record in regular season play, and are one of six teams from the Frontier Division to earn playoff qualification.
First Name | Last Name |
Tose | Adewumi |
Luca | Antongirolami |
Sam | Bukauskas |
Connor | Claey |
Finn | Dean |
Mason | Duffy |
Seba | Dure |
Abraham | Gutierrez |
Mack | Herrman |
Emilio | Jacinto-Lopez |
Gabe | Johnson |
Elijah | Kelcher |
Brady | Krysiewicz |
Langston | Lewis |
Reid | Lindstrom |
Zamir | Loyo Reynaga |
Darvin | Mejia Contreras |
Jayden | Pulley |
Brixton | Welsh |
Sam | Worcester |
The U-18s, coached by Lee Tschantret, will conclude their campaign with a trio of showcase matches. They will take on Las Vegas Sports Academy, the hosts, Nashville SC and De Anza Force.
First Name | Last Name |
Tomiwa | Adewumi |
Kenny | Benae |
Aiden | Benitez |
Luis | Cruz-Ayala |
Carter | Derksen |
Makhi | Francis |
Andrew | Johnson |
Jaxson | Kalinka |
Troy | Lor |
Jeremy | Meloney |
Brendan | Mikuluza |
Heztli | Rodriguez |
Kael | Taylor |
Zane | Wantland |
Alex | Wynn |
Nate | Young |
Opponent | Date | Time (CT) |
|---|---|---|
Las Vegas Sports Academy | Sunday, June 15 | 7 p.m. |
Nashville SC | Monday, June 16 | 4:45 p.m. |
De Anza Force | Wednesday, June 18 | 10 a.m. |
The U-16s, led by Angel Rivillo, just missed out on playoff qualification in a shortened match defeat at MLS NEXT Flex. They will wrap up the season against Toronto FC, Seattle Sounders and ALBION SC San Diego.
First Name | Last Name |
Santino | Barberena |
Roman | Boxman |
Kyan | Detmer |
Jesus | Enriquez |
Harrison | Fasel |
Jack | Francka |
Alex | Gemeinhardt |
Michael | Grezenko |
Kashan | Hines |
Justin | Jones |
Colin | Kyser |
Mays | Landers |
Colin | Lysinger |
Ben | Nylund |
Austin | Thompson |
Baron | Williams |
Sutton | Williams |
Opponent | Date | Time (CT) |
|---|---|---|
Toronto FC | Saturday, June 14 | 5:15 p.m. |
Seattle Sounders | Monday, June 16 | 8 a.m. |
ALBION SC San Diego | Tuesday, June 17 | 2 p.m. |
About MLS NEXT
Launched in 2020, MLS NEXT is the most elite platform for youth player development in North America. With a commitment to innovation and providing access and representation, MLS NEXT players receive the best training and coaching as they prepare for their futures, both in soccer and in life. Throughout a season, MLS NEXT hosts four marquee events across the country, including the Generation adidas Cup, which
features MLS academies playing against the top international clubs. Membership for the 2023-24 season includes 29 MLS academies, 114 Elite Academies (143 total clubs), 677 teams and over 15,000 players across the U.S. and Canada. Official partners of MLS NEXT include adidas, Allstate, and DoorDash. For more information about MLS NEXT, visit www.mlssoccer.com/mlsnext.
