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MLS Atlanta United FC

Atlanta United Academy U-16s Win MLS NEXT Cup

June 24, 2023 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Atlanta United FC News Release


ATLANTA - Atlanta United Academy's U-16 team won the 2023 MLS NEXT Cup U-16s age division on Saturday in Friso, Texas, defeating Strikers FC 3-1 in the final with goals from Cooper Sanchez, Rocket Ritarita and Joseph Gonzalez. Led by head coach Kevin Kratz, Atlanta's U-16s defeated Florida Rush, Real Colorado, Weston FC, and Solar FC on its way to the final. Ritarita was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player, while Dillon Griner was named the tournament's best goalkeeper.

Atlanta's U-16s qualified for MLS NEXT Cup by winning the nine-team Southeast Division with a regular season record of 22-1-1 (69 points). MLS NEXT Cup is a single-elimination competition featuring the best 128 teams across four age groups (U-15, U-16, U-17, U-19). Teams qualified for the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs based on results from league play or by winning their respective group at MLS NEXT Flex - a qualifying event that took place from May 12-16. The event marks the culmination of the 2022-23 MLS NEXT season, which included over 9,000 matches played across all age groups.

Led by third-year Academy Director Matt Lawrey, Atlanta's Academy teams competed at seven different age levels this year, with the U-15s and U-16s each qualifying for MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs. Also competing in the postseason are the U-17s, who played three matches in the MLS NEXT Showcase, and the U-19s, who will play a regional final in the United Premier Soccer League's (UPSL) playoffs today at 6 p.m. ET against Dalton United.

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