
FC Cincinnati Academy to Compete in 2025 MLS NEXT Cup
June 10, 2025 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Cincinnati News Release
On Tuesday afternoon, MLS NEXT announced the match and broadcast schedule for the upcoming 2025 MLS NEXT Cup, of which the FC Cincinnati Academy will be represented by the U15 and U16 age groups. The nine-day single-elimination knockout tournament will run from June 14-22 in the Nashville, Tennessee area.
The 2025 MLS NEXT Cup is the conclusion of the 2024-25 MLS NEXT season, featuring 32 of the top teams in each of the four different age groups (U15, U16, U17, U19) that qualified for the competition - based on results from league play or by winning their respective group at MLS NEXT Flex, a qualifying event that took place from May 9-13.
The U15s enter MLS NEXT Cup having finished first in the Mid-America East Division after playing to a perfect 8-0-0 league record and recording 24 points. The Young Garys scored at least two goals in every match while conceding no more than once and held five clean sheets.
The U16s shared equal success as the U15s, topping the Central North Division with a record of 9-4-2. The Young Garys paced the group of all MLS academies, which included Chicago Fire FC, Columbus Crew, Minnesota United FC and St. Louis CITY SC. The team's biggest win came against St. Louis in a 5-1 result.
And while the U18s did not qualify for the knockout competition, the Young Garys will still be a part of the event schedule through the MLS NEXT Cup Showcase. The MLS NEXT Cup Showcase provides MLS NEXT players an opportunity to compete in front of hundreds of collegiate, international, and professional coaches and scouts through three guaranteed matches.
FULL FC CINCINNATI ACADEMY SCHEDULE - 2025 MLS NEXT CUP
U15s
vs. Sporting Athletic Club - June 14, 9 a.m. ET/8 a.m. CT
U16s
vs. CF Montréal - June 14, 6:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. CT
U18s (MLS NEXT Cup Showcase)
vs. De Anza Force - June 15, 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT
vs. Vancouver Whitecaps - June 16, 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT
vs. Nashville SC - June 18, 3 p.m. ET/2 p.m. CT
MLS NEXT Cup matches will be 80 minutes in the U15 age group and 90 minutes in the other three age groups. If the match is tied at the end of regulation, all games will head to penalty kicks, except for the four championship matches, which will feature two five-minute periods of extra time. If the championship matches are still tied after the extra time periods, they will then head to penalty kicks to decide a winner.
Nineteen MLS NEXT Cup games, including all four championship matches, will stream live on MLS' YouTube page. Across the four age groups represented in the playoffs, five round of 32 matches, two round of 16 matches, four quarterfinal games, and four semifinal contests will also be available to watch on MLS' YouTube page.
Major League Soccer Stories from June 10, 2025
- Notebook: FC Cincinnati Stars Shine on International Duty - FC Cincinnati
- Quakes Academy Teams to Compete in 2025 MLS NEXT Cup Starting June 14 - San Jose Earthquakes
- Copa de Medios Is Back at Chase Stadium: Teams Unveiled for Thrilling Third Edition of Inter Miami's Annual Media Appreciation Event - Inter Miami CF
- Rapids Goalkeeper Zack Steffen Undergoes Successful Knee Surgery - Colorado Rapids
- Columbus Crew Sign Crew Academy Product Tristan Brown - Columbus Crew SC
- FC Cincinnati Academy to Compete in 2025 MLS NEXT Cup - FC Cincinnati
- New York Red Bulls Announce Promotion of NYRB II Head Coach Ibrahim Sekagya to Full-Time First Team Assistant Coach - New York Red Bulls
- Sporting KC to Unveil Redesigned Price Chopper South Stand Market - Sporting Kansas City
- New York Red Bulls Announce Assistant Coach Vedad Ibišević Departs Club - New York Red Bulls
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent FC Cincinnati Stories
- Notebook: FC Cincinnati Stars Shine on International Duty
- FC Cincinnati Academy to Compete in 2025 MLS NEXT Cup
- FC Cincinnati Defender Miles Robinson Named to USMNT Roster for 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup
- Altafiber Named Official Internet Partner of FC Cincinnati
- FC Cincinnati Announce 10th Anniversary Weekend Festivities

