MLS NEXT Flex will occur May 12-16 at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Maryland, featuring the best 256 teams in MLS NEXT looking to clinch a berth in the 2023 MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs.
Teams & rules
The event includes 64 teams in each of the U-15, U-16, U-17, and U-19 age groups that qualified for the competition based on their points-per-game rank in the 2022-23 MLS NEXT regular-season division standings. Qualifying teams were drawn into 16 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-16, U-17, and U-19 matches that end regulation in a draw will move to penalty kicks. The winner of penalty kicks will earn two points, while the loser will take home one point.
Watch on MLS Season Pass
Eighteen MLS NEXT Flex games will stream live on MLS Season Pass, the subscription service from Apple and Major League Soccer on the Apple TV app, available in more than 100 countries and regions.
May 12
- 9:00 am ET - U16 - Atlanta United vs. Murrieta Soccer Academy
- 11:30 am ET - U16 - LA United Futbol Academy vs. FC Dallas
- 2:00 pm ET - U16 - Inter Miami CF vs. San Francisco Glens
- 4:30 pm ET - U19 - City SC vs. Sporting Kansas City
May 13
- 9:00 am ET - U15 - Wake FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- 11:30 am ET - U17 - New England Revolution vs. FC DELCO
- 2:00 pm ET - U17 - Chicago Fire FC vs. BW Gottschee Academy
- 4:30 pm ET - U17 - Nashville SC vs. New York Soccer Club
May 14
- 9:00 am ET - U17 - RSL Arizona vs. Colorado Rapids
- 11:30 am ET - U17 - Michigan Jaguars vs. Charlotte FC
- 2:00 pm ET - U17 - Sacramento Republic vs. Philadelphia Union
- 4:30 pm ET - U15 - Real Salt Lake vs. Real Colorado
May 15
- 8:30 am ET - U19 - Columbus Crew vs. Met Oval
- 11:00 am ET - U19 - Vardar vs. Toronto FC
- 1:30 pm ET - U19 - Miami Rush Kendall SC vs. FC Cincinnati
May 16
- 8:30 am ET - U17 - Orlando City SC vs. Sockers FC
- 11:00 am ET - U17 - ALBION SC San Diego vs. CF Montréal
- 1:30 pm ET - U17 - Barca Residency Academy vs. Seattle Sounders FC
MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs
The MLS NEXT season concludes with the 2023 MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs, which will be held June 17-25 at Toyota Soccer Center and MoneyGram Soccer Park in Dallas-Fort Worth.
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.
