MLS NEXT Cup Crowns Four Champions in Historic Multi-Age Tournament

The 2025 MLS season has delivered unexpected surprises, with teams like the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Philadelphia Union, San Diego FC, and Minnesota United excelling beyond expectations, driven by diverse strategies and coaching styles. Vancouver Whitecaps, led by first-year head coach Jesper Sørensen, have thrived with a possession-based style despite significant challenges including injuries and illnesses. Meanwhile, the MLS NEXT season concluded with historic achievements across age groups; Philadelphia Union won the U15 title, Real Salt Lake's U16 squad became the first to win both the Generation Adidas Cup and MLS NEXT Cup in the same season, Inter Miami CF took the U17 championship, and LA Galaxy secured the U19 title, marking their third different MLS NEXT Cup win. Inter Miami CF's U17 team notably won the MLS NEXT Cup after a series of challenging matches culminating in a penalty shootout victory over Weston FC. Real Salt Lake's U16 team, praised for their excellence on and off the field, captured the MLS NEXT Cup with key contributions from players like MVP Parker and last-minute goal scorer Royce Mihav, underscoring the depth and talent in MLS youth academies.