SALT LAKE CITY— Capping off what has been a fantastic season for the Philadelphia Union Academy squads, the U-18, U-16, and U-15s are heading to Salt Lake City, Utah for the MLS Next Cup to compete with the best youth teams in the United States and Canada. All three of those squads participated last year, with the U-15s winning in thrilling fashion. In 2022, the U-17s, which featured Andrew Rick and Frankie Westfield, won the title.

Beginning with single-elimination knockout, 32 teams in each age group will compete at the Regional Athletics Soccer Complex, with the championship matches being held at Zions Bank Stadium. All matches will be 90 minutes in length, and if it is still tied after regulation, the match will be decided by penalty kicks, with the exception of the Championship matches, which would include two five-minute extra time periods before heading to penalties if necessary.

U-15

Head coach Ben Moane saw his team win it all in 2025, and while this year’s squad is different and will compete up in the U-16 bracket, there is plenty of up-and-coming talent leading the team. Players like Jude Larbi, Gino Cecere, Jayden Staines, Jaxson Fulmer, Caleb Chabala, and goalkeeper Thomas White are part of a strong young squad that could make a run.

They qualified by way of MLS Next Flex after defeating Orlando City Soccer South and Michigan Wolves. The U-15s will be the first Union squad to take the field, on Saturday, May 23 at 1:15 PM MT (3:15 ET) against Global Football Innovation Academy.

U-16

The Union’s U-16s have a plethora of talent and are one of the top rated squads going into MLS Next Cup. As many players from the MLS Next Cup U-15 Champion squad round out their ranks, they bring the experience and the desire to return to the pinnacle. Coach Peter McDonnell’s team will compete in the U-17 bracket, and earned their qualification through their regular season standings, which was secured in their 6-2 defeat of Red Bull New York in April.

Some standout players include Abdoulaye Diop and Samuel Gallegos, who have played up with the U-18s and even Union II, along with Timoni Gbalajobi, Landon Mulvenna, and goalkeeper Kenan Livadic, and many others in a deep squad—this list could go on for a while. They will take on FC Dallas on Sunday, May 24 at 10:15 AM MT (12:15 PM ET).

U-18

The squad that won the Snow Bowl and Dallas Cup in a highly successful season will strive to cap it off as MLS Next Cup Champions. They qualified at MLS Next Flex, where they swept their three matches. They begin their quest against Blau Weiss Gottschee in the U-19 bracket on Sunday, May 24 at 5:00 PM MT (7:00 PM ET). Coach Chris Harmon’s roster features many players that also feature with Union II and/or are heading off soon to college to continue their playing careers.

One of those players, Lennon Harrington, has a special connection in the opening match as he played for BW Gottschee for six years, beginning at age nine, before coming to Philadelphia. The Cornell commit and recent YSC graduate has been an important piece of the U-18s, as well as seeing some playing time with Union II where he has scored one goal in MLS Next Pro play. Perhaps playing against his old squad may bring some extra motivation?

The squad boasts plenty of firepower, highlighted by players like Tyler Gladstone, John Ruf, Theo Reed, and Erik Guzman on the attack. Gladstone has come in clutch for the squad several times, and he and Matheus De Paula, amongst others, have been outstanding in their appearances with Union II.

After their Union II match last weekend, Gladstone and De Paula shared their hopes for MLS Next Cup, and it was clear that they were not only hungry to win, but they have an incredible bond within their team.

“Yeah, I hope when we all go down there, I hope we can make an impact immediately, coming back to the U 18 squad,” De Paula said. 
”You know, we’re going for it all. This is the last run with everyone before everyone heads to college. So, you know, we’re trying to make it a special one, going for the trophy, bring it back home.”

Gladstone shared a similar sentiment. “Honestly, I’m hoping for big things,” he said. “
I’m hoping to go the whole way, especially with the team we’re bringing, the team we have. These guys—obviously the Dallas Cup, we’ve been in there before through ups and downs. So I think we can go all the way in Utah.”

Team captain Andrew Craig, who The One Team We Agree On had the pleasure to interview recently, brings a strong presence on the back line, along with center back partner Nick Greer who has also been fantastic. The goalkeeping is also a huge strength, with Alex Smith and Matthew White as top-caliber options.

“Yeah, I’d say the biggest growth that I’ve seen from Alex throughout his time has been his distribution,” Craig said of Smith, who whom he goes way back. “I mean, now he can pick passes 56 yards away and just put them right on someone’s foot. I mean, no team can really stop that if our goal is just picking passes around, so that’s his biggest improvement, along with his communication, which has gotten a lot better recently, and just the overall leadership that he brings to the team in the back line. It really helps me out, along with the back line and the sixes.”

Craig also shared his hopes for the MLS Next Cup, and what makes this particular squad so special.

“Yeah, I obviously, I think the hope is that we obviously win this tournament, and we feel like we can do that,” Craig said. “But no, the bond that we have as a team is just unmatched. I mean, I think it’s honestly one of the better teams that I’ve been a part of throughout my academy, just the way that we vibe together, the energy— like all of the friendships that we have with each guy, it’s really good.”

Unfortunately, it appears only select matches will be livestreamed, and that schedule can be found here. Stay tuned for more coverage, and follow our social media for updates as they are made available.

Main article photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Union Academy.