2023 MLS NEXT Flex in Maryland

The upcoming MLS Next Flex event in Maryland is set to feature the top 64 teams from the MLS Next league. This event promises to be a highly competitive showcase of young talent from across the country. Each team traveling to Maryland earned their spot based on their PPG (points per game) rank in the 2022/2023 MLS NEXT regular season.

The MLS Next Flex event is an important showcase for young players looking to make their mark in professional soccer. Many of the top players in MLS today got their start in the MLS Next league, and events like this provide a platform for the next generation of stars to emerge.

The tournament will take place from May 12th to May 16th at the Maryland SoccerPlex, a state-of-the-art soccer facility that has hosted numerous high-level soccer events in the past.

During the Flex games, qualifying teams will be divided into sixteen groups of four, with the winners of each group earning automatic qualification for the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs. In the event of a tie in regulation time, the game will proceed to penalty kicks. The team that wins the penalty kicks will earn two points, while the losing team will receive one point.

Additionally, new this year, eighteen games will be streamed live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. This is a great way for teams and individual players to gain more exposure outside of their own region. This is a first and hopefully more to come during the Apple and MLS ten-year partnership. Here are the games you can catch on Apple TV…

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

The entire schedule for the U15, U16, U17 and U19 along with the standings can be found here.

The tournament will culminate in the 2023 MLS Next Cup Playoffs, which will take place at the Toyota Soccer Center and MoneyGram Soccer Park in Dallas-Fort Worth from June 17th to June 25th, 2023. This is where the top teams from the MLS Next league will compete for the championship title, and where the most talented players will have the opportunity to showcase their skills on the national stage.

Teams that didn’t make the Cup Playoffs will also get an opportunity to play in the showcase in Dallas, Texas.

Overall, the 2023 MLS Next Flex event promises to be an exciting and highly competitive showcase of young talent from across the country. Goodluck to all the teams participating!