FRISCO, Texas – Three New England Revolution Academy will compete to be crowned MLS NEXT Cup champions in their respective age groups during the inaugural MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs, taking place from June 25 – July 3 in the Dallas Metroplex. All three of the Revolution’s eligible youth teams – the Under-19, Under-17, and Under-15 sides – qualified for the postseason tournament, which brings together the top 128 teams in the country for a single-elimination competition featuring 32 teams in four age groups.
“It is a tremendous accomplishment for the Revolution Academy to send all three of our eligible teams to the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs and we are proud of the players and coaches for earning their places in the tournament,” said Revolution Technical Director Curt Onalfo. “Since arriving in New England two years ago, it has been a priority to enhance the Revolution’s player development system and build our club into one of the best in the nation. While there is more work ahead, this represents a great opportunity for our young players to continue their growth and it serves as an indication that we are making important strides forward as a club.”
“We are proud to have qualified all three Academy teams for these playoffs, an important feat for our program and for these players’ development,” said Revolution Director of Youth Development Rob Becerra, who joined the club in April 2021 with 20 years of coaching experience at the MLS, USL Championship, and international levels. “We look forward to competing hard in every match and representing the club with class. I cannot wait to see the players in action against the top clubs in the country in the exciting atmosphere in Texas.”
The Revs’ Under-15 side will kick off the action in Texas with a Round One matchup on Friday, June 25 at 12:00 p.m. ET against De Anza Force. Led by Revolution and MLS legend Shalrie Joseph, the Under-15s are unbeaten in their last 10 games in the Northeast Division to close the MLS NEXT campaign. Forward Enzo Goncalves (2006 – Hyannis, Mass.) led the squad with a spectacular spring campaign that included 10 goals in 10 games to end the season.
New England’s Under-17 team will open its playoff campaign against Orlando City SC’s U-17s on Saturday, June 26 at 10:00 a.m. ET. The U-17s qualified for the postseason by finishing the season unbeaten in six games. On the last matchday of the regular season, forward Jason Zacarias (2004 – Billerica, Mass.) scored a game-winning goal to clinch the postseason berth. Goalkeeper Matthew Tibbetts (2004 – Westborough, Mass.) has added a steady presence in between the sticks late in the year, posting two clean sheets.
The Revs’ Under-19s will face Atlanta United FC’s U-19 squad in Round One of their bracket, also kicking off Saturday, June 26 at 10:00 a.m. ET. The U-19s won three of the team’s final four matches in division play. Among the standouts on the squad, midfielders Triton Beauvois (2003 – Malden, Mass.) and Aidan Farwell (2002 – Randolph, Mass.) provided a spark offensively while defender Cole Dewhurst (2003 – Lancaster, Mass.) and midfielder Joe Buck (2002 – Arlington, Mass.) have added stability to the team’s backline.
Complete information on MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs including all age group’s schedules and bracket, is available on MLSsoccer.com. During the tournament, a total of 25 matches will be streamed live on MLSsoccer.com, with six games to be played on the FC Dallas’ stadium field, Toyota Stadium. To view the complete MLS NEXT Cup Playoff streaming schedule, click here.
| Revolution Academy Schedule: MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs | ||
| UNDER-15s | Under-17s | UNDER-19s |
Round 1: June 25 Round 2: June 26 Quarterfinals: June 28# Semifinals: June 30# Final: July 2# | Round 1: June 26 Round 2: June 27 Quarterfinals: June 29# Semifinals: July 1# Final: July 3# | Round 1: June 26 Round 2: June 27 Quarterfinals: June 29# Semifinals: July 1# Final: July 3# |
| *Single-elimination tournament. If eliminated, teams would then participate in the MLS NEXT Cup Showcase. | ||
| # = Match will be streamed live on MLSsoccer.com | ||
The New England Revolution Academy, headquartered at the state-of-the-art Revolution Training Center in Foxborough, Mass., is the first step on the pathway to the professional ranks for New England’s top youth soccer players. The Revolution Academy strives to break down barriers to the sport’s highest levels by serving as the region’s only free-to-play, fully funded elite youth soccer program. The Revs Academy has seen more than a dozen graduates ascend from the club’s Academy ranks to the professional level with the Revolution II roster or the Revs’ MLS side, and countless others go on to successful collegiate careers. To learn more about the Revolution Academy, click here.
