Philadelphia Union Academy learned on Monday morning its draw for the 2023 MLS NEXT Flex that will take place at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Md., from May 12-16.
The Union Academy will compete in both the U17 and U15 divisions of the event as they look to secure their berth back to the MLS NEXT Cup playoffs this summer. The Boys in Blue have been dominant in tournament play over the last year, with both sides making deep runs to the Finals of both the MLS NEXT Cup and Generation adidas Cup where the U17s have won both titles.
The U17s kick off the event on Saturday, May 13th with showdown against Solar FC from Dallas, TX with kick off set for 1pm. The following day the squad will face off against Sacramento Republic FC at 2pm before wrapping up against FC Golden State on Tuesday, May 16th at 8:30 a.m. ET.
The U15s begin things also on Saturday afternoon with a battle against the Cedar Stars Academy of Bergen at 5pm ET. The Boys in Blue then take on FC Cincinnati on Sunday at 3pm ET before concluding group play against Sacramento Republic at 1pm on Tuesday.
MLS NEXT Flex features 64 of the best MLS NEXT clubs from the U15, U16, U17, and U19 age groups battling for positioning in the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs. The event will take place at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Md., from May 12-16, 2023, and will provide the opportunity for 16 teams in each competing age division to secure a place in the season-culminating MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs. Participants in the event will qualify and be seeded based on their performance in regular season matches from August 2022 to March 2023. 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 singular location.
