LAFC and LA Galaxy, the two MLS teams out of Los Angeles, begin seriously competing for the busy pipeline of local So Cal youth soccer athletes.
Suppose you were in Indio, California, this weekend. In that case, you were likely watching soccer and maybe even taking a break from the World Cup action while focusing on the next batch of potential US soccer standouts in a unique showcase of teams from around the country.
With the 2022 MLS NEXT Fest now over, LAFC, the five-year expansion team that recently lifted its first MLS Cup, seemed to have the most impressive results among all groups showcased during the short competition in the Southern California desert. The venue, which will also host a handful of MLS preseason games earlier next year, featured three separate competitions and included six different age groups (U13, U14, U15, U16, U17, and U19).
MLS NEXT Fest Showcase
MLS NEXT Fest Showcase is the largest competition at the event, with 430 MLS NEXT teams from all six age groups playing three games in four days. Matches were scheduled based on division, competition in past events, and competitive standings from the 2022-23 MLS NEXT regular season.
So, how did some Southern California teams perform during the weekend games?
LAFC
Our U-16s ended their weekend undefeated at @MLSNEXT Fest, finishing with a 4-0 victory over De Anza Force.
LAFC Academy Scenes presented by @evolutionptfit. pic.twitter.com/1iUsPjybwB
— LAFC Academy (@LAFCAcademy) December 8, 2022
In the Under 19 category, the Black and Gold won their opening game by a score of 3-0 vs. Real Colorado, then beat Hoover-Vestavia Soccer by a smacking 5-0. The third game, while close, finished in a win vs. Jacksonville FC 2-0. LAFC finished with all clean sheets, with youngster Marvin Gamez leading LAFC with five goals, assisted by reigning MVP standout Bryan Moyado.
LA Galaxy
Thank you and good night, Indio.✌️#MLSNEXTFest pic.twitter.com/lZ6Y8ubH8o
— MLS NEXT (@MLSNEXT) December 8, 2022
In the Under 17 category, the Los Angeles Galaxy was also undefeated, finishing first in its group. The opening game was a win vs. FC Dallas, a perennially strong and established youth academy, by a score of 2-1 courtesy of Paulo Rudisill and Harbor Miller. The next game was another close 2-1 win vs. Toronto, followed by an exciting 3-3 tie vs. St. Louis City SC.
Strikers FC
Ladies and gentlemen, Strikers FC. 👏
The Southern Californian club put everyone on notice with 2-0 win on Day 2. @adidasfootball | #MLSNEXTFest pic.twitter.com/QwnMvsRpGs
— MLS NEXT (@MLSNEXT) December 4, 2022
In the Under 15 category, the surprise team was So Cal’s Strikers FC, with three massive games resulting in a +14 goal differential, blowing the group competition away. Two standout players for the Irvine-based team, Rob Jacobs and Efren Solis, finished as the top scorers, with four goals each.
Overall, an excellent day for the local teams, which seem to have an exciting pipeline of athletes coming up through their divisions. It’s now to be seen which of these young, promising talents will land in an MLS roster to begin their professional careers. The MLS is betting hard on its youth programs, hoping it becomes a viable pipeline of players for young athletes, often filled with NCAA players and academies abroad.
Capa: LAFC Academy / Twitter
[…] Read more: LAFC, LA Galaxy show off academy progress during latest MLS Next Fest […]