COMMERCE CITY, Colo. - The Colorado Rapids Academy U-17 and U-15 teams will compete in the 2024 MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs in Nashville from June 15-23. The single-elimination knockout tournament will be held at Richard Siegel Soccer Complex in Murfreesboro, Tenn. with all four championship matches contested on Sunday, June 23, at Nashville SC’s GEODIS Park.
The top 32 teams in each of the four different age groups (U-15, U-16, U-17, U-19) qualified for the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs based on results from league play or by winning their respective group at MLS NEXT Flex, a qualifying event that took place from May 10-14.
Both the Rapids’ U-15 and U-17 teams qualified for the playoffs for the first time as a result of their regular season records in the MLS NEXT Pro Pathway’s Western Conference. The Rapids’ U-15 squad finished at the top of their division with a 9-3-5 record, marking the first time that a Rapids Academy U-15 team has finished first in its division in club history. The U-17s also had a successful 2023-24 season, finishing second in the West Division with a 7-3-7 record.
“We are very proud of the accomplishments of our groups this year. The MLS NEXT Pro Pathway competition format requires our groups to consistently perform at a high level against some of the best players and teams in the country. The campaign is long and challenging with players being tested on many levels. The ability to navigate those challenges and prevail is excellent preparation for our players,” said Chris Cartlidge, Academy Technical Director.
“The league standings this year are a testament to the quality of work put forth by the players and staff this year. We are excited to see the teams compete in Nashville and look forward to watching these players take the next steps in their journeys in the months to come,” continued Cartlidge.
Both teams will enter the playoffs in the round of 32, playing their first matches on June 15 and June 16. The U-15s will face off against Columbus Crew while the U-17s will take on Inter Miami CF.
MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs matches will be 80 minutes in the U-15 age group and 90 minutes in the other three age groups. If the match is tied at the end of regulation, all games will head to penalty kicks, except for the four championship matches, which will feature two five-minute periods of extra time. If the championship matches are still tied after the extra time periods, they will then head to penalty kicks to decide a winner.
22 MLS NEXT Cup Playoff games, including all four championship matches, will stream live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. Across the four age groups represented in the playoffs, two round of 32 matches, two round of 16 matches, six quarterfinal games, and each of the eight semifinal contests will also be available to watch on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
