IFA New England Qualifies Four Teams for MLS NEXT Flex

Intercontinental Football Academy of New England (IFA) has qualified four teams for MLS NEXT Flex, the final national qualifying event of the 2025-26 MLS NEXT season. U15, U16, U17 and U19 squads will all travel to the Toyota Soccer Complex in Frisco, Texas from April 23-28. It is the strongest showing in IFA's six-year MLS NEXT history.

How IFA Qualified

Two of IFA's four qualifying teams are unbeaten in MLS NEXT league play this season.

U15s: Second in the Northeast Division

The U15s hold a 10-0-1 record with 31 points, scoring 4.82 goals per match - the highest rate in their division. Matt Hardiman’s team ranked number one in the Northeast by MLS NEXT in the final 2025 power rankings and went undefeated through the fall season at 7-0-1. In December, the squad reached the final of the Generation adidas Cup Qualifier at Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa, beating Atletico Santa Rosa, Total Futbol Academy, Miami Futbol Academy and Weston FC before falling to Cedar Stars Bergen in a penalty shootout.

This earned them aninvite to the Generation adidas Cup proper where they wrapped up a solid campaign last week which included two victories over MLS academy outfits Minnesota United and Sporting KC. Twelve of the players in the squad have been with IFA since the U10 age group.

U16s: Third in the Northeast Division, National Academy Champions

The U16s will arrive in Frisco as reigning National Academy Champions. At IMG Academy in February, Drago Kazakov’s squad swept through the group stage with a perfect 3-0 record, outscoring opponents 8-2 with wins over Queen City Mutiny 3-1, Michigan Wolves 2-0 and Cedar Stars Academy Monmouth 3-1, before winning the knockout rounds to claim the national title. In regular season play, the U16s sit third in the Northeast Division at 7-2-2 with 23 points and the highest attacking output in the division at 3.91 goals per match.

U17s: Second in the Northeast Division, Unbeaten

The U17s are the only team in the Northeast Division without a loss this season, sitting at 7-0-4 with 25 points. The attack is spearheaded by University of Virginia recruit Reid Aquino, and the squad has produced decisive results against strong opposition including a 5-1 win over Seacoast United, a 2-0 shutout of FC Greater Boston Bolts and a 4-0 win over Long Island Soccer Club. Ben Murphy’s side still have seven league games remaining before Flex, including a marquee home fixture against division leaders Cedar Stars Academy Bergen on May 2.

U19s: Wildcard Qualifier

The U19s secured their Flex berth through a wildcard entry. Coached by Scott Black, the squad is built around members of IFA's 2026 graduating class , a group that has produced 48 college commitments including 14 at the Division I level. Trevor Steele is headed to Notre Dame, Gavin Baer and Luca Toro to Northwestern, Matteo Sestito to Boston College and Owen Fadden to New Hampshire. Ten players from the class were named to the New England Soccer Journal's Top 50 Boys Prospects, more than any other club in the region including the Revolution Academy.

What Comes Next?

Group winners at MLS NEXT Flex qualify automatically for the 2026 MLS NEXT Cup in Salt Lake City from May 23-31, the culminating championship event of the national season. IFA will be looking to punch as many tickets to Salt Lake as possible.

What is MLS NEXT Flex?

MLS NEXT is the premier boys' youth development league in North America, created by Major League Soccer. It brings together the top academy programs in the country, including every MLS professional club academy, in a national league that runs from September through May.

MLS NEXT Flex is the final qualifying stage before the national championship. The top 64 teams in the country at each age group - U15, U16, U17 and U19 - earn a place at the event based on their performance in league play throughout the season. Teams are drawn into groups of four. Group winners earn automatic qualification to the 2026 MLS NEXT Cup, the national championship, held May 23-31 at the Regional Athletics Complex in Salt Lake City, Utah.

For IFA players, Flex means competing on the same stage as every MLS professional academy in the country, with college scouts, national team scouts and professional scouts all in attendance across six days of competition.

MLS NEXT Flex is the final national qualifying event before the MLS NEXT Cup championship. The top 64 teams in the country at each age group compete over six days, with group winners advancing to MLS NEXT Cup.

What is MLS NEXT Cup?

MLS NEXT Cup is the national championship of MLS NEXT, held May 23-31 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Group winners at Flex earn automatic qualification.

Take the Next Step with IFA

IFA has opened our environment to players who are ready to compete and train at the highest levels.

Rather than attending a traditional tryout, players are invited into a session based on their level and location. This allows players and families to experience the IFA environment firsthand through training with current teams and working directly with our coaching staff.

Following the session, our staff will outline the most appropriate pathway within the club.