Orlando City Youth SC and Atlanta United U17 teams will compete in the U17 Homegrown final of the 2025‑26 MLS NEXT Cup on May 31 [1].
This championship match serves as the culmination of a high-stakes knockout tournament designed to identify the premier youth soccer talent across the U.S. and Canada. Because the event brings together the top homegrown prospects, the final represents a critical scouting opportunity for professional clubs.
The tournament took place from May 23 to May 31, 2026 [2]. While the majority of the competition was hosted at the Regional Athletics Soccer Complex in Salt Lake City, Utah, the championship matches moved to Zions Bank Stadium [2].
The scale of the event was significant, featuring 384 teams [3]. This massive influx of talent brought more than 7,500 youth soccer players to Utah [3]. The concentration of athletes and their families created a substantial local economic ripple, with the estimated economic impact ranging from $19.63 million to $24 million [3].
The MLS NEXT Cup operates as a single-elimination tournament to determine the overall champion of the 2025‑26 season [2]. By narrowing the field through a knockout format, the league ensures that only the most consistent teams reach the final stage in Salt Lake City.
As the tournament concludes this week, the match between Orlando City and Atlanta United will determine which academy possesses the strongest U17 cohort in the league. The event highlights the growing infrastructure of youth development in North American soccer, a system that increasingly produces professional-grade players domestically.
“The U17 Homegrown final concludes a week-long tournament in Salt Lake City featuring 384 youth teams.”
The scale of the 2026 MLS NEXT Cup demonstrates the rapid expansion of organized youth soccer in North America. By consolidating 384 teams into a single-elimination event, MLS is creating a centralized high-pressure environment that mimics professional tournament play. This structure accelerates the development of homegrown players and increases the visibility of youth talent for professional scouts and national team selectors.
