It was a successful weekend for the Orlando City Academy at the MLS NEXT Playoffs, as the Southeast division champion U17 side advanced to the quarterfinal round.
After sweeping past New England 3-1 in the opening round on Saturday, the U17s were right back in action on Sunday morning in the Round of 16. The Lions were up against Shattuck-St. Mary’s, a top residential academy in Minnesota that produces more college players than any other high school in the country. The game ended 0-0 and went to penalties, where Orlando City emerged victorious 4-3.
The U17s now move into the final eight, where they will face off against the LA Galaxy, recognized for years as one of the top academies in the United States. Orlando City beat the Galaxy 2-1 in a rain-shortened U17 match earlier this spring. The other six quarter-finalists are the Colorado Rapids, the Sacramento Republic, Los Angeles FC, the Seattle Sounders, FC Dallas, and the New Jersey-based Players Development Academy.
The U15s participated in the MLS NEXT Showcase on Sunday afternoon, drawing 1-1 with the Chicago Fire after a Haytham Abdalla penalty kick. The U15s will go again on Monday against Sporting Kansas City.
