The 2026 MLS Next Cup is in the books, with Atlanta United sending four teams — U-13, U-14, U-16, and U-18 — to the tournament in Utah. After being shut out in 2025 despite the U-15s and U-16s making it to their respective finals, the U-13s made sure that didn’t happen again in 2026, beating the LA Galaxy in penalties in the final. The U-16s came close to doing the same before they lost a shootout to Orlando City Youth SC.
Atlanta United Academy U-13s, Championship Division
We have to start with the champs.
Atlanta defeated Cincinnati United 5-3 before a 2-0 win over Strikers FC out of New Jersey. In the quarterfinals, they played another Jersey club, Real Futbol Academy, to a 1-1 draw before emerging 5-4 on penalties, setting up a semifinal against Inter Miami that it won 2-1.
In Sunday’s final, Atlanta and the LA Galaxy finished tied at 2-2, sending the match into penalties. As you can see below, LA’s keeper got a hand to the deciding penalty before it trickled through, setting off a wild celebration.
One quick caveat: this is a bit of a blind recap because there’s no record of who scored and how they scored.
Atlanta United Academy U-16: Homegrown Division
Atlanta United’s U-16s competed in the U-17 age group and made it to the final to face Orlando City Youth SC. Things got off to a rough start just 18 seconds in as Josh Brown conceded an own goal, but Noe Santillon leveled it at 1-1 in the eighth minute after lacing one home just outside the box.
It stayed that way until the 20th minute, when Seyi Fakiyesi, who has seen time with ATL UTD 2 this season, converted on a brilliant free kick to put Atlanta up 2-1.
In the 74th minute, though, Orlando City equalized through Kingston Ricketts, whose shot at the top of the scoring area made it through several bodies and to the back of the net to make it 2-2. It remained that way through regulation and two five-minute halves of extra time before Orlando walked off the pitch after winning the penalty shootout 4-3.
Atlanta United Academy U-14: Championship Division
Drew Weston FC 1-1 before losing 5-4 in penalties in the Round of 32.
Atlanta United Academy U-18: Homegrown Division (U-19)
Defeated Indy Eleven 4-1 in the Round of 32 before losing to Red Bull New York 3-2 in the Round of 16.
Every week, Scarves and Spikes brings you original interviews, on-site coverage, live shows/podcasts, and the analysis you won’t find at the bigger national outlets. With 2026 being a World Cup year, Atlanta United facing yet another important transfer window, the U.S. Soccer National Training Center setting up shop in the Atlanta area, and NWSL Atlanta kicking off in 2028, your support helps us do even more.
What you get on Patreon:
- Atlanta United training ground updates
- Discord access — talk Atlanta soccer with the SnS team and other supporters
- Patreon-only mailbags
- Grey Gowder’s analytical deep-dives on roster construction, the academy, ATL UTD 2, and more
Start your free trial