The Sounders Academy U16 and U19 teams have completed their 2024/2025 MLS NEXT seasons. In case you are unfamiliar with MLS NEXT, this is the competition framework MLS launched in 2020 for youth player development in North America.
This latest season kicked off in the beginning of September and finished with the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs in June. The season consists of two different competitions, League and Flex. The League groups MLS academies with only other MLS academies while other elite academies throughout the country are paired with each other. Flex, meanwhile, mixes MLS academies and elite academies.
For the Sounders, there was some good and bad news. The U19s season went through peaks and valleys. They finished last in the West division of the League but first in the Northwest division of the Flex competition, which ultimately qualified them for the playoffs. The U16s were not as successful, finishing in 6th and 8th place in the League and Flex respectively.
Season Details
MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs
The top 32 teams that qualified through the League and Flex play in the MLS NEXT Cup playoffs and unfortunately for the Sounders, only the U19 team participated. It was a short-lived appearance as they fell in the first round to the New York Red Bulls by a score of 2-1.
MLS NEXT All-Star Game
While the academy teams themselves had disappointing results this season, one player stood out and qualified for the MLS NEXT All Star game on July 21. Ronan Leeming is a versatile 16-year-old central midfielder who was named to the West team.
Game Notes
Leeming lined up as a starter for the West all-stars, one of the double pivots in a 4-2-3-1 and played the first half. He helped the West control possession in the first half by consistently presenting himself as an option and being secure in his passing. At the same time, he showcased his vision by picking out multiple progressive passes to create dangerous goal-scoring changes. The West’s first-half goal was one of these occasions. Leeming got the attack started with a sprayed ball up the left touch line to the left mid who was able to take the ball in stride, beat a couple of defenders, and put the cross in the box for the tap in from the right mid.
However, he was also culpable on the East's tying goal at the end of the first half. A free kick fell to his mark in the box and since he wasn’t tight enough, the attacker was able to turn and slot the ball into the corner.
Overall, Leeming has exciting attributes and I expect to be a continuation of the Sounders central midfield academy conveyor belt.
