MLS Next Cup and Showcase: U15 Cup Semifinal Standouts

With a trophy in sight, the action inside Siegel Stadium got hot enough to match the scorching temps. Chicago Fire and FC Cincinnati held up one side of the bracket while LA Galaxy went toe to toe with Atlanta United. After 180 minutes between the two matches, we now have an old school standoff between two original clubs for the U15's. Here are the players who stood above the rest en route to setting up the U15 final:    Hyte looked every bit of the hype against FC Cincy, taking over the game when it mattered most and pushing his team across the finish line to make it to the U15 final. His first contribution came in the first half, making an inch perfect run onto a ball played in, holding off his defender, and angling the ball past the keeper into the side netting to bring Fire back level. He then would put the game out of reach in the second half, laying off to a teammate who would make an incredible individual effort to return his pass backside and Hyte would tap in to give Fire a 2 goal advantage. His attacking runs and awareness of space set him apart, and his strength to possess the ball, even with defenders draped on his back, shows the fortitude and aptitude this young man possesses.     As goalkeepers go, sometimes their performances are defined by one moment in a match where they got it really wrong or really right. In Nelson's case, he got it absolutely right with his last minute save against Atlanta United, preserving a 2-1 lead for LA Galaxy and ultimately winning them the match. Nelson came out confidently as the striker bore down on him, but when the shot was taken, everyone in the stadium thought he was beat. Like a cat after prey, he pounced down and got his wrist and forearm to the ball, knocking it behind himself just past the nearside goalpost in a way that almost certainly defied the Laws of physics, and the roar of the Galaxy fans was all you could hear for a full minute. Beyond his man of the match moment, his netminder skills were on full display, claiming high balls efficiently on crosses and corners, covering the goal properly on attacks, and he displayed a strong long ball from both dead and rolling positions.       Turdean was all over the field for the Fire, influencing the match to pull them level and then eventually push them past FC Cincy. He nearly took the ball off of the opposition keepers' foot early on in the match and was a menace to the rest afterwards. His combinations in the midfield dazzled and he was the cog most able help create space for his teammates in the attacking third. His best moment was reserved for late in the second half, a solo run through 4 defenders, twisting and turning before finding a wide open teammate who tapped in from two yards out. Turdean might be the Fire's leading scorer, but he certainly showed his value in other areas in this one.     The Galaxy striker made the most of his semifinal appearance, blasting home from 25 yards out to open the scoring in the second semifinal. It was a sensational strike, and he made the most of the space and time Atlanta afforded him by curling it into the side netting. That was the pinnacle of Medina's performance, but the striker did show his ability throughout the match, putting himself in good positions and combining well enough to earn the assist on Galaxy's second goal as well. A stellar showing by Medina as he leads his squad through to the final.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/06/20240620_180125-rotated-crop-2735x1796-1718983894.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-182858" /></figure>    Morales was a midfield maestro for the Fire, consistently moving the ball from side to side and springing his wingers into the attacking third to produce quality chances. He also offered a plethora of defensive effectiveness, regularly creating turnovers, winning physical clashes for the ball, and stopping attacks intelligently before they ever started. For all of the flash and panache the Fire showed, Morales' efforts were definitively the biggest contributor to their success in the middle of the park.     An obvious threat all match, Steelman made Atlanta pay over and over throughout the course of the match. His off the ball presence was obvious, regularly pulling defenders with him to create space for teammates. Ultimately, however, his tenacity shown the brightest, as he parlayed a cutting and off balance run straight at the goalkeeper from the wide side of the area into a toe poke rebound from his own shot that crawled into the corner of the goal. This effort would prove to be the winner     The engine of Atlanta United on the day, Suarez made every effort to keep the red and black in the match. His vision and passing sprung his teammates forward on the wings throughout the game, finding every opportunity to foray into the Galaxy defending third and supporting their efforts even when they became futile. Ultimately he had to take matters into his own hands with his team down 2 goals in the second half. A layoff pass fell to him at the top left portion of the penalty area, and he rifled it top far corner past LA's outstretched keeper, bringing United to a one goal deficit. His last effort came in the final moments of the game, a flick pass that split the Galaxy center backs and released his striker 1v1 with the LA keeper, but that effort would be saved and United would fall just short.

With a trophy in sight, the action inside Siegel Stadium got hot enough to match the scorching temps. Chicago Fire and FC Cincinnati held up one side of the bracket while LA Galaxy went toe to toe with Atlanta United. After 180 minutes between the two matches, we now have an old school standoff between two original clubs for the U15's. Here are the players who stood above the rest en route to setting up the U15 final: