MLS NEXT Cup: DC United claim U-16 title, Inter Miami win U-15 tournament 

D.C. United secured the first trophy of the weekend, with the U-16 MLS NEXT Cup producing a tight affair at Toyota Stadium.

The clock had barely hit five minutes as Sydney Aggrey recorded his fourth goal of the tournament. A long ball out of the back line aimed for Aggrey looked like it would be a routine clearance for Dalton Bulowski, but the D.C. striker came out of nowhere to knock the ball loose before taking a touch on the edge of the box and shooting low to the goalkeeper’s right.

The California side had the ball in the back of the net in the 67th minute after Marcus Lee, the tournament MVP, sent a cross into the center of the box that Maxim Scordo was able to slip in. Unfortunately for Strikers FC, Lee played the ball from out of bounds, leaving D.C. United with a goal kick and, crucially, the lead.

Chances were plentiful for both sides. Dylan Kaye was forced into an outstanding save in the 83rd minute to stop D.C. United from extending the lead after Gabriel Cossio found Noel Calix unmarked on the edge of the area. Kaye followed that up seconds later, tipping away a point-blank header by Dash Papez.

Garry Zhang almost closed the match out with a goal deserving of any final. After a stunning mazy run through the Strikers’ midfield and defense, Zhang went to lift the ball over the keeper only for Ryker Joutz to make an impressive recovery run to block the shot with a last-ditch lunge.

U16 MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs Individual Awards