From dominant team performances to breakout stars, here’s who impressed across all age groups last month
May was a high-stakes month in MLS NEXT, with clubs vying for MLS NEXT Cup qualification and proving themselves at MLS NEXT Flex. Several teams and individuals rose above the rest — here are the top performers from each age group, along with the Player of the Month and a remarkable first-team debut for a rising star.
Teams of the Month
U15: New York Red Bulls
The Red Bulls’ U15 side was in ruthless form, finishing the month with a 6-0-1 record and a staggering 32-4 goal differential. Four of their wins featured at least four goals, with multiple blowouts of five goals or more.
They dominated at MLS NEXT Flex, winning their group with commanding victories over Atletico Santa Rosa (6-0), Chula Vista FC (7-1), and Nashville SC (1-0). After strong 2023 showings, the Red Bulls are once again serious contenders for the MLS NEXT Cup later this month.
U16: Sockers FC Chicago
Sockers FC thrived in one of the toughest Flex groups, going 3-0 against three MLS academy teams: Toronto FC (2-1), Houston Dynamo (3-1), and D.C. United (1-0). They finished May undefeated at 4-0-1.
Their attack was balanced with five different goal scorers, while their defense remained tight, conceding just three goals all month. With momentum on their side, the Illinois-based club looks poised for a strong playoff run.
U17: FC Greater Boston Bolts
The Bolts delivered when it mattered, going unbeaten in May with a 4-0-1 record and winning their MLS NEXT Flex group to punch their ticket to MLS NEXT Cup. Their offense delivered multiple goals in four matches.
Two key names led the charge: Logan Moniz, who netted a brace against Las Vegas Sports Academy, and Finn Van Clief, who also scored twice against San Francisco Glens. Moniz’s strong month earned him a U.S. U-17 Youth National Team call-up for June training.
U19: Real Salt Lake
The U19s followed the academy-wide success seen earlier this year at Generation adidas Cup, posting a 5-0-1 record in May while winning their Flex group and finishing the month with back-to-back statement wins over Seattle and Vancouver.
Standout performances came from Owen Anderson, Antonio Riquelme, and Camron Estala, as RSL continued to show why its academy is one of the most productive in North America.
⭐ Player of the Month: Sergio Zapata (Orlando City SC Youth – U19)
No player in MLS NEXT scored more goals in May than Sergio Zapata, who tallied 11 goals in four matches, including three hat tricks — one during MLS NEXT Flex against Hoosier Premier and another against Weston FC.
Zapata’s finishing ability and consistency earned him Player of the Month honors, and his recent commitment to Cornell University caps off a milestone month for the Orlando forward.
From MLS NEXT to First-Team Hero: Gustavo Caraballo
Gustavo Caraballo, the Generation adidas Cup MVP in April, kept up his meteoric rise in May. The 16-year-old Orlando City Homegrown winger scored twice for the first team in a 5-1 U.S. Open Cup win over the Tampa Bay Rowdies, becoming the youngest goal scorer in club history.
His breakout month showcased the effectiveness of MLS’ Player Pathway, with Head Coach Oscar Pareja praising both Caraballo and the club’s academy staff:
“They have done a tremendous job in developing these kids and putting them on the first team for us is a privilege.”
Caraballo’s star continues to rise, as May marked yet another chapter in what is quickly becoming one of 2025’s most compelling development stories.
