MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs Set to Ignite in Tennessee
Postseason soccer is officially here! The 2024-2025 MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs are ready to kick off June 14-22, showcasing the top youth talent in the country. The tournament will feature 32-team single elimination brackets across four age groups: U15, U16, U17, and U19.
This year’s playoffs will be held at the Richard Siegel Soccer Complex, located just outside of Nashville, Tennessee. Expect high-stakes action as teams battle for national glory.
👉 [View the full MLS NEXT Cup matchups here.]
ECNL National Playoffs Countdown Begins
The excitement continues as the ECNL Boys and Girls National Playoffs draw closer.
- Boys Playoffs: June 25 – July 1, 2025
📍 60 Acres Park, Seattle, Washington - Girls Playoffs: June 26 – July 2, 2025
📍 Surf Cup Sports Park, San Diego, California
This elite competition will feature top clubs from across the country in the U13–U19 divisions.
👉 [See the Boys U13-U19 team list here.]
👉 [See the Girls U13-U19 team list here.]
OCSI Summer Invitational Returns to Irvine
One of the premier summer tournaments on the West Coast is back! The 6th Annual OCSI Summer Invitational takes place August 2-3 in Irvine, CA, drawing top-level Class I teams from U8 to U19.
Tournament HQ will be located at the Orange County Great Park, with additional games scheduled at nearby city parks.
Clubs looking for high-quality competition and a great Southern California setting won’t want to miss it.
Pochettino on Pulisic: “He Should Be Our Messi”
On a recent episode of the UnfilteredSoccer podcast, USMNT Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino joined former stars Landon Donovan and Tim Howard to talk all things U.S. soccer. When the topic of Christian Pulisic came up, Pochettino didn’t hold back:
“I think Christian in the last year showed great quality. He’s performing in Europe and for the national team. He’s a very talented player who can help us win… In this country, Pulisic should be our Messi because he’s an iconic player. Kids on the street—if you ask them to name one soccer player—it’s Pulisic.”
Bold comparison? Maybe. But it shows just how important Pulisic has become to the national team.
USWNT Dominates Jamaica in St. Louis
The US Women’s National Team delivered a commanding performance in St. Louis, defeating Jamaica 4-0 in an international friendly at Energizer Park.
The U.S. controlled the game with 85% possession and outshot Jamaica 30-2.
This follows a 3-0 win over China the previous Saturday, as the team builds momentum under new head coach Emma Hayes.
“I want us to be calm and controlled in what we’re doing,” said Hayes. “And I thought there was a maturity to that.”
Stay tuned to ForTheLoveOfSoccer.com for more updates from the youth and national soccer scene!