The unabashed pride of MLS NEXT Pro is watching alumni lift hardware on the big stage.
As the domestic soccer season comes to a close on Saturday with the 2025 MLS Cup presented by Audi (2:30 PM ET | MLS Season Pass, Apple TV, FOX, FOX Deportes | Canada: TSN, RDS), it offers another opportunity to see the professional pathway come full circle.
Of course, global icons Lionel Messi and Thomas Müller are grabbing the majority of the headlines in this week's news cycle, but the other ends of Inter Miami and Vancouver Whitecaps’ respective rosters feature a cast of stars that cut their teeth playing second-team ball in recent years.
Here’s a closer look at some of the recent MLS NEXT Pro alums who could make an impact in Saturday’s showdown:
Ali Ahmed, 25, has been a regular on the Whitecaps squad since 2023 while also emerging as a mainstay in Jesse Marsch’s Canadian men’s national team setup.
A feature of what’s been characterized as a “strange style” in the past, Ahmed is comfortable in any position but predominantly operates as a winger in first-year WFC head coach Jesper Sørensen’s plans. He has been good for three assists in four appearances so far in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
Able to wear multiple hats as a game changes, Ahmed is a good guy to have on WFC’s side should another chaotic match unfold, as they dealt with in their instant Western semifinal classic vs. Los Angeles FC.
Holding down a central spot on the Inter Miami backline as of late, 21-year-old Allen has rallied back from an injury for five-straight starts in the Herons’ Audi MLS Cup Playoff campaign.
Oft scrutinized at the beginning of their 2025 campaign, Inter Miami’s defensive unit grew from an area of opportunity to secondary strength over the course of the year, thanks in part to Allen’s breakout campaign as a consistent starter.
Beginning the 2025 season as a Whitecaps Academy player, earning a contract with WFC2 in June, and then scoring an MLS account-opener the day after inking a first-team contract in September: 18-year-old Vancouver Homegrown Rayan Elloumi.
In addition to his speed tour of the pro-player pathway in the 2025 regular season, he delivered an assist to help even Vancouver's Best-of-Three series against FC Dallas in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.
His recent surge on the big stage was, in part, built by a breakout in MLS NEXT Pro earlier this season, where he led WFC2 in goal contributions with 11g/7a as he blossomed into a professional.
Used sparingly in the playoffs so far, Elloumi might have to wait for another impact opportunity, but what a moment it would be if he’s able to get (and take) his chance Saturday.
Also in the mix for some minutes off the bench, 19-year-old Homegrown Jeevan Badwal.
After notching 1g/3a in 25 regular-season appearances in his MLS foray, the Surrey, BC native has featured in 31 minutes across two playoff matches so far.
A versatile midfielder, Badwal could come in to support multiple points of emphasis in the Whitecaps midfield. He'll bring valuable shootout experience if needed on Saturday.
The life of a goalkeeper means staying ready to be thrust into the spotlight on less than a moment’s notice sometimes.
‘Caps keeper Isaac Boehmer can no further than backup goalkeeper John McCarthy’s shootout heroics to lead LAFC to glory in their 2023 MLS Cup run for inspiration if the spotlight is suddenly cast his way.
Staying fresh in MLS NEXT Pro with six starts in 2025, Boehmer helped WFC2 to four wins.
