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MLS Next

MLS Next is a premier youth soccer development platform operated by (MLS) in the United States and , designed to provide elite-level competition, training, and pathways for top young players aged 13 to 19 (U13 through U19). Launched in 2020 as the successor to the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, it emphasizes innovation, accessibility, and holistic player development, including and preparation alongside soccer excellence. The program features a structured competitive calendar with a 10-month pro-style season, including regional league play, national showcase events such as MLS NEXT Fest, the , MLS NEXT Cup playoffs, and the MLS NEXT . For the 2025-26 season, MLS Next includes 273 clubs—comprising all 30 MLS academies and 243 elite academies—fielding 2,189 teams and involving more than 43,000 players across over 28,000 matches. Organized into tiers for enhanced competition, the top Homegrown Division consists of 152 clubs, including all MLS academies and select elite programs, while the new Academy Division expands access to additional high-caliber teams. MLS Next prioritizes talent identification and professional pathways, with events attracting scouts from MLS first teams, national teams, and colleges; numerous participants have advanced to professional contracts or collegiate programs. It also incorporates coaching education, high-performance training, and diversity initiatives to foster representation across . As of 2025, the platform continues to grow, with recent expansions adding new clubs and tiers to deepen the talent pool and elevate youth soccer standards.

Overview

Purpose and Objectives

MLS Next was established in 2020 as the successor to the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, which was discontinued amid the , to address critical gaps in elite youth soccer development by prioritizing player health, safety, and regionalized competition to minimize travel risks. This launch created a structured platform for young athletes aged U13 to U19, ensuring continuity in high-level training and matches during a period of widespread disruption in North American youth sports. The core mission of MLS Next centers on holistic player development, encompassing technical, tactical, physical, and mental growth alongside and life skills to prepare participants for success both on and off the field. As stated in its foundational guidelines, the program aims to deliver "world class training, development, , and opportunities" for elite youth players, fostering well-rounded individuals equipped to navigate challenges. By standardizing standards and formats, MLS Next bridges the gap between and soccer, with a proven track record of increasing participation to over 43,000 players across in the 2025–26 season. Deeply integrated within the ecosystem, MLS Next establishes direct pipelines from youth academies to MLS first teams and the professional league, accelerating talent identification and progression. The program is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, enforcing anti-racist and non-discriminatory policies while expanding opportunities to underrepresented communities through initiatives like scholarships and strategic club additions in underserved regions. These efforts not only standardize elite competition but also promote broader representation in the sport, aligning with MLS's overarching goal of growing soccer's reach and impact.

Structure and Age Groups

MLS Next operates as a boys-only youth soccer development program, targeting players from under-13 (U-13) to under-19 (U-19) age groups, encompassing six distinct cohorts based on birth years: U-13 (born on or after January 1, 2013), U-14 (January 1, 2012), U-15 (January 1, 2011), U-16 (January 1, 2010), U-17 (January 1, 2009), and U-19 (January 1, 2007). This structure ensures age-appropriate competition and progression, with eligibility determined strictly by these cutoffs to maintain fairness across matches and events. The is organized into geographically based conferences to facilitate balanced, travel-efficient , divided into eight regional conferences that account for logistical factors such as and regional density. In the top tier, known as the MLS NEXT Homegrown Division, 152 elite clubs—including all 30 MLS academies and 122 MLS NEXT Elite Academies—field approximately 753 teams across the age groups, providing a high-caliber platform for top talents. For the 2025-26 season, a new tier, the MLS NEXT Academy Division, introduces broader access by featuring approximately 230 clubs (including more than 100 newly admitted clubs) and more than 1,200 teams, expanding the overall to 273 clubs and 2,189 teams serving over 43,000 players nationwide. This tiered system incorporates competitive elements, including standings-based qualification for postseason events, to encourage performance and potential advancement opportunities within higher levels of play. Operational rules standardize participation, with roster sizes capped at a maximum of 28 players per team and a minimum of 14 primary players, while match-day squads are limited to 18-20 players depending on the age group. All matches adhere to Laws of the Game in an 11v11 format, using age-specific field dimensions—such as 64x84 yards for U-13 and up to 70x110 yards for U-15 and older—and ball sizes (size 4 for U-13, size 5 for others). The season follows a fall-to-spring , commencing in and concluding before the MLS NEXT Cup in June, with mandatory full schedules, minimum 18-hour rest between doubleheaders, and regional alignment to minimize travel. Governance falls under Major League Soccer through its subsidiary Player Development (PDev), which enforces rigorous standards to uphold program quality. Clubs must meet technical benchmarks, including coaching licenses—such as USSF A License or equivalent for academy directors and B License for head coaches—along with requirements for assistant staff support. Facilities standards mandate approved field sizes, multiple training sessions per week (at least three for U-13, four for older groups), and the presence of a qualified medical professional at all events to ensure player safety and immediate care. These measures, combined with adherence to SafeSport protocols, create a professional environment focused on holistic player development.

History

Origins and Launch

The suspension of operations for the U.S. Soccer Development Academy began in March 2020 due to the , later formalized on April 15, marked a pivotal shift in soccer . The , established in 2007 to foster elite talent through structured competition, faced insurmountable challenges from the , including widespread suspension of matches, canceled events like the Spring Cup, and severe financial pressures that rendered operations unsustainable. Structural inefficiencies, such as inconsistent standards across clubs and limited integration with professional pathways, had long been criticized, exacerbating the crisis amid the economic fallout. In response, (MLS) swiftly announced the creation of MLS Next on April 16, 2020, as an elite youth competition platform to fill the void and sustain high-level play for academy teams. This initial launch focused on providing year-round matches for both MLS club academies and select non-MLS clubs formerly affiliated with the Development Academy, emphasizing player identification, coaching education, and pathways to professional soccer in preparation for the . The public unveiling occurred on September 8, 2020, led by MLS Commissioner , who highlighted the platform's role in advancing North American talent development through innovative competition structures. The inaugural MLS Next season commenced on September 11, 2020, with the first matches hosted at in , where the ' U-17 and U-19 teams faced Real Colorado. Featuring 113 clubs across six age groups (U-13 to U-19) and 489 teams total, the season prioritized regional play to minimize cross-country travel. MLS Next integrates into MLS's broader youth ecosystem as the premier elite pathway, distinct from community-oriented programs like MLS GO, which targets recreational fundamentals for players aged 4-14 in safe, inclusive environments. Early operations were shaped by pandemic constraints, including rigorous health and safety protocols, phased four-week schedules for flexibility, and reduced long-distance travel to curb virus spread—resulting in additional local fixtures for clubs in underserved areas. Adaptations extended to virtual scouting and training resources, enabling remote player evaluation when in-person events were limited, ensuring continuity in talent identification despite the disruptions.

Expansion and Key Developments

Following its launch in 2020 with 113 clubs, MLS Next expanded significantly in the 2021-22 season by adding 24 new clubs, enhancing its reach across . This growth enhanced participation across the existing U-13 to U-19 age groups, allowing for broader competition opportunities and better alignment with post-high school development pathways. The expansion emphasized academies' , fostering deeper networks and player progression. In 2022, MLS Next further evolved by launching MLS Next Pro, a professional third-division league serving as a direct bridge from youth academies to MLS first teams. Comprising 21 inaugural clubs, primarily MLS affiliates, the league provided a structured environment for top prospects to gain professional experience, with over 200 players transitioning to MLS rosters since its inception. This development strengthened the overall player pathway, integrating youth talent identification more seamlessly with pro-level demands. By the 2023-24 season, membership grew to 143 clubs, including 29 MLS academies and 114 elite academies, reflecting ongoing additions of nine new clubs that year. Enhanced scouting integrations with MLS teams were bolstered through partnerships like ai.io, which introduced AI-driven tools for accessible player assessments starting in late 2023, enabling broader talent discovery without geographic barriers. In December 2024, MLS Next announced a with the Girls Academy, aiming to align standards for co-ed development and integrate select girls' teams into events like the 2025 Cup. This partnership, involving 48 overlapping clubs, focused on shared coaching education, innovation, and showcase opportunities to elevate female player visibility for professional and national team pathways. The most transformative growth occurred in January 2025 with the announcement of a new tier, the MLS Next Academy Division, expanding access for regional operators and more than doubling participation. For the 2025-26 season, total clubs reached 273 across tiers—30 MLS academies and 243 elite academies—with 2,189 teams and over 43,000 players competing in more than 28,000 matches. Additional developments emphasized player welfare and innovation. Rule changes for 2025-26 mandated scholarships (at least one full-cost per club) to reduce financial barriers and required minimum playing time—such as one uninterrupted 25-minute period per in U-13 matches—to promote balanced development and prevent . integrations advanced through an expanded with Kitman Labs, centralizing performance data across MLS Next, , and MLS for real-time tracking of player health, fixtures, and eligibility. International alignments were supported via events like the Cup, which pairs MLS Next teams against global youth sides, enhancing competitive exposure.

Competitions

Regular Season Format

The MLS Next regular season operates from September to May or June each year, spanning approximately nine months of competitive play across its two divisions: the elite MLS Next Homegrown Division and the newly introduced MLS Next Academy Division for the 2025-26 season. Teams compete primarily within geographically based conferences, organized into eight regions such as the East, , Midwest, and West, to minimize travel and foster regional rivalries. Each team plays a full of intra-conference , typically ranging from 20 to 30 games depending on the conference size, age group, and division, with all fixtures counting toward regular season standings. These adhere to standardized rules derived from the IFAB Laws of , including sizes, specifications, and match durations that vary by age group (e.g., 70-minute games for U15-U19). Standings in each conference are determined by a points system where a win earns 3 points, a draw 1 point, and a loss 0 points, with forfeits recorded as a 0-3 defeat. In the event of ties, a multi-step tiebreaker process applies: first head-to-head results, followed by total wins, goal differential per match, goals for per match, away goal differential, away goals for, home goal differential, home goals for, fewest disciplinary points ( = 1 point, = 3 points, ejection = 5 points), and finally a coin toss or drawing of lots for unresolved cases involving multiple teams. Official standings are maintained and published on the MLS Next website, providing real-time updates to track performance throughout the season. Top-performing teams from each conference qualify for inter-conference advancement opportunities, such as regional tournaments that feed into national playoffs. Club membership in the higher Homegrown Division is maintained for elite, MLS-affiliated academies, while the Academy Division introduces a pathway for upward mobility, allowing promising non-MLS clubs to earn promotion through annual performance evaluations conducted by MLS Next Player Development (PDev). Relegation may occur for clubs failing to meet competitive, technical, or administrative standards, ensuring the program's focus on high-level development. and evaluation are integral, with mandatory observations by MLS club staff at regular season matches and integrated player identification (ID) events, where scouts assess technical skills, tactical awareness, and physical attributes to identify talent for professional pathways. These evaluations extend to U13 and U14 age groups, facilitating early integration into elite environments.

MLS Next Cup

The MLS Next Cup serves as the premier national playoff tournament, crowning age-group champions at the conclusion of the regular season and providing a high-stakes culmination for elite youth development in . As a single-elimination competition, it features top-performing teams from each age group competing over a week-long event in a central venue, emphasizing competitive excellence and player evaluation. The tournament format involves 32 qualified teams per age group for U15 through U19, drawn from regular season standings, with matches progressing through knockout rounds to determine a champion in each division. For the edition, U13 and U14 groups were introduced with 24-team brackets each, using a 60-minute match format that advances directly to penalties if tied, marking an expansion to younger players while maintaining the core single-elimination structure for older groups. The event is held annually in late to early at a centralized location, such as the Richard Siegel Soccer Complex in , for 2025 (June 14-22), allowing for concentrated scheduling and broad accessibility. Earlier editions, like the 2024 tournament at in , highlighted the format's intensity with finals across all groups on a single "Championship Sunday." Launched in 2021 as the inaugural postseason event, the MLS Next Cup debuted in the area with 128 teams total (32 per U15-U19 age group), establishing immediate benchmarks for youth competition. That year, champions included (U15), (U16), Orlando City SC Academy (U17), and (U19), each earning national titles through knockout victories. The tournament has since grown in scope, with the 2023 season reflecting broader league expansion that intensified pathways, followed by the 2025 addition of U13-U14 divisions to integrate emerging talent tiers. Recent winners underscore its competitive evolution, such as (U15) and (U17) in 2024, and (U15), (U16), (U17), (U19), and TSF Academy Premier (U13) in 2025. Champions and standout players gain significant national recognition, including priority access to MLS scouting networks, youth national team considerations, and college recruitment opportunities, as the event attracts hundreds of professional evaluators. Winners receive official MLS Next Cup trophies, with individual honors like Golden Ball, Golden Boot, and Best Goalkeeper awarded per age group to highlight top performers. The tournament integrates deeply with MLS ecosystems through live streaming of key matches—such as 19 games on the MLS YouTube channel in 2025—and highlights that amplify visibility for participants across MLS platforms. This exposure has historically propelled alumni toward professional pathways, reinforcing the Cup's role as a pivotal development milestone.

Showcase Events and Tournaments

MLS Next organizes several showcase events and tournaments to provide elite youth players with high-visibility opportunities for talent identification and exposure, complementing the regular season and cup competitions. These events emphasize by MLS clubs, recruiters, and international scouts, fostering global against top academies worldwide. Qualification for many of these showcases often stems from strong performances in league play, ensuring only the most promising teams participate. The flagship domestic showcase is MLS Next Fest, an annual winter event held in December that gathers top teams from across the MLS Next for intensive . For the 2025-26 season, MLS Next Fest is scheduled from December 4-15 at the Arizona Athletic Grounds and Reach 11 in , expanding to become North America's largest youth soccer scouting and recruiting event with more than 1,000 competing across multiple age groups, including U15, U16, U17, and U19. Featuring over 40 elite clubs in the premier divisions, the includes dozens of games per , designed specifically to maximize exposure for standout prospects to professional and collegiate evaluators. This format allows scouts to observe players in high-stakes environments, contributing to talent identification and development pathways. On the international front, the Generation adidas Cup serves as MLS Next's premier global tournament, pitting domestic academies against elite youth sides from around the world. The 2025 edition, held from April 12-20 at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, featured 80 teams evenly divided between U16 and U18 age groups, representing 14 countries across four continents, including top clubs from Europe, South America, and beyond alongside MLS academies and four MLS Next Elite Academies. The 2025 edition also featured an inaugural girls division, integrating select teams from the Girls Academy league as part of a new strategic alliance to promote elite female youth development. This event provides crucial benchmarking opportunities, allowing American players to compete against international peers and gain visibility for potential pro contracts or international youth national team call-ups. Outcomes from the tournament include individual player awards, such as selections to the Rising XI all-tournament team, which has historically led to college commitments and signings with MLS first teams for participants. Beyond these major showcases, MLS Next incorporates regional ID camps, international friendlies, and emerging initiatives to enhance player exposure and match volume. Regional Talent ID camps, such as those hosted by expansion club Futbol Academy starting January 6, , across the state, scout promising local talent for potential integration into the MLS Next system. International friendlies are scheduled as part of the overall programming to provide competition, while initiatives include the launch of a new Academy Division tier in September, featuring regional tournaments that serve as qualifiers and increase annual match opportunities for U13 to U19 players through structured pilots aimed at elevating competition levels. These supplementary events underscore MLS Next's schedule, which sets records for event scale and elite prospect participation, ultimately driving outcomes like player awards, accelerated development, and transitions to higher professional levels.

Participating Clubs

Current Member Clubs

As of the 2025-26 season, MLS Next's elite tier, known as the Homegrown Division, comprises 152 clubs across the and , including all 30 MLS academies and 122 independent elite academies. These clubs field teams in age groups from U13 to U19, focusing on high-level and player development. Affiliated clubs are directly tied to MLS first teams, such as the Academy, Academy, and Chicago Fire Academy, which integrate seamlessly with professional pathways. Independent members, like TSF Academy and , operate autonomously but adhere to the same rigorous standards. Clubs are organized into Eastern and Western conferences for regular season play, with the Eastern Conference featuring approximately 80 clubs, including prominent examples like the and Philadelphia Union Academy. The Western Conference includes around 72 clubs, such as the San Jose Earthquakes Academy and Portland Timbers Academy. This regional structure facilitates balanced scheduling and regional rivalries while ensuring national showcase opportunities. Membership in the Homegrown Division requires clubs to meet stringent criteria outlined in the MLS Next Rules and Regulations. Facilities must include soccer fields meeting minimum dimensions—70x110 yards for U15 and older, 64x100 yards for U14, and 65x84 yards for U13—along with separate locker rooms, gender-specific changing areas, and compliance with safety inspections. Coaching staff must undergo background checks, SafeSport training, CDC concussion protocols, and annual equity and inclusion education, with a $60 registration fee per coach. Clubs also pay a $5,000 performance bond upon joining and commit to providing at least one full scholarship per season to support accessibility. For the 2025-26 season, seven new clubs joined the top tier, expanding opportunities in underserved regions: , , , , The Football Academy of Stamford, Tulsa Greenwood SC, , and (with partial age groups for the latter two). This addition builds on the program's growth, enhancing geographic diversity and competitive depth without altering the core elite focus.

Expansion and Tier Structure

MLS Next launched in September 2020 with 113 founding member clubs, encompassing all 24 MLS academies at the time along with 89 elite youth academies across the and . This initial cohort represented a significant consolidation of top youth soccer talent, focusing on U-13 to U-19 age groups and providing a structured platform for elite development. The program experienced steady growth through targeted expansions in subsequent seasons. In June 2021, MLS Next added 24 new clubs for the 2021-22 season, increasing the total to 137 members and broadening geographic reach while enhancing competitive depth. Further additions included eight clubs in May 2022 for the 2022-23 season, nine in March 2023 for 2023-24, and nine more in April 2024 for 2024-25, resulting in 151 clubs in the elite tier by the 2024-25 season. These waves prioritized academies with strong player development infrastructures, ensuring alignment with 's standards for coaching, facilities, and holistic player support. In February 2025, MLS Next announced seven additional clubs joining the elite tier for the 2025-26 season, bringing the top tier to 152 members and emphasizing continued elevation of competition quality. Concurrently, the program introduced a new lower competition tier, the MLS NEXT Academy Division, launching in fall 2025 to accommodate broader participation. This tier debuted with over 220 clubs, such as Ginga FC and New England Surf SC, organized into regional divisions to minimize travel and foster local rivalries. It features more than 1,200 teams competing in U-13 and older age groups, expanding access to MLS Next's national events like showcases and the MLS NEXT Cup while prioritizing player welfare. The two-tier structure delineates clear roles: the MLS NEXT Homegrown Division serves as the premier level for the highest-caliber competition, reserved for top-performing academies that meet rigorous entry criteria. In contrast, the Academy Division focuses on developmental opportunities, offering structured , professional coaching resources, and pathways for promotion to the Homegrown Division based on performance evaluations and program adherence. This model aims to create a sustainable pyramid, bridging grassroots talent to elite levels without diluting the top tier's intensity. Departures from MLS Next have been rare prior to 2025, typically stemming from financial challenges, performance shortfalls, or operational restructuring rather than widespread attrition. The program's emphasis on long-term stability has minimized turnover, with growth consistently outpacing exits. Looking ahead, MLS Next plans further expansion, with applications for the 2026-27 season opening in October 2025 to potentially exceed 300 total clubs across both tiers by integrating additional high-potential academies. This trajectory supports the program's goal of encompassing a larger share of North American youth soccer talent while maintaining developmental rigor.

Player Development

Pathways to Professional Levels

MLS Next offers structured pathways for players to transition to professional soccer, primarily through direct signings to (MLS) teams via the league's Homegrown Player Rule. This rule enables MLS clubs to sign academy players from their youth development systems, including those as young as U-15, directly to first-team contracts without entering the , provided the players meet residency and training requirements within the club's territory. Clubs can establish Homegrown Exclusivity over up to 45 registered academy players across U-15, U-17, and U-19 age groups, facilitating seamless integration into professional rosters. This pathway underscores its role in talent retention and development. A key bridge in this progression is , launched in March 2022 as a professional reserve league targeting players aged 18 to 23, including recent MLS Next graduates and college returnees. Operating with 29 teams in 2025—27 affiliated with MLS clubs and two independent—it serves as an intermediate step, allowing players to gain competitive experience while remaining eligible for first-team promotion. By October 2025, had produced exactly 200 first-team MLS signings, with 55% originating from academy products and players representing 32 countries, highlighting its global reach and effectiveness in preparing talent for elite competition. Beyond direct professional routes, MLS Next supports transitions to through enhanced visibility at showcase events and adherence to NCAA eligibility standards, enabling players to pursue while developing athletically. Partnerships and international exposure opportunities, such as trials with clubs, further diversify pathways, with MLS Next alumni frequently earning call-ups to national teams across , , , and . Success metrics demonstrate the program's impact: numerous MLS Next alumni have appeared in MLS regular-season matches, while the 2025 featured numerous selections from MLS Next backgrounds, including first-round picks from affiliated academies. To holistically support player development, MLS Next incorporates resources addressing , , and long-term planning. A new initiative launched for the 2025-26 season requires each club to provide at least one full participation fee waiver annually, promoting and educational balance. is prioritized through the MLS Next Safety and Wellbeing Policy, which includes guidelines for under-18 on behavioral health, management, and prevention. Additionally, the program emphasizes preparation for life beyond soccer via integrated mandates and access to advising, ensuring players are equipped for post-athletic transitions.

Notable Alumni and Impact

MLS Next has produced numerous prominent alumni who have transitioned to professional levels, both domestically and internationally. , who developed through the academy within MLS Next, became the club's youngest Homegrown Player signee at age 15 in 2019 and made his MLS debut shortly thereafter, later transferring to Liga MX's Chivas in 2024. , a product of the Sounders academy in MLS Next, progressed to with before earning a spot on the Sounders' first team in 2023; by 2025, he topped MLS's 22 Under 22 list and was a finalist for Young Player of the Year, attracting interest from European clubs. In the 2025 , several picks originated from MLS Next-affiliated pathways, including forward Manu Duah (selected first overall by after youth development in the system) and Jason Bucknor (picked by ), highlighting the league's direct pipeline to professional rosters. The program's impact extends to enhancing and talent depth in MLS and U.S. Soccer, with over 43,000 players participating annually across more than 2,000 teams in the 2025-26 season, fostering widespread access to elite development. Notably, 93% of players on U.S. youth national teams in 2025 hail from MLS Next, significantly boosting prospects for the senior national team and contributing to a more representative player pool that includes increased participation from underrepresented regions and demographics. This has resulted in over 100 MLS Next alumni appearing in MLS regular-season matches during the 2025 season alone, underscoring the league's role in populating professional squads. Beyond individual success, MLS Next has elevated youth coaching standards through initiatives like mandatory playing time rules for younger age groups (e.g., three 25-minute periods for U13 with full participation required) and expanded talent identification events, ensuring more consistent, development-focused training across its network. has grown via scholarships enabling hundreds of players free access to programming, while the program's to 273 clubs has deepened local involvement and rivalries with leagues like ECNL, where debates often center on comparative coaching quality and competitive balance in regional markets. Criticisms of MLS Next include ongoing debates over birth-year versus school-year age grouping, with 2025 discussions prompting reconsideration for the 2025-26 season to better align with educational calendars and reduce competitive imbalances, as evidenced by joint statements from U.S. Soccer governing bodies. Access barriers, such as high travel costs for non-MLS academy participants, have been addressed through tiered expansions and the new MLS Next 2 level, allowing more clubs to join without full elite commitments, thereby broadening participation beyond traditional powerhouses. Looking ahead, MLS Next's talent pipeline positions it as a cornerstone for U.S. preparations for the , supplying the majority of youth national team players and integrating advanced and tactical training to ready prospects for international competition.

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