MLS Next (stylized as MLS NEXT) is a youth soccer league in the United States and Canada that is managed, organized, and controlled by Major League Soccer. It was introduced by the league in 2020.
 | |
| Founded | 2020 |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Other club(s) from | Canada |
| Confederation | CONCACAF |
| Conferences | 8 |
| Number of teams | 677 (143 clubs)[1] |
| Website | MLS Next |
It is a successor to the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. The system covers the under-13, under-14, under-15, under-16, under-17 and under-19 age groups. The league currently includes 677 teams across 143 clubs.[2]
History
editOrganized youth soccer affiliated with Major League Soccer began with various MLS academy teams playing in the Super Y-League at its foundation in 1999. In 2007, the United States Soccer Federation created an elite academy league called the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, which featured academy teams of MLS teams, along with several non-MLS academies across the United States and Canada. The intention of the USSDA was to create a top division of youth soccer in the United States and Canada.
On March 12, 2020, as a precautionary measure against the spread of COVID-19, the U.S. Soccer Development Academy suspended its operations.[3] On April 15, 2020, the league ended operations, citing financial difficulty.[4] The next day, Major League Soccer announced the formation of a “new elite youth competition platform intended to provide year-round high-level matches for MLS club academy teams and non-MLS academy teams that previously participated in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy.”[5] Major League Soccer officially announced MLS Next on September 8, 2020, encompassing 489 teams across 113 clubs and six age groups.[6] On September 11, 2020, the inaugural MLS Next matches were held at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado, between the Colorado Rapids and Real Colorado's respective U-17 and U-19 age groups.[7] The league added 24 new clubs and expanded additional age groups for 16 existing clubs for the 2021–2022 season on June 11, 2021.[8]
In December 2021, Major League Soccer announced MLS Next Pro, a new professional league that will complete an integrated player pathway from MLS Next through to MLS first teams.[9] The league includes 21 teams and will play its initial season in 2022.
MLS NEXT Cup
edit| U-15 | U-16 | U-17 | U-19 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020–21[10] | Real Salt Lake | Weston FC | Orlando City SC | Chicago Fire |
| 2021–22[11] | Inter Miami CF | D.C. United | Philadelphia Union | New England Revolution |
| 2022–23[12] | New York Red Bulls | Atlanta United FC | LA Galaxy | New England Revolution |
| 2023–24[13] | Chicago Fire | FC DELCO | LA Galaxy | Strikers FC |
| Club | U-15 | U-16 | U-17 | U-19 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New England Revolution | 2 (2021–22, 2022–23) | 2 | |||
| Chicago Fire | 1 (2023–24) | 1 (2020–21) | 2 | ||
| LA Galaxy | 2 (2022–23, 2023–24) | 2 | |||
| Real Salt Lake | 1 (2020–21) | 1 | |||
| Weston FC | 1 (2020–21) | 1 | |||
| Orlando City SC | 1 (2020–21) | 1 | |||
| Inter Miami CF | 1 (2021–22) | 1 | |||
| D.C. United | 1 (2021–22) | 1 | |||
| Philadelphia Union | 1 (2021–22) | 1 | |||
| New York Red Bulls | 1 (2022–23) | 1 | |||
| Atlanta United FC | 1 (2022–23) | 1 | |||
| FC Delco | 1 (2023–24) | 1 | |||
| Strikers FC | 1 (2023–24) | 1 |
Clubs
editAs of August 25, 2023
| Club name | Location | Joined |
|---|---|---|
| Achilles FC | Silver Spring, Maryland | |
| AFC Lightning | Peachtree City, Georgia | 2021–22[8] |
| Albion SC Las Vegas | Las Vegas, Nevada | 2021–22[8] |
| Albion SC Merced | Merced, California | 2022–23[14] |
| Albion SC San Diego | San Diego, California | |
| Alexandria SA | Alexandria, Virginia | |
| Athletum FC | Hialeah, Florida | 2023–24[15] |
| Atlanta United FC Academy | Marietta, Georgia | |
| Atletico Santa Rosa | Santa Rosa, California | 2021–22[8] |
| Austin FC Academy | Austin, Texas | |
| Ballistic United | Pleasanton, California | |
| Baltimore Armour | Ellicott City, Maryland | |
| Barca Residency Academy | Casa Grande, Arizona | |
| Bavarian United SC | Glendale, Wisconsin | 2021–22[8] |
| Bayside FC | East Providence, Rhode Island | |
| Beachside of Connecticut | Norwalk, Connecticut | |
| Beadling Soccer Club | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | 2021–22[8] |
| Bethesda Soccer Club | North Potomac, Maryland | |
| Blau Weiss Gottschee | Middle Villages, New York | |
| Breakers FC | Aptos, California | |
| California Odyssey Soccer Club | Clovis, California | 2021–22[8] |
| Capital City Soccer Club | Austin, Texas | 2023–24 |
| Cedar Stars Academy – Bergen | South Hackensack, New Jersey | |
| Cedar Stars Academy – Monmouth | Tinton Falls, New Jersey | |
| CF Montreal | Montreal, Quebec | |
| Chargers SC | Clearwater, Florida | |
| Charlotte FC Academy | Charlotte, North Carolina | |
| Chicago FC United | Glenview, Illinois | |
| Chicago Fire FC | Bridgeview, Illinois | |
| Chula Vista FC | Chula Vista, California | |
| Cincinnati United Premier | Cincinnati, Ohio | |
| City SC | Carlsbad, California | |
| Colorado Rapids Academy | Commerce City, Colorado | |
| Columbus Crew Academy | Columbus, Ohio | |
| D.C. United Academy | Washington, D.C. | |
| De Anza Force | San Jose, California | |
| Diablo Valley Wolves | Concord, California | 2021–22[8] |
| Empire United SC | Rochester, New York | |
| FA Euro New York | Brooklyn, New York | 2022–23[14] |
| FC Bay Area | San Jose, California | |
| FC Boston Bolts | Newton, Massachusetts | |
| FC Cincinnati Academy | Cincinnati, Ohio | |
| FC Dallas Academy | Frisco, Texas | |
| FC Delco | Downingtown, Pennsylvania | |
| FC Golden State Force | Jurupa Valley, California | 2022–23[14] |
| FC Westchester | Scarsdale, New York | |
| Florida Rush SC | Clermont, Florida | |
| Hoover-Vestavia Soccer (HVS) | Birmingham, Alabama | 2021–22[8] |
| Houston Dynamo Academy | Houston, Texas | |
| Houston Rangers | Houston, Texas | |
| IdeaSport Soccer Academy | Kissimmee, Florida | 2021–22[8] |
| Idea Toros Fútbol Academy | Edinburg, Texas | |
| IMG Academy | Bradenton, Florida | |
| Indiana Fire Academy | Carmel, Indiana | |
| Inter Atlanta FC | Atlanta, Georgia | |
| Inter Miami CF Academy | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | |
| IFA of New England | Newton, Massachusetts | 2021–22[8] |
| Internationals | North Royalton, Ohio | |
| Ironbound SC | Newark, New Jersey | 2023–24 |
| Kalonji SA (KSA) | Norcross, Georgia | 2021–22[8] |
| Kings Hammer Soccer Club | Covington, Kentucky | 2021–22[8] |
| Jacksonville FC | Jacksonville, Florida | |
| Javanon FC | Louisville, Kentucky | |
| LA United Futbol Academy | Los Angeles, California | |
| LA Galaxy Academy | Carson, California | |
| LA Surf | La Canada Flintridge, California | |
| Lamorinda FC | Moraga, California | |
| Lanier SC | Atlanta, Georgia | |
| Las Vegas SA | Las Vegas, Nevada | 2021–22[8] |
| Los Angeles Bulls SC | Pacific Palisades, California | 2023–24 |
| Los Angeles FC Academy | Los Angeles, California | |
| Los Angeles Soccer Club | West Covina, California | 2023–24 |
| Lou Fusz Athletic | Earth City, Missouri | 2021–22[8] |
| Louisiana TDP Elite | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | 2021–22[8] |
| Metropolitan Oval | Queens, New York | |
| Miami Rush-Kendall SC | Miami, Florida | |
| Michigan Jaguars | Novi, Michigan | |
| Michigan Wolves | Farmington Hills, Michigan | |
| Midwest United FC | Kentwood, Michigan | |
| Minnesota United FC | Minneapolis, Minnesota | |
| Modesto Ajax United | Modesto, California | 2023–24 |
| Murrieta Soccer Academy | Murrieta, California | |
| Napa United | Napa, California | |
| Nashville SC Academy | Nashville, Tennessee | |
| Nashville United | Brentford, Tennessee | 2023–24 |
| NEFC | Mendon, Massachusetts | |
| New England Revolution Academy | Foxborough, Massachusetts | |
| NYCFC Academy | Orangeburg, New York | |
| New York Red Bulls Academy | Whippany, New Jersey | |
| New York SC | Purchase, New York | |
| Nomads | San Diego, California | |
| Oakwood SC | Glastonbury, Connecticut | |
| Orlando City SC Academy | Orlando, Florida | |
| Orlando City Soccer School South | Kissimmee, Florida | 2021–22[8] |
| Orlando City Soccer School - Seminole | Sanford, Florida | |
| PA Classics | Manheim, Pennsylvania | |
| Philadelphia Union Academy | Wayne, Pennsylvania | |
| Phoenix Rising FC | Phoenix, Arizona | |
| Players Development Academy | Somerset, New Jersey | |
| Portland Timbers Academy | Portland, Oregon | |
| Queen City Mutiny | Charlotte, North Carolina | 2021–22[8] |
| Real Colorado | Centennial, Colorado | |
| Real Jersey FC | Medford, New Jersey | |
| Real Salt Lake Academy | Herriman, Utah | |
| RSL Arizona | Tempe, Arizona | |
| RSL Arizona – Mesa | Mesa, Arizona | 2022–23[14] |
| Sacramento Republic FC | Sacramento, California | |
| Sacramento United | Sacramento, California | 2022–23[14] |
| San Antonio FC | San Antonio, Texas | |
| San Francisco Glens | San Francisco, California | |
| San Francisco Seals | San Francisco, California | 2022–23[14] |
| San Jose Earthquakes Academy | Santa Clara, California | |
| Santa Barbara SC | Santa Barbara, California | |
| SC Del Sol | Phoenix, Arizona | |
| SC Wave | Franklin, Wisconsin | 2021–22[8] |
| Seacoast United | Hampton, New Hampshire | |
| Seattle Sounders FC Academy | Tukwila, Washington | |
| Shattuck-St. Mary's | Faribault, Minnesota | |
| Sheriffs Futbol Club | Hayward, California | |
| Silicon Valley SA | Palo Alto, California | |
| SoCal Reds FC | Irvine, California | 2022–23[14] |
| Sockers FC Chicago | Palatine, Illinois | |
| Solar SC | Trophy Club, Texas | |
| South Florida FA | Boca Raton, Florida | |
| Southern Soccer Academy | Atlanta, Georgia | |
| Sporting Athletic Club | Wilmington, Delaware | 2023–24 |
| Sporting Kansas City Academy | Kansas City, Kansas | |
| Springfield South County Youth Club | Springfield, Virginia | |
| Strikers FC | Irvine, California | 2021–22[8] |
| St. Louis City SC | St. Louis, Missouri | 2021–22[8] |
| St. Louis Scott Gallager | Fenton, Missouri | |
| Tampa Bay United Rowdies | Tampa, Florida | |
| Tormenta FC | Statesboro, Georgia | 2021–22[8] |
| Toronto FC Academy | Toronto, Ontario | |
| Total Futbol Academy | Los Angeles, California | |
| Total Football Club | Katy, Texas | |
| Triangle United Soccer | Chapel Hill, North Carolina | 2022–23[14] |
| TSF Academy | Lincoln Park, New Jersey | |
| Valeo Futbol Club | Newton, Massachusetts | |
| West Virginia Soccer | Shepherdstown, West Virginia | 2023–24 |
| Vancouver Whitecaps FC Academy | Vancouver, British Columbia | |
| VARDAR Soccer Club | Rochester Hills, Michigan | |
| Ventura County Fusion | Ventura County, California | |
| Wake Futbol Club | Holly Springs, North Carolina | 2021–22[8] |
| West Florida Flames | Brandon, Florida (Greater Tampa Bay Area) | |
| Weston FC | Weston, Florida | |
| Woodside Soccer Club Crush | Redwood City, California | 2021–22[8] |
References
edit- ^ "2023-24 MLS NEXT schedule: Key dates to know". Major League Soccer. September 8, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
- ^ "MLS NEXT – Youth Soccer Reimagined". Major League Soccer. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ "U.S. Soccer Development Academy Suspends Official Operations Through End of April and Cancels 2020 Allstate Spring Cup as Precaution Against Spread of Coronavirus". U.S. Soccer Development Academy (Press release). Chicago, IL: United States Soccer Federation. March 12, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ U.S. Soccer Development Academy [@ussoccer_da] (April 15, 2020). "It is with profound disappointment that U.S. Soccer has made the determination to end the operation of the Development Academy, effective immediately" (Tweet). Retrieved February 12, 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Major League Soccer launches new elite competition for youth academies". Major League Soccer. April 16, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ "MLS NEXT elite youth development platform officially unveiled ahead of inaugural season". Major League Soccer. September 8, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ "MLS NEXT kicks off: Watch the inaugural matches between Colorado Rapids and Real Colorado". Major League Soccer. September 11, 2020. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x "MLS NEXT adds 24 new clubs ahead of 2021-2022 season". Major League Soccer. June 11, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
- ^ "MLS NEXT Pro unveils 21 clubs for inaugural season starting March 2022". Major League Soccer. December 6, 2021. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ "Four MLS NEXT Cup Champions crowned at inaugural tournament". Major League Soccer. July 4, 2021. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ "2021-22 MLS NEXT Cup Champions Crowned in Frisco | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
- ^ "MLS NEXT Cup: Atlanta, LA, New England & New York bring home silverware". Major League Soccer. June 25, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
- ^ "MLS NEXT Cup: Chicago Fire U-15, LA Galaxy U-17 win titles". Major League Soccer. June 24, 2024. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "MLS NEXT adds 8 new clubs for 2022-23 season". Major League Soccer. May 2, 2022. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
- ^ https://www.mlssoccer.com/mlsnext/news/mls-next-adds-nine-new-clubs-for-2023-24-season [bare URL]