MLS NEXT vs ECNL: What New England Parents Need to Know (2026)

TL;DR: MLS NEXT and ECNL are the two top-tier youth soccer leagues available in New England. MLS NEXT is the boys' professional pathway, run by Major League Soccer, and now has two divisions: the Homegrown Division (11 NE clubs) and the newer Academy Division (9 NE clubs). ECNL is the top pathway for both boys and girls, with 9 NE clubs, and has the strongest college recruiting infrastructure in youth soccer. The biggest news for 2025-26: MLS NEXT has expanded significantly in New England, MLS-affiliated academies like the New England Revolution are completely free to play, and every MLS NEXT club is now required to offer at least one scholarship per season.

Are you a club director? If your club plays in MLS NEXT, ECNL, or any other league, make sure parents can find you. Claim your free ClubScout profile to verify your information, update costs, and respond to parent reviews.

Why These Two Leagues Keep Coming Up

Every tryout season, parents across New England run into the same conversation. Someone at the sideline mentions that their kid is "playing MLS NEXT now" or "got into ECNL" and suddenly you're wondering whether your child is missing out on something.

Here's what we've learned from tracking 290+ clubs across New England: the league your club plays in tells you more about the level of competition than anything on the club's website. A club can call itself "premier" all day long. The league affiliation is the part that's actually verifiable.

MLS NEXT and ECNL sit at the top of the competitive pyramid. They are not the same thing, they are not interchangeable, and understanding the differences between them will save you from making a $6,000-per-year mistake. Below them sit strong leagues like EDP, NEP, and NECSL that serve the vast majority of competitive players in the region. But if your child has the talent and your family has the bandwidth, the MLS NEXT vs. ECNL question is worth your time.

That's what this guide is for.

MLS NEXT vs ECNL: Quick Comparison

What Is MLS NEXT?

MLS NEXT is the youth development platform operated by Major League Soccer. It replaced the old U.S. Soccer Development Academy (DA) in 2020 after the DA folded during the pandemic. If you've heard older parents reference "the Academy," this is the successor.

For 2025-26, MLS NEXT has changed significantly. The league now operates two distinct divisions, and understanding the difference matters because the cost, the commitment level, and even the high school soccer rules are not the same.

Two Divisions: Homegrown and Academy

Homegrown Division is the top tier. Nationally, it includes about 152 clubs. These are the clubs that compete for the MLS NEXT Cup and represent the highest level of boys' youth competition in the country. In New England, there are 11 Homegrown Division clubs, including the New England Revolution's MLS Academy.

Academy Division is new for 2025-26. It includes 230+ clubs nationally and is designed to broaden access to the MLS NEXT platform. Think of it as an on-ramp: high-level competition within the MLS NEXT ecosystem, but with more flexibility. The biggest practical difference for families? Academy Division players CAN play high school soccer. Homegrown Division players typically cannot.

This is not "really good travel soccer." MLS NEXT is a fundamentally different commitment, particularly at the Homegrown level. Year-round training, national-level competition, and an expectation that soccer comes first. For the right player and family, it's an extraordinary development environment. For a family that isn't ready for that level of demand, it can be overwhelming.

MLS NEXT Homegrown Division Clubs in New England (11)

MLS NEXT Academy Division Clubs in New England (9)

That's 16 unique clubs across both divisions. Four clubs (Boston Bolts, NEFC, IFA, and Beachside) operate in both divisions, typically fielding Homegrown teams at older age groups and Academy Division teams at younger ones. Compare that to the 5 MLS NEXT clubs in New England just two years ago. The expansion has been rapid.

Key Facts

• Founded: 2020 (replacing U.S. Soccer Development Academy)
• Operated by: Major League Soccer
• Gender: Boys only
• Age groups: U13-U19 (some clubs offer younger age groups)
• Season: Year-round
• Divisions: Homegrown Division (top tier) and Academy Division (second tier)

The Cost Story Has Changed

This is the most important update for 2025-26, and it's good news.

MLS-affiliated academies are free. The New England Revolution Academy charges zero tuition. This is not a discount or a scholarship. It is an MLS mandate: MLS club academies do not charge families to play. The player covers personal gear (cleats, shin guards), but training, uniforms, and travel to league events are covered by the club. If your son makes the Revolution Academy roster, the cost barrier is gone.

Independent MLS NEXT clubs still charge fees. Clubs like Boston Bolts, Valeo FC, NEFC, and the others are not funded by an MLS team. They charge families, typically in the $3,000-$7,000/year range for registration. Add travel, gear, and showcase costs and you're looking at $5,000-$10,000+ total.

New scholarship mandate. Starting in 2025-26, MLS NEXT requires every member club to provide at least one fully funded scholarship opportunity per season. This is a league-wide rule, not optional. If cost is a barrier, ask the club about their scholarship directly.

The industry is moving toward more free and subsidized models. It's not just the Revolution. San Diego FC, DC United, Carolina Core, and NY Red Bulls have all expanded their free academy offerings. The pay-to-play model isn't dead, but the cracks are showing. If your son has the talent, there are more pathways to playing at the top level without a five-figure annual bill than at any point in U.S. youth soccer history.

Strengths

• Highest level of boys' competition available in the U.S. If your son has professional aspirations, this is the pathway that feeds directly into MLS academies.
• National-level competition from U13 up. Players are tested against the best in the country, not just the region.
• Coaching is typically full-time and professionally trained. MLS NEXT clubs are required to meet staffing and development standards.
• Free pathway exists. The New England Revolution Academy eliminates the cost barrier entirely for players who make the roster.
• Dramatically expanded NE presence. 16 clubs across two divisions means more families can access MLS NEXT than ever before.
• Scholarship requirement. Every club must offer at least one scholarship per season, expanding access beyond the MLS academies.
• Academy Division allows high school soccer. For families who don't want to give up high school play, the Academy Division provides a top-tier option without that tradeoff.

Limitations

• Boys only. If you have a daughter, MLS NEXT is not an option. Look at ECNL or Girls Academy.
• Homegrown Division typically prohibits high school soccer. For many families, this is a dealbreaker. The Academy Division does allow it, but if your son is at the Homegrown level, expect soccer to be the primary commitment.
• Year-round commitment with limited flexibility. Multi-sport athletes will face conflicts at the Homegrown level. Most programs expect soccer to be the primary (often only) sport.
• Expensive at independent clubs. The free MLS academy pathway is elite and selective. Most families will be at an independent club paying $5,000-$10,000+ per year.
• Geographic concentration. Most clubs are in the Boston metro and Connecticut corridor. If you're in Vermont, Maine, or northern New Hampshire, the commute may rule it out. Rhode Island now has one Academy Division option (Rhode Island Surf).

What Is ECNL?

ECNL stands for Elite Clubs National League. It was founded in 2009 as a girls-only league and has since expanded to include a boys' division (ECNL Boys launched in 2017). In New England, ECNL has 9 member clubs and offers competition for both boys and girls, which makes it unique among the top-tier options.

ECNL operates as a club-based model. Member clubs apply and are selected based on coaching quality, player development track record, and organizational standards. The league runs national showcases that are among the most heavily attended college recruiting events in the country. For families where college soccer is the goal (not professional), ECNL arguably offers the strongest pathway in American youth soccer.

The commitment level is high but generally a step below MLS NEXT in terms of rigidity. Some ECNL clubs accommodate multi-sport athletes, particularly at younger ages. That flexibility varies by club, so ask directly. And unlike MLS NEXT, ECNL players can generally play high school soccer.

ECNL Clubs in New England (9)

Key Facts

• Founded: 2009 (girls), 2017 (boys)
• Operated by: ECNL (independent organization)
• Gender: Boys and girls
• Age groups: U13-U19 (ECNL Regional League offers younger and developmental tiers)
• Season: Year-round
• Cost range in NE: $5,000-$9,000 per year

Strengths

• Both boys and girls. If you have a son and a daughter, they could potentially play at the same club in the same national league. That's a real logistical advantage.
• College exposure is the best in youth soccer. ECNL national showcases (like the ECNL National Playoffs and Champions League) draw hundreds of college coaches. For players targeting college soccer, this is the most efficient exposure pathway.
• Strong organizational standards for member clubs. ECNL vets its member clubs, which provides some quality assurance around coaching and development.
• ECNL Regional League offers a step-down tier. If your child isn't ready for the national level, some clubs offer ECNL-RL teams that compete regionally with a path to move up.
• High school soccer is generally allowed. Most ECNL clubs don't restrict their players from playing high school soccer, though this varies.
• Longest track record. ECNL has been running since 2009 for girls. College coaches know the league, know the events, and prioritize ECNL players in their recruiting.

Limitations

• Only 9 clubs in New England. All in Massachusetts and Connecticut. If you're in Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Maine, there isn't an ECNL club within reasonable driving distance.
• Expensive. The $5,000-$9,000 range is a significant family commitment, with no free-to-play option like MLS academies offer.
• Year-round, with national travel. Showcases and playoffs can be anywhere in the country. Budget for flights and hotels on top of regular-season travel.
• Not all ECNL clubs are equal. The ECNL badge means the club met organizational standards. It does not guarantee your child's specific coach is excellent. You still need to watch practices and ask questions.
• No direct professional pathway. Unlike MLS NEXT, ECNL does not have a structural connection to professional clubs. Many ECNL players go pro, but the pipeline is less direct.
• Fewer NE clubs than MLS NEXT. With MLS NEXT's expansion to 20 clubs across two divisions, ECNL's 9 NE clubs feel limited by comparison.

What About Girls Academy?

Girls Academy (GA) is a national league for girls that launched in 2020 when the U.S. Soccer Development Academy dissolved. It positions itself as a top-tier girls' pathway alongside ECNL.

In New England, Girls Academy has 2 member clubs:

Both are in New Hampshire, which means Girls Academy is effectively only accessible to families in southern New Hampshire and northeastern Massachusetts. If your daughter is at the ECNL level and you're in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, or Maine, ECNL is the realistic top-tier option.

What About EDP?

You may have seen EDP (Eastern Development Program) mentioned alongside MLS NEXT and ECNL. EDP is a strong competitive league, but it is not in the same tier as MLS NEXT or ECNL. It sits a level below, closer to NECSL and NEP in terms of competition and exposure.

EDP has 3 clubs in New England: Williams Soccer Academy (Hartford, CT), BEST FC Soccer Club (Northborough, MA), and Higher Level Select Soccer Academy (East Greenwich, RI). It's a solid option for families who want more competitive play than NECSL without the cost and travel of a national league. The costs are lower ($3,500-$6,500/year), the travel stays mostly regional, and there's more room for multi-sport athletes. But for the purposes of this guide, we're comparing the two leagues at the top of the pyramid: MLS NEXT and ECNL.

Head-to-Head: MLS NEXT vs ECNL

Cost: What You'll Actually Pay

This is where the comparison has gotten more interesting for 2025-26, because MLS NEXT now spans a huge cost range.

The headline: If your son makes the Revolution Academy, this is not even close. Free beats $6,000+. But that roster is small and extremely selective. For most families, the real comparison is between an independent MLS NEXT club at $5,000-$10,000+ and an ECNL club at $6,000-$11,000+, which puts them in roughly the same range.

The MLS NEXT Academy Division can be slightly cheaper because there's less national travel than the Homegrown Division. Expect $4,000-$8,000 total for Academy Division clubs.

ECNL has no free option. There are no ECNL equivalents to the MLS academy model. Some clubs offer financial aid, but it's club-by-club and not mandated by the league.

The scholarship factor. MLS NEXT's new requirement that every club offer at least one fully funded scholarship is meaningful. ECNL does not have a league-wide scholarship mandate.

None of these costs include private training, speed/agility work, or summer camps that many families at this level also invest in. Budget conservatively.

Time Commitment: Practices, Games, and Your Calendar

MLS NEXT Homegrown expects soccer to be your child's primary sport. At most Homegrown Division clubs, missing practice for basketball season or ski racing isn't well-received. The high school soccer restriction is part of this. If your kid plays multiple sports or wants to play for their high school team, have an honest conversation with the coach before committing.

MLS NEXT Academy Division is more flexible. The ability to play high school soccer is the biggest practical difference from the Homegrown Division. The time commitment is still significant, but there's more room for the rest of your child's life.

ECNL varies by club. Some ECNL clubs are flexible about multi-sport athletes at younger ages. Others expect full commitment. This is a question to ask directly during your club evaluation, because the answer differs from club to club.

Travel: How Far and How Often

Geography matters enormously in New England. We're a region of small states with variable club density, and your child's league determines how much of your life is spent on I-95.

MLS NEXT (Homegrown): Regular-season games against clubs from across the Northeast, with some games against Mid-Atlantic and New York-area teams. National showcases and MLS NEXT Cup can be anywhere in the country. Budget for 3-5 weekends of flights-and-hotels travel per year, on top of regular driving. If you're at a club in New Hampshire, even your "regional" games could mean 90-minute drives to Connecticut or the Boston metro area.

MLS NEXT (Academy Division): The travel is generally less demanding than Homegrown. More regional in nature, fewer national events. But it depends on the competition bracket your club falls into.

ECNL: Similar to MLS NEXT Homegrown for regular season, with games against Northeast-region ECNL clubs. National showcases (2-3 per year) require travel to places like San Diego, Florida, or the Midwest. The regular-season travel radius is typically 1-3 hours by car.

The geography test: Map the drive from your house to the nearest club in each league. Do it at 5:30 PM on a weekday, because that's when you'll be making it. If the closest club is 50 minutes away, that means 100 minutes of driving 4-5 days a week before you even get to weekend games. That's 8+ hours a week in the car. Only you know if your family can sustain that.

The good news with MLS NEXT's expansion: With 16 clubs across two divisions now in New England (compared to 5 two years ago), the odds of having an MLS NEXT club within reasonable driving distance have improved significantly. Rhode Island families now have an Academy Division option in Providence. Connecticut has 4 clubs. Massachusetts has 9.

Coaching Quality: What Your Child Actually Gets

Here's the part where we have to be honest: the league badge does not coach your child. The person on the field does.

MLS NEXT generally has the most professionalized coaching staffs. Many coaches are full-time, hold USSF B or A licenses (or UEFA equivalents), and have professional playing or coaching backgrounds. MLS NEXT sets coaching standards for member clubs. At MLS-affiliated academies like the Revolution, the coaching staff is paid by the MLS club and often includes former professionals.

ECNL also requires strong coaching credentials from its member clubs. You'll find a mix of full-time and high-level part-time coaches, most with USSF C licenses or higher. ECNL's club-selection process includes evaluation of coaching quality.

But here's what we've seen across both leagues: A USSF C-licensed coach who connects with kids and runs well-organized, challenging sessions is more valuable than a B-licensed coach who can't communicate with 12-year-olds. The license tells you about education, not effectiveness. Watch the practice. That's the real evaluation.

College Exposure and Development Pathway

This is where parents' eyes tend to light up, so let's be realistic.

ECNL has the strongest college exposure pathway. ECNL national showcases draw hundreds of college coaches from Division I, II, and III programs. The ECNL Conference events and National Playoffs are among the most efficient places for a U15-U18 player to be seen by college recruiters. If college soccer is the primary goal, ECNL is built for this. It has been doing it since 2009, and college coaches know the league, know the events, and trust the platform.

MLS NEXT is built for the professional pathway. College exposure exists within MLS NEXT (MLS NEXT Cup and other showcase events attract college coaches), but the system is designed to funnel top talent toward MLS academies and professional contracts. Many MLS NEXT players do go on to play college soccer, but the league's infrastructure prioritizes the pro track. If your child realistically has professional-level talent, MLS NEXT is the clearest route.

For boys, the college exposure gap is narrower than you'd think. ECNL Boys events are well-attended by college coaches, and MLS NEXT events draw them too. The difference is more pronounced for girls, where ECNL is the clear leader because MLS NEXT doesn't have a girls' pathway.

A reality check for both leagues: The vast majority of youth soccer players, even at these competitive levels, will not play Division I college soccer on a full athletic scholarship. D1 women's soccer programs average 14 scholarships split across a roster of 25+. D1 men's programs average fewer than 10. Playing in MLS NEXT or ECNL is valuable for development regardless of the college outcome, but if college scholarship money is the only reason you're investing $5,000-$10,000+ per year, adjust your expectations.

Gender: A Key Differentiator

This is straightforward but critical, because it immediately eliminates options for many families.

If you have a daughter, MLS NEXT is off the table. Your top-tier options are ECNL (9 NE clubs) or Girls Academy (2 NE clubs, both in New Hampshire).

If you have a son, both MLS NEXT and ECNL are available.

If you have both a son and a daughter, ECNL is the only top-tier league where both could potentially play at the same club. That's a real quality-of-life consideration when you're managing two competitive soccer schedules.

The High School Soccer Question

This is a bigger deal than a lot of league comparison articles acknowledge. For many New England families, playing for the high school team matters. It's part of the school community, it's what their friends are doing, and it's a formative experience.

MLS NEXT Homegrown Division: Most clubs expect players not to play high school soccer. The training schedule conflicts with the high school season, and the league's philosophy is that the club environment provides better development.

MLS NEXT Academy Division: Players CAN play high school soccer. This is one of the key differences between the two MLS NEXT divisions and a major reason the Academy Division exists.

ECNL: Generally allows high school soccer participation, though individual clubs may have their own policies. Ask directly.

If playing for the high school team is important to your family, this narrows your MLS NEXT options to the Academy Division, or pushes you toward ECNL. It's not a trivial consideration for most 15- and 16-year-olds.

Bottom Line: Which League Should You Choose?

Choose MLS NEXT Homegrown Division if:

• Your son has realistic professional aspirations and the talent to back them up
• Your family can commit to year-round, soccer-first scheduling with 12-15+ hours per week
• High school soccer is something your family is willing to give up
• You live within reasonable driving distance of one of the 11 Homegrown Division clubs
• You're comfortable spending $5,000-$10,000+ per year (or your son has a shot at the Revolution Academy, which is free)
• Your child thrives in high-pressure, high-stakes training environments
• Multi-sport participation is not a priority

Choose MLS NEXT Academy Division if:

• Your son wants high-level competition within the MLS NEXT ecosystem but also wants to play high school soccer
• You want a competitive tier above NECSL/EDP without the full Homegrown Division commitment
• Your family is looking at the newer NE clubs (Connecticut Rush, Rhode Island Surf, New England Surf, NEFC South, Seacoast United MA)
• Budget is a factor and you want strong development in the $4,000-$8,000 range
• Your son is younger and you want him in the MLS NEXT system with room to grow into the Homegrown Division

Choose ECNL if:

• College soccer is a primary goal and exposure to college coaches matters
• You want top-tier competition for a boy or a girl
• You want a pathway that balances high-level play with more flexibility than MLS NEXT Homegrown
• Playing high school soccer matters to your family
• You live near one of the 9 NE clubs (Milford CT, North Branford CT, Bridgeport CT, Farmington CT, Norwalk CT, Acton MA, Boston MA, Hingham MA, or Wrentham MA)
• Your budget can handle $6,000-$11,000+ per year including national showcase travel
• Having both a son and daughter in the same league structure appeals to your family
• You value ECNL's longer track record and established relationships with college programs

Consider EDP, NECSL, or Another League if:

• None of the clubs above are within a reasonable driving distance
• Your child is U8-U11 and still developing a love for the game
• Your family budget is $1,500-$5,000 per year for soccer
• You want competitive play without year-round commitment
• Your child plays two or three other sports and you need a league that works around that
• You're looking for the best coaching-to-cost ratio in your immediate area

There are 77 NECSL clubs and 3 EDP clubs across New England. For most families, the right club with good coaching in one of these leagues is a better fit than an MLS NEXT or ECNL club that's 45 minutes away with costs that strain the family budget. Don't let the league name make you feel like your kid is missing out. A well-coached competitive team develops players. Period.

Where NECSL Fits: The League Most Families Actually Play In

We've spent this entire article comparing MLS NEXT and ECNL, and that's useful if your family is considering one of those clubs. But we'd be doing a disservice if we didn't say this clearly: NECSL is the league most competitive-level families in New England end up in, and that's completely fine.

NECSL (New England Club Soccer League) has 77 clubs in our directory. It's the backbone of competitive youth soccer in the region. The travel is manageable (mostly within your state or neighboring states), the costs are lower ($1,500-$4,000/year), and the coaching quality at many NECSL clubs is genuinely strong.

The biggest mistake we see parents make is treating NECSL as "the league you play in if you can't make MLS NEXT or ECNL." That framing is wrong. NECSL is where most competitive development happens. It's where most kids who eventually move up to ECNL or MLS NEXT start. And it's where most kids who play competitive soccer have an outstanding experience without the burnout, the budget strain, or the 90-minute drives.

If your child is U8-U11, start at a good NECSL club. Seriously. The league quality at younger ages is more than sufficient for development, and the lower time and cost commitment gives your family room to breathe. If your child outgrows it at U13 or U14, you'll know, and you can make the jump then.

If your child is U12+ and playing at a strong NECSL club, the question of whether to move to ECNL or MLS NEXT comes down to three things: Does your child want more competition? Is there a club in one of those leagues within a reasonable drive? And can your family absorb the additional cost and time? If the answer to all three is yes, it's worth exploring. If any one of them is no, staying at a well-coached NECSL club is the right call.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my child switch from one league to another? Yes, but there are rules. Each league has transfer windows, typically aligned with the summer tryout period. Some leagues require a release from the current club. The process is usually straightforward if you're changing clubs during the normal tryout season. Mid-season transfers are harder and sometimes restricted. Check with both the current and prospective club about transfer policies before committing.

Is MLS NEXT or ECNL "better" for getting a college scholarship? ECNL has the edge for college exposure because its showcase events draw the highest concentration of college coaches. MLS NEXT is more oriented toward the professional pathway, though many MLS NEXT players do play college soccer. But here's the honest truth: at both leagues, the player's ability and their own outreach to college coaches matters more than the league name on their jersey. Plenty of kids from NECSL and EDP clubs play college soccer too.

My daughter wants to play at the highest level. What are her options? ECNL is the strongest pathway for girls in New England, with 9 clubs across Connecticut and Massachusetts. Girls Academy has 2 clubs, both in New Hampshire. MLS NEXT is boys only. For a high-level girl player outside southern New Hampshire, ECNL is realistically the top-tier option.

How do I know if my child is ready for MLS NEXT or ECNL? If they're consistently one of the strongest players on their current competitive team, they're being recommended by their current coach, and they're asking for more challenge, it's worth attending an ID clinic or open session at an MLS NEXT or ECNL club. These are free or low-cost and give both the player and the coaches a chance to evaluate fit. If the feedback is "not yet," that's useful information, not a rejection. Most players who eventually make these rosters didn't make them on the first try.

Is the New England Revolution Academy really free? Yes. MLS mandates that its club academies do not charge families tuition. The Revolution Academy in Foxborough is free to play. You'll still cover personal gear (cleats, shin guards), but training, uniforms, league fees, and travel to MLS NEXT events are covered. The catch? The roster is small and extremely selective. But if your son has the talent, this is the most accessible pathway in New England.

What's the difference between MLS NEXT Homegrown and Academy Division? Homegrown Division is the top tier (152 clubs nationally, 11 in NE). It has the highest level of competition and typically restricts high school soccer participation. Academy Division is a newer second tier (230+ clubs nationally, 9 in NE). It allows high school soccer, has a somewhat lighter schedule, and serves as an on-ramp to the Homegrown level. Some clubs operate teams in both divisions.

Can my son play MLS NEXT and still play high school soccer? If he's in the Academy Division, yes. If he's in the Homegrown Division, typically no. This is one of the most important practical differences between the two divisions and worth discussing with any club before you commit.

Are there clubs in New England that participate in more than one league? Yes. Several clubs operate teams in multiple leagues across different age groups or divisions. For example, Boston Bolts and NEFC field teams in both MLS NEXT Homegrown and Academy Division. Connecticut Rush plays in MLS NEXT Academy Division while also participating in other leagues. This can be an advantage: your child can develop within the club's system and move up to the higher league when they're ready, without switching clubs. Check individual club profiles on ClubScout to see which leagues each club participates in by age group.

What if none of these clubs are near me? That's the reality for a lot of New England families, especially in Vermont, northern New Hampshire, Maine, and western Massachusetts. If the nearest MLS NEXT or ECNL club is more than 45 minutes away at practice time, the commute will likely be unsustainable for a multi-day-a-week commitment. Focus on finding the strongest NECSL or EDP club in your area. Good coaching, competitive games, and your child actually enjoying the experience will do more for their development than a league name on a jersey they're exhausted from commuting to.

My child is only 9. Should we even be thinking about this? Not yet. At U9-U10, the right call for almost every family is a well-coached club close to home, regardless of league. NECSL has 77 clubs across New England. Find one with a patient, licensed coach who makes your kid love the game and gives them lots of touches on the ball. League affiliation starts to matter more at U13+. Before that, development is about environment, not letters on a jersey.

Compare Clubs by League on ClubScout

Now that you know the difference between MLS NEXT and ECNL, find out which clubs near you participate in each league. Search by location, league, and age group at myclubscout.com to see every option within driving distance.

Start here:

• See all MLS NEXT clubs in New England
• See all ECNL clubs in New England
• Browse all 290+ clubs across 6 states

If you're still early in the process, start with our complete guide: How to Choose a Youth Soccer Club: A Parent's Guide (2026).