MLS NEXT
National-level pathway program with college showcase events and year-round competition.
What is MLS NEXT?
MLS NEXT is Major League Soccer's elite youth development league, created to identify and develop the best young male soccer players in the United States and Canada. Launched in 2020 as the successor to the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, MLS NEXT brings together MLS club academies and top independent clubs in a unified competitive platform designed to prepare players for professional and college soccer.
The league operates across multiple divisions and age groups, with a season structure that includes conference play, national showcase events, and a culminating playoff championship called MLS NEXT Cup. MLS NEXT emphasizes a development-over-results philosophy, with rules designed to promote player growth including roster flexibility and game-format standards that align with international best practices.
For parents considering MLS NEXT, the league offers a direct connection to the professional soccer pathway through MLS academies, as well as growing college recruiting exposure through showcase events. MLS NEXT clubs affiliated with MLS teams often provide subsidized or free-to-play programming, though independent member clubs typically charge standard competitive fees.
Key Features
- Official youth development platform of Major League Soccer
- Includes MLS club academies and top independent clubs
- MLS NEXT Cup national championship event
- Direct pathway to MLS professional teams through academy system
- Development-focused rules and game-format standards
- Growing college recruiting exposure at showcase events
- Some MLS academies offer free or subsidized participation
At a Glance
Age Range
U13–U19
Season
Fall (September–December), Spring (February–May), MLS NEXT Cup and Playoffs (June–July)
Cost Range
$0–$5,000 per season (MLS academies often free or subsidized; independent clubs charge standard fees)
Travel
Regional play with periodic long-distance travel for showcases, flex play, and post-season events
Tryout Window
March–June (varies by club)
Coverage
National — United States and Canada, organized by region
Not sure if MLS NEXT is the right fit?
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Clubs in MLS NEXT
84 results
Achilles FC
Unknown, MD
AFC Lightning
Fayetteville, GA
Recreational, Development, Competitive, High Sc...
ALBION SC Portland
Tigard, ME
U8, U9, U10, U11, U15, U19
Alexandria SA
Alexandria, VA
Athletum FC Academy
Miami, FL
Atlanta United FC
Marietta, GA
Recreational, Development, Competitive, High Sc...
Baltimore Armour
Baltimore, MD
Development, Competitive
Bayside FC
East Providence, RI
U8, U9, U10, U11, U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, U17,...
Beachside of Connecticut
Unknown, CT
Development, Competitive
Beachside SC Connecticut
Bridgeport, CT
Development, Competitive
Beachside Soccer Club
Norwalk, CT
U9, U12
Bethesda SC
Bethesda, MD
Bethlehem Steel F.C.
Bethlehem, PA
U8, U9, U10, U11, U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, U17,...
Boston Bolts
Newton, MA
U7, U12, U19
Carolina Core FC
Unknown, NC
Development, Competitive
Carolina Velocity FC
Raleigh, NC
Development, Competitive
Cedar Stars Academy - Bergen
South Hackensack, NJ
Chargers Soccer Club
Orlando, FL
Charleston SC
Charleston, SC
Charlotte FC
Charlotte, NC
Charlotte Independence SC
Charlotte, NC
Development, Competitive
Charlotte Independence Soccer Club
Charlotte, NC
Connecticut United FC
Hartford, CT
Development, Competitive
Connecticut United Football Club
Bridgeport, CT
U8, U9, U10, U11, U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, U17,...
Coppermine SC
Baltimore, MD
Recreational, Development, Competitive, High Sc...
Cranbury Soccer Club
Cranbury, NJ
First Kicks, Recreational, Development, Competi...
DC United
Washington, DC
Competitive, High School & Elite
Downtown United Soccer Club
New York, NY
U4, U5, U6, U7, U8, U9, U10, U11, U12, U13, U14
FC Richmond
Richmond, VA
Fox Soccer Academy Carolinas
Charlotte, NC
Development, Competitive
Fox Soccer Academy New York
Warwick, NY
First Kicks, Recreational, Development, Competi...
Future Soccer Academy
Ridgefield Park, NY
U8, U9, U10, U11, U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, U17,...
IdeaSport Soccer Academy
Miami, FL
Development, Competitive
IFA of New England
Boston, MA
U8, U9, U10, U11, U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, U17,...
IMG Academy
Bradenton, FL
Inter Atlanta FC
Atlanta, GA
Development, Competitive
Inter Miami CF
Miami, FL
Development, Competitive, High School & Elite
Intercontinental Football Academy of New England
Unknown, MA
Development, Competitive
Ironbound Soccer Club
Newark, NJ
Development, Competitive
Jacksonville FC
Jacksonville, FL
KSA
Unknown, GA
Lanier Soccer Association
Gainesville, GA
Development, Competitive
Loudoun Soccer Club
Leesburg, VA
Lowcountry United
Charleston, SC
McLean Youth Soccer
McLean, VA
Miami Futbol Academy Rush
Miami, FL
NEFC
Boston, MA
U8, U9, U10, U11, U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, U17,...
New England Revolution
Foxborough, MA
U8, U9, U10, U11, U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, U17,...
New England Surf SC
Unknown, CT
Competitive
Nona Soccer Academy
Lake Nona, FL
Recreational, Development, Competitive, High Sc...
Northern Virginia Alliance
Arlington, VA
Oakwood SC
Glastonbury, CT
U8, U9, U10, U11, U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, U17,...
Oakwood Soccer Club
Glastonbury, CT
Competitive
Oakwood Sports Center
Glastonbury, CT
Recreational, Development, Competitive, High Sc...
Orlando City SC
Orlando, FL
Competitive, High School & Elite
Plantation FC Rush
Plantation, FL
Players Development Academy
Somerset, NJ
Development, Competitive, High School & Elite
Queen City Mutiny FC
Charlotte, NC
Roswell Soccer Club
Roswell, GA
First Kicks, Recreational, Development, Competi...
Saints Soccer Academy
Portland, ME
U4, U5, U6, U7, U8, U9, U10, U11, U12, U13, U14
Seacoast Express United
Concord, NH
U8, U9, U10, U11, U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, U17,...
Seacoast United Concord Indoor Facility
Concord, NH
U8, U9, U10, U11, U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, U17,...
Soccer Chance Academy
Portland, ME
U10
Sol SC Florida
Miami, FL
Competitive
South Florida Football Academy
South Florida, FL
Southern Soccer Academy
Atlanta, GA
Development, Competitive
Southern Soccer Academy Office
Marietta, VT
U5, U7, U8, U12, U15, U19
Springfield South County Youth Club
Springfield, VA
Springfield SYC
Springfield, VA
Steel City FC
Pittsburgh, PA
U9, U12
Syracuse Development Academy (SDA)
Syracuse, NY
Development, Competitive, High School & Elite
Tampa Bay United
Tampa, FL
Recreational, Development, Competitive
The St. James
Leesburg, VA
Recreational, Development, Competitive, High Sc...
Tormenta FC Academy
Unknown, GA
Development, Competitive
Triangle United Soccer Association
Chapel Hill, NC
Development
TSF Academy - NJ
Parsippany, NJ
Development, Competitive
United Soccer Alliance
Jacksonville, FL
VA Revolution
Leesburg, VA
Valeo FC
Newton, MA
U9, U10, U11, U12, U14, U15, U18
Virginia Revolution SC
Unknown, VA
Virginia Rush
Unknown, VA
Development, Competitive
Wake FC
Raleigh, NC
Recreational, Development, Competitive, High Sc...
West Florida Flames
Pensacola, FL
Weston FC
Weston, FL
Development, Competitive, High School & Elite
Parent Questions About MLS NEXT
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