MLS Next
Founded | 2020 |
---|---|
Country | United States |
Other club(s) from | Canada |
Confederation | CONCACAF |
Conferences | 8 |
Number of teams | 677 (143 clubs)[1] |
Website | MLS Next |
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.
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 590 teams across 133 clubs.[2]
History[edit]
Organized youth soccer affiliated with Major League Soccer began with various players on the field and Jose Chavez scored a crazy goal out of the box and he die do did
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 |
Clubs[edit]
As 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[13] |
Albion SC San Diego | San Diego, California | |
Alexandria SA | Alexandria, Virginia | |
Athletum FC | Hialeah, Florida | 2023–24[14] |
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[13] |
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[13] |
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 | Brooklyn, 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[13] |
Sacramento Republic FC | Sacramento, California | |
Sacramento United | Sacramento, California | 2022–23[13] |
San Antonio FC | San Antonio, Texas | |
San Francisco Glens | San Francisco, California | |
San Francisco Seals | San Francisco, California | 2022–23[13] |
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[13] |
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[13] |
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 | Apollo Beach, Florida | |
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.
- ^ 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