MLS NEXT has 151 member clubs with more than 16,000 players competing at the U13, U14, U15, U16, U17 and U19 levels. It expects the number of players and teams to more than double for September 2025, said MLS communications manager Will Glenn.
Clubs wanting to join can apply now for September 2025, when competition will begin in regular season games, regional tournaments and national events. MLS NEXT clubs will also participate in coaching development and education programs.
The new tier will help with ‘building a clear pathway across North America for more players to reach their highest potential,” MLS NEXT General Manager Kyle Albrecht said in a statement provided to USA TODAY Sports ahead of an official announcement Thursday morning.
The move also will allow member clubs greater flexibility to streamline travel and scheduling of competitions, the statement said.
As part of the expanded tier, clubs will play in one of eight regional tournaments each season and eligible age groups will have the option to attend MLS NEXT Fest in December. These tournaments will serve as qualifying for a championship event at MLS NEXT Cup later in 2026.
‘We are excited to deepen the talent pool and welcome more players and coaches as we work with them to develop the next generation of talent who will impact the professional game and national teams,’ said MLS NEXT technical director Luis Robles, who is also a former USMNT and MLS goalkeeper.
Over the past decade or so, parents and youth athletes have de-emphasized high school sports in pursuit of playing for club teams. Soccer players are known to opt out of high school soccer completely in pursuit of development goals.
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According to MLS, boys and girls competing in the new tier will also be eligible to play high school soccer.
The expanded tier will be managed by operators across the youth landscape who will follow mandated program guidelines and technical standards set by MLS NEXT to ensure a high-quality product.
These operators include the National Academy League, Elite Academy League, Sporting Development League, Cobalt Sports and Cal North Soccer Association.
‘The alignment with MLS NEXT allows there to be collaboration and cooperation to bring the game together,” Ryan Miller, Elite Academy League’s commissioner, said in a statement, ‘while continuing to grow clubs and set standards for clubs to progress and develop within the EA.’
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Throughout a season, MLS NEXT hosts four marquee national events, including the Generation adidas Cup, which features MLS academies playing against the top international clubs. Membership for the 2024-25 season included 29 MLS academies, 122 elite academies (151 total clubs), 753 teams and over 16,000 players across the U.S. and Canada.
Last month, MLS Next formed an alliance with the Girls Academy, a youth development platform for female players that contains 114 clubs and more than 16,000 players.
“This new competition tier, along with the recently announced strategic alliance with the Girls Academy, will play a pivotal role in continuing to raise the overall performance and competition level across youth soccer in the U.S. and Canada,” Albrecht said.
Thursday’s statement emphasized, “MLS NEXT players receive the best training and coaching as they prepare for their futures, both in soccer and in life.”
Steve Borelli, aka Coach Steve, has been an editor and writer with USA TODAY since 1999. He spent 10 years coaching his two sons’ baseball and basketball teams. He and his wife, Colleen, are now sports parents for a high schooler and middle schooler. His column is posted weekly. For his past columns, click here.