MLS Next

Last updated

MLS Next
MLS Next logo.svg
Founded 2020
CountryUnited States
Other club(s) fromCanada
Confederation CONCACAF
Conferences8
Number of teams677 (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.

Contents

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

Organized 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

MLS NEXT Cup Champions
U-15U-16U-17U-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
Titles by club
ClubU-15U-16U-17U-19Total
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 Delco1 (2023–24)1
Strikers FC1 (2023–24)1

Clubs

As of August 25, 2023

Club nameLocationJoined
Achilles FCSilver Spring, Maryland
AFC LightningPeachtree City, Georgia2021–22 [8]
Albion SC Las VegasLas Vegas, Nevada2021–22 [8]
Albion SC MercedMerced, California2022–23 [14]
Albion SC San Diego San Diego, California
Alexandria SAAlexandria, Virginia
Athletum FCHialeah, Florida2023–24 [15]
Atlanta United FC AcademyMarietta, Georgia
Atletico Santa RosaSanta Rosa, California2021–22 [8]
Austin FC AcademyAustin, Texas
Ballistic UnitedPleasanton, California
Baltimore ArmourEllicott City, Maryland
Barca Residency AcademyCasa Grande, Arizona
Bavarian United SCGlendale, Wisconsin2021–22 [8]
Bayside FCEast Providence, Rhode Island
Beachside of ConnecticutNorwalk, Connecticut
Beadling Soccer ClubPittsburgh, Pennsylvania2021–22 [8]
Bethesda Soccer ClubNorth Potomac, Maryland
Blau Weiss GottscheeMiddle Villages, New York
Breakers FC Aptos, California
California Odyssey Soccer ClubClovis, California2021–22 [8]
Capital City Soccer ClubAustin, Texas2023–24
Cedar Stars Academy – BergenSouth Hackensack, New Jersey
Cedar Stars Academy – MonmouthTinton Falls, New Jersey
CF Montreal Montreal, Quebec
Chargers SCClearwater, Florida
Charlotte FC AcademyCharlotte, North Carolina
Chicago FC United Glenview, Illinois
Chicago Fire FC Bridgeview, Illinois
Chula Vista FC Chula Vista, California
Cincinnati United PremierCincinnati, Ohio
City SCCarlsbad, California
Colorado Rapids AcademyCommerce City, Colorado
Columbus Crew AcademyColumbus, Ohio
D.C. United AcademyWashington, D.C.
De Anza Force San Jose, California
Diablo Valley WolvesConcord, California2021–22 [8]
Empire United SCRochester, New York
FA Euro New YorkBrooklyn, New York2022–23 [14]
FC Bay AreaSan Jose, California
FC Boston Bolts Newton, Massachusetts
FC Cincinnati AcademyCincinnati, Ohio
FC Dallas AcademyFrisco, Texas
FC DelcoDowningtown, Pennsylvania
FC Golden State ForceJurupa Valley, California2022–23 [14]
FC WestchesterScarsdale, New York
Florida Rush SCClermont, Florida
Hoover-Vestavia Soccer (HVS)Birmingham, Alabama2021–22 [8]
Houston Dynamo AcademyHouston, Texas
Houston RangersHouston, Texas
IdeaSport Soccer AcademyKissimmee, Florida2021–22 [8]
Idea Toros Fútbol AcademyEdinburg, Texas
IMG Academy Bradenton, Florida
Indiana Fire AcademyCarmel, Indiana
Inter Atlanta FCAtlanta, Georgia
Inter Miami CF AcademyFort Lauderdale, Florida
IFA of New EnglandNewton, Massachusetts2021–22 [8]
InternationalsNorth Royalton, Ohio
Ironbound SCNewark, New Jersey2023–24
Kalonji SA (KSA)Norcross, Georgia2021–22 [8]
Kings Hammer Soccer ClubCovington, Kentucky2021–22 [8]
Jacksonville FCJacksonville, Florida
Javanon FCLouisville, Kentucky
LA United Futbol AcademyLos Angeles, California
LA Galaxy AcademyCarson, California
LA SurfLa Canada Flintridge, California
Lamorinda FCMoraga, California
Lanier SCAtlanta, Georgia
Las Vegas SALas Vegas, Nevada2021–22 [8]
Los Angeles Bulls SCPacific Palisades, California2023–24
Los Angeles FC AcademyLos Angeles, California
Los Angeles Soccer ClubWest Covina, California2023–24
Lou Fusz AthleticEarth City, Missouri2021–22 [8]
Louisiana TDP EliteBaton Rouge, Louisiana2021–22 [8]
Metropolitan Oval Queens, New York
Miami Rush-Kendall SCMiami, Florida
Michigan JaguarsNovi, Michigan
Michigan WolvesFarmington Hills, Michigan
Midwest United FC Kentwood, Michigan
Minnesota United FC Minneapolis, Minnesota
Modesto Ajax UnitedModesto, California2023–24
Murrieta Soccer AcademyMurrieta, California
Napa UnitedNapa, California
Nashville SC AcademyNashville, Tennessee
Nashville UnitedBrentford, Tennessee2023–24
NEFCMendon, Massachusetts
New England Revolution AcademyFoxborough, Massachusetts
NYCFC AcademyOrangeburg, New York
New York Red Bulls AcademyWhippany, New Jersey
New York SCPurchase, New York
NomadsSan Diego, California
Oakwood SCGlastonbury, Connecticut
Orlando City SC AcademyOrlando, Florida
Orlando City Soccer School SouthKissimmee, Florida2021–22 [8]
Orlando City Soccer School - SeminoleSanford, Florida
PA ClassicsManheim, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia Union AcademyWayne, Pennsylvania
Phoenix Rising FC Phoenix, Arizona
Players Development AcademySomerset, New Jersey
Portland Timbers AcademyPortland, Oregon
Queen City MutinyCharlotte, North Carolina2021–22 [8]
Real ColoradoCentennial, Colorado
Real Jersey FCMedford, New Jersey
Real Salt Lake AcademyHerriman, Utah
RSL ArizonaTempe, Arizona
RSL Arizona – MesaMesa, Arizona2022–23 [14]
Sacramento Republic FC Sacramento, California
Sacramento UnitedSacramento, California2022–23 [14]
San Antonio FC San Antonio, Texas
San Francisco Glens San Francisco, California
San Francisco SealsSan Francisco, California2022–23 [14]
San Jose Earthquakes AcademySanta Clara, California
Santa Barbara SCSanta Barbara, California
SC Del SolPhoenix, Arizona
SC WaveFranklin, Wisconsin2021–22 [8]
Seacoast United Hampton, New Hampshire
Seattle Sounders FC AcademyTukwila, Washington
Shattuck-St. Mary's Faribault, Minnesota
Sheriffs Futbol ClubHayward, California
Silicon Valley SAPalo Alto, California
SoCal Reds FCIrvine, California2022–23 [14]
Sockers FC Chicago Palatine, Illinois
Solar SCTrophy Club, Texas
South Florida FABoca Raton, Florida
Southern Soccer AcademyAtlanta, Georgia
Sporting Athletic ClubWilmington, Delaware2023–24
Sporting Kansas City AcademyKansas City, Kansas
Springfield South County Youth ClubSpringfield, Virginia
Strikers FCIrvine, California2021–22 [8]
St. Louis City SC St. Louis, Missouri2021–22 [8]
St. Louis Scott GallagerFenton, Missouri
Tampa Bay United Rowdies Tampa, Florida
Tormenta FC Statesboro, Georgia2021–22 [8]
Toronto FC AcademyToronto, Ontario
Total Futbol AcademyLos Angeles, California
Total Football ClubKaty, Texas
Triangle United SoccerChapel Hill, North Carolina2022–23 [14]
TSF AcademyLincoln Park, New Jersey
Valeo Futbol ClubNewton, Massachusetts
West Virginia SoccerShepherdstown, West Virginia2023–24
Vancouver Whitecaps FC AcademyVancouver, British Columbia
VARDAR Soccer ClubRochester Hills, Michigan
Ventura County Fusion Ventura County, California
Wake Futbol ClubHolly Springs, North Carolina2021–22 [8]
West Florida FlamesBrandon, Florida (Greater Tampa Bay Area)
Weston FC Weston, Florida
Woodside Soccer Club CrushRedwood City, California2021–22 [8]

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References

  1. ↑ "2023-24 MLS NEXT schedule: Key dates to know". Major League Soccer . September 8, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  2. ↑ "MLS NEXT – Youth Soccer Reimagined". Major League Soccer . Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  3. ↑ "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.
  4. ↑ 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.
  5. ↑ "Major League Soccer launches new elite competition for youth academies". Major League Soccer . April 16, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  6. ↑ "MLS NEXT elite youth development platform officially unveiled ahead of inaugural season". Major League Soccer . September 8, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  7. ↑ "MLS NEXT kicks off: Watch the inaugural matches between Colorado Rapids and Real Colorado". Major League Soccer . September 11, 2020. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 "MLS NEXT adds 24 new clubs ahead of 2021-2022 season". Major League Soccer . June 11, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  9. ↑ "MLS NEXT Pro unveils 21 clubs for inaugural season starting March 2022". Major League Soccer . December 6, 2021. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  10. ↑ "Four MLS NEXT Cup Champions crowned at inaugural tournament". Major League Soccer . July 4, 2021. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  11. ↑ "2021-22 MLS NEXT Cup Champions Crowned in Frisco | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  12. ↑ "MLS NEXT Cup: Atlanta, LA, New England & New York bring home silverware". Major League Soccer . June 25, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  13. ↑ "MLS NEXT Cup: Chicago Fire U-15, LA Galaxy U-17 win titles". Major League Soccer . June 24, 2024. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "MLS NEXT adds 8 new clubs for 2022-23 season". Major League Soccer . May 2, 2022. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  15. ↑ https://www.mlssoccer.com/mlsnext/news/mls-next-adds-nine-new-clubs-for-2023-24-season [ bare URL ]
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