Before reaching MLS, many young figures rise through the ranks of the league’s affiliate developmental program: MLS NEXT.
The youth league boasts teams from Under 13 to Under 19 to carefully guide players into the next stages of professional football. The idea originated in 2007, initially functioning under U.S. Soccer as the U.S. Soccer Development Academy before Major League Soccer took over.
In 2020, the American league 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 Developmental Academy.” Now, the program manages 133 clubs, 590 teams, 11,000+ players across the U.S. and Canada and features over 90% of the current youth national team player pools.
"MLS NEXT will transform the way players learn and grow. Building on where we’ve been, but looking ahead to the future. Taking youth soccer to the next level. The future starts here. MLS NEXT provides the best player development experience in North America," said the league.
"Founded on a collaborative approach to governance and a commitment to innovation, MLS NEXT players have access to the highest levels of competition and to training to prepare them for their futures, both in soccer and in life."
Each age group competes in an individual category, with showcases sprinkled in throughout the season to increase a player’s exposure to national and international scouts. And to further promote the journey to senior-level football, MLS added MLS Next Pro, a new professional league that works to integrate the player pathway from MLS NEXT through to MLS first teams.
MLS NEXT 2022/2023 season
The most recent campaign kicked off on Sempeter 10, featuring 628 teams competing in nearly 8,000 matches over a ten-month calendar.
All teams will compete for a chance to become MLS NEXT champions at the 2023 MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs in June of 2023 and participate in three additional events: MLS NEXT Fest, Generation adidas Cup, MLS NEXT Flex. Players from each age category who impress will also be selected to feature in the MLS NEXT All-Star Game as part of MLS All-Star Week in Washington, DC.
MLS NEXT events
- MLS NEXT Fest: The showcase works as the qualifier event for the Generation Adidas Cup. The week-long event was held from December 2 to December 8, 2022, giving players an opportunity to be seen by college, national team and professional scouts and coaches in a single location while competing for a spot in the upcoming tournament.
- Generation Adidas Cup: The 2023 Generation Adidas Cup, held in Bradenton, Florida from April 1 to April 9, boasted 80 MLS and professional academies from around the globe. The international competition inspired exposure for all participants, and the opportunity to broaden horizons by facing new styles of play.
- MLS NEXT Flex: This event enabled 64 of the best MLS NEXT clubs from the U15, U16, U17, and U19 age groups, 16 teams from each division, to compete for positioning in the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs. All qualified for the postseason tournament, but performances determined each seed.
This article was originally published on 90min as A deep dive into the inner workings of MLS NEXT .