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MLS Next
Founded	2020
Country	United States
Other club(s) from	Canada
Confederation	CONCACAF
Conferences	8
Number of clubs	753 (151 clubs)
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 677 teams across 143 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-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
2023–24^[13]	Chicago Fire	FC Delco	LA Galaxy	Strikers FC

Titles by club
Club	U-15	U-16	U-17	U-19	Total
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 Delco		1 (2023–24)			1
Strikers FC				1 (2023–24)	1

Clubs

As of December 7, 2024

Club name	Location	Joined
AC River	San Antonio, Texas	2024–25
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^[14]
Albion SC San Diego	San Diego, California
Alexandria SA	Alexandria, Virginia
Athletum FC	Hialeah, Florida	2023–24^[15]
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
Carolina Core FC	High Point, North Carolina	2024–25
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
Colorado Rapids Youth SC	Commerce City, Colorado	2024–25
Columbus Crew Academy	Columbus, Ohio
Connecticut United FC	Bridgeport, Connecticut	2024–25
D.C. United Academy	Washington, D.C.
De Anza Force	San Jose, California
Diablo Valley Wolves	Concord, California	2021–22^[8]
Downtown United SC	New York, New York	2024–25
Empire United SC	Rochester, New York
FA Euro New York	Brooklyn, New York	2022–23^[14]
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^[14]
FC Westchester	Scarsdale, New York
Florida Rush SC	Clermont, Florida
Hoosier Premier Academy	Noblesville, Indiana	2024–25
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]
Keystone FC	Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania	2024–25
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]
Long Island Soccer Club	Uniondale, New York	2024–25
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	Queens, 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^[14]
Sacramento Republic FC	Sacramento, California
Sacramento United	Sacramento, California	2022–23^[14]
San Antonio FC	San Antonio, Texas
San Francisco Glens	San Francisco, California
San Francisco Seals	San Francisco, California	2022–23^[14]
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^[14]
Sockers FC Chicago	Palatine, Illinois
Solar SC	Trophy Club, Texas
South Florida FA	Boca Raton, Florida
Southern Soccer Academy	Atlanta, Georgia
Southern States Soccer Club	Hattiesburg, Mississippi	2024–25
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^[14]
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	Brandon, Florida (Greater Tampa Bay Area)
Weston FC	Weston, Florida
Woodside Soccer Club Crush	Redwood City, California	2021–22^[8]

References

^ "2024-25 MLS NEXT schedule: Key dates to know". Major League Soccer. August 29, 2024. Retrieved December 7, 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.
^ "MLS NEXT Cup: Chicago Fire U-15, LA Galaxy U-17 win titles". Major League Soccer. June 24, 2024. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
^ ^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 ^{[bare URL]}

External links

MLS Next

[1] "2024-25 MLS NEXT schedule: Key dates to know". Major League Soccer. August 29, 2024. Retrieved December 7, 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.

[MLS_NEXT_adds_24_new_clubs_ahead_of_2021-2022_season-8] ^ ^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.

[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.

[MLS_NEXT_adds_8_new_clubs_for_2022-23_season-14] ^ ^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.

[15] ttps://www.mlssoccer.com/mlsnext/news/mls-next-adds-nine-new-clubs-for-2023-24-season ^{[bare URL]}

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