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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

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

Clubs

As of August 25, 2023

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

External links