The bridge between MLS NEXT and Major League Soccer

MLS’s affiliate developmental program MLS NEXT paves the way for players to reach a professional football team by the age 20. 

The organization boasts teams from Under 13 to Under 19,  carefully guiding young figures into the next stages of the game with academy programs, specialized tournaments and first class facilities. Today, 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. 

The bridge between MLS NEXT and MLS is a unique one, as players receive the ability to be scouted and picked up by a senior team faster than non-academy athletes.

To encourage the path to professional football, MLS created another program to work as a buffer between a youth academy and senior team: MLS NEXT Pro. Launched in 2022 by the American league, MLS NEXT Pro stands as a professional men’s soccer league in the United States and Canada that completes the pro player pathway. 

The league contains 27 teams, all affiliated with MLS clubs like Atlanta United 2, Austin FC II, Crown Legacy FC (Charlotte FC), Huntsville City FC (Nashville SC), LA Galaxy II, Los Angeles Football Club 2 and New York Red Bulls II. Young MLS NEXT players use the Pro league as a stepping stone to a senior team, developing the necessary skills to make it on the world’s biggest stages. 

Once with an Under 19 MLS NEXT team, a player can choose to enter the league’s SuperDraft in hopes of being chosen by an MLS club. If picked up by a team, a player can then be placed into the senior team or affiliate MLS NEXT Pro team for further development. 

Players with an MLS NEXT Pro affiliate team can be signed to an MLS side on short notice, promoting the league’s intention to create a pathway to professional football. 

As players make their way from MLS NEXT, to MLS NEXT Pro and finally to Major League Soccer, the bridge between the three programs strengthens.