Inside MLS Next: A Comprehensive Overview

In the footballing world, Major League Soccer is making a name for itself. Be it the stars gracing the footballing pitch in the league or the sustainable infrastructure and plans of the league, the competition has all that it takes to reach the ranks of the prestigious leagues.

Side by side with the Major League Soccer, MLS Next is the premier youth soccer league that is making massive strides in North America. The aim of the league is to develop the next generation of soccer talent.

Launched back in 2020, MLS Next is considered to be an elite platform for the youth people development in North America. With a strong commitment towards innovation and offering access and representation, the young talents in the league get the best training and coaching as they prepare for their futures, both in soccer and in life. As of the 2024-25 season, Membership includes 29 MLS academies, 151 total clubs, and over 16,000 players across Canada and U.S.

In this article, we will look at everything you need to know about MLS Next.

What Is MLS Next?

MLS Next is an elite player development platform of the Major League Soccer. It was launched back in 2020 to unify the top youth soccer academies across Canada and the U.S. It is designed to provide the highest competition level, professional coaching, and resources for the players who are looking to make it to the professional ranks. MLS Next is structured to guide the young players from their teenage years through to becoming full-time professionals.

How Does MLS NEXT Work?

The MLS Next operates with a focus on the development of the young players, offering a competitive league environment for the players who are aged U13-U19. It generally has clubs in 34 states along with the District of Columbia. Clubs that wish to apply for membership are asked several questions. These can be anything between the club philosophy to the state of the facility, along with what their established plan is for inclusion, education and diversity on the supporting initiatives.

The clubs agree to adhere to the Major League Soccer training and technical standards and safety and well-being standards to safeguard against emotional and physical abuse. While the MLS Next keeps on developing players to take part in the USMNT, the second tier competition gives a great opportunity for those who wish to play at a high level but do not necessarily view that goal as realistic.

MLS Next Rules

Understanding the regulations of MLS Next is crucial for players, fans, and coaches. The league is developed not only to foster a competitive environment but also to maintain standards for the development of young athletes. Here are some of the rules you need to know:

• Competition Rules: In order to make sure of better development of the young players, the MLS Next has some modifications in the traditional soccer rules. This includes regulations on playtime, subs, specific strategic aspects developed to emphasize player development over quick wins.
• Eligibility: From age limit to residency needs, MLS Next has strict eligibility criteria. The club has to meet certain standards for coaching facilities and player development to be considered for the inclusion in MLS Next.
• Code of conduct: Code of conduct needs to be adhered to by the players and every staff member of the team. From maintaining a high level of sportsmanship to respecting the officials, an emphasis should be on discipline and hard work.
• The standards of training: All the coaches within the MLS Next have to hold certain certifications, making sure that they offer the best development and training opportunities for the players. This makes sure that the players get professional-level coaching.

Differences Between MLS Next and Other Youth Leagues

If you take a look closely, you will see that the mission statement coming out from MLS Next, ECNL, and GA (for example), are almost the same. Therefore, the big question is: With all the different structures, which soccer league is considered to be the best? The answer really depends on the ultimate goal with the sport.

If you are considering your ultimate goal to be playing high school soccer with no intention whatsoever to play higher, the CNL or the NPL would be the perfect choice for you. On the other hand, if the ultimate aim is to play college football, then your answer is ECNL. While it is true that there would be a time when GA might rival the ECNL at some point, especially for the pathway for girls, the GA is not in the same level as ECNL as of now.

In contrast to these two, the mission of MLS Next is to offer a path towards pro soccer and a chance to represent the country while playing for USMNT. Moreover, the development approach of MLS Next is also different than those two.

Player Eligibility and Age Groups

Here are the age groups for which the MLS Next is open to:

• U13
• U14
• U15
• U16
• U17
• U18
• U19

Players have to meet the age requirements and the clubs have to verify the eligibility. To join, the players need to go through a tryout process or are invited depending on how they have performed in the scouting events or regional tournaments.

How to Get into the MLS Next Team

A lot of young players enter MLS next at the academy level. It ultimately serves as the foundation of the whole system. Here, the players from U13 to U19 are introduced to elite training environments. Due to the connection of the academies with MLS clubs, they offer the much-needed exposure to the young players.

Here are some of the things you can consider to join MLS Next:

• Get scouted.
• Take part in the tryouts.
• Development and training.
• Join an MLS Next-affiliated club.

Difference Between MLS Next and MLS Next Pro

While the Major League Soccer Next has a strong focus on the development of young talents for players in U13 to U19, MLS Next Pro is more for the professional soccer players in a development capacity.

Here’s how these two are different.

• With MLS Next, the aim is to help the young players grow and develop by offering a direct path to professional soccer. On the other hand, MLS Next Pro serves as a stepping stone for the professional players who are already signed to the MLS teams or are looking to break into the professional scene.
• In the MLS Next Pro, players are generally older than 18 years. It functions as a reserve league for the MLS teams.

Also Read: MLS Salary Cap Explained: An In-Depth Look at How It Works

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