Major League Soccer’s youth academy league, MLS NEXT, today made an announcement detailing its launch of a new competition tier, along with expansion applications being opened for prospective youth clubs around the country. Minnesota United supports this launch and these new expansion initiatives. In staying true to the club’s mission statement – ‘to promote soccer, the world’s game, and through it inspire and unite our community’ – MNUFC looks forward to the continued development, growth, support and success of soccer not just in the Twin Cities, but throughout Minnesota and the Upper Midwest region through MLS NEXT and its newest competition tier.
“This is an exciting time for our league and youth soccer development not only here in Minnesota, but also across the region and our country,” said MNUFC Head of Player Development and Pathways Amos Magee. “Minnesota United supports MLS NEXT expansion and believes that this new competition tier provides youth soccer players with expanded opportunity to play at the highest level in the country. This will grow and elevate the player pathway and the success of soccer as a whole here in Minnesota and throughout the United States.”
The announcement from MLS NEXT can be found below:
MLS NEXT today announced a new competition tier that will increase the number of clubs in MLS NEXT and deepen the overall pool of players and coaches. Starting in September 2025, clubs in the program will compete in regular season games, regional tournaments, and various MLS NEXT national events as well as coaching development and education programs, talent identification, and high-performance opportunities.
MLS NEXT is the elite platform for youth development in North America – currently with 151 member clubs and over 16,000 players – and this expansion will provide opportunities for thousands of additional players and coaches, allowing member clubs greater flexibility to align team travel and scheduling, optimize player pools, and more effectively allocate club resources. This new competition tier, along with the recently announced strategic alliance with the Girls Academy, will play a pivotal role in continuing to raise the overall performance and competition level across youth soccer in the U.S. and Canada.
The expanded tier of MLS NEXT will be managed by leading league operators across the youth landscape with a strong commitment to player development. The operators will follow mandated program guidelines and technical standards set by MLS NEXT to ensure a high-quality product. Operators will include the National Academy League (NAL) operated by 3Step Soccer, Elite Academy League (EAL), Sporting Development League (SDL), Cobalt Sports, and Cal North Soccer Association.
“MLS NEXT is elevating soccer across North America for players, coaches, and referees,” said MLS NEXT General Manager Kyle Albrecht. “This expansion, alongside our strategic alliance with the Girls Academy, brings together top-tier resources to continue building a clear pathway across North America for more players to reach their highest potential.”
“The addition of a new tier to MLS NEXT reflects Major League Soccer’s continued dedication to growing the game at the youth level,” said MLS NEXT Technical Director Luis Robles. “We are excited to deepen the talent pool and welcome more players and coaches as we work with them to develop the next generation of talent who will impact the professional game and national teams.”
In the expanded tier of MLS NEXT, clubs will participate in one of eight regional tournaments each season in addition to the option for eligible age groups to attend MLS NEXT Fest in December. The regional tournaments will serve as qualifying for a championship event at MLS NEXT Cup later in 2026. These events will be marquee talent identification opportunities for college, professional, and national team scouts to evaluate players. Players competing in the new tier will also be eligible to play high school soccer. Beginning immediately, clubs interested in applying for membership to the new tier of competition within MLS NEXT to begin play in September of 2025 can do so HERE.
About MLS NEXT
Launched in 2020, MLS NEXT is the most elite platform for youth player development in North America. With a commitment to innovation and providing access and representation, MLS NEXT players receive the best training and coaching as they prepare for their futures, both in soccer and in life. Throughout a season, MLS NEXT hosts four marquee events across the country, including the Generation adidas Cup, which features MLS academies playing against the top international clubs. Membership for the 2024-25 season included 29 MLS academies, 122 Elite Academies (151 total clubs), 753 teams and over 16,000 players across the U.S. and Canada. Official partners of MLS NEXT include adidas and Allstate. For more information about MLS NEXT, visit www.mlssoccer.com/mlsnext.
