August 29, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS)
D.C. United News Release
NEW YORK – MLS NEXT today announced the evolution of the Pro Player Pathway, key dates for the 2024-25 season, and changes to field sizes in the U13 age group. The 2024-25 MLS NEXT season will be the fifth in the program’s history and feature the top youth players in North America competing in league play as well as five premier national and international events. The 2024-25 season will include 753 teams from 151 clubs – 29 MLS academies and 122 MLS NEXT Elite Academies – with more than 16,000 players competing in age groups from U13 to U19.
For the 2024-25 season, MLS NEXT has continued to evolve the Pro Player Pathway, with MLS academies moving from the U15 and U17 age group designations to the U16 and U18 age group designations. All MLS academies will compete in the U19 age group and rosters will be made up of U18 players and a limited number of overage players. Designed to improve the player pathway by optimizing the transition from the academy level to MLS NEXT Pro, this evolution results from comprehensive analysis, including input from Chief Soccer Officers, Academy Directors, and coaches throughout the MLS ecosystem.
The new pathway will create greater alignment by providing a higher level of competition for all MLS NEXT players prior to signing professionally, playing in college, or pursuing other opportunities. The additional year (i.e., shifting U15 to U16) will provide MLS clubs more opportunity to establish clear and effective development paths for each player.
MLS teams will compete in the U19 age group at MLS NEXT Fest, MLS NEXT Flex, and the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs and Showcase. As a result of the changes, the 2024-25 season will feature an additional 16 MLS academy teams competing in MLS NEXT across the U13, U14, U15, and U17 age groups.
In the U13 age group, MLS NEXT has adjusted field sizes for the 2024-25 season, becoming the first North American youth soccer league to make fields less than 100 yards long. Field lengths will now be between 86-96 yards and the change will enhance long-term development by introducing players to tighter space and creating situations that prioritize technical ability over physical attributes. For further details about the field size changes in the U13 age group, CLICK HERE.
“As part of the ongoing evolution of the Pro Player Pathway, MLS NEXT’s fifth season will be the most competitive in the program’s history,” said MLS NEXT Technical…
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