Get To Know MLS NEXT

MLS NEXT is the top boys’ youth soccer league in the United States and Canada, launched in 2020 as the successor to the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. Covering U-13 through U-19, it features MLS academies and elite independent clubs in a two-tiered structure: the Homegrown Division and the Academy Division. With 1,000+ teams from 200+ clubs and marquee events like MLS NEXT Cup and the Generation adidas Cup, it provides a clear pathway from youth competition to college soccer, MLS NEXT Pro, and Major League Soccer.

Quick Facts

  • Started in 2020
  • U13 through U19
  • 43,000 players
  • 2,189 Teams
  • 273 Clubs
  • 30 MLS Academies
MLS NEXT Hub

View all MLS NEXT articles ->

2025/2026 Player Rules & Regulations

  • U13: (3) 25 minute periods, 2×5 minute intermissions
  • U14: (2) 40 minute halves, 15 minute HT
  • U15, U16, U17, U19: (2) 45 minute halves, 15 minute HT
  • U13: Each player on matchday roster must play at least (1) period uninterrupted.
  • U14 & U15: Recommend that all players participate in 50% of minutes per week
  • All Ages: Recommend that all Primary Players start in 25% of games
  • U13: 2 moments per period. Unrestricted subs. Intermissions don’t count as a moment.
  • U14: 3 moments per half. Unrestricted subs. HT doesn’t count as a moment.
  • U15: 3 moments per half. No re-entry allowed in the half. HT doesn’t count as a moment.
  • U16 and up: Unlimited over 3 moments per match, plus HT. No re-entry.

Exceptions are concussions.

Red Card accumulation will follow a player and staff member across all age groups.

Red Card accumulation for staff:

  • 1st offense = 2 match suspension
  • 2nd offense = subject to additional discipline
  • 3rd offense = Subject to additional discipline and potential long-term suspension

Yellow Card accumulation will follow a player and staff member across all age groups.

2 red cards equals a red card. Only the first yellow card counts towards the yellow card accumulation.

  • 5 Yellow Cards (YC) = 1 match suspension
  • 10 YC = 2 additional match suspensions
  • 15 YC = 3 additional match suspensions

U13, U14, U15, U16, U17 & U19

U15, U16, U17 & U19

MLS NEXT Homegrown Division players are not permitted to play for the middle or high school.

Top players at each club are expected to be registered with MLS NEXT. They cannot play with another team outside of MLS NEXT.

Future playres are able to participate in outside competition within their MLS NEXT club. They are also able to play middle school or high school soccer.

Future Players can play up to 12 MLS NEXT matches during the Regular Season and are eligible for all MLS NEXT events.

Three Late Developers are allowed per age group. They can only be Primary Players.

They must comply and receive approval from MLS NEXT.

The roster minimum is 14 players.

The roster maximum is 28 players per team.

  • Regular Season: A max of 18 players can be rostered on gameday.
  • Events: A max of 20 players can be rostered during MLS NEXT events.

A max of three players can be overage on a U19 roster.

Players are permitted to play in an older age group as long as they meet the competition standards and only play 90 minutes per day (max of two games).

‘Primary Adds’ are Primary Players who’ve been added after the close of the initial registration period. Clubs get six Primary Adds per team.

Roster Freeze begins on April 18th.

MLS NEXT players cannot change between clubs more than once.

  • U13: (3) 25 minute periods, 2×5 min. intermissions
  • U14: (2) 40 minute halves, 15 minute HT
  • U15, U16, U17, U19: (2) 45 minute halves, 15 minute HT
  • U13: Each player on the matchday roster must play at least (1) period uninterrupted.
  • U14 & U15: Recommended that all players play 40% of minutes per week.
  • All Ages: Recommend that all Players start in 25% of official matches

Players are eligible to play in an older age group while being rostered in their younger birth year age group. They can only play 90 minutes per day across a maximum of 2 matches
within all competitions.

  • U13: 2 moments per period. Unrestricted substitutions. Intermissions don’t count as moments.
  • U14: 3 moments per half. Unrestricted substitutions. Halftime doesn’t count as moments.
  • U15 and up: Unlimited over 3 moments per match, plus HT. No re-entry.

Exceptions are concussions.

Red Card accumulation will follow a player and staff member across all age groups.

Red Card accumulation for staff:

  • 1st offense = 2 match suspension
  • 2nd offense = subject to additional discipline
  • 3rd offense = Subject to additional discipline and potential long-term suspension

Yellow Card accumulation will follow a player and staff member across all age groups.

2 red cards equals a red card. Only the first yellow card counts towards the yellow card accumulation.

  • 5 Yellow Cards (YC) = 1 match suspension
  • 10 YC = 2 additional match suspensions
  • 15 YC = 3 additional match suspensions

U13, U14, U15, U16, U17 & U19

U15, U16, U17 & U19

All MLS NEXT Academy Division Players are permitted to play for their high school

Three Late Developers are allowed per age group. They can only be Primary Players.

They must comply and receive approval from MLS NEXT.

At the U14 age group, and unlimited amount of U15 8th grade players are eligible to be rostered on the U14 team during that club’s High School season

A maximum of 3 Trapped Players are eligible to be selected on any U14 Matchday Roster

These players DO NOT count towards the total roster amount for the U14 team

Trapped Players must participate with the U15 team during MLS NEXT Cup or the Regional Event.

The roster minimum for an MLS NEXT team is 14 players.

Maximum of 28 players on an MLS NEXT Academy Division team.

A max of 20 players can be rostered on gameday.

A max of three players can be overage on a U19 roster.

During the season, Player Movement will not be permitted between clubs within the Academy Division.

During the season, Player Movement will not be permitted between clubs within the Homegrown Division and the Academy Division.

Helpful Links

Homegrown Division

Academy Division

Key Events for the 2025/2026 Season

  • September 6, 2025: Start of Regular Season
  • December 4-15, 2025: MLS NEXT Fest (Phoenix, AZ)
  • March/April: Generation adidas Cup (Bradenton, FL)
  • Late April: MLS NEXT Flex (TBD)
  • May 2026: MLS NEXT Cup (TBD)
  • TBD: MLS NEXT All-Star Game

FIND MORE ‘League Events Calendar‘