MLS NEXT Rules

Updated for the 2023-2024 season.

Below are the MLS NEXT Rules and technical standards for the 2023-2024 season. I’ve summarized and highlighted the most important topics.

General Rules & Standards for the 2023-2024 Season

Age Groups

Middle School and High School Participation

Are players allowed to play high school soccer? No, high school soccer is not permitted unless there is a waiver in place. The waiver is primarily for players who receive financial aid for soccer participation and/or have been accepted into a private school for soccer.

The waiver must be signed by the player’s Academy Director and the school’s Principal AND approved by MLS NEXT.

Here’s the most current waiver form.

Participation in Other Leagues

MLS NEXT players and teams are not allowed to play in any outside leagues. Teams may only participate in approved tournaments and showcases.

Also, players can only participate in approved outside Talent ID events with U.S. Soccer and CSA National Teams. This includes USYNT Talent IDs.

MLS NEXT Roster Rules

The following are the roster rules:

• Roster Minimum: 14 Primary Players per team
• Roster Maximum: 24 player average per MLS NEXT team within a club (teams can have less or more than 24 as long as it averages 24 or less across the club)
• Game Day Roster Maximum: 18 players per team
• Over-age (bioband) Players: A team can have a maximum of 3 over-age players (skip to section)

Playing Time

It is recommended that Primary Players start in 25% of the games and the U-13, U-14 & U-15 age groups participate in 50% of minutes per week.

MLS NEXT Players Playing Up

Any player is eligible to play in an older group while rostered for their age group (by birth year) as long as they meet competition standards and play only 90 minutes per day across a maximum of 2 matches.

Primary Adds

“Primary Adds” are players that are added after the close of the initial registration period. The rules include:

• Only six Primary Adds per team across the club
• The club will not be charged with a ‘Primary Add’ if that player signs a professional contract or moves to another MLS NEXT club.

Roster Freeze

There is a roster freeze that doesn’t allow any players to be added after Thursday, May 24th, 2024.

MLS NEXT Bio Banding Rules

Also known as Late Developers (L), the following bio banding rules must be adhered to:

• (3) Late Developers per team
• All age groups are eligible
• Must complete Late Developer forms and receive approval from MLS NEXT

Club Staff

Staff requirements for each MLS NEXT team are as follows:

• The Academy Director must have USSF Academy Director Course, EFCL Certificate, or USSF/CSA A license or equivalent
• Academy Head Coach must have B License or equivalent (exceptions must be approved by MLS NEXT Technical Director)
• Recommended best practice: A coach shouldn’t be the Head Coach of two teams, but can be a head coach of one team and an assistant on other teams

Game Day Rules & Regulations

• Playing Time: Players can only play in 90 minutes per day across a maximum of two matches. Also, they should not play in more than two consecutive days of games.
• Match Ball: All teams will play with a Size 5 Official MLS NEXT Adidas match ball.
• Hydration: The home team must provide adequate hydration for BOTH teams.
• Technical Area: The home team must provide sufficient benches for both teams.
• On-field Athletic Trainer: The home team must provide a Qualified Medical Professional (QMP) on the field.
• Video: The home club must record and upload match footage for U15-U19 games (prior to 12 pm EST on the Tuesday after the games). Clubs should record U13 & U14 games but it is not required.

MLS NEXT Game Length

• U-13: (2) 35 minutes halves and 10 minute halftime
• U-14 & U-15: (2) 40 minute halves and 15 minute halftime
• U-16 and older: (2) 45 minute halves, 15 minute halftime

Age Group Order

It is recommended that older age groups play first to accommodate the younger players who play up.

MLS NEXT Substitution Rules

• U-13 & U-14: Unlimited subs over 3 moments per half, plus halftime. A subbed player cannot re-enter in the same half.
• U-15 and older: Unlimited subs over 3 moments per game, plus halftime. A subbed player cannot go back into the game after they are subbed out.

On Field Discipline

Yellow Cards in MLS NEXT

• Yellow Card Accumulation for players:
  • 5 Yellow Cards = 1 match suspension;
  • 10 Yellow Cards = 2 additional matches;
  • 15 Yellow Cards = 3 additional matches
• Yellow Card Accumulation for staff:
  • 3 Yellow Cards (YC) = 1 match suspension;
  • 5 YC = 2 additional matches;
  • 6 YC = 3 additional matches

The Yellow Card accumulation will follow a player and staff member across all age groups within the same year.

If a player (or staff) receives two yellow cards in the same game it will result in a red card and immediate absence from the game.

But, in this case, only one yellow card will count towards the accumulation.

Red Cards in MLS NEXT

• Red Card accumulation for players and staff:
  • 1st offense = 2 match suspension
  • 2nd offense = subject to additional discipline
  • 3rd offense = Subject to additional discipline and potential long-term suspension from MLS NEXT games and related events.
  • Red Cards received in friendly matches will only result in suspension if deemed egregious

The Red Card accumulation will follow a player and staff member across all age groups within the same year.

Field & Training Expectations for MLS NEXT Teams

Minimum Field Sizes

• U-13 & U-14: 64’x105′
• U-15 & Older: 70’x110′

Match Locations

• MLS NEXT Clubs can use multiple locations for regular season matches but must be approved by MLS NEXT
• If possible, MLS NEXT encourages neutral sites to prevent overnight stays. From personal experience, this is rare.

Training

• U-13 MLS NEXT teams must train a minimum of 3 times per week
• U-14 & older must train a minimum of 4 times per week

Rest Day

• Each player must be provided at least one day off per week

I hope this helps synthesize the rules a bit for you! If you’re looking for any forms, you can find them here.