MLS NEXT Pro 2025 Season (Starts March 7, 2025)

The 2025 MLS NEXT Pro season is making history with its earliest kickoff yet, starting March 7th.

The league has grown to 29 teams, including two independent newcomers – Carolina Core FC and Chattanooga FC – alongside 27 MLS-affiliated clubs.

Teams will battle through a balanced 28-game schedule, evenly split between home and away matches over 30 weeks.

Where to Watch This Season

Most matches will stream on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV, including all the high-stakes games like Decision Day, playoffs, and the MLS NEXT Pro Cup.

Can’t catch it there? Head over to MLSNEXTPro.com to stream the remaining matches.

Opening Weekend: Match-by-Match Breakdown

The 2025 MLS NEXT Pro season kicks off with an action-packed opening weekend, featuring 12 matches spread across three days:

Friday, March 7 (Opening Night)

• Four matches headline the season opener
• Featured Match: Ventura County FC vs. Tacoma Defiance (10 PM ET)
  • A rematch of last year’s Western Conference Quarterfinal

Saturday, March 8

• Inter Miami CF II vs. Chattanooga FC (7 PM ET)
  • Chattanooga’s debut match as one of the league’s new independent clubs
• Houston Dynamo 2 vs. Sporting Kansas City II (8:30 PM ET)

Sunday, March 9

• North Texas SC vs. St. Louis City 2 (8:30 PM ET)
  • Defending champions North Texas SC begin their title defense
• LAFC2 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 (10 PM ET)
  • Key early-season clash between Western Conference contenders
• Four additional matches round out the opening weekend festivities

All times are in Eastern Time (ET), and matches will be available on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV or MLSNEXTPro.com.

Playoff Innovation

The league is keeping its unique “Pick-Your-Opponent” playoff format, adding extra spice to the postseason.

Starting October 17, top-seeded teams get to choose who they face in the first two rounds.

The championship journey culminates in the MLS NEXT Pro Cup on November 7, where the season’s best will clash for the Cup.

Expansion News

Michigan’s soccer scene is getting a boost with Grand Rapids’ Michigan Futbol Academy (MFA) joining for the 2025-26 season.

The academy will field teams across all youth levels (U13 to U19), and fans can look forward to an MLS NEXT Pro team in 2027.

2025 MLS NEXT Pro Teams

Western Conference Teams

Pacific

• LAFC 2
• Real Monarchs
• Timbers2
• Tacoma Defiance
• The Town FC
• Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2
• Ventura County FC

Frontier

• Austin FC II
• Colorado Rapids 2
• Houston Dynamo 2
• MNUFC2
• North Texas SC
• Sporting KC II
• St. Louis CITY2

Eastern Conference Teams

Southeast

• Atlanta United 2
• Carolina Core FC
• Chattanooga FC
• Crown Legacy FC
• Huntsville City FC
• Inter Miami CF II
• Orlando City B

Northeast

• FC Cincinnati 2
• Chicago Fire FC II
• Columbus Crew 2
• New England Revolution II
• NYCFC II
• New York Red Bulls II
• Philadelphia Union II
• TFC II

My Prediction

Thanks to their strong developmental system and talented roster, I predict that St. Louis City 2 will win the MLS NEXT Pro Cup in 2025.

With a focus on developing young players, they have built a talented group that knows how to attack and defend.

Coupled with passionate fan support and strong leadership, St. Louis City 2 is set to dominate in 2025.

Featured image source: https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/mls-next-pro-s-fourth-season-to-kick-off-march-7