MLS NEXT U13 & U14 Rankings

MLS NEXT is revolutionizing youth soccer by ranking U13 and U14 teams based on quality of play instead of just wins and losses.

Gone are the days when youth soccer was all about the scoreboard. MLS NEXT has just rolled out something pretty special that could change how we think about youth soccer success.

Beyond the W-L Column: A Fresh Look at Youth Soccer

The old way was simple: win games, move up the rankings. But we all know soccer is more than just the final score, right? This is especially true when development is a priority.

MLS NEXT’s new system looks at HOW teams play, not just IF they win. It’s like looking at the whole pizza, not just counting the slices.

For parents who’ve spent weekends watching games where bigger kids dominate smaller ones, this is big news. The system wants to reward teams that play smart soccer, even if they don’t always win.

The Secret Sauce: TAKA’s Smart Formula

Behind the scenes, there’s some pretty cool tech making this happen. TAKA (that’s their analytics partner) has created a formula that watches games differently.

The system tracks things like:

• How well teams keep the ball
• Smart defensive moves
• Creative attacking plays
• Team strategy

It’s kind of like having a smart soccer brain watching every game and noticing the good stuff that might not show up on the scoreboard.

Why This Matters for Young Players

Here’s the real game-changer: kids can now focus on getting better at soccer skills without the pressure of just winning at all costs.

“We want to build soccer players, not just winning machines,” seems to be the message here. And that’s something any parent or coach can get behind.

For the soccer nerds out there, this means teams can develop their own style. Some might focus on keeping the ball, while others might be all about quick attacks. The system rewards teams for doing their thing well, not just for being bigger or faster.

The Passion Play

Maybe the best part? This new system puts the fun back in the game. By taking some pressure off the win-loss column, kids can fall in love with soccer for what it really is – a beautiful game that rewards creativity, teamwork, and smart play.

After all, we want our young players to stay in the sport because they love it, not because they’re just good at winning.

This pilot program might just be the start of something much bigger in American youth soccer – a future where development and enjoyment matter just as much as trophies.