U-13 MLS NEXT Teams Adjust Field Sizes
For the 2024-25 season, MLS NEXT has introduced new field dimensions for the U-13 age group. They become the first youth soccer league in North America to adopt fields shorter than 100 yards.
The updated field lengths will now range from 86 to 96 yards (no width adjustment yet), a change aimed at fostering long-term player development.
“The goals will be adjusted to the penalty spot and the home team is required to line a box out with flat white cones provided by MLS NEXT.”
This adjustment emphasizes technical skills over physical attributes by encouraging play in tighter spaces.
OBJECTIVES:
- Introduce players to space instead of throwing them into space.
- Help players understand touches of consequence (touch with space, touch in traffic, touch under heavy pressure).
- Prioritizing more situations under pressure that require solutions based on technical ability over physical ability.
I love this change. Eleven and twelve-year-old kids are still growing and getting stronger. In the past, most players are forced to kick and play beyond their physical abilities.
By shrinking the field, players can focus on developing their technical skills. It also levels out the playing field a little more. Kids who mature earlier will have less of a competitive advantage.
Kudos to Major League Soccer for making this needed change 👏
Written By: Beau Bridges
Founder of SoccerNovo
I’m Beau 👋 a proud dad of an MLS NEXT player, former soccer coach, soccer enthusiast, and board member of our local youth sports program. I created soccernovo.com to share my knowledge of the game and help parents learn more about youth soccer in the U.S. I also authored an eBook ‘Soccer Coach Made Simple‘. Learn more about Beau.
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