MLS has announced that seven new sides will join its ever-expanding youth pipeline in America ahead of the 2025-26 season
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
MLS NEXT announces seven new expansion clubsWill help fill out new tier that includes over 220 clubsRegular season play to begin in September 2025Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowWHAT HAPPENED?
Seven new clubs will join the expanded MLS NEXT youth system in the United States, Major League Soccer announced Friday. The competition, unveiled in January, will now include ALBION SC Colorado, Chattanooga FC, Huntsville City FC, Michigan Futbol Academy, Northern Virginia Alliance, The Football Academy, and Tulsa Greenwood SC. All seven clubs will feature at least two age groups in the restructured league.
AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE
The restructured MLS Next will consolidate over 220 youth clubs into one structured pre-professional pipeline. Over 1,300 teams at various age groups will feature in the competition, which has consolidated regular season and playoffs on a fall-spring calendar. Divisions are operated regionally, and run by local officials. Thirty-four states have teams participating.
WHAT MLS SAID
MLS NEXT General Manager Kyle Albrecht outlined the importance of expansion in a statement: "After a rigorous expansion process, these clubs demonstrated a thoughtful commitment to player development that will be extremely valuable to our program. We are excited to welcome all the expansion clubs that will be joining across both MLS NEXT tiers and look forward to the impact they will make. The interest from across the ecosystem emphasizes MLS NEXT’s standing as one of the most elite platforms for player development in the world."
ImagnWHAT NEXT FOR MLS NEXT?
The restructured setup will begin play this September, with MLS NEXT Cup playoffs to follow in early 2026.
