Eight more clubs have been added to MLS NEXT as part of the program’s expansion for the 2024–2025 season.
Every new member pledges to support the growth of great players within the context of the local community, with the goal of producing well-rounded people.
Fall 2024 will see the start of play for all eight clubs.
Two teams, AC River and Hoosier Premier Academy, will offer a comprehensive player pipeline and participate in MLS NEXT competition across all age categories, from U13 to U19.
Southern States Soccer (Mississippi) has joined MLS NEXT, bringing with it teams from 35 states, three provinces in Canada, and the District of Columbia.
Chattanooga FC, which began competing in MLS NEXT Pro in 2024 as an independent club, will join MLS NEXT in 2025–2026. Connecticut United Football Club (U14, U16) will join the previously announced Carolina Core FC (U13, U14) as independent clubs in MLS NEXT Pro, with their fully-funded academies participating in MLS NEXT.
The eight expansion clubs who will debut in 2024-25 are:
AC River (San Antonio, Texas) – U13, U14, U15, U16, U17, U19
Carolina Core FC (High Point, N.C.) – U13, U14
Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club (Aurora, Colo.) – U13, U14
Connecticut United Football Club (Connecticut) – U14, U16
Downtown United Soccer Club (New York, N.Y.) – U13, U14
Hoosier Premier Academy (Noblesville, Ind.) – U13, U14, U15, U16, U17, U19
Keystone FC (Mechanicsburg, Pa.) – U13, U14, U15
Southern States Soccer (Hattiesburg, Miss.) – U13, U14, U15
“At their core, each expansion club has their own unique commitment to player development through high-level leadership and an emphasis on the holistic growth of each player, coach and staff member,” said MLS Executive Vice President Charles Altchek. “We are proud to add these eight clubs and grateful for the overwhelming interest we received to join MLS NEXT in 2024-25. MLS NEXT is the most elite player development program in North America and a top program globally.”
Every year, MLS NEXT conducts a thorough expansion process to choose which new teams will participate in the forthcoming campaign. A number of aspects were taken into account, such as excellent training programs, knowledgeable coaching, efficient player identification and recruitment, first-rate facilities, state-of-the-art technology, and clearly defined player routes.
Aside from the field, clubs had to have a culture that reflected their core values and was connected with their mission, as well as a strong commitment to representation and accessibility, comprehensive development strategies, financial assistance and scholarship programs, a forward-thinking leadership team, and overall community participation.
These features guaranteed that the selected teams met the requirements of MLS NEXT regarding player development, accessibility, and representation on the best youth soccer platform in North America.
