This Saturday marks the highly anticipated start of Season 5 of MLS NEXT, the premier youth development platform in North America. Over the course of a thrilling 10-month regular season, 753 teams from 151 clubs – including 29 MLS academies and 122 MLS NEXT Elite Academies – will showcase the talents of more than 16,000 players.

The season promises excitement and competition at the highest level, with 450+ matches set to be played during the opening weekend alone. Throughout the season, players will compete in over 10,000 matches, leading up to the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs in the summer of 2025, where champions will be crowned.

Impact at the Professional Level MLS NEXT continues to shape the future of professional soccer in North America. This year, the program has set new milestones for player development:

• Over 500+ MLS NEXT alumni have appeared in the 2024 MLS regular season, clocking more than 25,000 minutes of play.
• There has been a remarkable 50% increase in MLS NEXT alumni, with more than 60 players featuring in the 2024 MLS season.
• More than 200 academy players have gained valuable experience in MLS NEXT Pro this year.
• Seven current MLS head coaches, including 2023 MLS Cup champion Wilfried Nancy of the Columbus Crew, have coaching experience at MLS academies.
• 72% of head coaches in MLS NEXT Pro have previously coached in MLS or MLS NEXT Elite Academies.

The Road Ahead The 2024-25 MLS NEXT season will feature five national events, including the prestigious Generation adidas Cup, one of the top international youth soccer tournaments.

For updates on this exciting season, visit the MLS NEXT website, and follow MLS NEXT on Instagram, X, and TikTok to catch the stars of tomorrow in action.

We look forward to your support as we embark on what promises to be the most exciting and impactful season of MLS NEXT yet!