COMMERCE CITY, Colo. - MLS NEXT today announced the evolution of the Pro Player Pathway, changes to field sizes in the U13 age group and key dates for the 2024-25 season. The 2024-25 MLS NEXT season will be the fifth in the program’s history and feature 29 MLS academies alongside 122 MLS NEXT Elite Academies, which will compete in league play as well as five premier national and international events.
MLS NEXT has continued to evolve the Pro Player Pathway, with MLS academies moving from the U15 and U17 age group designations to the U16 and U18 age group designations. All MLS academy U18 sides, including the Rapids Academy, will compete in the U18 age group in the MLS NEXT Pro Pathway, MLS NEXT Fest and Generation adidas Cup. The rosters for the U18 competitions will be made up of U18 players and a limited number of overage players. During MLS NEXT Flex and the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs and Showcase, the U18 teams will play in the U19 age division, allowing for more overage players to be rostered.
Designed to improve the player pathway by optimizing the transition from the academy level to MLS NEXT Pro, the new age structure will create greater alignment by providing a higher level of competition for all MLS NEXT players prior to signing professionally, playing in college or pursuing other opportunities. The additional year (i.e. shifting U17 to U18) will provide MLS clubs more opportunity to establish clear and effective development paths for each player.
The Rapids Academy will continue to field a U15 side for the 2024-25 MLS NEXT season alongside the new U16 and U18 age structure. The club will also host U14 and U13 MLS NEXT teams, which will be run by the Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club with support and oversight from the Rapids Academy’s technical staff.
In the U13 age group, MLS NEXT has adjusted field sizes for the 2024-25 season, becoming the first North American youth soccer league to make fields less than 100 yards long. Field lengths will now be between 86-96 yards and the change will enhance long-term development by introducing players to tighter space and creating situations that prioritize technical ability over physical attributes.
For the upcoming season, the league has had an overall increase of 76 teams across all age groups in comparison to 2023-24. The MLS NEXT calendar will feature five premier events during the season – MLS NEXT Fest in December 2024, Generation adidas Cup in April 2025, MLS NEXT Flex in May 2025, the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs and Showcase and the MLS NEXT All-Star Game presented by Allstate in summer 2025.
For a look at the full MLS NEXT schedule for the 2024-25 season, visit mlssoccer.com/mlsnext.
