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MLS NEXT Pro

MLS NEXT Pro news

Fire II: Ted Lasso's Fernandez trained with team earlier this month

Cristo Fernandez, who played Dani Rojas in the beloved Apple TV series Ted Lasso, trained with MLS's Chicago Fire last month, the club confirmed Wednesday. GOAL reported the Mexican-born actor was on trial with USL Championship side El Paso Locomotive earlier this week, and could yet receive a contract. Fernandez played academy soccer in Mexico as a teenager.

MLS NEXT Pro unveils 2026 schedule with expansion to 30 clubs

MLS NEXT Pro officially announced its 2026 regular season schedule, marking the league’s earliest start to date and the expansion to 30 teams with the addition of Connecticut United FC. The season will feature 420 matches, run through the FIFA World Cup, and include key milestones such as a Decision Day, new venues, and increased pathways to MLS first teams.

U.S. legend Bradley leads NYRB II to MLS NEXT Pro Cup victory

Former USMNT star Michael Bradley earned his first coaching title as New York Red Bulls II captured the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Cup. His side erased a two-goal deficit to beat Colorado Rapids 2 on penalties after a 3-3 draw. A record crowd of 9,095 at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, N.J., watched the Eastern Conference champs claim the league’s fourth title.

North Texas SC's Sarver named 2025 MLS NEXT Pro MVP

MLS NEXT Pro announced North Texas SC forward Sam Sarver has been named the 2025 MVP after a breakout campaign that saw the 22-year-old captain rewrite his club’s scoring history and finish near the top of the league’s charts. Sarver’s award caps a season in which he finished as the runner-up in the Golden Boot race and earned a spot on the league’s Best XI.

MLS names Altchek EVP, Curtis president of MLS NEXT Pro

MLS announced Charles Altchek has been named as Executive Vice President of Club Performance and League Growth while Ali Curtis takes over as President of MLS NEXT Pro and Executive Vice President of MLS Sporting Development. Altchek will work directly with team owners and executives to drive business growth, while Curtis takes control of MLS's developmental league.

Robles addresses changes in MLS NEXT as U.S. eyes 2026 success

GOAL Convo: Robles on MLS NEXT rule changes, including three-period games, meant to American soccer forward

MLS Next Pro's penalty rules are changing youth soccer

League rules stipulate that every draw goes straight to penalty kicks, a rule that has had a major impact in MLS Next Pro and beyond

MLS academies walk tightrope between development, winning

MLS academies face a constant battle between winning and ensuring that their players develop in the right way

Scouting Forfor: The aspiring USMNT fullback in Crew's ranks

GOAL spoke with Forfor about his aspirations as a footballer, and his quick rise through the academy in 2025 into MLS NEXT Pro

East defeats West 4-3 in thrilling MLS NEXT All-Star Game

A second half that included five combined goals summed up a riveting MLS Next match to kick off All-Star week

Ellis named MLS NEXT U19 MVP after stellar Orlando City SC season

MLS NEXT has announced the winners of its annual MVP and Goal of the Year awards for the 2024-25 regular season, with Ellis winning the U19 MVP honor

Sullivan shares insights ahead of MLS NEXT All-Star Game

The rising star took to social media to offer advice to the 44 young talents selected for the All-Star Game

WATCH: 15-year-old Cavan Sullivan scores brace for Union II

Sullivan scored an emphatic brace and bagged his strike in the ensuing shootout as Union II claimed two points

Bradley finds perfect fit in Klopp's Red Bull coaching pipeline

With help from Klopp and Jesse Marsch, the long-time USMNT midfielder is developing into the coach he always wanted to be

Caraballo headlines rising talent at 2025 MLS NEXT All-Star Game

MLS has revealed the complete rosters and event details for the 2025 MLS NEXT All-Star Game presented by Allstate on Tuesday

Bradley: Klopp, Red Bull system inspired RBNY II move

Bradley was introduced in the new role, and shared why he decided to go back to the club that launched his career

Apostas em destaque

Palpite Cruzeiro x Boca Juniors - Libertadores - 28/04/2026

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WATCH: Quakes' López scores spectacular half-line goal in NEXT Pro

The Quakes designated player made a memorable impact in his rehabilitation appearance as he scored an incredible goal from his own half

Taka: MLS NEXT looks to 'shift the paradigm' at U13, U14 levels

GOAL sat down with MLS NEXT technical director Luis Robles to discuss the significance of Taka and how it's being implemented

FC Harlem brings in Toulouse FC star McKenzie as Club Ambassador

FC Harlem have announced the addition of the USMNT center back as an official club ambassador, strengthening their connection to professional soccer

Galaxy U16s stun Eindhoven in Generation Adidas Cup thriller

The MLS side’s academy team produced a memorable performance in the semifinals of the 2025 Generation Adidas Cup

St Louis City U16 beat Bayern Munich in Generation Adidas Cup

The MLS side’s U16 side beat FC Bayern Munich's youth side in a thrilling penalty shootout

MLS NEXT unveils 'Quality of Play Rankings' for U13, U14 levels

MLS NEXT made the groundbreaking announcement on Wednesday, as they look to promote development at the youth levels

WATCH: NYCFC throwback to exquisite Shore goal in NEXT Pro

The New York City FC's starlet has continued to impress since his transition to the first team

Eldin Jakupovic is mentoring the next generation in MLS Next Pro

The 40-year-old shot stopper, who has featured for clubs in England, Greece, Switzerland and Russia, has found an unlikely home in the United States

WATCH: Sullivan scores, continues MLS Next Pro dominance

The Philadelphia Union II rising young player was at it again as the Union drew 2-2 to Huntsville City FC in the MLS Next Pro

WATCH: Sullivan opens 2025 account with stunning free kick

The Philadelphia Union II star kicked off his 2025 campaign in style with spectacular goal in their home opener

WATCH: Outrageous bicycle kick for Minnesota academy's Giel

Young talent showcases world-class skill with acrobatic goal against Houston Dynamo academy

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Tacoma Defiance's Omar Hassan pulls off an audacious chip

The young midfielder signed with Seattle Sounders’ developmental side in January and has already impressed with his performances

Cavan Sullivan Philadelphia Union 2 2024

📽️ | Wonderkid Cavan Sullivan smashes goal from distance

The Man City-bound midfielder found the net from distance to secure an Eastern Conference championship for the Union's MLS Next Pro side

Frequently asked questions

: Orlando City and Louisville City share the record for the most USL Championship titles, each winning the championship two times. Orlando City won in 2011 and 2013, while Louisville City won in 2017 and 2018.
: The 2024 season of USL will see 24 teams compete for the league. When the league was founded in 2011 as USL Pro, only 12 teams contested. That number rose to 14 in 2014, 24 in 2015, 30 in 2017, 36 in 2019, and now back at 24.
: Jamaican midfielder Kenardo Forbes is the player with the most appearances in USL history, having featured in 303 games.
: With 105 goals (and counting) in 249 games, Jamaican forward Dane Kelly is USL's leading goalscorer of all-time.
: Axel Kei, a centre-forward, holds the record as the youngest-ever player in USL Championship history. He made his debut in 2021 at the remarkable age of 13 years and 282 days.
: Jamie Vardy, Gareth Bale, James Maddison, John Stones, and Darren Bent are some of the most iconic players to have played in the Championship.
: Alen Marcina, Mark Briggs, Trevor James, and Noah Delgado are among the most popular coaches in USL history.
: Protective Stadium, which is where Birmingham Legion FC play their home games, is the biggest stadium in the USL with a capacity of 47,000.
: Fanendo Ali is the most expensive player in USL history, being bought for $1 million (allocation money) by FC Cincinnati in a trade with Portland Timbers.

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