OAL MLS Next GA League

LANCASTER

MLS Next

PA Classics MLS Next Teams

PA Classics MLS Next Teams

2025-26 MLS Next Homegrown Division

MLS Next HD Director 
Pat Ouckama 
patouckama@paclassics.org

2025-26 MLS Next Academy Division

MLS Next AD Director
Tim Mehl 
timjmehl@gmail.com

About MLS Next

About MLS Next

Launched in 2020, MLS NEXT is the most elite platform for youth player development in North America. With a commitment to innovation and providing access and representation, MLS NEXT players receive the best training and coaching as they prepare for their futures, both in soccer and in life.


MLS NEXT Allstate Homegrown Division

The MLS NEXT Allstate Homegrown Division is the most elite platform for youth player development in North America, delivering the highest level of training, competition, and exposure for aspiring players as they prepare for their futures. The Homegrown Division is comprised of 152 Clubs, including all MLS academies and 123 MLS NEXT Elite Academies. The top teams in each age group at each MLS NEXT Club participate in the competition, totaling more than 17,000 players.

Homegrown Division Clubs compete in a 10-month, pro-style season, participating in marquee national events throughout the year. The MLS NEXT Allstate Homegrown Division sets the standard for player development in North America and provides a direct and proven pathway to the professional game.

MLS NEXT Academy Division

MLS NEXT launched the Academy Division in the 2025-26 season, furthering its commitment to player development and creating opportunities for all players to reach their highest potential. This expansion broadens access, raises the level of play, and deepens the overall talent pool of players, coaches, and referees across North America. With this expansion, MLS NEXT has more than doubled its participating players and clubs.

With approximately 230 clubs and 25,000 players, the Academy Division brings together additional teams of current MLS NEXT clubs and more than100 newly admitted clubs.

The regular season is regionally focused and built around high school calendars, providing while maintaining elite development standards. Academy Division players are permitted to participate in high school soccer, offering a unique balance between top-tier competition and local play.

The division is managed by leading operators across the youth landscape, including the National Academy League (NAL) by 3Step Soccer, Elite Academy League (EAL), Sporting Development League (SDL), Cobalt Sports, and Cal North Soccer Association. All operators follow MLS NEXT’s technical standards and program guidelines, creating a unified nationwide platform that ensures consistent, high-quality competition.