MLS Next Pro
 | |
| Founded | June 21, 2021 |
|---|---|
| First season | 2022 |
| Country | United States |
| Other club(s) from | Canada |
| Confederation | CONCACAF |
| Number of teams | 21 |
| Level on pyramid | 3 |
| Domestic cup(s) | U.S. Open Cup (independent teams only) |
| Website | mlsnextpro.com |
| Current: 2022 MLS Next Pro season | |
MLS Next Pro is a men's professional soccer league in the United States and Canada that is affiliated with Major League Soccer. It launched in 2022 with 21 teams, of which 20 are reserve sides for MLS clubs and the independent Rochester New York FC. The league is classified as part of the third tier of the United States soccer league system.[1]
History[edit]
On June 21, 2021, Major League Soccer announced the creation of a new professional league which would begin play in 2022. MLS has applied to the United States Soccer Federation for the league to be sanctioned as a Division III professional league, the same level currently occupied by USL League One and the National Independent Soccer Association and one level below the USL Championship.[2] MLS announced that Next Pro would start with at least 20 teams, many of them owned by Major League Soccer and development teams between their first-teams and their youth academies.[2] All MLS clubs with reserve teams in USL Championship or USL League One will be moving those sides to MLS Next Pro by 2023.[2]
The inaugural match of MLS Next Pro was played on March 25, 2022 at Hermann Stadium in St. Louis. St. Louis City SC 2 defeated Rochester New York FC 2–0. Wan Kuzain scored the first ever goal in the 20th minute.[3][4][5]
Competition format[edit]
The league runs from spring to fall with the first season kicking off in March. Each team plays 24 regular-season games, which will be followed by an 8-team playoff tournament. The league is divided into Eastern and Western Conferences.[6]
Unlike Major League Soccer, MLS Next Pro does not feature a salary cap, and player contracts are held by the teams and not by the league. Team rosters can have up to 24 professional players (not including amateur academy players) with a maximum of seven international players.[7] An MLS Next Pro club's active roster contains up to 35 players, all of whom are eligible for selection to each official match during the MLS Next Pro season.[8]
Teams[edit]
Eastern Conference
Western Conference
future club
Future teams[edit]
| Team[6] | Location | Stadium | Capacity | Founded | Joining | Current league | Affiliate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta United 2 | Kennesaw, Georgia | Fifth Third Bank Stadium | 8,318 | 2017 | 2023 | USL Championship | Atlanta United FC |
| Austin | TBD | TBD | – | – | none | Austin FC | |
| Charlotte | TBD | TBD | – | – | none | Charlotte FC | |
| LA Galaxy II | Carson, California | Dignity Health Sports Park | 5,000 | 2014 | USL Championship | LA Galaxy | |
| Los Angeles | TBD | TBD | – | – | none | Los Angeles FC | |
| Loudoun United FC | Leesburg, Virginia | Segra Field | 5,000 | 2018 | USL Championship | D.C. United | |
| Nashville | TBD | TBD | – | – | none | Nashville SC | |
| New York Red Bulls II | Montclair, New Jersey | MSU Soccer Park at Pittser Field | 5,000 | 2015 | USL Championship | New York Red Bulls |
See also[edit]
- MLS Next
- MLS Reserve League (2005–2014)
References[edit]
- ^ Straus, Brian (December 6, 2021). "MLS Next Pro Adds Another Element to U.S. Soccer's Ever-Evolving Lower Club Tier". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
- ^ a b c Bonagura, Kyle (June 21, 2021). "Major League Soccer to launch development league in 2022". ESPN. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
- ^ Schneider, Jacob (March 24, 2022). "St Louis CITY2 hosts RNY FC in Inaugural MLS NEXT Pro Match". mlsnextpro.com. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
- ^ "Match Report: stlvsroc 03-25-2022". mlsnextpro.com. March 25, 2022. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
- ^ Schneider, Jacob (March 25, 2022). "Historic Day in St. Louis as CITY2 beats RNY FC to begin the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro campaign". mlsnextpro.com. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
- ^ a b "MLS NEXT Pro unveils 21 clubs for inaugural season starting March 2022". mlssoccer. December 6, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
- ^ Rueter, Jeff (January 14, 2022). "MLS Next Pro to have no salary cap, other key differences from MLS structure, sources say". The Athletic. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
- ^ "2022 MLS NEXT PRO Roster Guidelines". MLS Next Pro. January 31, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
External links[edit]
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