Results
| Date | R | Home vs Away | - |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11/09 00:00 | 1 |
[1] New York Red Bulls II vs Colorado Rapids II
[3] |
6-4 |
| 11/03 01:30 | 126 | [3] Colorado Rapids II vs Minnesota United FC II [5] | 2-1 |
| 11/01 23:00 | 126 |
[1] New York Red Bulls II vs Philadelphia Union II
[2] 
|
2-1 |
| 10/27 01:00 | 132 | [2] The Town vs Colorado Rapids II [3] | 2-4 |
| 10/26 23:00 | 132 |
[1] New York Red Bulls II vs Chicago Fire II
[6] |
5-3 |
| 10/26 22:00 | 132 | [1] St. Louis City SC II vs Minnesota United FC II [5] | 0-2 |
| 10/25 22:00 | 132 |
[2] Philadelphia Union II vs Huntsville City
[6] |
1-0 |
| 10/20 01:00 | 611 |
[2] The Town vs North Texas SC
[6] 
|
3-0 |
| 10/20 00:00 | 611 |
[4] Real Monarchs SLC vs Minnesota United FC II
[5] |
1-2 |
| 10/19 23:00 | 611 |
[1] St. Louis City SC II vs Ventura County FC
[8] 
|
3-0 |
| 10/19 23:00 | 611 |
[1] New York Red Bulls II vs Carolina Core FC
[8] 
|
5-1 |
| 10/19 23:00 | 611 |
[4] Chattanooga FC vs Huntsville City
[6] |
0-2 |
Teams
Philadelphia Union II
St Louis City II
The Town
Colorado Rapids II
Tacoma Defiance
North Texas SC
Chicago Fire II
New England Revolution II
Houston Dynamo II
Minnesota United FC II
Vancouver Whitecaps II
FC Cincinnati II
Real Monarchs SLC
Inter Miami CF II
Sporting Kansas City II
Toronto FC II
New York City FC II
Orlando City II
Portland Timbers II
New York Red Bulls II
Austin FC II
Crown Legacy
Huntsville City
Ventura County FC
Los Angeles FC II
Atlanta United II
Chattanooga FC
Carolina Core FC
RNY FC
Wikipedia - MLS Next Pro
MLS Next Pro (MLSNP) is a men's professional soccer league in the United States and Canada that is affiliated with Major League Soccer (MLS). It launched in 2022 with 21 teams and now comprises 27 reserve sides of MLS clubs and two independent clubs (Carolina Core FC and Chattanooga FC). MLS Next Pro is classified as part of the third tier of the United States soccer league system.
As of the 2025–26 season, 27 of the 30 MLS teams held affiliations with an MLS Next Pro team, with only the CF Montréal, D.C. United, and San Diego FC having no such franchise affiliation.
History
In the mid 2000's MLS teams began to form their own academies to begin the development of players. In 2005, MLS launched a reserve league with the then 12 teams that competed in MLS. This was an effort to allow games for the players amongst the academies for more meaningful competition.
MLS announced the dissolution of the Reserve League following the partnership formed with then-named USL. This allowed players to get loaned from teams in MLS to play minutes in teams in third division soccer. This was mandatory during the time of affiliation between MLS–USL clubs. During the partnership, teams in MLS began the foundings of their own B teams, or No. 2 teams. First teams among MLS to field B teams were: RSL, LA Galaxy, Toronto FC, and Portland Timbers.
Formation of the league
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. 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. All MLS clubs with reserve teams in the USL Championship or USL League One initially planned to move those sides to MLS Next Pro by 2023. D.C. United's formerly owned-and-operated reserve team was sold to independent buyers.
The inaugural match of MLS Next Pro was played on March 25, 2022, at Hermann Stadium in St. Louis. St. Louis City 2 defeated Rochester New York FC 2–0. Wan Kuzain scored the first ever goal in the 20th minute.
The league makes use of unique rules such as all regular season draws being decided by penalty shootouts and the addition of concussion substitutions. On July 6, 2022, new rules for the league were introduced in the middle of the season. This included an off-field treatment rule meant to curb gamesmanship and timewasting and a new rule for red card suspensions: the suspension a player gets for getting a red card or two yellow cards in the same game will be served by the player when next playing against the same opponent.
The USA MLS Next Pro League is an exciting and innovative soccer tournament designed to showcase the next generation of talent in American soccer. As a pivotal component of Major League Soccer's (MLS) player development pathway, this league serves as a bridge between youth academies and professional play, providing young athletes with the opportunity to compete at a high level while honing their skills.
**Tournament Format:**
The MLS Next Pro League features a competitive format that includes teams from various MLS academies and independent clubs. The tournament is structured to promote both individual and team development, with matches played in a round-robin format followed by knockout rounds, culminating in a thrilling championship match. This structure not only emphasizes competitive play but also encourages collaboration and sportsmanship among participants.
**Player Development Focus:**
The primary goal of the MLS Next Pro League is to identify and nurture emerging soccer talent. Coaches and scouts from MLS teams closely monitor the tournament, providing players with invaluable exposure and opportunities to advance to higher levels of competition. The league emphasizes skill development, tactical understanding, and physical fitness, ensuring that players are well-prepared for the demands of professional soccer.
**Community Engagement:**
The tournament also aims to engage local communities, fostering a love for the sport and encouraging youth participation. By hosting matches in various cities, the MLS Next Pro League brings soccer to fans across the nation, creating a vibrant atmosphere that celebrates the sport and its players. Community events, fan interactions, and youth clinics are integral parts of the tournament, promoting soccer as a unifying force.
**Conclusion:**
The USA MLS Next Pro League is more than just a tournament; it is a vital platform for the future stars of American soccer. With its focus on player development, competitive excellence, and community engagement, the league is poised to play a significant role in shaping the landscape of soccer in the United States. Fans, families, and aspiring players are invited to witness the next wave of talent as they strive for greatness on the pitch.