MLS Next Pro
MLS Next Pro is a future men's professional soccer league in the United States and Canada that is affiliated with Major League Soccer. It will launch 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]
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| 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 |
| Website | mlsnextpro.com |
History
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] It was announced by the league that will first start with 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 to MLS Next Pro by 2023.[3]
Teams
Eastern Conference
Western Conference
future club
Future teams
| Team[4] | Location | Stadium | Capacity | Founded | Joining | Current League | Afilliate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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
- MLS Next
- MLS Reserve League (2005–2014)
References
- 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.
- Bonagura, Kyle (June 21, 2021). "Major League Soccer to launch development league in 2022". ESPN. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
- Bonagura, Kyle (June 21, 2021). "Major League Soccer to launch development league in 2022". ESPN. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
- "MLS NEXT Pro unveils 21 clubs for inaugural season starting March 2022 | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer. December 6, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
External links
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