What Parents Like and What They Don’t
This year, MLS NEXT launched a seismic expansion by adding an “Academy Division,” now commonly called MLS NEXT2, to run alongside its top-tier Homegrown Division. This move instantly doubled the number of participating clubs and players nationwide, bringing new faces and fresh opportunities to the league—but also sparking heated conversation among parents, coaches, and clubs about what these changes really mean for young athletes. Now, there is a Awave of new rules around age groups, eligibility, and player experience—including a coming switch to school-year age brackets—has only intensified the debate. This article explores what families like about MLS NEXT2, where frustrations are brewing, and what questions every parent should be asking as the landscape shifts.
What Is MLS NEXT2 / Academy Division?
MLS NEXT2 (formally the “Academy Division”) is the newer, regionalized tier of the MLS NEXT platform that sits just below the fully funded Homegrown Division. It brings more clubs and players into the MLS ecosystem while still sharing branding, events, and exposure opportunities with the top tier. For many families, it is the first realistic entry point into “MLS-branded” soccer without needing to join an MLS club academy.
What Parents Like
Many parents in the Academy Division report that the overall level of play is a clear step up from local NPL/RL or state‑level leagues, even if it still sits just under ECNL in some markets. Families appreciate the access to MLS NEXT events, more structured communication, and the sense that their players are on a recognizable national pathway—even if they are not in a Homegrown academy. Some also like the newer initiatives around scholarships, standardized policies, and age‑group alignment, which are framed as attempts to make the system more “player‑first” and less pay‑to‑play.
What Frustrates Parents
At the same time, there is real frustration around how the Academy Division runs week‑to‑week. Parents frequently point to light or inconsistent schedules, late Sunday kickoffs, and the feeling that NEXT2 is an “afterthought” compared to the Homegrown Division. Others are concerned about uneven team quality and long‑distance travel to face mismatched opponents, which can make an “elite” label feel diluted and expensive. If NEXT2 is essentially the “B” team, one question has to be “if a player excels, are they going to be on the radar of the Homegrown level team and have a realistic chance of promotion?
The New Age-Group and Rule Changes
Recent and upcoming changes add another layer of tension. The move toward school‑year age groups for the Academy Division—while the top Homegrown tier stays on birth year—has many families worried about roster shuffles, late‑birthday disadvantages, and clubs being forced to choose between league rules and individual players’ best interests. New initiatives around minimum playing time at younger ages and expanded identification tools can sound great on paper, but some parents fear they will either lower competitive standards or add logistical burden without clear benefits.
How Parents Can Use MLS NEXT2 Wisely
For many players, NEXT2 can be an excellent environment if the local club is strong, the coach is a good fit, and the family understands that very few kids are actually headed to pro contracts. Parent reviews consistently suggest that the best outcomes come when families treat Academy Division as one possible development pathway—not a golden ticket—and stay focused on coaching quality, day‑to‑day joy, and realistic college options. Asking hard questions about schedule, travel, scholarships, and where the team truly sits in the local landscape (vs ECNL, regional leagues, and strong independent clubs) helps parents decide whether NEXT2 is the right move for their specific child, not just a shiny logo on the jersey.
Learn More About the MLS Next announcement and details and the link below.
Gloria Cid-Stitt
Co-Founder, U.S. Soccer Parent (Soccer Mom, Career Marketer, Lover of all things Fútbal)