Major League Soccer

Major League Soccer (MLS) is the premier professional men's soccer league in the United States and Canada. A central part of its long-term strategy involves cultivating homegrown talent through its official youth platform, MLS NEXT. This elite youth development league provides a clear pathway for young players to progress toward a professional career. The day-to-day administration and strategic management of MLS NEXT are handled by a specific entity called Player Development, L.L.C. (PDev). PDev is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MLS, created to oversee all operational aspects of the youth league, from competition standards to player identification. This integrated structure ensures that the development of the next generation of athletes aligns directly with the goals and standards of the professional league.