MLS Next Clubs in New York

Blau Weiss Gottschee (BW Gottschee) is a prominent youth soccer organization based in Middle Village, Queens, New York City. Established in 1951 by Austrian immigrants, it operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The club serves a wide range of age groups, including an intramural program for boys and girls aged 4 to 9, boys' developmental teams for U8-U11, and an academy for U12-U19 players. BW Gottschee is distinguished by its strong emphasis on the mastery of technical skills, individual creativity, and a holistic approach to player development. The club has a notable history of success, including national championships in 1985 and 2014. It is an Academy Affiliate of the New York Red Bulls, providing a clear pathway for players to potentially reach the professional level. BW Gottschee has produced several professional players, including Timothy Weah, Omir Fernandez, Jack McGlynn, and Dylan Nealis. Their teams compete in top-level programs such as MLS Next. The club is recognized as one of the nation's largest and most successful, significantly due to high volunteer involvement.

Leagues: MLS Next, MLS Next 2

Downtown United Soccer Club (DUSC) is a comprehensive youth soccer organization established in 1982 and based in New York City, primarily serving Downtown Manhattan and the greater NYC area. The club is organized as a 501(c)(3) non-profit entity dedicated to educating, training, and inspiring youth soccer players of all ages and abilities. DUSC aims to foster a community that reflects the diversity of New York City, helping children develop a lifelong love for soccer and realize their full potential. They offer a wide range of programs for players from age 3 (Mini Ballers Classes) up to highly competitive U23 Men's and Women's teams. DUSC is distinguished by its commitment to providing programs for all stages of development and interest, serving approximately 5,000 participants annually. The club offers top competitive programs, including MLS Next and Girls Academy (GA), providing a full pathway for advanced players. DUSC also emphasizes community impact, offering scholarships and partnering with organizations to increase access to soccer.

Leagues: MLS Next, Girls Academy, MLS Next 2

FA Euro New York is a youth soccer organization based in Brooklyn and Staten Island, New York. Established in 2013, it operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The club's mission is to develop exceptional soccer players and individuals through a player-centered, development-focused training model inspired by European soccer methodology. FA Euro New York offers programs for various age groups, from a grassroots initiative for ages 3-14 through its MLS GO program, to competitive programs for U7 to U19. A key focus is providing youth players with a direct pathway to play at professional and/or collegiate levels. The club is the only MLS Next club in Brooklyn and Staten Island, providing access to elite national-level competition. Additionally, its senior team competes in USL League Two. FA Euro also provides a student-athlete residency program and a supportive community with a Brooklyn-based clubhouse.

Leagues: MLS Next, MLS Next 2

FC Westchester is a premier youth soccer organization operating in Westchester County, New York. The club was founded to provide infrastructure and coaching access to facilitate player growth, and it is a founding member of MLS Next, which launched in 2020. FC Westchester serves a wide range of age groups, with programs for boys from U-9 to U-19 and girls from U-9 to U-23. The club's mission is to develop positive self-esteem and build character by instilling virtues such as hard work, respect, honesty, self-control, teamwork, and sportsmanship. A key distinguishing feature is its commitment to providing superior technical and tactical instruction to maximize player potential. For boys, FC Westchester offers highly competitive platforms, including MLS Next, the Northeast Academy League (NEAL), and the National Academy League (NAL). The girls' program competes in the North Atlantic Conference, managed by EDP Soccer, which aims to provide a "Good Game Every Week". The club emphasizes a collaborative approach to player development, preparing athletes for both soccer and life beyond the field.

Leagues: MLS Next, MLS Next 2

Long Island Soccer Club (LISC) is a youth soccer organization operating across the Long Island area, with training facilities in both Nassau and Suffolk counties. Founded in 2017, LISC provides a comprehensive professional learning environment for exceptionally committed, elite-level players. The club offers a complete player pathway, enabling youth players to develop and compete in top national-level leagues and tournaments. LISC teams participate in prominent competitive platforms, including MLS NEXT and the Girls Academy (GA). The club distinguishes itself through its experienced and professional coaching staff, dedicated to player development. LISC also engages in community initiatives, such as its "Kick Cancer with LISC" program supporting Breast Cancer Awareness. The club focuses on providing opportunities for select age groups to join its competitive teams.

Leagues: MLS Next, Girls Academy, MLS Next 2

Metropolitan Oval is a historic soccer facility and academy in New York City dedicated to youth soccer development. As a founding member of MLS NEXT, Met Oval focuses on developing elite talent through its Youth Center of Excellence, offering programs for players from U-6 to U-19. They provide specialized training, team play, camps, and clinics with a focus on technical skills and player development. Met Oval is committed to offering opportunities to youth of all backgrounds, including providing need-based financial support. Their "Professional Pathway" aims to place players in youth national teams, MLS and international academies, and collegiate programs. Met Oval has a strong track record of placing players in MLS and international academies. The facility, originally built in 1925, has been recently updated with a new synthetic field and lighting.

Leagues: MLS Next, MLS Next 2

New York City FC is dedicated to youth soccer development, offering a clear pathway for young players through their youth programs and MLS NEXT Academy. The club's youth initiatives include Regional Hubs with programs like "City Roots" for players aged 5-8, focusing on fundamental skills in a fun environment. For players aged 9-11, NYCFC offers Boys Select Teams and Girls Teams that provide advanced training and competitive play, aiming to identify and develop talent. These teams compete in leagues such as EDP and the Girls Academy - Aspire league. The NYCFC Boys Academy is a free-to-play program for players U12 and older, operating with the goal of identifying, developing, and producing top local youth players in the New York Metropolitan area. The Academy operates across multiple age groups (U12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19) and provides coaching, guidance, and evaluation with direct contact to Academy and first-team staff. The Academy emphasizes a development philosophy that includes technical skill, possession-based play, and high pressing, aligning with the first team's style. Players in the Academy have opportunities to compete in top-level tournaments, including MLS NEXT Fest and the Generation Adidas Cup. NYCFC's Academy has a track record of developing players who have gone on to play for the first team and in Europe. NYCFC also has Youth Affiliate Clubs, providing technical support and a pathway for players within these partner clubs to potentially reach the highest levels of competition. The club's youth programs and Academy prioritize player welfare, well-being, and education both on and off the field.

Leagues: MLS Next

New York Soccer Club (NYSC) is a premier youth and amateur soccer organization based in Westchester County, NY, founded in 2009. They are a member of MLS NEXT and the Girls Academy League, providing training and competition for players aiming for high-level play. NYSC focuses on player development with a "player-first philosophy," experienced coaching, and a pathway to college and professional soccer. Their mission is to achieve the highest standard in youth development through an environment that fosters growth, enjoyment, and character within a unified club structure. NYSC has a distinct possession-based attacking style of play, emphasizing dominating possession, creating scoring opportunities, and playing through the lines. They currently have over 40 boys and girls youth teams competing in various leagues including MLS NEXT, Girls Academy League, EDP, and NYCFC-affiliate leagues. NYSC teams compete at state, regional, and national levels. The club is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Leagues: MLS Next, Girls Academy, MLS Next 2

RNY FC's Boys MLS NEXT Academy offers a professional learning environment for youth soccer players in Western New York, emphasizing individual development as players, teammates, and people. As a founding member of MLS NEXT, the highest platform for youth player development in the US, the academy operates year-round. Their mission is to be a model program for elite amateur academies in North America's top youth soccer league. The academy focuses on a comprehensive approach to development, demanding excellence on the field, in the classroom, and in the community, and aims to instill life values such as commitment, sacrifice, discipline, humility, and hard work. The RNYFC Academy is located at the RNYFC Athletic Complex in West Henrietta, NY, a 60-acre facility with an indoor field, sports performance area, and outdoor turf field. The academy has a history that includes transitions from the Rochester Mavericks and Rochester Spirit to the Rochester Junior Rhinos and Empire United Soccer Academy before becoming Rochester NY FC Youth. They also have teams participating in various age groups within the MLS NEXT program.

Leagues: MLS Next, Girls Academy, MLS Next 2