MLS Next Clubs in New York

Downtown United Soccer Club (DUSC) is a comprehensive youth soccer club in NYC, serving around 5,000 participants annually. They offer programs for all ages and skill levels, from beginner classes for three-year-olds to highly competitive U23 teams. DUSC is committed to providing opportunities for players from diverse backgrounds and offers significant financial aid. DUSC is a member of MLS NEXT, providing a high-level platform for player development. They joined MLS NEXT for the U13 and U14 divisions in the 2024-2025 season and have been granted MLS NEXT Full Pathway status (U13-U19) starting in Fall 2025. This allows their Boys Academy players to pursue development opportunities at the highest level. DUSC is the only club in NYC that is a member of both the Girls Academy (GA) and MLS NEXT, offering extensive playing opportunities in the city. They will also have both their first and second teams competing in MLS youth platforms starting in Fall 2025 with the introduction of a Tier 2 league program.

Leagues: MLS Next

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

FC Westchester is a premier youth soccer organization in Westchester County, New York. Their mission is to provide gifted young athletes with a rewarding soccer experience that fosters positive self-esteem and character development through hard work, respect, honesty, self-control, teamwork, and sportsmanship. They aim to develop technically and tactically superior players in a safe and constructive environment, with the ultimate goal of competing at collegiate and potentially professional levels. FC Westchester offers programs for both boys and girls, including elite training, supplemental training, and summer camps. They have teams participating in leagues such as MLS NEXT and EDP. The club emphasizes character development, integrity, self-discipline, and sportsmanship, while also focusing on technical mastery, soccer intelligence, and creativity on the field. They have a pathway designed to help players reach college and potentially professional soccer.

Leagues: MLS Next

FA Euro New York is a 501(c)(3) non-profit youth soccer organization established in 2013, based in Brooklyn and Staten Island, New York. They are the only MLS NEXT club in Brooklyn and Staten Island, providing a direct pathway to elite national-level competition. FA Euro's mission is to develop exceptional soccer players and outstanding individuals through a player-centered, development-focused training model inspired by European soccer methodology. They offer programs for various age groups, from a grassroots program for ages 3-14 through their MLS GO initiative to competitive programs from U7 to U19. The club's senior team competes in USL League Two. FA Euro also provides a supportive community and a Brooklyn-based clubhouse for players.

Leagues: MLS Next

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

Blau Weiss Gottschee is a renowned non-profit youth soccer club based in Middle Village, Queens, New York, established in 1951 by Austrian immigrants. The club is recognized for its exceptional player development program, emphasizing technical skills, individual creativity, and tactical understanding. BW Gottschee provides a community-based program that aims to develop high-quality players through consistent, age-appropriate training, free play, and high-level competition. They foster an environment where young athletes are challenged to excel, promoting a holistic approach to player development that encourages personal growth and a winning attitude. BW Gottschee has a strong history of success, including national championships in 1985 and 2014. They are an Academy Affiliate of the New York Red Bulls, providing a pathway for players to potentially reach the professional level. The club has produced notable players who have gone on to play professionally, including for the USMNT and MLS clubs. With 26 teams, including both boys and girls, BW Gottschee remains one of the nation's largest and most successful clubs, significantly due to high volunteer involvement.

Leagues: MLS Next

Long Island Soccer Club (LISC) is a soccer club in Glen Cove, NY, dedicated to providing a comprehensive professional learning environment for committed, elite-level players in the Long Island area. Their soccer philosophy is a holistic approach that invests in each individual player's technical, tactical, physical, and psychosocial development. LISC offers a complete player pathway for youth players to develop and compete in national-level leagues and tournaments, including being Long Island's only Tier 1 MLS NEXT Team for U13-U19 age groups. They have experienced and professional coaches committed to developing youth as both players and people, and they utilize pristine facilities across Long Island, such as Bethpage State Park, Hofstra University, Adelphi University, and Mitchel Field Athletic Complex. LISC also offers specialized training through summer clinics and masterclasses in various aspects of soccer.

Leagues: MLS Next

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