PPA Accepted into MLS NEXT Academy Division — What This Means for Our Players
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- 3 min read
March 9th, 2026
A Major Milestone for Our Club
We are proud to announce that our Premier Soccer Program has been accepted into the MLS NEXT Academy Division beginning next year.
This achievement represents a major step forward in the continued growth of our club and provides our players with access to one of the most advanced development environments in North American youth soccer.
The acceptance process into MLS NEXT is highly selective, evaluating clubs on factors such as coaching standards, player development philosophy, organizational structure, and long-term commitment to elite player development.
Being accepted confirms what our community has worked toward for years: building a program capable of developing players at the highest levels of the game.
Note: Our girls’ teams continue to compete in the Girls Academy Aspire League, a parallel elite pathway designed for top-level female players. Read all about that HERE.
What is MLS NEXT?
MLS NEXT is the premier youth soccer development platform in the United States and Canada. Launched by Major League Soccer in 2020, it was created to provide elite training environments, high-level competition, and a clear pathway for top youth players.
MLS NEXT currently features hundreds of elite academies and thousands of players across North America competing in age groups from U13 through U19.
The league is designed to:
Raise the standard of youth development
Create consistent elite competition
Provide national scouting exposure
Support pathways to college and professional soccer
Many MLS academies and top independent clubs compete within this platform.
What is the MLS NEXT Academy Division?
MLS NEXT Academy Division is an expansion within MLS NEXT designed to bring additional high-performing clubs into the MLS NEXT ecosystem.
The division currently includes over 230 clubs and approximately 25,000 players, expanding opportunities for elite player development across North America.
Key features include:
Regional Competition: Teams primarily compete within regional divisions, reducing travel while maintaining strong competition.
National Events and Showcases: Teams participate in major MLS NEXT showcase events where college and professional scouts attend.
Integration with the MLS NEXT ecosystem: Clubs are evaluated annually and may progress within the MLS NEXT structure over time.
Balanced Schedule: The competition calendar is designed to work alongside high school seasons while maintaining elite development standards.
Why This Matters for Our Players
Joining MLS NEXT represents a significant step in the pathway available to players within our club.
Players will benefit from:
Higher-Level Competition: MLS NEXT clubs compete against some of the best academies in the country, creating an environment that challenges players to grow.
Increased Exposure: National showcases and MLS NEXT events attract college coaches, professional scouts, and national team evaluators.
Long-Term Pathways: The MLS NEXT platform is connected to a broader professional development pipeline that includes opportunities to advance toward professional soccer environments.
Final MLS NEXT ID Session
As we prepare for our first MLS NEXT season, we will host one final identification session for boys interested in joining our MLS NEXT teams. If you have already tried out, or are already on a PPA team, you do not need to attend this additional session.
Date: Saturday, March 14
Time: 2pm - 3:30pm (U15 & U16), 3:30pm - 5:00pm (U17 - U19)
Location: Blair High School
Players interested in being evaluated should register HERE.
This will be the final opportunity for players to be considered before MLS NEXT rosters are finalized.
Looking Ahead
Acceptance into MLS NEXT represents the next chapter in our club’s commitment to player development.
We are incredibly proud of the players, coaches, and families who helped build the foundation that made this possible.
The future of our program -- and the opportunities available to our players -- has never been stronger.
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