The undeniable impact of MLS NEXT Pro is already crystal clear | OneFootball

MLS NEXT Pro was launched in order to complete the player pathway between MLS NEXT and MLS first teams, thereby bridging the gap between the youth platforms and the professional ranks. Since then, the league has gone from 21 teams to 27 reserve sides as well as two independent clubs, not including the now-defunct Rochester New York FC.

Out of the 30 MLS teams, only three do not have affiliations with an MLS Next Pro team: CF Montréal, D.C. United, and San Diego FC. Furthermore, there are quite a few future teams that are set to join, like Connecticut United FC (2026) as well as Jacksonville Armada FC, Cleveland Pro Soccer, AC Grand Rapids, Golden City FC, and The Island FC (2027).

MLS NEXT Pro is paying dividends, and then some

Whilst there's still plenty of work left, MLS NEXT Pro has just reached an incredible milestone. Since the league's debut in March 2022, 200 Now in its fourth season, that pathway has delivered: MLS NEXT Pro recently achieved a noteworthy milestone, 200 players have signed with MLS first teams after appearing in MLS NEXT Pro, thus displaying the importance of the professional development league within the MLS ecosystem and U.S. Soccer pyramid and the benefits of playing experience in MLS NEXT Pro.

Over MLS' first quarter-century, many of its youth players struggled to find a way to cut their teeth and advance to the first team. That's changed now, with players having the flexibility to move from the first team to the Next Pro side, enjoying regular playing time at both levels and getting an advanced playing education.

We've seen over 1,000 MLS-contracted players who've been loaned to MLS NEXT Pro sides like Orlando's Alex Freeman and Columbus' Patrick Schulte, as well as 1,100+ who have signed short-term MLS contracts, and 1,300+ MLS NEXT Academy players who have competed in MLS NEXT Pro matches. These players have the chance to rise to the top and compete at the club and international level, and some, like Patrick Agyeman, have even gotten transfers to Europe.

Out of the 200 MLS first-team signings, 110 were academy products.130 came from the USA, 21 from Canada, and the remaining 49 came from 31 other countries. We've seen several promising stars become regular performers like Mohamed Farsi, who has racked up 9 assists in 83 appearances, and Jacen Russell-Rowe, who's registered 16 goals and 5 assists in 80 appearances.

Dallas leads the league with 15 MLS NEXT Pro signings, followed by St. Louis (14) and Toronto. We've seen various youth products like Miami's Benjamin Cremaschi, Columbus' Max Arfsten, and Seattle's Osaze De Rosario guide their team to victory in the Leagues Cup, with Arfsten becoming an USMNT regular.

It cannot be denied: three years after launching, MLS Next Pro has been a whopping success story.