Major League Soccer on Monday morning announced the advent of MLS NEXT, a new paradigm for player development in the United States. Launched in 2007, the U.S. Soccer Development Academy ceased operations earlier this year, paving the way for MLS to create its own player development platform, utilizing the league’s vast resources to build upon previous successes in producing professional players while innovating to develop future generations of Homegrown MLS stars.
As part of the rollout, several of the league’s marquee Homegrown Players reflected on their own professional pathway. Sounders FC’s Jordan Morris, who grew up in Mercer Island, described his journey from youth standout to star for his hometown club.