MLS Next Pro

USA · Football

Season 2025

MLS Next Pro — Today's Matches

Live scores, upcoming kick-offs, and finished results for today. Data refreshes automatically so you never miss a moment.

MLS Next Pro — Playoffs

Round of 16

Chattanooga0

Huntsville City2

0–2

Vancouver Whitecaps II2

Colorado Rapids II3

2–3

Real Monarchs1

Minnesota United II2

1–2

New York RB II5

Carolina Core1

5–1

Ventura County0

St. Louis City II3

0–3

Philadelphia Union II2

FC Cincinnati II1

2–1

North Texas0

The Town3

0–3

Chicago Fire II1

New England II0

1–0

Quarter-finals

St. Louis City II0

Minnesota United II2

0–2

Philadelphia Union II1

Huntsville City0

1–0

Semi-finals

Colorado Rapids II2

Minnesota United II1

2–1

Philadelphia Union II1

New York RB II2

1–2

Round of 16

Chattanooga0

Huntsville City2

0–2

Vancouver Whitecaps II2

Colorado Rapids II3

2–3

Real Monarchs1

Minnesota United II2

1–2

New York RB II5

Carolina Core1

5–1

Ventura County0

St. Louis City II3

0–3

Philadelphia Union II2

FC Cincinnati II1

2–1

North Texas0

The Town3

0–3

Chicago Fire II1

New England II0

1–0

Quarter-finals

St. Louis City II0

Minnesota United II2

0–2

Philadelphia Union II1

Huntsville City0

1–0

Semi-finals

Colorado Rapids II2

Minnesota United II1

2–1

Philadelphia Union II1

New York RB II2

1–2

MLS Next Pro — Standings

Current MLS Next Pro 2025 standings with 29 teams. St. Louis City II leads the table with 62 points after 28 matches, followed by The Town on 52 points. The table shows wins, draws, losses, goals scored and conceded, goal difference, and recent form — essential for pre-match betting analysis.

#	Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Goals For	Goals Against	Goal Diff	Points
MLS Next Pro 2025, Western Conference
1	St. Louis City II	28	17	6	5	60	37	+23	62
Played: 28Won: 17Drawn: 6Lost: 5Goal Diff: +23
2	The Town	28	14	6	8	59	36	+23	52
Played: 28Won: 14Drawn: 6Lost: 8Goal Diff: +23
3	Colorado Rapids II	28	15	5	8	55	40	+15	51
Played: 28Won: 15Drawn: 5Lost: 8Goal Diff: +15
4	Real Monarchs	28	13	8	7	55	42	+13	51
Played: 28Won: 13Drawn: 8Lost: 7Goal Diff: +13
5	Minnesota United II	28	12	6	10	45	42	+3	44
Played: 28Won: 12Drawn: 6Lost: 10Goal Diff: +3
6	North Texas	28	11	6	11	46	55	-9	43
Played: 28Won: 11Drawn: 6Lost: 11Goal Diff: -9
7	Vancouver Whitecaps II	28	11	5	12	61	54	+7	42
Played: 28Won: 11Drawn: 5Lost: 12Goal Diff: +7
8	Ventura County	28	11	6	11	48	51	-3	41
Played: 28Won: 11Drawn: 6Lost: 11Goal Diff: -3
9	Austin II	28	10	8	10	35	36	-1	41
Played: 28Won: 10Drawn: 8Lost: 10Goal Diff: -1
10	Portland Timbers II	28	10	6	12	47	54	-7	38
Played: 28Won: 10Drawn: 6Lost: 12Goal Diff: -7
11	Houston Dynamo FC II	28	9	6	13	40	47	-7	37
Played: 28Won: 9Drawn: 6Lost: 13Goal Diff: -7
12	Tacoma Defiance	28	10	4	14	62	67	-5	36
Played: 28Won: 10Drawn: 4Lost: 14Goal Diff: -5
13	Los Angeles FC II	28	9	4	15	47	61	-14	33
Played: 28Won: 9Drawn: 4Lost: 15Goal Diff: -14
14	Sporting KC II	28	3	6	19	30	67	-37	17
Played: 28Won: 3Drawn: 6Lost: 19Goal Diff: -37
MLS Next Pro 2025, Eastern Conference
1	Philadelphia Union II	28	15	8	5	64	34	+30	58
Played: 28Won: 15Drawn: 8Lost: 5Goal Diff: +30
2	New York RB II	28	17	5	6	68	56	+12	58
Played: 28Won: 17Drawn: 5Lost: 6Goal Diff: +12
3	New England II	28	14	7	7	54	37	+17	54
Played: 28Won: 14Drawn: 7Lost: 7Goal Diff: +17
4	Chattanooga	28	13	9	6	42	36	+6	53
Played: 28Won: 13Drawn: 9Lost: 6Goal Diff: +6
5	Huntsville City	28	14	6	8	53	30	+23	52
Played: 28Won: 14Drawn: 6Lost: 8Goal Diff: +23
6	Chicago Fire II	28	12	7	9	69	58	+11	48
Played: 28Won: 12Drawn: 7Lost: 9Goal Diff: +11
7	FC Cincinnati II	28	9	7	12	45	44	+1	41
Played: 28Won: 9Drawn: 7Lost: 12Goal Diff: +1
8	Carolina Core	28	8	10	10	46	46	0	39
Played: 28Won: 8Drawn: 10Lost: 10Goal Diff: 0
9	Toronto II	28	10	6	12	34	42	-8	38
Played: 28Won: 10Drawn: 6Lost: 12Goal Diff: -8
10	Atlanta United II	28	9	9	10	44	43	+1	38
Played: 28Won: 9Drawn: 9Lost: 10Goal Diff: +1
11	Orlando City II	28	9	6	13	38	55	-17	37
Played: 28Won: 9Drawn: 6Lost: 13Goal Diff: -17
12	New York City II	28	9	6	13	53	61	-8	35
Played: 28Won: 9Drawn: 6Lost: 13Goal Diff: -8
13	Crown Legacy	28	7	8	13	44	56	-12	32
Played: 28Won: 7Drawn: 8Lost: 13Goal Diff: -12
14	Inter Miami II	28	6	6	16	40	72	-32	25
Played: 28Won: 6Drawn: 6Lost: 16Goal Diff: -32
15	Columbus Crew II	28	5	6	17	40	64	-24	22
Played: 28Won: 5Drawn: 6Lost: 17Goal Diff: -24
MLS Next Pro 2025
1	St. Louis City II	28	17	6	5	60	37	+23	62
Played: 28Won: 17Drawn: 6Lost: 5Goal Diff: +23
2	Philadelphia Union II	28	15	8	5	64	34	+30	58
Played: 28Won: 15Drawn: 8Lost: 5Goal Diff: +30
3	New York RB II	28	17	5	6	68	56	+12	58
Played: 28Won: 17Drawn: 5Lost: 6Goal Diff: +12
4	New England II	28	14	7	7	54	37	+17	54
Played: 28Won: 14Drawn: 7Lost: 7Goal Diff: +17
5	Chattanooga	28	13	9	6	42	36	+6	53
Played: 28Won: 13Drawn: 9Lost: 6Goal Diff: +6
6	Huntsville City	28	14	6	8	56	32	+24	52
Played: 28Won: 14Drawn: 6Lost: 8Goal Diff: +24
7	The Town	28	14	6	8	59	36	+23	52
Played: 28Won: 14Drawn: 6Lost: 8Goal Diff: +23
8	Colorado Rapids II	28	15	5	8	55	40	+15	51
Played: 28Won: 15Drawn: 5Lost: 8Goal Diff: +15
9	Real Monarchs	28	13	8	7	55	42	+13	51
Played: 28Won: 13Drawn: 8Lost: 7Goal Diff: +13
10	Chicago Fire II	28	12	7	9	69	58	+11	48
Played: 28Won: 12Drawn: 7Lost: 9Goal Diff: +11
11	Minnesota United II	28	12	6	10	45	42	+3	44
Played: 28Won: 12Drawn: 6Lost: 10Goal Diff: +3
12	North Texas	28	11	6	11	46	56	-10	43
Played: 28Won: 11Drawn: 6Lost: 11Goal Diff: -10
13	Vancouver Whitecaps II	28	11	5	12	61	54	+7	42
Played: 28Won: 11Drawn: 5Lost: 12Goal Diff: +7
14	Ventura County	28	11	6	11	48	51	-3	41
Played: 28Won: 11Drawn: 6Lost: 11Goal Diff: -3
15	Austin II	28	10	8	10	35	36	-1	41
Played: 28Won: 10Drawn: 8Lost: 10Goal Diff: -1
16	FC Cincinnati II	28	9	7	12	40	41	-1	41
Played: 28Won: 9Drawn: 7Lost: 12Goal Diff: -1
17	Carolina Core	28	8	10	10	42	44	-2	39
Played: 28Won: 8Drawn: 10Lost: 10Goal Diff: -2
18	Portland Timbers II	28	10	6	12	47	54	-7	38
Played: 28Won: 10Drawn: 6Lost: 12Goal Diff: -7
19	Toronto II	28	10	6	12	34	42	-8	38
Played: 28Won: 10Drawn: 6Lost: 12Goal Diff: -8
20	Atlanta United II	28	9	9	10	44	43	+1	38
Played: 28Won: 9Drawn: 9Lost: 10Goal Diff: +1
21	Houston Dynamo FC II	28	9	6	13	40	47	-7	37
Played: 28Won: 9Drawn: 6Lost: 13Goal Diff: -7
22	Orlando City II	28	9	6	13	38	55	-17	37
Played: 28Won: 9Drawn: 6Lost: 13Goal Diff: -17
23	Tacoma Defiance	28	10	4	14	62	67	-5	36
Played: 28Won: 10Drawn: 4Lost: 14Goal Diff: -5
24	New York City II	28	9	6	13	53	61	-8	35
Played: 28Won: 9Drawn: 6Lost: 13Goal Diff: -8
25	Los Angeles FC II	28	9	4	15	47	61	-14	33
Played: 28Won: 9Drawn: 4Lost: 15Goal Diff: -14
26	Crown Legacy	28	7	8	13	45	54	-9	32
Played: 28Won: 7Drawn: 8Lost: 13Goal Diff: -9
27	Inter Miami II	28	6	6	16	40	72	-32	25
Played: 28Won: 6Drawn: 6Lost: 16Goal Diff: -32
28	Columbus Crew II	28	5	6	17	40	64	-24	22
Played: 28Won: 5Drawn: 6Lost: 17Goal Diff: -24
29	Sporting KC II	28	3	6	19	30	67	-37	17
Played: 28Won: 3Drawn: 6Lost: 19Goal Diff: -37

Champions League

Europa League

Conference League

Relegation

MLS Next Pro — Results

The latest 25 completed matches in the MLS Next Pro. The highest-scoring result was New York RB II 5–3 Chicago Fire II. Review recent scorelines to spot form trends, home advantage patterns, and upset results that can inform your next bet.

Date	Home	Score	Away	Status
Final
3 – 3
2025-11-09	New York RB II	3 – 3	Colorado Rapids II	PEN
2025-11-09PEN
Semi-finals
2 – 1
2025-11-03	Colorado Rapids II	2 – 1	Minnesota United II	FT
2025-11-03FT
2 – 1
2025-11-01	New York RB II	2 – 1	Philadelphia Union II	FT
2025-11-01FT
Quarter-finals
2 – 4
2025-10-27	The Town	2 – 4	Colorado Rapids II	AET
2025-10-27AET
5 – 3
2025-10-26	New York RB II	5 – 3	Chicago Fire II	AET
2025-10-26AET
0 – 2
2025-10-26	St. Louis City II	0 – 2	Minnesota United II	FT
2025-10-26FT
1 – 0
2025-10-25	Philadelphia Union II	1 – 0	Huntsville City	FT
2025-10-25FT
Round of 16
3 – 0
2025-10-20	The Town	3 – 0	North Texas	FT
2025-10-20FT
1 – 2
2025-10-20	Real Monarchs	1 – 2	Minnesota United II	FT
2025-10-20FT
0 – 2
2025-10-19	Chattanooga	0 – 2	Huntsville City	FT
2025-10-19FT
5 – 1
2025-10-19	New York RB II	5 – 1	Carolina Core	FT
2025-10-19FT
3 – 0
2025-10-19	St. Louis City II	3 – 0	Ventura County	FT
2025-10-19FT
0 – 1
2025-10-19	New England II	0 – 1	Chicago Fire II	FT
2025-10-19FT
3 – 2
2025-10-19	Colorado Rapids II	3 – 2	Vancouver Whitecaps II	FT
2025-10-19FT
2 – 1
2025-10-19	Philadelphia Union II	2 – 1	FC Cincinnati II	FT
2025-10-19FT
Regular Season - 39
2 – 4
2025-10-05	Los Angeles FC II	2 – 4	North Texas	FT
2025-10-05FT
1 – 2
2025-10-05	The Town	1 – 2	Austin II	FT
2025-10-05FT
3 – 1
2025-10-05	Minnesota United II	3 – 1	Sporting KC II	FT
2025-10-05FT
5 – 1
2025-10-05	Tacoma Defiance	5 – 1	Houston Dynamo FC II	FT
2025-10-05FT
4 – 1
2025-10-05	Real Monarchs	4 – 1	Vancouver Whitecaps II	FT
2025-10-05FT
2 – 1
2025-10-05	Portland Timbers II	2 – 1	St. Louis City II	FT
2025-10-05FT
0 – 2
2025-10-05	Ventura County	0 – 2	Colorado Rapids II	FT
2025-10-05FT
3 – 3
2025-10-05	Columbus Crew II	3 – 3	Chicago Fire II	PEN
2025-10-05PEN
3 – 0
2025-10-05	Huntsville City	3 – 0	Carolina Core	FT
2025-10-05FT
4 – 3
2025-10-05	Philadelphia Union II	4 – 3	New York City II	FT
2025-10-05FT

View all match results→

MLS Next Pro — Team Stats

Side-by-side performance comparison of all 29 teams in the MLS Next Pro. St. Louis City II leads with 17 wins this season. The colour-coded heatmap highlights wins, losses, draws, goals scored and conceded, goal difference, and win percentage — making it easy to spot the strongest and weakest teams at a glance for betting analysis.

Played

Total matches played

Vancouver Whitecaps II

Philadelphia Union II

Philadelphia Union II

Vancouver Whitecaps II

Won

Number of wins

Philadelphia Union II

Vancouver Whitecaps II

Ventura County

North Texas

Vancouver Whitecaps II

Drawn

Number of draws

Philadelphia Union II

Crown Legacy

Philadelphia Union II

Vancouver Whitecaps II

New York RB II

Colorado Rapids II

Vancouver Whitecaps II

Lost

Number of losses

Vancouver Whitecaps II

Portland Timbers II

FC Cincinnati II

Toronto II

Vancouver Whitecaps II

Philadelphia Union II

St. Louis City II

Philadelphia Union II

Goals For

Goals or points scored

Chicago Fire II

New York RB II

Philadelphia Union II

Tacoma Defiance

Vancouver Whitecaps II

Goals Against

Goals or points conceded

Vancouver Whitecaps II

Portland Timbers II

Vancouver Whitecaps II

Philadelphia Union II

Huntsville City

Goal Diff

Goal or point difference

Philadelphia Union II

Vancouver Whitecaps II

-1

-1

-1

-2

-3

-3

-5

-5

-7

-7

-7

-7

-8

-8

-8

-8

-9

-9

-10

-12

-14

-14

-17

-17

-24

-24

-32

-32

-37

-37

Win %

Win percentage of all matches played

61%

61%

61%

61%

54%

Philadelphia Union II

54%

Philadelphia Union II

54%

54%

50%

50%

50%

50%

50%

50%

46%

46%

46%

46%

43%

43%

43%

43%

39%

Vancouver Whitecaps II

39%

Ventura County

39%

North Texas

39%

Vancouver Whitecaps II

39%

39%

36%

36%

36%

36%

36%

36%

36%

36%

32%

32%

32%

32%

32%

32%

32%

32%

32%

32%

32%

32%

29%

29%

25%

25%

21%

21%

18%

18%

11%

11%

Points

League points (win = 3, draw = 1)

St. Louis City II

Philadelphia Union II

New York RB II

Philadelphia Union II

Vancouver Whitecaps II

MLS Next Pro — Betting Insights

MLS Next Pro 2025 — key betting statistics across 324 matches played. Games average 3.65 goals, with 62.3% seeing both teams score and 75.3% finishing with over 2.5 goals. Home sides win 56.2% of the time while 0.0% of matches end in a draw. Clean sheets are kept in 37.7% of games, and the most common scoreline is 1-2. Use these metrics to calibrate over/under, BTTS, and correct-score strategies.

3.65Goals / Match

62.3%Both Score %

75.3%Over 2.5 / 5.5 %

81.8%Over 1.5 %

47.2%Over 3.5 %

56.2%Home Win %

0.0%Draw %

43.8%Away Win %

37.7%Clean Sheet %

0.0%0-0 %

2.04Avg Home Goals

1.61Avg Away Goals

4.6Cards/Match

+22.90Home Advantage

Most Common Scorelines

The most frequently occurring final scorelines sorted by frequency. Each bar shows the number of matches and percentage ending with that exact score. Common scorelines help calibrate correct-score betting — a scoreline appearing in 15% or more of matches may offer value at typical odds.

1-2

10.8%(35)

2-1

10.8%(35)

1-0

9.9%(32)

0-1

8.3%(27)

2-3

5.6%(18)

1-3

5.2%(17)

3-0

5.2%(17)

3-2

4.6%(15)

3-1

4.6%(15)

2-0

4.3%(14)

3.65

Avg goals / game

1182

Total goals

661

Home goals

521

Away goals

Try our Poisson predictor →

MLS Next Pro — Season Trends

Goals distribution across 15-minute periods of play, revealing when goals are most likely to be scored. This is critical for live betting strategies — leagues with high concentrations of late goals (76-90 min) may offer value in late-goal markets, while first-half dominant leagues favor early cash-out strategies.

0-15

12.6%

16-30

13.7%

31-45

17.7%

46-60

16.1%

61-75

16.5%

76-90

23.4%

Top Scorers

The top 15 goalscorers in the MLS Next Pro 2025 season. Y. Tsukanome leads with 12 goals, followed by G. Guerra (8) and Mateo Saja (8). These 15 players have scored 107 goals combined — key data for anytime goalscorer bets and understanding which teams depend on a single attacker.

1
Y. Tsukanome Tacoma Defiance
12goals
2
G. Guerra Portland Timbers II
8goals
3
Mateo Saja Inter Miami II
8goals
4
M. Joyner St. Louis City II
8goals
5
O. De Rosario Tacoma Defiance
8goals
6
N. Adimabua The Town
7goals
7
Luis Müller Ventura County
7goals
8
S. Reid New York City II
7goals
9
S. Mohammed Orlando City II
7goals
10
Daniel Mangarov Chattanooga
6goals
11
M. Diop Colorado Rapids II
6goals
12
Facundo Canete Carolina Core
6goals
13
Andrew Guerra Portland Timbers II
6goals
14
N. Pierre Vancouver Whitecaps II
6goals
15
T. Robertson Chattanooga
5goals

Top Assists

The leading assist providers in the MLS Next Pro 2025 season. T. Robertson tops the chart with 7 assists, followed by Julien Lacher (6) and Idoh Zeltzer-Zubida (5). Assist leaders are often key creators whose involvement boosts their team's goalscoring — valuable context for both goalscorer and team performance markets.

1
T. Robertson Chattanooga
7Assists
2
Julien Lacher New York City II
6Assists
3
Idoh Zeltzer-Zubida Inter Miami II
5Assists
4
Peter Kingston Tacoma Defiance
5Assists
5
G. Guerra Portland Timbers II
4Assists
6
N. Adimabua The Town
4Assists
7
Anthony Alaouieh Columbus Crew II
4Assists
8
Daniel Mangarov Chattanooga
3Assists
9
Hassan Ayari Toronto II
3Assists
10
M. Perez St. Louis City II
3Assists
11
E. Uchegbu Crown Legacy
3Assists
12
Jorge Alastuey Austin II
3Assists
13
M. Rodríguez The Town
3Assists
14
P. Elias New York City II
3Assists
15
Ruben Messalles Real Monarchs
3Assists

Top Cards

Disciplinary leaders in the MLS Next Pro 2025 season. P. Elias has received the most yellow cards with 7, followed by C. Watson (7) and G. Ferraina (7) — 89 yellows in total among listed players. On the red card side, Sebastian Nava leads with 2. Card counts are essential for bookings markets and assessing which players are suspension risks.

Yellow Cards

Red Cards

Betting Analytics →

MLS Next Pro — Teams

All 29 teams competing in the MLS Next Pro 2025 season. Click any club to view their full squad, match history, and detailed statistics.

MLS Next Pro — Referees

View all referees

Top 1 referees officiating in the MLS Next Pro, led by S. Martínez. Compare cards issued, goals per match, and strictness to anticipate how the assigned referee might influence match flow and card-related bets.

1S. Martínez

Officiated

Y/M

0.00

R/M

0.00

Goals

#	Referee	Officiated			Y/M	R/M	Goals
1	S. Martínez	3	0	0	0.00	0.00	9

MLS Next Pro — Past Seasons

Browse 4 archived seasons of the MLS Next Pro, from 2022 to 2025. Each season page includes full standings, top scorers, and match results — useful for comparing historical performance and identifying long-term betting patterns.

History 10 Jan 2025

Founded2022

MLS NEXT Pro was established by Major League Soccer in 2022 as a professional men's soccer league designed to complete the player development pathway from MLS NEXT academies to MLS first teams. Launched with 21 clubs in March 2022, the league represented a major structural innovation in North American soccer, consolidating what was previously a fragmented reserve team landscape. The competition expanded to 24 teams in 2023, 26 teams in 2024, and now operates with 30 teams in 2026, including 27 MLS-affiliated reserve sides and three independent franchises (Carolina Core FC, Chattanooga FC, and CT United FC). The league's rapid expansion reflects MLS's commitment to player development and market expansion, with new independent and MLS-affiliated clubs including Cleveland, Jacksonville Armada FC, AC Grand Rapids, and The Island FC joining in subsequent seasons.

—2022 — MLS NEXT Pro inaugural season launches with 21 teams in March
—2022 — Jacen Russell-Rowe wins first-ever MVP award with 21 goals
—2023 — Columbus Crew II wins inaugural MLS NEXT Pro Cup championship
—2024 — League expands to 26 teams with new independent franchises
—2025 — 200+ players successfully transition to MLS first-team contracts
—2026 — MLS NEXT Pro enters fifth season with 30 teams across USA and Canada

Competition Format 10 Jan 2025

Teams30

MLS NEXT Pro operates a home-and-away round-robin format across two conferences (Eastern and Western), with each team playing 28 regular season matches. The top eight teams in each conference qualify for a 16-team playoff tournament, with seeding determined by regular season points. The playoff format features single-elimination matches with no aggregate scoring, determining the champion through a series of knockout rounds culminating in the MLS NEXT Pro Cup final. The league prioritizes competitive balance and player development over strict promotion/relegation mechanics, as reserve teams serve the developmental needs of their parent MLS clubs.

Records 10 Jan 2025

Most titlesColumbus Crew II (1)All-time top scorerJacen Russell-Rowe (21 goals, 2022)

The 2025 season has seen exceptional scoring, with Jason Shokalook (Chicago Fire II) leading the league with 21 goals through 24 matches, demonstrating the quality of attacking play in the developmental competition.

Analysis 10 Jan 2025

Current Season Analysis

St. Louis City II leads the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro standings with 62 points from 28 matches, maintaining a commanding position at the top of the table with 17 wins, 6 draws, and only 5 losses. Their goal difference of +23 reflects dominant attacking play, having scored 60 goals while conceding just 37. Close behind in second place, The Town sits with 52 points from the same number of matches, proving to be the season's most competitive challenger with a +23 goal difference of their own, though their 14 wins and 8 losses indicate slightly less consistency than the league leaders.

The title race has tightened considerably as the regular season progresses, with Colorado Rapids II and Real Monarchs both on 51 points, creating a four-team battle for playoff positioning and championship aspirations. Colorado Rapids II has impressed with 15 wins from 28 matches, while Real Monarchs have demonstrated resilience with 13 wins and 8 draws, showcasing the value of defensive stability in the developmental competition. The gap between first and fourth place remains just 11 points, indicating that the playoff tournament will likely feature several competitive matchups.

Minnesota United II occupies fifth place with 44 points, leading the second tier of contenders but trailing the top four by a significant margin. The team's +3 goal difference suggests a more balanced attacking approach compared to the league leaders, with 12 wins from 28 matches. The relegation zone does not technically exist in MLS NEXT Pro due to its reserve team structure, but teams finishing lower in the standings face reduced playoff opportunities and potentially diminished player development exposure at the end of the season.

Jason Shokalook of Chicago Fire II has emerged as the league's standout individual performer, leading the goal-scoring charts with 21 goals from 24 matches—an exceptional rate that matches the inaugural season's single-season scoring record. His 0.88 goals-per-game ratio demonstrates elite finishing ability, while Sam Sarver of North Texas has contributed 19 goals from 25 matches, establishing himself as the league's second-highest scorer. These performances underscore the quality of attacking talent developing through the MLS academy system.

The 2025 season has been marked by the emergence of independent franchises and newer MLS reserve sides challenging the established order. While traditional powerhouses like Columbus Crew II and New York Red Bulls II remain competitive, the expansion and diversification of the league has created unpredictability that was absent in earlier seasons. The playoff format, with 16 of 30 teams qualifying, ensures that teams currently positioned 5th through 8th in each conference remain within striking distance of playoff berths, maintaining competitive intensity through the final matches of the regular season.

League Development and Player Pathway Impact

MLS NEXT Pro has fundamentally transformed how Major League Soccer develops talent. The transition from fragmented reserve team competitions to a unified, professionalized league structure has created measurable outcomes: over 200 players have already signed MLS first-team contracts after competing in MLS NEXT Pro, validating the league's core mission. Notable examples include Benjamin Cremaschi, who progressed through the developmental pathway, and Cavan Sullivan, representing the pipeline of young talent being prepared for top-flight competition. This player development success has attracted significant investment from both MLS clubs and independent ownership groups, fueling the league's rapid expansion from 21 inaugural teams to 30 teams by 2026.

The inclusion of three independent franchises—Carolina Core FC, Chattanooga FC, and CT United FC—represents a strategic diversification that brings professional soccer to underserved markets while maintaining competitive parity. These clubs compete on equal footing with MLS reserve sides, creating a hybrid model that balances development objectives with genuine competitive stakes. The planned additions of Cleveland, Jacksonville Armada FC, AC Grand Rapids, and The Island FC signal MLS's confidence in the league's sustainability and expansion potential, with independent ownership models proving viable in markets previously considered secondary to MLS's traditional metropolitan focus.

Competitive Balance and Conference Structure

The league's two-conference structure mirrors MLS's first division, creating geographic coherence and reducing travel costs while maintaining competitive balance. Eastern Conference teams compete primarily against fellow eastern franchises, while Western Conference clubs focus on regional matchups. This structure has proven effective in maintaining competitive balance, as evidenced by the 2025 season where multiple teams remain within striking distance of the top positions. The conference playoff system, where the top eight teams from each conference qualify for a 16-team knockout tournament, ensures that even teams finishing 5th or 6th retain realistic championship aspirations, maintaining engagement throughout the season.

Broadcast Reach and Commercial Growth

MLS NEXT Pro matches are streamed on Apple TV+ as part of the MLS Season Pass subscription service, providing global broadcast reach to millions of subscribers across North America and internationally. This media distribution represents a significant commercial advantage over previous reserve team competitions, which operated with minimal broadcast exposure. The integration into the broader MLS television ecosystem has elevated the league's profile, attracting sponsorship investment and creating revenue opportunities for independent franchises. While the league does not currently have a title sponsor, the commercial infrastructure continues to mature, with team ownership groups, local sponsors, and media partnerships generating sustainable revenue streams.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is MLS NEXT Pro and how does it fit in the soccer pyramid?

MLS NEXT Pro is a professional men's soccer league in the USA and Canada launched in 2022 by Major League Soccer. It serves as the developmental league between MLS NEXT youth academies and MLS first teams, occupying a unique position as a reserve and developmental competition with 30 teams across two conferences.

How many teams compete in MLS NEXT Pro?

MLS NEXT Pro currently features 30 teams: 27 reserve sides affiliated with MLS clubs and three independent franchises (Carolina Core FC, Chattanooga FC, and CT United FC). The league has expanded from 21 teams at its 2022 launch.

How does the MLS NEXT Pro playoff format work?

The top eight teams from each of the two conferences (16 total) qualify for single-elimination playoffs. Matches are decided in a single game with no aggregate scoring, culminating in the MLS NEXT Pro Cup final to determine the champion.

Can players be promoted from MLS NEXT Pro to MLS first teams?

Yes. Over 200 players have signed with MLS first teams after competing in MLS NEXT Pro, including notable talents like Benjamin Cremaschi and Bernard Kamungo. The league is specifically designed to facilitate this player pathway.

Who won the MLS NEXT Pro Cup championship?

Columbus Crew II won the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro Cup championship in 2023. The competition has grown significantly since, with expanded playoff participation and higher-quality matches reflecting the league's rapid development.

What is the highest points total ever recorded in MLS NEXT Pro?

St. Louis City II holds the current points record with 62 points from 28 matches in the 2025 season, achieved with 17 wins, 6 draws, and only 5 losses.

API data: 26 Apr 2026 · Stats updated: 26 Apr 2026 · Content updated: 10 Jan 2025