Boys Pathway: Map, Not Ladder

The boys landscape includes multiple environments, and they do not form one universal ladder. A boys player may move through rec, travel, regional competitive leagues, ECNL Boys, Elite Academy, USYS platforms, MLS NEXT Academy Division, MLS NEXT Allstate Homegrown Division, an MLS club academy, USL Academy, MLS NEXT Pro, USL League Two, college soccer, adult amateur environments, semi-pro opportunities, or overseas programs. That sentence is intentionally broad. Because the actual path depends on the player and market. A player in one city may have an MLS academy nearby.Another player may not.A player in one region may have a strong ECNL Boys club.Another may have a stronger USYS or Elite Academy environment.A player may be better served by college soccer.Another may need a USL Academy or pre- professional environment.Another may not need an elite pathway at all. There is no universal answer. MLS NEXT Language Parents need to be precise here. “MLS NEXT” is not specific enough by itself. Parents may now hear terms like: MLS NEXT Allstate Homegrown Division MLS NEXT Academy Division MLS club academy MLS NEXT Pro These are not all the same thing. The MLS NEXT Academy Division may be called “MLS NEXT 2” informally by parents, coaches, or players. But that is not the official term parents should use when making decisions. The formal language is MLS NEXT Academy Division. Parents need to ask: Is this the MLS NEXT Allstate Homegrown Division or MLS NEXT Academy Division? Is this an actual MLS club academy?