2025-26 MLSN Technical Standards

[Anonymous]

American soccer is the best. We have the biggest, strongest, fastest players. MLS Next is a big part of the success story for American soccer today.

[Anonymous]

I love the changes for U13:

(1) 3x25 minute periods, 2x5 minute intermissions
(2) Each player on the matchday roster must play at least one period uninterrupted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love the changes for U13:

(1) 3x25 minute periods, 2x5 minute intermissions
(2) Each player on the matchday roster must play at least one period uninterrupted.

I wonder if clubs knew about these changes before they loaded up their U13 rosters with 25 players.

[Anonymous]

They also "recommend" that all players participate in 50% of minutes per week at U14 and U15. MLSN need to be better about enforcing these recommendations

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They also "recommend" that all players participate in 50% of minutes per week at U14 and U15. MLSN need to be better about enforcing these recommendations

How is that even mathematically possible with 23 kids on a roster.

[Anonymous]

Is homegrown MLSN or MLSN2? Would these rules apply to both? I'm getting confused by the naming conventions. My son is on a U13 MLSN2 team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They also "recommend" that all players participate in 50% of minutes per week at U14 and U15. MLSN need to be better about enforcing these recommendations

How is that even mathematically possible with 23 kids on a roster.

Only 18 can be on the roster for any given game. But your point is well taken, teams should not have 23 kids on the roster at U14. You are not Chelsea F.C.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is homegrown MLSN or MLSN2? Would these rules apply to both? I'm getting confused by the naming conventions. My son is on a U13 MLSN2 team.

You're confused because you want to be

It's pretty simple if you read what your kid's league says

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They also "recommend" that all players participate in 50% of minutes per week at U14 and U15. MLSN need to be better about enforcing these recommendations

How is that even mathematically possible with 23 kids on a roster.

Game day roster is still 18.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They also "recommend" that all players participate in 50% of minutes per week at U14 and U15. MLSN need to be better about enforcing these recommendations

How is that even mathematically possible with 23 kids on a roster.

Game day roster is still 18.

"all players" on the team need to play 50% of game minutes per werk?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They also "recommend" that all players participate in 50% of minutes per week at U14 and U15. MLSN need to be better about enforcing these recommendations

How is that even mathematically possible with 23 kids on a roster.

Game day roster is still 18.

"all players" on the team need to play 50% of game minutes per werk?

See slide 3 under Roster. The "all players" refers to the 18 players on the matchday roster.

Category Standard
Roster Minimum 14 Players per Team
Roster Maximum 28 Players per Team
Matchday Roster Regular Season: 18 players per Team
Events: 20 players per Team
Overage Players Maximum of 3 overage players (i.e., birth year of 2006) on the U19 roster are permitted
Players cannot be registered as Late Developers
Start Percentage All Ages: Recommend that all Primary Players start in 25% of official matches
U13: Each player on the matchday roster must play at least one (1) period uninterrupted.
U14 & U15: Recommend that all players participate in 50% of minutes per week

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They also "recommend" that all players participate in 50% of minutes per week at U14 and U15. MLSN need to be better about enforcing these recommendations

How is that even mathematically possible with 23 kids on a roster.

Only 18 can be on the roster for any given game. But your point is well taken, teams should not have 23 kids on the roster at U14. You are not Chelsea F.C.

But that would interfere with the grift and the money grab. The m.o. is to load up teams with 23+ kids and then bench players for entire games while boasting about "developing" players.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

But that would interfere with the grift and the money grab. The m.o. is to load up teams with 23+ kids and then bench players for entire games while boasting about "developing" players.

You're preaching to the choir. Our U15 team has 27 rostered players because some of them play for their private highschool in the Fall. The Spring will be a mess, but all players will have paid their fees by then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It sounds like MLS NEXT is innovating again.

U13&U14 will play three 25-minute periods

U13 fields will be coned off to create a smaller playing area

Any other changes that have been shared?

MLS (What will they think of) NEXT?

You make a good point. That said, it’s MLSNext, not MLSN. We’re not the tired, washout league (ECNL).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It sounds like MLS NEXT is innovating again.

U13&U14 will play three 25-minute periods

U13 fields will be coned off to create a smaller playing area

Any other changes that have been shared?

MLS (What will they think of) NEXT?

If they stay at 9v9, I will pay attention. Otherwise, 🥱

And give the extra money? No way Mlsn doesn’t care that much about development

Feel stupid yet?