It is not related to the new tier in that all of the clubs in the current U12 were in the NAL last year and these are their 1st team, Pre-MLS Next teams. They mostly played EDP at U11, moved to NAL together for U12 (without Alexandria for some reason) and then moved to MLS Next at U13. The new MLS tier will service the needs of these 2nd-3rd teams starting at U13 for these clubs although it is being run by NAL.

Pp here. Currently the u12 league is NAL-branded and it has six clubs’ top two teams. Next year it presumably will be MLS branded (answering the OP’s question), but I’m wondering it if will keep the same small six-club footprint, or will it expand to have the same footprint as the u13 MLS-next “new tier run by NAL” league?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh got it- yes this is just NAL rebranded. This is already been happening for the previous year. From what I hear from other parents, travel is very similar to the already existing EDP level. In EDP, U12 has commonly already had to travel to PA and Delaware from the DMV area so this is nothing new. Pre ECNL teams play in EDP at that age before branching off into ECNL or RL divisions. These are the choices kids have at that age – to stay in rec, or go to travel, that’s it.

I think... isn't this the "MLS Next New Tier"? Or related to it in some way? The "new tier" is going to be run by NAL in the DMV area and it seems like at the U12 level they will just have the new tier - whatever they will call it at that age. And then in older age groups they will have both tiers.

https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/mls-next-new-competition-tier-teams-and-divisions-2025-26

It is not related to the new tier in that all of the clubs in the current U12 were in the NAL last year and these are their 1st team, Pre-MLS Next teams. They mostly played EDP at U11, moved to NAL together for U12 (without Alexandria for some reason) and then moved to MLS Next at U13. The new MLS tier will service the needs of these 2nd-3rd teams starting at U13 for these clubs although it is being run by NAL.

Anonymous wrote:Oh got it- yes this is just NAL rebranded. This is already been happening for the previous year. From what I hear from other parents, travel is very similar to the already existing EDP level. In EDP, U12 has commonly already had to travel to PA and Delaware from the DMV area so this is nothing new. Pre ECNL teams play in EDP at that age before branching off into ECNL or RL divisions. These are the choices kids have at that age – to stay in rec, or go to travel, that’s it.

I think... isn't this the "MLS Next New Tier"? Or related to it in some way? The "new tier" is going to be run by NAL in the DMV area and it seems like at the U12 level they will just have the new tier - whatever they will call it at that age. And then in older age groups they will have both tiers.

https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/mls-next-new-competition-tier-teams-and-divisions-2025-26

Oh got it- yes this is just NAL rebranded. This is already been happening for the previous year. From what I hear from other parents, travel is very similar to the already existing EDP level. In EDP, U12 has commonly already had to travel to PA and Delaware from the DMV area so this is nothing new. Pre ECNL teams play in EDP at that age before branching off into ECNL or RL divisions. These are the choices kids have at that age – to stay in rec, or go to travel, that’s it.

So unnecessary to travel beyond 45 minutes at this age. Ridiculous actually.

Anonymous wrote:It is a rebranding of the existing NAL league with some possibility of expansion

https://www.academyleagues.com/mid-atlantic-academy.html

Ok. This is what I was looking for as I am familiar with this NAL league and Pre-ECNL.

I probably know too much and I am already aware of this NAL league. I guess this club marketed it as "new" to get certain parents.

I am okay with the travel in this league but simply not interested in all at the ECNL level of travel to the Carolina's at U12 when there are plenty of kids here in the DMV who can kick my kid's butt. He is good but no Messi so not interested in excessive travel at this age when there is still plenty of competition in this age group.

Anonymous wrote:Springfield has had pre-MLS next for years. It’s just a branding and they’re letting you know that this is their top team that is going to play MLS next when they are eligible. It’s not a big deal and nobody needs to freak out. Things like this are only a big deal if you buy into it. My son‘s team played them many times and kicked their butts. Ain’t no thang. There’s also pre-ECNL and quite frankly any and all kids are pre something right?

The point is there is a pre-ecnl league for U11/U12. It's a valid question to ask if there is a league or if this is just what the team is being called.

Springfield has had pre-MLS next for years. It’s just a branding and they’re letting you know that this is their top team that is going to play MLS next when they are eligible. It’s not a big deal and nobody needs to freak out. Things like this are only a big deal if you buy into it. My son‘s team played them many times and kicked their butts. Ain’t no thang. There’s also pre-ECNL and quite frankly any and all kids are pre something right?

Yikes the crazy travel will start even younger this will turn more families off to MLSN

It is a rebranding of the existing NAL league with some possibility of expansion

https://www.academyleagues.com/mid-atlantic-academy.html

Also curious about this. U11 and U12 have an actual pre-ECNL league in Virginia, but there has not been something called pre-MLS Next for clubs that have MLS Next instead of ECNL. Maybe this will change?

Saw the language “newly formed U12 Pre MLS NEXT League” in an offer. Is there a new league forming or the same NAL league with Achilles, SYC Bethesda and Armour play in for U12?