Anonymous
Post 11/19/2025 08:59     Subject: At what age should you get your child into an MLS Next Team?
The differences above depend on whether you have a soccer player or an athlete.

If you have a soccer player, move them ASAP. If you have an athlete, let them build more soccer skills by getting lots of touches and having more fun at the local club, and they can move to MLSN at U13 or U14.

For the best clubs, when they transition to 11v11 at U13, they typically have a core group of soccer players that they are looking to build around. These are players who have played together for years and whose parents have spent thousands of dollars on outside training to make their skills look good.

But these players are mostly midfielders who play every position.

By U13, the coaches are looking for a handful of difference-makers to fill out the 11v11 squad. Clubs will have more pressure to get results from their top teams at this stage. Coaches will be impressed by the super-athletic types with speed and strength who can slot into defender, striker or winger roles. If they can find these players are on their club's second or third teams, or among players who move from out of town, that is the best. Next choice is small clubs. Last choice is other competing clubs in the area.
Anonymous
Post 11/19/2025 06:45     Subject: At what age should you get your child into an MLS Next Team?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My son is 7 years old. He plays one year up for a small club but the team he is on is not MLSN.

Now if he played his age group he would make any of these clubs first teams that eventually would become MLNS when they reach 12 years old. If he continued to play 1 year up he would most likely be on their second teams which a chance at first but that depends on the club.

My question is that do I put him onto these bigger first team (playing own age group) or even second team (playing 1 year up) MLSN clubs NOW at a young age so it’s easier for him to make the squad when he turns 12? (I have been told this is best)

Or

Do I keep him where he is playing now at one year up and having fun for a few more years. Then we make that transition to a MLNS club? (Is it far more difficult to make the team this way)

I don’t want to make things more difficult or mess up his development.

Thx and hopefully I get some good advice.


My kid PLAYED for a small club and now has an open invitation to any 1st team in the DMV in ECNL and MLS Next. We first moved at U12 once my kid was no longer challenged in the small club environment and playing up. While we lost to the major clubs in tournaments, he dominated those kids in neutral tryouts. Development is about the individual, not team wins and losses.

Again, the key word is PLAYED. Your kid would not have to play club if he played everyday after school. That is all that matters for the next few years. There is no magic in the large clubs except aggregation of talent. Talent comes from playing.

My sincere advice: keep funding the 529 plan until at least U15. 90% of this board exists because folks kids looked like Messi or Marta when they were 7.


This is accurate advice. I see it all the time, something about 6-9 year olds with their low centers of gravity and fearless nature makes parents believe they will be amazing in the future. That is hardly the case. Academies in Europe have never been successful in predicting future performance based on how good a 7-9 year old player is.

To answer your question I would recommend switching to your MLS Next Club now. -I was in this same exact boat with my DD. Age 7, played 1 year up on a small club top team. But, we stayed with the small club for 3 years. Turned out, this was a terrible mistake. Top clubs in our area evaluate top kids at u10 and want them in their programs. We were essential locked out of the club we wanted by u11. The smaller club we stayed with had less development, they played in lower leagues, the players in the club weren't that good and the coaching was not as good. My 7 year old wonder-daughter was behind by age 10 when we switched clubs. I was shocked at how much better the kids were and the Coaches were not interested in kids at tryouts, they had their teams selected practically 2 years in advance. Families on these teams are doing so much extra training and skill development behind the scenes, outside of club practice, that most new players, who a very good, will have a hard time of breaking into the team and gaining the coaches confidence and trust.

100 percent correct. Switch now.

Anonymous
Post 11/18/2025 15:35     Subject: At what age should you get your child into an MLS Next Team?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My son is 7 years old. He plays one year up for a small club but the team he is on is not MLSN.

Now if he played his age group he would make any of these clubs first teams that eventually would become MLNS when they reach 12 years old. If he continued to play 1 year up he would most likely be on their second teams which a chance at first but that depends on the club.

My question is that do I put him onto these bigger first team (playing own age group) or even second team (playing 1 year up) MLSN clubs NOW at a young age so it’s easier for him to make the squad when he turns 12? (I have been told this is best)

Or

Do I keep him where he is playing now at one year up and having fun for a few more years. Then we make that transition to a MLNS club? (Is it far more difficult to make the team this way)

I don’t want to make things more difficult or mess up his development.

Thx and hopefully I get some good advice.


My kid PLAYED for a small club and now has an open invitation to any 1st team in the DMV in ECNL and MLS Next. We first moved at U12 once my kid was no longer challenged in the small club environment and playing up. While we lost to the major clubs in tournaments, he dominated those kids in neutral tryouts. Development is about the individual, not team wins and losses.

Again, the key word is PLAYED. Your kid would not have to play club if he played everyday after school. That is all that matters for the next few years. There is no magic in the large clubs except aggregation of talent. Talent comes from playing.

My sincere advice: keep funding the 529 plan until at least U15. 90% of this board exists because folks kids looked like Messi or Marta when they were 7.


This is accurate advice. I see it all the time, something about 6-9 year olds with their low centers of gravity and fearless nature makes parents believe they will be amazing in the future. That is hardly the case. Academies in Europe have never been successful in predicting future performance based on how good a 7-9 year old player is.

To answer your question I would recommend switching to your MLS Next Club now. -I was in this same exact boat with my DD. Age 7, played 1 year up on a small club top team. But, we stayed with the small club for 3 years. Turned out, this was a terrible mistake. Top clubs in our area evaluate top kids at u10 and want them in their programs. We were essential locked out of the club we wanted by u11. The smaller club we stayed with had less development, they played in lower leagues, the players in the club weren't that good and the coaching was not as good. My 7 year old wonder-daughter was behind by age 10 when we switched clubs. I was shocked at how much better the kids were and the Coaches were not interested in kids at tryouts, they had their teams selected practically 2 years in advance. Families on these teams are doing so much extra training and skill development behind the scenes, outside of club practice, that most new players, who a very good, will have a hard time of breaking into the team and gaining the coaches confidence and trust.


Oh man...so this is the opposite of what the previous poster said....you pretty much laid out everything that I was fearful of....so change after this season.....I think I'm gonna have to find a place where he is happy or else he might rebel..lol

thx everyone


This is the PP above. I have a feeling he will be happier with better competition and better teammates. Also, you will get mixed answers on this board...there is hardly ever a consensus. Good luck!
Anonymous
Post 11/18/2025 13:24     Subject: At what age should you get your child into an MLS Next Team?
Every club and coach out there wants the top players. As others have said, playing a lot is key, and that can be pick-up or formally. If he loves the game, he'll work hard and get better, and if he's still great when it comes to tryout time at U13, the top teams will want him, whether he's been in the club or not. I don't doubt the PP's experience, but I find it much more common that there is NO loyalty to returning players, and coaches of the top teams just want the top talent.
Anonymous
Post 11/18/2025 12:36     Subject: At what age should you get your child into an MLS Next Team?
As soon as they can run and kick a ball, you should have them signed up for pre pre pre pre MLS Next.
Anonymous
Post 11/18/2025 12:06     Subject: At what age should you get your child into an MLS Next Team?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My son is 7 years old. He plays one year up for a small club but the team he is on is not MLSN.

Now if he played his age group he would make any of these clubs first teams that eventually would become MLNS when they reach 12 years old. If he continued to play 1 year up he would most likely be on their second teams which a chance at first but that depends on the club.

My question is that do I put him onto these bigger first team (playing own age group) or even second team (playing 1 year up) MLSN clubs NOW at a young age so it’s easier for him to make the squad when he turns 12? (I have been told this is best)

Or

Do I keep him where he is playing now at one year up and having fun for a few more years. Then we make that transition to a MLNS club? (Is it far more difficult to make the team this way)

I don’t want to make things more difficult or mess up his development.

Thx and hopefully I get some good advice.


My kid PLAYED for a small club and now has an open invitation to any 1st team in the DMV in ECNL and MLS Next. We first moved at U12 once my kid was no longer challenged in the small club environment and playing up. While we lost to the major clubs in tournaments, he dominated those kids in neutral tryouts. Development is about the individual, not team wins and losses.

Again, the key word is PLAYED. Your kid would not have to play club if he played everyday after school. That is all that matters for the next few years. There is no magic in the large clubs except aggregation of talent. Talent comes from playing.

My sincere advice: keep funding the 529 plan until at least U15. 90% of this board exists because folks kids looked like Messi or Marta when they were 7.


This is accurate advice. I see it all the time, something about 6-9 year olds with their low centers of gravity and fearless nature makes parents believe they will be amazing in the future. That is hardly the case. Academies in Europe have never been successful in predicting future performance based on how good a 7-9 year old player is.

To answer your question I would recommend switching to your MLS Next Club now. -I was in this same exact boat with my DD. Age 7, played 1 year up on a small club top team. But, we stayed with the small club for 3 years. Turned out, this was a terrible mistake. Top clubs in our area evaluate top kids at u10 and want them in their programs. We were essential locked out of the club we wanted by u11. The smaller club we stayed with had less development, they played in lower leagues, the players in the club weren't that good and the coaching was not as good. My 7 year old wonder-daughter was behind by age 10 when we switched clubs. I was shocked at how much better the kids were and the Coaches were not interested in kids at tryouts, they had their teams selected practically 2 years in advance. Families on these teams are doing so much extra training and skill development behind the scenes, outside of club practice, that most new players, who a very good, will have a hard time of breaking into the team and gaining the coaches confidence and trust.


Oh man...so this is the opposite of what the previous poster said....you pretty much laid out everything that I was fearful of....so change after this season.....I think I'm gonna have to find a place where he is happy or else he might rebel..lol

thx everyone
Anonymous
Post 11/18/2025 12:01     Subject: At what age should you get your child into an MLS Next Team?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My son is 7 years old. He plays one year up for a small club but the team he is on is not MLSN.

Now if he played his age group he would make any of these clubs first teams that eventually would become MLNS when they reach 12 years old. If he continued to play 1 year up he would most likely be on their second teams which a chance at first but that depends on the club.

My question is that do I put him onto these bigger first team (playing own age group) or even second team (playing 1 year up) MLSN clubs NOW at a young age so it’s easier for him to make the squad when he turns 12? (I have been told this is best)

Or

Do I keep him where he is playing now at one year up and having fun for a few more years. Then we make that transition to a MLNS club? (Is it far more difficult to make the team this way)

I don’t want to make things more difficult or mess up his development.

Thx and hopefully I get some good advice.


My kid PLAYED for a small club and now has an open invitation to any 1st team in the DMV in ECNL and MLS Next. We first moved at U12 once my kid was no longer challenged in the small club environment and playing up. While we lost to the major clubs in tournaments, he dominated those kids in neutral tryouts. Development is about the individual, not team wins and losses.

Again, the key word is PLAYED. Your kid would not have to play club if he played everyday after school. That is all that matters for the next few years. There is no magic in the large clubs except aggregation of talent. Talent comes from playing.

My sincere advice: keep funding the 529 plan until at least U15. 90% of this board exists because folks kids looked like Messi or Marta when they were 7.


Ok thank you for this advice...I will take this into consideration
Anonymous
Post 11/18/2025 12:01     Subject: At what age should you get your child into an MLS Next Team?
Anonymous wrote:So your son is playing u9. Do you like the coach? Does he have fun with his friends? Is he learning? Is it an easy drive?

Mls Next doesn't start until u13, who knows if it will even exist by the time your kid gets that old. If you are checking all the boxes with your current club, there is no need to worry about that.


I like the coach. Yes, I feel he is learning but that's because the coaches let them play. They don't interfere to much if kids are trying to dribble and be creative. Is he learning from drills? I don't think he is other than getting touches.

He is having fun and it's an easy drive. He is the one of the best on his team though BUT I'm of the opinion there needs to be enough kids better than him and I don't want him falling behind kids from a bigger club who are battling each other constantly to see who is best.
Anonymous
Post 11/18/2025 10:54     Subject: At what age should you get your child into an MLS Next Team?
Anonymous wrote:My son is 7 years old. He plays one year up for a small club but the team he is on is not MLSN.

Now if he played his age group he would make any of these clubs first teams that eventually would become MLNS when they reach 12 years old. If he continued to play 1 year up he would most likely be on their second teams which a chance at first but that depends on the club.

My question is that do I put him onto these bigger first team (playing own age group) or even second team (playing 1 year up) MLSN clubs NOW at a young age so it’s easier for him to make the squad when he turns 12? (I have been told this is best)

Or

Do I keep him where he is playing now at one year up and having fun for a few more years. Then we make that transition to a MLNS club? (Is it far more difficult to make the team this way)

I don’t want to make things more difficult or mess up his development.

Thx and hopefully I get some good advice.


The odds of this being a genuine scenario question post is very slim
Anonymous
Post 11/18/2025 10:47     Subject: At what age should you get your child into an MLS Next Team?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My son is 7 years old. He plays one year up for a small club but the team he is on is not MLSN.

Now if he played his age group he would make any of these clubs first teams that eventually would become MLNS when they reach 12 years old. If he continued to play 1 year up he would most likely be on their second teams which a chance at first but that depends on the club.

My question is that do I put him onto these bigger first team (playing own age group) or even second team (playing 1 year up) MLSN clubs NOW at a young age so it’s easier for him to make the squad when he turns 12? (I have been told this is best)

Or

Do I keep him where he is playing now at one year up and having fun for a few more years. Then we make that transition to a MLNS club? (Is it far more difficult to make the team this way)

I don’t want to make things more difficult or mess up his development.

Thx and hopefully I get some good advice.


My kid PLAYED for a small club and now has an open invitation to any 1st team in the DMV in ECNL and MLS Next. We first moved at U12 once my kid was no longer challenged in the small club environment and playing up. While we lost to the major clubs in tournaments, he dominated those kids in neutral tryouts. Development is about the individual, not team wins and losses.

Again, the key word is PLAYED. Your kid would not have to play club if he played everyday after school. That is all that matters for the next few years. There is no magic in the large clubs except aggregation of talent. Talent comes from playing.

My sincere advice: keep funding the 529 plan until at least U15. 90% of this board exists because folks kids looked like Messi or Marta when they were 7.


This is accurate advice. I see it all the time, something about 6-9 year olds with their low centers of gravity and fearless nature makes parents believe they will be amazing in the future. That is hardly the case. Academies in Europe have never been successful in predicting future performance based on how good a 7-9 year old player is.

To answer your question I would recommend switching to your MLS Next Club now. -I was in this same exact boat with my DD. Age 7, played 1 year up on a small club top team. But, we stayed with the small club for 3 years. Turned out, this was a terrible mistake. Top clubs in our area evaluate top kids at u10 and want them in their programs. We were essential locked out of the club we wanted by u11. The smaller club we stayed with had less development, they played in lower leagues, the players in the club weren't that good and the coaching was not as good. My 7 year old wonder-daughter was behind by age 10 when we switched clubs. I was shocked at how much better the kids were and the Coaches were not interested in kids at tryouts, they had their teams selected practically 2 years in advance. Families on these teams are doing so much extra training and skill development behind the scenes, outside of club practice, that most new players, who a very good, will have a hard time of breaking into the team and gaining the coaches confidence and trust.

Anonymous
Post 11/18/2025 07:14     Subject: At what age should you get your child into an MLS Next Team?
By the time your kid is old enough for it to matter there will probably have been multiple new alphabet leagues that are considered the “top” league. It’s only a matter of time before the EPL or another league figures out they can make money on a pay to play league. Every delusional parent will think if I just pay 10k a year soon my kid will be playing for Arsenal.
Anonymous
Post 11/18/2025 07:01     Subject: At what age should you get your child into an MLS Next Team?
If he is as good as your post suggests, the club will be communicative and guide you well. They will want to keep him. If he isn't that good, he will follow the regular path. This forum isn't gonna know enough specifics about the situation to offer you relevant advice imo. Good luck, however!
Anonymous
Post 11/18/2025 07:00     Subject: At what age should you get your child into an MLS Next Team?
Anonymous wrote:My son is 7 years old. He plays one year up for a small club but the team he is on is not MLSN.

Now if he played his age group he would make any of these clubs first teams that eventually would become MLNS when they reach 12 years old. If he continued to play 1 year up he would most likely be on their second teams which a chance at first but that depends on the club.

My question is that do I put him onto these bigger first team (playing own age group) or even second team (playing 1 year up) MLSN clubs NOW at a young age so it’s easier for him to make the squad when he turns 12? (I have been told this is best)

Or

Do I keep him where he is playing now at one year up and having fun for a few more years. Then we make that transition to a MLNS club? (Is it far more difficult to make the team this way)

I don’t want to make things more difficult or mess up his development.

Thx and hopefully I get some good advice.


My kid PLAYED for a small club and now has an open invitation to any 1st team in the DMV in ECNL and MLS Next. We first moved at U12 once my kid was no longer challenged in the small club environment and playing up. While we lost to the major clubs in tournaments, he dominated those kids in neutral tryouts. Development is about the individual, not team wins and losses.

Again, the key word is PLAYED. Your kid would not have to play club if he played everyday after school. That is all that matters for the next few years. There is no magic in the large clubs except aggregation of talent. Talent comes from playing.

My sincere advice: keep funding the 529 plan until at least U15. 90% of this board exists because folks kids looked like Messi or Marta when they were 7.
Anonymous
Post 11/18/2025 05:42     Subject: At what age should you get your child into an MLS Next Team?
So your son is playing u9. Do you like the coach? Does he have fun with his friends? Is he learning? Is it an easy drive?

Mls Next doesn't start until u13, who knows if it will even exist by the time your kid gets that old. If you are checking all the boxes with your current club, there is no need to worry about that.
Anonymous
Post 11/18/2025 05:07     Subject: At what age should you get your child into an MLS Next Team?
My son is 7 years old. He plays one year up for a small club but the team he is on is not MLSN.

Now if he played his age group he would make any of these clubs first teams that eventually would become MLNS when they reach 12 years old. If he continued to play 1 year up he would most likely be on their second teams which a chance at first but that depends on the club.

My question is that do I put him onto these bigger first team (playing own age group) or even second team (playing 1 year up) MLSN clubs NOW at a young age so it’s easier for him to make the squad when he turns 12? (I have been told this is best)

Or

Do I keep him where he is playing now at one year up and having fun for a few more years. Then we make that transition to a MLNS club? (Is it far more difficult to make the team this way)

I don’t want to make things more difficult or mess up his development.

Thx and hopefully I get some good advice.