MLS aiming to launch new U.S. lower-division league in 2022,
Jun 1, 2021 15:48:17 GMT -5
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Post by Soccerhouse on Jun 1, 2021 15:48:17 GMT -5
MLS aiming to launch new U.S. lower-division league in 2022, sources say
theathletic.com/2626561/2021/06/01/mls-third-division-league/
MLS is in the advanced planning stage of a lower-division league intended to serve as a link between MLS Next academies and first-team rosters, sources with knowledge of the plan tell The Athletic. The new competition will kick off with the 2022 season. While the format is still being finalized, it will most likely align with MLS’s spring-to-fall schedule, with the potential for a postseason. The name and public framing of the new league is also yet to be finalized.
The new circuit is expected to launch with over half of MLS’s clubs fielding teams, per a source. Additionally, it’s expected that, as the league grows, independent clubs will join as MLS looks to heighten the level of competition in the new venture. While it’s possible that existing lower-league clubs could join, a source indicated that the league is expected to field new teams, including some participation from independent members of the MLS Next academy structure. It’s unclear what the eventual cap will be on the number of participating clubs as the league develops.
These finer details also represent an evolution from the league’s plans last year, which The Athletic reported in October. Instead of being a strict U-23 or “reserves” league, there isn’t expected to be an age cap or roster restriction on the number of over-age players per team. The idea is for the format to be flexible to be utilized however each MLS organization sees fit. Still, the primary focus of the competition is to increase access to game minutes for young players coming out of MLS academies, as the rate of players graduating from youth setups continues to rise each year.
theathletic.com/2626561/2021/06/01/mls-third-division-league/
MLS is in the advanced planning stage of a lower-division league intended to serve as a link between MLS Next academies and first-team rosters, sources with knowledge of the plan tell The Athletic. The new competition will kick off with the 2022 season. While the format is still being finalized, it will most likely align with MLS’s spring-to-fall schedule, with the potential for a postseason. The name and public framing of the new league is also yet to be finalized.
The new circuit is expected to launch with over half of MLS’s clubs fielding teams, per a source. Additionally, it’s expected that, as the league grows, independent clubs will join as MLS looks to heighten the level of competition in the new venture. While it’s possible that existing lower-league clubs could join, a source indicated that the league is expected to field new teams, including some participation from independent members of the MLS Next academy structure. It’s unclear what the eventual cap will be on the number of participating clubs as the league develops.
These finer details also represent an evolution from the league’s plans last year, which The Athletic reported in October. Instead of being a strict U-23 or “reserves” league, there isn’t expected to be an age cap or roster restriction on the number of over-age players per team. The idea is for the format to be flexible to be utilized however each MLS organization sees fit. Still, the primary focus of the competition is to increase access to game minutes for young players coming out of MLS academies, as the rate of players graduating from youth setups continues to rise each year.
