Chargers Soccer Club Joins MLS NEXT’s New Tier of Competition

Chargers Soccer Club is excited to announce that we will officially be participating in MLS NEXT’s new competition tier this fall! This historic opportunity represents a major step forward for our club and our players, providing an enhanced platform to showcase their talent, compete against top-level competition, and further their development within the nation’s most prestigious youth soccer structure.

Starting in September 2025, Chargers SC teams will compete in the new tier of MLS NEXT, joining more than 1,200 teams from over 220 clubs across regional divisions. This new tier, first unveiled in January, will feature many of the top youth clubs from across the country, with more than half of participating clubs coming from outside of MLS NEXT’s original membership.

Each regional division will be managed by some of the most respected operators in the youth soccer landscape, including:
 National Academy League (NAL) operated by 3Step Soccer
 Elite Academy League (EAL)
 Sporting Development League (SDL)
 Cobalt Sports
 Cal North Soccer Association

As part of this new competition tier, Chargers SC teams will not only participate in a highly competitive regular season but will also have the chance to compete in regional tournaments that lead to qualification for the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs in 2026. Players will gain invaluable exposure at national events, providing marquee scouting opportunities for college programs, professional clubs, and U.S. National Team scouts.

Mike Keeney, Executive Director of Chargers Soccer Club, expressed the club’s excitement about joining this groundbreaking initiative:

“We are thrilled to be part of this historic expansion of MLS NEXT. This new tier not only provides our players with elite competition but also supports our core mission of player development at the highest level. It’s an incredible opportunity, and we are proud to represent Chargers Soccer Club and our community on this national stage.”

In addition to these competitive opportunities, players competing in this new tier will remain eligible to play high school soccer, ensuring flexibility for player development paths.

We look forward to the start of this exciting new journey in September and can’t wait to see our Chargers players shine at the national level!

Stay tuned for talent ID dates, schedules, updates, and more as we approach kickoff this fall.