Program Overview
The MLS NEXT new tier will feature more than 1,200 teams from more than 220 clubs across regional divisions during the regular season. Of those clubs, more than half previously competed outside of MLS NEXT. Each division will be managed by leading league operators across the youth landscape with a strong commitment to player development.
The regular season play will begin in September 2025, which will be accompanied by regional tournaments and an opportunity to attend MLS NEXT national events, as well as coaching development and education programs. The regional tournaments will serve as qualifying for a championship event at the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs later in 2026. These events will be marquee talent identification opportunities for college, professional, and national team scouts to evaluate players. Players competing in the new tier will also be eligible to play high school soccer.
Sporting City MLS NEXT New Tier Coaching Staff:
- U18/19: Chris Dean, US Soccer B License
- U17: John Sosa, US Soccer B License
- U16: John Sosa, US Soccer B License
- U15: Rob Zahl, US Soccer A License
- U14: Rich Malagon, US Soccer B License
- U13: Josh White
- Director: Rob Zahl, US Soccer A License
- Goalkeeper Coach: Darrin MacLeod, Sporting KC II GK Coach, US Soccer A License
2025-2026 Season
U13 (2013) - U14 (2012)
Fall Season: July 28 to November 25
- 3x practices per week
Winter Season: Dec 1 to Feb 12
- 3x practices per week
Spring Season: Feb 16 to May 28
- 3x practices per week
Practice Location (All Season)
- Swope Soccer Village
- Barstow School
Goalkeeper Training
- Min 1x practice per week
League Play: Fall and Spring Seasons
- MLS NEXT New Tier
Tournaments
- MLS NEXT Regional Tournament
- MLS NEXT Crossover Event (vs North Conference)
- Easter Invitational Cup
- Additional Events may be added
U15 (2011) - U18/19 (2008/07)
Winter Season: Nov 3 to Feb 12
- 3x practices per week
Spring Season: Feb 16 to May 28
- 3x practices per week
Practice Location (All Season)
- Swope Soccer Village
- Barstow School
- U18/U19: Swope Soccer Village
Goalkeeper Training
- Min 1x practice per week
League Play: Spring Season
- MLS NEXT New Tier
Tournaments
- MLS NEXT Fest
- MLS NEXT Regional Tournament
- MLS NEXT Cup/College Showcase Event
- Additional Events may be added
Club Fees
The fees listed below are for the 2025-2026 season.
U13 (2013) - U14 (2012)
Acceptance Fee: $350
Remaining Fees: $2,900
The following are included in your fees:
- Coaching Fees
- Director Fees
- MLS NEXT New Tier League Fee
- MLS NEXT New Tier Coach and Player Registration and Carding
- Training and Game Facility Rental
- Playmetrics Registration and Management System
- Administrative & Operating Costs
- Goalkeeper Training
- Tournaments (3)
- Coaches Travel Costs for League and Tournaments
- Winter Season Games
- Reeplayer Video Platform
Not included in Club Fees
- PlayMetrics transaction fee that occur with each payment
- Additional Tournaments
Potential Sibling Discounts
2nd Player in Household (10% Discount) – $290 off
3rd/4th Player in Household (5% Discount) – $145 off
U15 (2011) - U18/19 (2008/07)
Acceptance Fee: $350
Remaining Fees: $3,000
The following are included in your fees:
- Coaching Fees
- Director Fees
- MLS NEXT New Tier League Fee
- MLS NEXT New Tier Coach and Player Registration and Carding
- Training and Game Facility Rental
- Playmetrics Registration and Management System
- Administrative & Operating Costs
- Goalkeeper Training
- Tournaments (3)
- Coaches Travel Costs for League and Tournaments
- Winter Season Games
- Reeplayer Video Platform
- College Placement Program (U15+)
Not included in Club Fees
- PlayMetrics transaction fee that occur with each payment
- Additional Tournaments
- Fall Season for 8th Graders and 9th Graders not playing in High School
Potential Sibling Discounts
2nd Player in Household (10% Discount) – $300 off
3rd/4th Player in Household (5% Discount) – $150 off
Team Fees
Team Fees may include but are not limited to additional tournaments and associated coach travel pay. These fees also vary due to tournament cost, tournament location, the number of players from each team and other variables.
Additionally, tournament registration cost is determined by the number of players registered with a team.
Extraordinary circumstances (i.e., injury) must be approved by the Director of Coaching and Director of Operations.
Club Fee Discounts
Sibling Discount(s)
- 10% discount can be applied to 2nd player in the household
- 5% discount can be applied to the 3rd & 4th player in the household
Coach Discount
Sporting City coaches who have players in the club will have their coaching fees waived from each player. The Sibling discount will not be applied.
Financial Assistance
If you are in need of financial assistance, please contact Ryan.Pow@sportingkc.com for the application.
Payment Plans U13-U14 Teams
Club Fee payment options for U13-U14 Teams include Pay-In-Full, 4-month installments, 6-month installments, 8-month installments, 10-month installments.
Fees will remain the same regardless of payment option.
*Note: The total cost listed below does not include the transaction fees associated with each payment.
*Note: if using mobile device, please scroll on the table to see all payment plans.
| Installment Dates | 4 Month Plan | 6 Month Plan | 8 Month Plan | 10 Month Plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Fee | $350 | $350 | $350 | $350 |
| Installment 1: July 1 | $725 | $484 | $362.5 | $290 |
| Installment 2: August 1 | $725 | $484 | $362.5 | $290 |
| Installment 3: September 1 | $725 | $483 | $362.5 | $290 |
| Installment 4: October 1 | $725 | $483 | $362.5 | $290 |
| Installment 5: November 1 | $483 | $362.5 | $290 | |
| Installment 6: December 1 | $483 | $362.5 | $290 | |
| Installment 7: January 1 | $362.5 | $290 | ||
| Installment 8: February 1 | $362.5 | $290 | ||
| Installment 9: March 1 | $290 | |||
| Installment 10: April 1 | $290 | |||
| Total: | $3250 | $3250 | $3250 | $3250 |
Payment Plans U15-U19 Teams
Club Fee payment options for U15-U19 Teams include Pay-In-Full, 2-month installments, 4-month installments, 6-month installments.
Fees will remain the same regardless of payment option.
*Note: The total cost listed below does not include the transaction fees associated with each payment.
*Note: if using mobile device, please scroll on the table to see all payment plans.
| Installment Dates | 2 Month Plan | 4 Month Plan | 6 Month Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Fee | $350 | $350 | $350 |
| Installment 1: November 1 | $1,500 | $750 | $500 |
| Installment 2: December 1 | $1,500 | $750 | $500 |
| Installment 3: January 1 | $750 | $500 | |
| Installment 4: February 1 | $750 | $500 | |
| Installment 5: March 1 | $500 | ||
| Installment 6: April 1 | $500 | ||
| Total: | $3,350 | $3,350 | $3,350 |
Uniforms
2025-2026 Club Uniform Package
We are excited to have Soccer Master as our Uniform Provider. The Sporting City MLS NEXT New Tier Required Uniform Package will include:
Primary Kit (Jersey, Shorts, Socks)
Secondary Kit (Jersey, Shorts, Socks)
Practice Kit (Top, Shorts, Socks)
Warm-Ups
More information will be released soon!
Uniform ordering will take place after Tryouts.
