Introduction
For a young player the path to professional football varies widely, there are a lot of ups and downs, changes, opportunities that go away, and ones that open up. In this article I will focus on two specific paths for a young player looking to make it as a professional, those are the two main football (soccer) systems in The United States. Those are the MLS and the USL.
The MLS is composed of three levels the academy level, MLS Next Pro, and the Major League Soccer (MLS). As for the USL system, it is composed of four levels soon to be five, the academy level, USL2, USL1, USL Championship, and USL First Division (2027). Both leagues have created great talents and have similarities and differences. Below the pros and cons will be discussed for each system with the hope that it helps as a guide to young players looking to go pro and that should analyze which system works best for them in achieving their goals.
Both leagues have created great talents and have similarities and differences.
MLS Next Pro
Before the MLS Next Pro, MLS teams had many of their second teams in the USL System, while a few remain, most have adopted this new model in which the MLS second teams no longer ager compete in USL but rather, they created the Next Pro league where the first division clubs have keep developing their most promising young players in a professional setting and without leaving the MLS structure.
Pros
Direct pipeline: As one can assume, staying with the MLS structure makes for a direct way into the first time in MLS First Division. Within this path, a player not only has that organic ascension into MLS but if they have been bred by the club, they have a familiar support system in which staff and players know them and vice versa. Additionally, they can debut for the first team without any contract or transfers as they already are part of the club.
Development Focus: Because the MLS Next Pro was created to focus on development and helping academy players transition from academy to Next Pro to MLS, more often than not the focus of the coaching is more development based rather than focusing solely on results.
State of the Art facilities and resources: As part of an MLS Club, players in the Next Pro level have access to top level coaching, infrastructure, recovery resources, and most of what comes with being a first division club.
Cons
Lower Competitive Level: While there is no age limit within the MLS Next Pro system, the average age for players is 20.5 years old. Because of this the competitiveness of the league can lack some maturity. Furthermore, from the outside it can be perceived as a venerated academy league.
Lack of Atmosphere: Some games, especially reserve team ones have a low attendance and atmosphere. At a glance it seems unimportant but there is a lack of pressure from spectators on players which can be a useful tool when it comes to mental development and readiness for big moments when stakes are high.
Isolated Defenders: As development as the main focus, it is common to see open attacking styles of play that make it harder to focus on solidifying each line of the game such as creating a rigid defensive structure.
USL System
The USL System is divided into three division (USL2, USL1, and USL Championship) and with the incorporation of the “First Division” in 2027, there will be four divisions. The USL has long been a talent pool for the MLS even to this day. The USL system has been around for longer than the MLS and although thought of as the second division of the US Soccer system, there are many challenges that are presented when it comes this league as a young player. It is a league in which players and coaches play for higher stakes as within the USL System the USL Championship is the top tier league and it focuses mainly in results rather than just developing young talent.
The USL has long been a talent pool for the MLS even to this day.
Pros
Stronger Competition: We have to start with the big one, as an older league system and focusing on the USL Championship, the competition is at a higher level due to the fact that the Championship operates as a mature league and not one looking to develop young academy players to move upon to a higher division version of these clubs. Because of this, a young player will be competing against mature players who are much older, stronger, are vastly more experienced, and even come from playing internationally. The stakes are higher so results and performances whether collectively or individually are taken more seriously. It is not uncommon to then see players form MLS Next Pro move to the USL Championship just to then move back but to the MLS fist division.
True professional Atmosphere: It is not a secret that the MLS first division has a higher attendance than a USL Championship game, however, there are USL Championship clubs with top level facilities and more importantly a strong fan base rooted in the community and pride of their home. This means that for those clubs, every game is an opportunity for fans to show their support but also apply pressure to their team and demand results making the hard times even harder.
Physical maturity: Touched upon earlier, as a league with higher stakes, players are older and stronger too so the physicality of the game can be more challenging for a young player but ultimately prepares them better for the real deal as a professional player.
Wider Net of Opportunity: With many division and clubs, it offers a path for players outside the MLS academy system to get noticed.
Potential Promotion/Relegation: Last year the USL made the decision to adopt a promotion-relegation system by 2027 while also adding the “USL First Division”. This would be huge for US Sports and would raise the stakes even higher for clubs and fans involved.
Cons
Less Developmental Focus: While the exposure a young player will have to a professional setting is higher, this also means that there is less room for error and the player needs to be ready not only physically and in skill, but perhaps more importantly, mentally and emotionally.
Slower MLS Path: While the MLS does still scout players from the USL system, leaving the Next Pro as a player does require a change of leagues, therefore, a less direct way to MLS top division.
Variable Infrastructure: As mentioned previously, when it comes to USL Championship, some clubs have better infrastructure and fan bases than others. You can think this is the case in any league, however the discrepancies in the USL are bigger and while a club might have top notch facilities, others have a very poor infrastructure and sufficient attention to players compared to MLS top of the line resources.
Getting the opportunity to break into a first team and become a professional player.
Conclusion
As a young player, deciding which path to take towards achieving one’s goals is one of the player’s biggest decision in their football career. Shooting for the biggest club seems the logical move to take for any player but more than brand recognition, it is more important to find the right fit for development and achieving the ultimate goal. Getting the opportunity to break into a first team and become a professional player. It is my wish that that players fighting to achieve their goal of becoming a professional player in the US will take this information as a helpful tool to envision their path and decided what is best for them.