MLS Next Pro

MLS Next Pro is the third tier of the US soccer pyramid and Major League Soccer's official development league, running a 28-game season across two conferences before a 16-team play-off. New York Red Bulls II won the 2025 MLS Next Pro Cup.

MLS Next Pro is the third tier of the United States soccer pyramid and the official development league of Major League Soccer. Announced in 2021 and launched with its inaugural season in 2022, it now features 30 teams, made up of 27 reserve sides affiliated with MLS clubs plus a small group of independent clubs, split between an Eastern Conference and a Western Conference. The season runs from spring through to autumn, with each team playing a 28-game regular season before a 16-team play-off bracket decides the MLS Next Pro Cup. The league is also known for experimenting with the laws of the game: regular-season draws are settled by a penalty shootout, with the shootout winner picking up a bonus point, which keeps late-game situations unusually open. Its purpose is player development, and it delivers. Academy graduates, homegrown signings and first-team players returning from injury all appear here, and a steady stream of young professionals has used the league as a springboard into MLS and beyond. New York Red Bulls II are the reigning champions, beating Colorado Rapids 2 on penalties in the 2025 MLS Next Pro Cup final after a 3-3 draw, the first extra time and shootout in the competition's history. Columbus Crew 2, Austin FC II and North Texas SC are the other clubs to have lifted the trophy. Atlanta United 2 forward Arif Kovac leads the current scoring charts with 15 goals. OneLightScore covers MLS Next Pro across both conferences with live scores, full fixtures and results, up-to-date conference standings including play-off positions, top-scorer and assist charts, and where-to-watch details wherever broadcast information is available.