The San Francisco Glens announced they have been selected to join MLS Next, a nationwide system of soccer development leagues that will help young players develop and take the next step to the professional ranks. The system was founded by Major League Soccer last year as the successor to the US Soccer Development Academy system, previously run by the United States Soccer Association.
The Glens will be the first soccer development academy in San Francisco with Under-13, Under-14, Under-16, and Under-19 development teams in the league.
“This is unprecedented and a huge step for San Francisco soccer,” explained SF Glens executive director Mike McNeill. “In the past homegrown players in the city had to leave the city to pursue their dreams to play at the highest level. Not anymore.”
According to MLS, the development system consists of 113 clubs nationwide and over nine thousand players. Ninety percent of the current United States youth national team players are part of the MLS Next development system.
