Footy Access coverage
Reporting, player profiles and analysis from across youth soccer. Follow the story, then explore the competition.
The 2025-26 MLS NEXT season marks a new era for youth soccer in North America. With record participation, expanded competition, and five marquee events — from MLS NEXT Fest in Arizona to MLS NEXT Cup in Salt Lake City — the sixth season promises to showcase the continent’s brightest young stars while setting a new standard for player development.
Lucas Aguirre ·
Top U.S. youth prospect Apolo Marinch has signed his first professional contract with Orange County SC. At just 15, the Slovenian-American forward is joining OCSC’s #NextWave pathway after historic milestones with Columbus Crew 2 and the U.S. U-15 national team.
Lucas Aguirre ·
Orlando City SC’s U-17 squad reached the final of the prestigious Liga MX Invitational in Mexico City, showcasing resilience, growth, and international experience. The run highlighted the academy’s commitment to development, international exposure, and preparing players for the professional stage—values that have already produced first-team debuts for three homegrown talents in 2025.
Leo Santos ·
From playing against older boys at TFA to smashing transfer records, Alyssa Thompson’s journey has been fearless. Now, at 20, she takes her talents to Chelsea FC in a landmark move that signals her next big leap on the global stage.
Lucas Aguirre ·
At just 16 years old, goalkeeper James Donaldson has signed with Atlanta United 2 through 2026. With a Homegrown deal set for 2027 and U.S. Youth National Team experience, Donaldson’s rise from Academy standout to professional is only beginning.
Lucas Aguirre ·
A kid from Key Biscayne took the long way to Italy—via academy fields, cup finals, a national-team crest, and the brightest lights MLS has to offer. Now the map zooms in on Parma. The stage is different; the assignment is the same: be brave, be clean, be decisive. If Benjamin Cremaschi does those things, this chapter won’t read like a detour. It’ll read like the moment the story went continental.
Lucas Aguirre ·
At only 15 years old, Robert Turdean made his professional debut for Chicago Fire II, starting on the right wing in MLS NEXT Pro. Already the holder of a club-record homegrown contract and a U.S. Youth National Team captain, Turdean’s first appearance was more than a debut — it was the beginning of a new era for Chicago Fire.
Lucas Aguirre ·
On his 19th birthday, Mykhi Joyner gave himself the ultimate gift — his first MLS goal for St. Louis City SC. Subbed on in the 59th minute against Houston, the homegrown winger made history in a moment that capped off a young career already filled with over 40 goal contributions and U.S. youth national team honors. This is the story of a night he’ll never forget — and why it’s only the beginning.
Lucas Aguirre ·
Born in Honolulu to an American father and German mother, Banks moved to Germany as a child and rose through Augsburg’s academy from U-10s to the first team. Standing nearly 6’4”, he combines size, speed, agility, and composure on the ball, with a passing range suited to the modern game. Augsburg rewarded his rapid rise with a contract through 2029 after his professional debut in January 2025. While he’s still waiting for his first minutes of the new Bundesliga season, his call-up signals both Augsburg’s and the USMNT’s belief in his future as a potential defensive cornerstone ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Lucas Aguirre ·
