MLS NEXT was launched in 2020 with the goal of transforming youth soccer in North America. MLS NEXT players have access to the highest level of competition, training, and personal development opportunities that will prepare them for their futures. Current membership includes 113 clubs, 489 teams, 9,000+ players across the U.S. and Canada, and features over 90% of the current youth national team player pools. MLS NEXT is the highest level of youth programming and the replacement for the U.S. Development Academy.

The LATDP Elite program will include boys and girls teams across six age groups: U-13, U-14, U-15, U-16, U-17, and U-19.

This fall, the LATDP Elite boys teams (U13 - U19) will compete in an MLS NEXT National League unlike any Louisiana has ever experienced. This league will allow the elite players in the state to compete against the top players and teams in the region and country. It will also afford players a greater prospect for identification among coaches and scouts at some of the highest levels of play.

Tryouts for LATDP Elite are open to boys in U-13 to U-19. In year one of the program, open tryouts will be held to provide greater access to this program for all elite players in the region.

Players can register for LATDP Elite tryouts using the link below for the upcoming 2022/23 season beginning February 7, 2022. Boys - Register Here

Players playing up will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

2010 Boys Sunday, March 27th, 2022 Sunday, April 3rd, 2022 5pm - 6:30pm 2009 Boys Sunday, April 3rd, 2022 | 5pm - 6:30pm 2008 Boys Sunday, April 3rd, 2022 | 5pm - 6:30pm 2007 Boys Sunday, April 3rd, 2022 | 5pm - 6:30pm 2006 Boys Sunday, April 24th, 2022 | 5pm - 6:30pm 2005/2004 Boys (Combined) Sunday, April 24th, 2022 | 5pm - 6:30pm Learn More/Register Here

LATDP tryouts for all players who do not make LATDP Elite will take place following club tryouts for each hub. A registration link will be available soon.

Coaches from each affiliated club along with staff coaches from Houston Dynamo will evaluate and identify possible players to join LATDP Elite. Only the top-level players within each organization will be invited to participate in LATDP Elite tryouts.

The process is a two-step process with the first date being an identification stage. Players identified from the first tryout will be notified and invited to attend MLS NEXT Training for further evaluation from which selection occurs.

We attempt to have a roster of 16-18 players who are committed full-time. Players selected but not full-time will be reserve players. Reserve players can participate in training based on their club schedule and potentially receive a selection for MLS NEXT Games.

LATDP Elite boys will be rostered full-time on their team and not participate on their home club team. Reserve players will play on their Club team when they are not on the LATDP Elite roster.

The full-Time player club fee is $2,750.00. Reserve Player fee is $1000.00 Each team will be responsible for fundraising monies for their team.

The team expenses will be based on each team’s travel schedule. Players will be responsible for the team expenses only when they travel to play. Reserve players will pay their portion of the team expenses when they travel with the MLS NEXT team or their hub club team.

Yes, a six-month payment plan will be available through League Apps for the registration portion. All payments will be due from each MLS NEXT or reserve player 6 months from the registration date. Team expenses will be handled through the teams.

Financial aid is available to those who qualify at a maximum of 50% of registration fees and is subject to availability. Payment plans are also available and must be completed by December 1st. Applications for financial aid must be submitted to Hannah Gill at hgill@brsoccer.org. The financial assistance form can be found here.

The boy's teams will participate in the MLS NEXT Frontier Conference. It is one of 13 Conferences under MLS NEXT. The Frontier Conference consists of teams primarily from Oklahoma, North Texas, and South Texas. The top teams in the Conference will earn advancement to the National Event. Frontier Conference teams also have a pathway to participate in the new National League Showcase Series. Certain age groups will also compete in MLS NEXT approved tournaments/ events in Dec (15, 16, 17, 19), Jan (13, 14, 15), March (16, 17, 19) and June (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19). Dates TBD.

Each team will have a licensed professional head coach and assistant coach. The current staff list for both the boys and girls is as follows: Bryan Thorp, Rafa Amaya, Hubie Collins, Keir Hannity, Louie Smothermon, Kevin Mooney, Joan Oliva, Marvin Smith, Adrian Garcia, Kiran Booluck, and Alex Edwards.

MLS NEXT clubs will participate in a year-round competitive schedule (10-months), including league matches, events, and playoffs.

Here are the current pertinent factors when considering your path: Reserve players are allowed to play MLS Next during the high school season. We are confirming with the Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) that reserve players can participate in high school soccer and the MLS NEXT simultaneously. The MLS NEXT commissioner reiterated that full-time players are not allowed to participate for their high school teams during the high school season. We are in discussions with MLS NEXT to provide players with as many soccer opportunities and experiences as possible. A few of the considerations we are exploring: 1. Waivers- Depending on the school and requirements, MLS NEXT will approve some waivers for players to participate in MLS NEXT and high school soccer at the same time. In academic institutions where soccer is considered a class for credit, waivers may be granted for participation in MLS NEXT during high school. If a player attends a school where soccer participation is part of the academic institution, waivers may be granted for participation in MLS NEXT during high school soccer. 2. LHSAA clearance- The language in the LHSAA policies regarding soccer indicates that we need to demonstrate that MLS NEXT is sanctioned by US Soccer as a national league and/or showcase events for college recruiting. LATDP Elite girls will be able to fully participate on their high school teams.

Teams will practice Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday in Baton Rouge. On Mondays, players will have individual sports performance sessions using the Valhalla Performance Training app. Added sessions will occur based on scheduling and programming needs.

Currently, home games are at Burbank or Houston, TX. We are in discussions to gain more local Home Games to mitigate travel costs.