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. Part-time players for LATDP Elite teams will only come from players registered to play at one of the three hub locations (BRSC, Lafayette Dynamo, and LA Fire SC).

Players can register for LATDP Elite tryouts using the links below for the upcoming 2021/22 season. Boys - Register Here Girls - Register Here

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

All tryouts will take place at Our Lady of the Lake Fields at Burbank Soccer Park in Baton Rouge. The U13 boys will tryout on May 16th, 2-4 pm, and 4-6 pm. The U14-U19 boys will take place on May 31st from 6:00 - 8:00 pm and June 6 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm.

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.

Players will be notified of acceptance via email 7-10 days following the final tryout date.

There will be 15-18 players eligible for travel on each roster. The roster is subject to change each week. There will also be 6-8 part-time players per roster who will be included in two training sessions per week and possibly float in and out of the main player roster. Players who are on the part-time list will play for their home-based Club team when they are not playing for MLS NEXT.

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

NOTE: These prices may vary. Registration is $2600 and includes the following: * Full-time professional staff coach *10 months of training 3-4 x per week (3 two hour sessions or 4 one and a half hour sessions) with LATDP Elite staff (1-2 pod training sessions at your home base club and 2 training sessions in Baton Rouge with LATDP Elite staff) *League play games in the MLS NEXT Frontier League *Registration with the league/secondary insurance

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. Part-time 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 part-time player 6 months from the registration date. Team expenses will be handed through the teams.

Financial aid is available to those who qualify at a maximum of 50% of registration fees and 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 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.

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: Part-time players are allowed to play MLS Next during the high school season. We are confirming with the Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) that part-time 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.

LATDP Elite boys will train 3-4 days a week. One or two sessions will be in club pods at the players’ home facility. One or two team training sessions will take place in Baton Rouge each week. These practices are currently scheduled to last for 1.5 hours (if training 4 days) and two hours (if training 3 days). The current plan is to hold pod practices on Monday, Tuesday, and/or Wednesday and team training sessions on Wednesday/Thursday. This schedule is subject to change.

Home games for LATDP Elite Boys will be played at one of our partner facilities either in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, or Lafayette. To better accommodate teams traveling from a great distance, neutral-site games will be played in Houston at Houston Sports Park.