CITY SC to field U14 and U18 teams as part of the continued evolution of the Pro Player Pathway for the 2024-25 season
St. Louis CITY SC Academy will field a U-14 and U-18 team for the 2024-25 season as part of the continued evolution of the professional player pathway. The club’s U-14, U-15, U-16 and U-18 teams will participate in MLS NEXT competitions which commences this weekend with all the teams facing their counterparts at FC United Soccer Club on Saturday and Sockers FC on Sunday. St. Louis will not participate in the UPSL competition this season.
For the 2024-25 season, MLS NEXT has continued to evolve the Pro Player Pathway, with MLS academies moving from the U15 and U17 age group designations to the U16 and U18 age group designations. All MLS academies will compete in the U19 age group and rosters will be made up of U18 players and a limited number of overage players. Designed to improve the player pathway by optimizing the transition from the academy level to MLS NEXT Pro, this evolution results from comprehensive analysis, including input from Chief Soccer Officers, Academy Directors, and coaches throughout the MLS ecosystem.
The new pathway will create greater alignment by providing a higher level of competition for all MLS NEXT players prior to signing professionally, playing in college, or pursuing other opportunities. The additional year (i.e., shifting U15 to U16) will provide MLS clubs with more opportunity to establish clear and effective development paths for each player.
The upcoming season will see the top prospects from the U.S. and Canada vying for a chance to become MLS NEXT champions at the 2025 MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs in summer of 2025. The MLS NEXT calendar will feature five premier events during the season – MLS NEXT Fest in December 2024, Generation adidas Cup in April 2025, MLS NEXT Flex in May 2025, the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs and Showcase, and the MLS NEXT All-Star Game presented by Allstate in summer 2025.
St. Louis CITY SC Academy Schedule:
U-14 Schedule
U-15 Schedule
U-16 Schedule
U-18 Schedule
