MLS NEXT HAS FORMED A STRATEGIC ALLIANCE WITH THE GIRLS ACADEMY (GA), A LEADING YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PLATFORM FOR FEMALE SOCCER PLAYERS IN THE UNITED STATES, TO WORK TOGETHER ON TECHNICAL STANDARDS, INNOVATION, MEMBERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, AND EVENT INTEGRATIONS TO ENHANCE PLAYER DEVELOPMENT THROUGHOUT NORTH AMERICA.

FOUNDED IN 2020, THE GIRLS ACADEMY (GA) OFFERS ELITE COMPETITION AND PLAYER DEVELOPMENT FOR FEMALE ATHLETES AGES U13-U19, WITH OVER 16,000 PLAYERS ACROSS

114 CLUBS IN 11 CONFERENCES NATIONWIDE.

GA HAS 48 CLUBS WITH BOYS TEAMS IN MLS NEXT INCLUDING WAKE FC.

 STARTING IN 2025, SELECT GA CLUBS WILL BE INTEGRATED INTO A GIRLS COMPETITION AT THE GENERATION ADIDAS CUP, A PRESTIGIOUS INTERNATIONAL SHOWCASE TOURNAMENT.

MLS NEXT AND THE GA WILL ALSO WORK TOGETHER ON COACHING EDUCATION AND INNOVATION PROGRAMS AS WELL AS HOSTING REGIONAL SHOWCASE EVENTS IN WHICH TEAMS FROM MLS NEXT AND THE GA WILL ATTEND.



THESE REGIONAL EVENTS WILL SIMPLIFY SCHEDULING AND TRAVEL FOR PLAYERS, FAMILIES, AND CLUBS AND ENSURE BOYS AND GIRLS TEAMS ARE COMPETING IN FRONT OF COLLEGE, PROFESSIONAL, AND NATIONAL TEAM SCOUTS.