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MLS NEXT
Building the Future of Soccer on Long Island
The Island FC operates MLS NEXT Homegrown and Academy divisions Island-wide.
As the only professional club on Long Island, our mission is to provide world-class player development and a direct pathway from youth soccer to college and to the professional game.
March 19, 2026
The Island FC completes MLS NEXT pathway across Long Island. Beginning 2026–27, Homegrown (Tier 1) and Academy (Tier 2) platforms operate across both Nassau and Suffolk Counties under one professional club.
THE ISLAND FC
OUR CLUBS
Two clubs. One professional pathway.
Each club offers full MLS NEXT Tier 1 and Tier 2 competitions, allowing players to train and compete closer to home.
THE ISLAND FC WEST
T1 | MLS NEXT Homegrown Division
Formerly LISC MLS NEXT divisions, now unified under The Island FC beginning 2026–27.
THE ISLAND FC EAST
T1 | MLS NEXT Homegrown Division
Established in 2025, marking the foundation of an island-wide player pathway.
TIER 1
MLS NEXT Homegrown Division
The top tier of competition and the most elite platform for youth development in North America. This division includes all 30 MLS club academies and the highest-level non-MLS clubs, known as MLS NEXT Elite Academies.
- Season: Rigorous, 10-month, pro-style regular season.
- Focus: Preparing players for professional contracts, national team selection, and top-tier college recruitment.
- Pathway: Direct and proven route to professional soccer through MLS NEXT Pro, Major League Soccer first teams, and foreign pro clubs.
TIER 2
MLS NEXT Academy Division
A new competition tier that expands access to the MLS NEXT platform.
- Environment: High-quality, regionalized competition with scouting exposure and developmental resources like the Homegrown Division.
- Balance: Designed to accommodate high school sports while maintaining top-tier competition.
- Goal: Provide opportunities for players to develop locally while staying connected to the MLS NEXT ecosystem.
Join Us
Become part of Long Island’s soccer pathway for elite-level soccer players. Participation is by invitation only; all players are required to register in advance. Players selected will receive an email with all the details. Selected players will receive an email with the confirmed session time and arrival instructions.
Club Affiliate Partnership – Long Island Soccer Club (LISC)
Through a partnership with Long Island Soccer Club (LISC), The Island FC will assume operation of the LISC MLS NEXT divisions in Nassau, beginning 2026–27. LISC becomes The Island FC’s first strategic Club Affiliate Partner. Existing LISC programs below the MLS NEXT level continue unchanged. This is the first of several Club Affiliate Partner announcements planned as the club expands its Island-wide structure.
For further questions, visit our FAQ’s page.