Suffolk County, New York— (November 25, 2025)— Building on the recent announcement of The Island F.C.’s entry into MLS NEXT Pro and the return of professional soccer to Long Island, the club has been officially awarded membership in MLS NEXT, Major League Soccer’s elite youth development platform that offers the highest level of training and competition in North America.
“This is a transformative moment for soccer on Long Island,” said Mitchell Rechler, Principal Owner of The Island F.C. “Our vision is to create a complete pathway from grassroots to professional soccer within the MLS ecosystem, and MLS NEXT is a critical piece of that journey.”
This milestone establishes The Island F.C. as the only club competing in the MLS NEXT Allstate Homegrown Division based in Suffolk County, delivering top-tier youth soccer opportunities right here on Long Island. As part of this elite national platform, The Island F.C. joins a select field of 152 clubs—encompassing every MLS academy and more than 120 top-tier Elite Academies—recognized for developing the highest-caliber youth talent in North America. Across a rigorous 10-month season, Homegrown Division teams train and compete in a professional-style environment and take part in premier national showcases, giving more than
17,000 rising athletes exceptional exposure and preparation for the next level. By earning its place within this pathway, The Island F.C. is aligned with the gold standard for player development and positioned to offer local athletes a direct route toward collegiate and professional opportunities.
“Creating a clear pathway from youth soccer to the professional level is at the heart of MLS NEXT,” said Luis Robles, MLS NEXT Technical Director. “We’re excited to have The Island F.C. join our program and provide this opportunity for the next generations of talented young players on Long Island.”
As part of The Island F.C.’s facility expansion plan, the club will establish training sites throughout Suffolk County to ensure every player has access to MLS NEXT programming close to home.
“This commitment reflects our goal to make elite soccer development accessible to all communities across Long Island,” said Peter Zaratin, Managing Partner of The Island F.C.
Leadership for the youth program will be announced shortly as part of the club’s commitment to excellence and accessibility. The Island F.C.’s MLS NEXT club will officially field teams for the 2026–27 season, with tryouts beginning in January 2026 to identify Suffolk County’s top elitey outh players. Both the MLS NEXT Allstate Homegrown Division and MLS NEXT Academy Division offer opportunities for players at all levels—including those who wish to continue playing high school soccer while pursuing elite development.
Aspiring players are encouraged to visit MLS NEXT Suffolk for tryout details and follow @TheIslandFC on social media for future updates.
About MLS NEXT
Launched in 2020, MLS NEXT is the most elite platform for youth player development in North America. With a commitment to innovation and inclusion, MLS NEXT players receive the best training and coaching as they prepare for their futures, both on and off the field. Throughout a season, MLS NEXT hosts four marquee events across the country, including the Generation adidas Cup, which features MLS academies playing against the top international clubs. With the addition of the new MLS NEXT Academy Division in 2025, membership for the 2025-26 season will include 30 MLS academies, 244 Elite Academies (274 total clubs), 2,189 teams and over 43,000 players across the U.S. and Canada. Official partners of MLS NEXT include adidas, Allstate, and Más+ by Messi. For more information about MLS NEXT, visit www.mlssoccer.com/mlsnext
About The Island F.C.
The Island F.C. is Long Island’s professional soccer club, competing in MLS NEXT Pro in 2027, the official developmental league of Major League Soccer. With a commitment to excellence, community, and opportunity, The Island F.C. provides a clear pathway from grassroots to professional soccer for players across Long Island.
About Long Island Pro Soccer
Long Island Pro Soccer is committed to growing the game across Long Island by creating pathways from grassroots to professional levels. Through community engagement and player development initiatives, it makes elite soccer accessible to all while fostering opportunity for athletes of every age. As part of its vision, Long Island Pro Soccer plans to launch a women’s professional team, expanding opportunities for female players and strengthening the region’s soccer ecosystem.
