MLS NEXT Pro was launched in 2022 to complete the player pathway between MLS NEXT and MLS first teams, bridging the gap between the elite youth platform and the professional ranks. Now in its fourth season, that pathway has delivered: MLS NEXT Pro recently achieved a noteworthy milestone, 200 MLS first team signings.
Since the League debuted in March 2022, 200 players have signed with MLS first teams after appearing in MLS NEXT Pro – demonstrating the significance of the professional development league within the MLS ecosystem and U.S. Soccer pyramid, as well as the advantage gained through playing experience in MLS NEXT Pro.
Those 200 players benefitted from the roster flexibility created through the pathway, providing the ability for players to move between leagues.
Additionally, in the four seasons of MLS NEXT Pro:
- 1,000+ MLS-contracted players have been loaned to MLS NEXT Pro teams
- Example: Alex Freeman (ORL), Patrick Agyemang (formerly CLT), Patrick Schulte (CLB)
- 1,100+ MLS NEXT Pro players have signed short-term MLS contracts
- 1,300+ MLS NEXT Academy players have competed in MLS NEXT Pro matches
In MLS NEXT Pro, the best high-potential players are able to prove they're ready for the highest level. They’re playing with MLS first teams and national teams, while some are being transferred internationally. MLS NEXT Pro alumni shine not only in MLS competition, but in competitions such as Leagues Cup, U.S. Open Cup, Gold Cup and more.
Two Hundred MLS First Team Signings – By the Numbers:
- Academy products: 110 (55%)
- Countries represented (by birthplace):
- United States: 130 (65%)
- Canada: 21 (10.5%)
- 31 other countries: 49 (24.5%)
- MLS production (including Top 5 players in each category):
- 2,400+ total games played
- Mohamed Farsi (CLB) (83)
- Jacen Russell-Rowe (CLB) (80)
- Benjamin Cremaschi (MIA) (72)
- Alonso Coello (TOR) (77)
- Bernard Kamungo (DAL) (74)
- 135,000+ total minutes played
- Mohamed Farsi (CLB) (6,310)
- Kyle Hiebert (STL) (5,823)
- Micael (HOU) (5,381)
- Alonso Coello (TOR) (5,538)
- Benjamin Cremaschi (MIA) (4,827)
- 140+ total goals scored
- Jacen Russell-Rowe (CLB) (16)
- Simon Becher (STL) (12)
- Max Arfsten (CLB) (10)
- Paul Rothrock (SEA) (10)
- Benjamin Cremaschi (MIA) (7)
- Bernard Kamungo (DAL) (8)
- Idan Toklomanti (CLT) (11)
- 100+ total assists
- Max Arfsten (CLB) (11)
- Mo Farsi (CLB) (9)
- Benjamin Cremaschi (MIA) (6)
- Ali Ahmed (VAN) (9)
- Omar Valencia (RBNY) (5)
- Jacen Russell-Rowe (CLB) (5)
- Most goal contributions
- Jacen Russell-Rowe (CLB) (21)
- Max Arfsten (CLB) (21)
- Paul Rothrock (SEA) (17)
- Mohamed Farsi (CLB) (14)
- Benjamin Cremaschi (MIA) (13)
- MLS clubs with most signings (top 10, with notable player examples):
- DAL – 15
- Bernard Kamungo, Pedrinho, Michael Collodi, Sam Sarver
- STL – 14
- Kyle Hiebert, Akil Watts, Caden Glover, Mykhi Joyner, Jayden Reid
- TOR – 12
- Luka Gavran, Kobe Franklin, Themi Antonoglou, Adisa De Rosario
- PHI – 11
- Cavan Sullivan, Andrew Rick, Eddy Davis, Frankie Westfield
- MIA – 10
- Benjamin Cremaschi, David Ruiz, Israel Boatwright, Noah Allen
- LAFC – 10
- Bajung Darboe, Luca Bombino, Jude Terry, David Ochoa
- SEA – 10
- Paul Rothrock, Osaze De Rosario, Kalani Kossa-Rienzi, Georgi Minoungou
- CLB – 9
- Jacen Russell-Rowe, Taha Habroune, Max Arfsten, Mo Farsi
- VAN – 9
- Ali Ahmed, Simon Becher, Max Anchor, Jeevan Badwal
- RBNY – 9
- Julian Hall, Mohammed Sofo, Omar Valencia, Tanner Rosborough
- DAL – 15
- Select examples of additional clubs and standout signings:
- CLT - 7: Idan Toklomati, Iuri Tavares, Nikola Petkovic, Joao Pedro
- CIN - 5: Bret Halsey, Stefan Chirila, Gerardo Valenzuela
- COL - 7: Adam Beaudry, Remi Cabral, Sam Bassett
- NYCFC - 7: Seymour Reid, Jonathan Shore
- NER – 8: Esmir Bajraktarevic, Peyton Miller, Malcolm Fry
- ORL - 8: Gustavo Caraballo, Tahir Reid-Brown, Favian Loyola
- RSL - 3: Zavier Gozo
Two Hundred MLS First Team Signings – Recent Examples of Success:
- Three consecutive Leagues Cup champions with MLS NEXT Pro alumni:
- 2023: Inter Miami CF
- Including: Benjamin Cremaschi, David Ruiz
- 2024: Columbus Crew
- Including: Jacen Russell-Rowe, Mo Farsi, Max Arfsten
- 2025: Seattle Sounders
- Including: Osaze De Rosario, Paul Rothrock, Kalani Kossa-Rienzi, Georgi Minoungou
- De Rosario and Rothrock both scored in the 2025 final
- De Rosario tied for second-most goals in 2025 tournament (four goals)
- National teams:
- U.S. Men’s National Team:
- Max Arfsten (CLB) made his national team debut in 2025 and helped USMNT finish as runners-up in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup
- U.S. U-17 Youth National Team:
- Aidan Stokes (RBNY), Jack Kortkamp (SKC), Christopher Cupps (CHI), Luca Moisa (RSL), Cooper Sanchez (ATL), Cavan Sullivan (PHI), Jude Terry (LAFC), Julian Hall (RBNY) named to U-17 roster representing the United States at the 2025 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Qatar from November 3-27.
- U.S. U-20 Youth National Team:
- Benjamin Cremaschi (formerly MIA) won the Golden Boot at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with five goals. Cremaschi ended the tournament in a three-way tie with Neyser Villareal (Colombia) and Lucas Michal (France) but earned the Golden Boot by virtue of registering the most assists of the trio. Cremaschi was one of fifteen MLS NEXT Pro alumni named to the 21-player roster that advanced to the tournament quarterfinals.
- Canadian Men’s National Team
- Ali Ahmed (VAN) scored his first national team goal in 3-0 victory over Romania in September 2025 and assisted another goal in the 3-0 win
- Recent MLS regular season examples:
- Idan Toklomati (CLT):
- Helped Charlotte FC go on a 10-match unbeaten streak during the 2025 MLS Season, tallying a game-winning goal or assist in six straight matches and recording a career-best 11 goals and four assists throughout 19 starts.
- Zavier Gozo (RSL):
- 18-year-old forward has contributed four goals and three assists in first full season with Real Salt Lake, starting 21 of his 25 appearances and playing 1815 minutes.
- Frankie Westfield (PHI):
- Westfield had been a defensive talisman for Philadelphia Union in his first MLS season; he started 18 of his 25 appearances, registering 1,724 minutes, one goal and five assists. Westfield won 65.6% of his aerial duels, provided 18 key passes, and has provided 15 clearances to help Philadelphia clinch the 2025 Supporters’ Shield.
- Idan Toklomati (CLT):
