DC SOCCER CLUB ACCEPTED INTO MLS NEXT ACADEMY DIVISION BEGINNING 2026–2027 SEASON

WASHINGTON, DC. March 9, 2026 — DC Soccer Club (DCSC) is proud to announce that it has been accepted into MLS NEXT Academy Division beginning in the 2026–2027 season, marking a transformative milestone for the club’s Academy program and the continued elevation of elite player development in the District.

Beginning next fall, DCSC’s top Boys Academy teams, U13–U19, will compete in MLS NEXT Academy Division — part of the MLS NEXT platform widely regarded as the highest competitive youth soccer structure in the United States. The acceptance places DC Soccer Club among a select group of high-performing clubs competing under MLS NEXT’s national standards and development model.

DC Soccer Club will compete in the Virginia Region against top clubs including Loudoun Soccer, Alexandria SA, McLean Youth Soccer, FC Richmond, Springfield/South County Youth Club (SYC), The St. James, Virginia Revolution SC, and Virginia Rush (subject to annual league alignment).

Teams will participate in a structured 10-month season spanning fall through spring, including regional league play, MLS NEXT Cup Qualifiers in Virginia, and opportunities to compete in national MLS NEXT events such as MLS NEXT Fest. These events serve as high-level competitive platforms and important scouting environments for college, professional, and national team pathways.

DC Soccer Club Director of Soccer Matt Arrington said the move reflects the club’s commitment to competing at the highest levels of youth soccer.

“This is an important and notable step forward in DC Soccer Club’s history. We’re the largest and longest-serving soccer club in Washington D.C. and we aspire to compete at the highest level possible,” Arrington said. “This move to MLS Next shows the progress that this club has made and we are proud to have a platform where we can offer the best opportunity in the country for boys to play at the collegiate and professional levels.”

DCSC Executive Director Greg Andrulis emphasized that the move to MLS NEXT reflects years of strategic planning and intentional leadership aimed at raising standards across the entire club.

“Joining MLS NEXT Academy Division is a significant affirmation of the direction we have chosen as a club,” Andrulis said. “We made a deliberate decision to raise our standards, invest in leadership, and build a pathway capable of competing at the national level. This milestone reflects the alignment of vision, strategy, and execution throughout our organization. Matt Arrington’s leadership has been instrumental in executing that plan and strengthening our Academy foundation. Over the past few years, Matt and his staff  have worked tirelessly to chart the right path for our club. MLS NEXT is not the finish line — it is the next step in our mission to build something extraordinary,” Andrulis said.

“Competing in MLS NEXT elevates more than just our Academy teams — it raises expectations across the organization and strengthens the environment for all of our players. When you commit to operating at a higher standard, the entire club benefits.”

DCSC’s Academy represents the highest level of play within the club’s Travel Program for elite players U11–U19. Beginning at U13, Academy teams will compete in MLS NEXT Academy Division. At the U11–U12 level, DCSC’s Pre-Academy teams will compete in NCSL, where many of the region’s leading clubs place their top teams at this stage of development.

The move to MLS NEXT Academy Division provides DCSC players with:

• A direct pathway to professional MLS academies and professional opportunities
• Expanded exposure to collegiate programs
• Access to MLS-aligned coaching education standards
• Structured regional and national competition

“This achievement reflects where our club is headed,” Arrington continued. “We are committed to providing the highest possible standard of daily training and competitive opportunity while supporting players as students, teammates, and young leaders.”

Families interested in learning more about the structure, expectations, travel, commitment, and selection process for MLS NEXT Academy Division can review the full FAQs here: READ MORE

With acceptance into MLS NEXT Academy Division, DC Soccer Club takes its place within a nationally recognized competitive structure and begins a new chapter in the evolution of the Travel Program.

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ABOUT MLS NEXT
MLS NEXT is the most elite platform for youth player development in North America, established in 2020 by Major League Soccer to provide the best development experience. Its mission focuses on fostering high-level competition, professional training environments, and personal development for U13-U19 players, preparing them for future professional, national team, and college opportunities.With the addition of the MLS NEXT Academy Division in 2025, membership reached 274 total clubs, including 30 MLS academies and 244 Elite Academies. For more information about MLS NEXT, visit mlssoccer.com/mlsnext

ABOUT DC SOCCER CLUB
DC Soccer Club is the largest independent youth soccer organization in Washington, D.C., serving more than 7,500 players each year. Our mission is to develop character and strengthen community by providing accessible, high-quality soccer experiences for youth of all backgrounds and abilities. Guided by our core values of Intention, Inclusion, Collaboration, and Community, we create opportunities that foster growth both on and off the field.

We champion inclusion by ensuring every child has a place to learn, play, and belong—supported by one of the city’s most comprehensive soccer programs and the leading provider of girls’ participation in DC. Each season, we invest in significant financial assistance, coach and referee education, and sustainable programming that unite players, families, coaches, and volunteers in a shared love of the game. Learn more at dcsoccerclub.org