MLS NEXT Homegrown & Academy at Sol SC

The two highest national levels of boys soccer at Sol SC. The difference between them is not talent alone — it is commitment level and year-round availability.

The Highest National Levels of Boys Soccer

MLS NEXT Homegrown and MLS NEXT Academy serve players U13–U19 with exceptional ability, commitment, and long-term potential. Both programs compete in MLS NEXT. They are structured differently on purpose — to support players at different stages of readiness.

Understanding that distinction is the first thing we ask families to do.

Understanding that distinction matters.

MLS NEXT is a boys program.

The Two MLS NEXT Pathways at Sol SC

	MLS NEXT Homegrown	MLS NEXT Academy
Level	Top tier of the Sol SC pathway	National level, one step below Homegrown
High school soccer	Not permitted	Permitted
Season	Year-round	Aug-Nov & Feb-May
Training demand	Highest — professional-style	High, with flexibility in the calendar
Travel	Florida Division + 2-3 National events annually	Florida Division + 1 National events annually
Best fit for	Players whose primary athletic focus is soccer	Elite players who also want the high school experience

Top Tier. Year-Round. No High School Soccer

MLS NEXT Homegrown

Homegrown is the highest level of competition at Sol SC and the top of our player pathway. It is a year-round, professional-style environment for players fully committed to elite development.

Soccer is the primary athletic focus. Standards are uncompromising.

What defines Homegrown

Key characteristics:

Year-round training and competition
Players do not participate in high school soccer
The highest daily training demands and accountability standards in the club
National-level competition and exposure
Clear projection toward top collegiate and professional environments

Players operate in an environment where soccer is the primary athletic focus and standards are uncompromising.

MLS NEXT Academy

Second Tier | Reserve Pathway | High School Soccer Permitted

Academy is the second national level in the Sol SC pathway and our MLS NEXT reserve environment. It is built for high-level players who are competing at a national standard, continuing to develop consistency and readiness, and balancing club soccer with the high school experience.

This program is designed for high-level players who are:

Competing at a national standard
Continuing to develop consistency and readiness
Balancing club soccer with the high school experience

What defines Academy

Key characteristics:

National MLS NEXT competition
League scheduling that allows participation in high school soccer
High-intensity training with flexibility built into the calendar
A proving ground for advancement into MLS NEXT Homegrown
A strong pathway to college soccer opportunities

Academy delivers elite competition without asking a family to give up high school soccer.

About High School Soccer

For most families, this is the hardest part of the decision. It should be.

Playing for your school is a real experience with real value, teammates you’ve known since elementary school, a community that shows up, a senior season you only get once. Choosing Homegrown means giving that up.

That is exactly why we built two paths instead of one.

MLS NEXT Academy exists so that elite players who want the high school experience don’t have to choose between it and national-level competition. If high school soccer matters to your family, that is not a mark against your player. It is information — and we would rather you tell us early than discover it in November.

The difference between Academy and Homegrown is not talent alone. It is commitment level and year-round availability.

Explore Different MLS Programs:

Not Sure Which Path Is Right?

Our staff can help you understand the difference and guide your player toward the environment that fits where they are now.

Who MLS NEXT Is For

MLS NEXT is a fit for players who:

Compete at the highest regional or national levels
Demonstrate advanced technical and tactical ability
Train with consistency, focus, and maturity
Embrace accountability and coaching feedback
Are prepared for increased competition and travel demands
Aspire to collegiate or professional environments

Entry is selective and based on readiness, not age or reputation.

The Sol SC Player Pathway

Mighty Mites → Recreational Soccer → Sol Futures → Sol SC Florida → MLS NEXT Academy → MLS NEXT Homegrown

Most players enter MLS NEXT through progression inside the Sol SC pathway. Movement between levels is earned through:

Daily habits
Consistent performance
Coaching evaluation
Long-term readiness

Players move in both directions in this pathway. A move from Homegrown to Academy is not a demotion, it is a placement decision based on readiness and fit, and it is made with the family, not to them.

What This Commitment Looks Like

MLS NEXT is a significant commitment for the whole family. We’d rather you know exactly what that looks like before you decide.

	Homegrown	Academy
Season length	10-months + play-offs	8-months + play-offs
Training sessions per week	4x weekly	4x weekly
League + showcase events	Year-round	Aug-Nov & Feb-May
Away weekends per season	League play 12-14 \| Events 2-4	League play 12-14 \| Events 1-2
High school soccer	Not permitted	Permitted

Every family that receives an offer receives a complete, itemized financial plan for their team — league fees, travel estimates, and payment schedule before committing to anything. If cost is a concern for your family, tell us early. We would rather have that conversation at the start than in November. Limited need-based assistance is available, if cost is a concern for your family, reach out before you rule anything out.