MLS Next Clubs near Kansas City, Missouri

Sporting City Soccer is the official youth soccer club of Sporting Kansas City, operating as the premier soccer opportunity for families in the Kansas City area and surrounding communities. The club is a collection of youth soccer clubs, including Sporting City East, Sporting City North, and Sporting City West, which recently underwent a rebrand. Sporting City offers both competitive and recreational programs for boys and girls ranging from Pre-K through U19. A significant unique selling point is its direct affiliation with Major League Soccer (MLS) club Sporting Kansas City, providing access to 27 youth soccer fields across three facilities. Sporting City will join MLS NEXT's new competition tier in September 2025 and has been granted Event Status with the Girls Academy League. The club also offers programs like Sporting Stars for early childhood development and hosts leagues for youth and adult players. Sporting City is committed to inspiring and uniting communities through soccer by providing personalized experiences with Sporting Club.

Leagues: Girls Academy | MLS Next 2

Established in 2007, the Sporting Kansas City Academy is an MLS Academy with a history of success. It is comprised of six teams ranging from U-13 to U-18 levels. The Academy focuses on identifying and developing young players, with many coming from the Kansas City area and others from around the world. The program provides a complete player development pathway, offering resources and support for players, including assistance with college recruitment. Top players have the opportunity to participate in All-Star Experiences and potentially join a Sporting KC Academy team. The Academy is a participant in the MLS NEXT elite youth competition platform. Sporting KC Academy players have the chance to join the Sporting Kansas City first team without going through the MLS SuperDraft process, as the club can retain the professional rights of players developed within its academy through the "Homegrown Protected List" initiative. The Academy also has an Academy Affiliate program, partnering with youth soccer clubs to grow the sport in their communities and provide access to Sporting Kansas City's resources.

Leagues: MLS Next