CUP Boys expands within MLS NEXT Dual Pathway: Exciting updates for our U13 – U19 age groups coming as of Fall 2025.

What’s New?

As of Fall 2025, CUP Boys will expand its participation in the MLS NEXT pathway, adding U16, U17, and U19 teams to the existing U13, U14, and U15 age groups. This update follows the national expansion of the MLS NEXT ecosystem, which recently introduced a second tier to its youth league structure. This has created new opportunities for ambitious and established youth soccer clubs like CUP to further develop their players, coaches and directors through regional and national-level competition.

Why Now?

CUP Boys has long prioritized providing access to the highest appropriate levels of soccer competition for all its players. The years following the pandemic and the dissolution of the US Soccer Development Academy (DA) saw the introduction of many new leagues as well as attempts by existing leagues to rebrand themselves as something new. As the dust settles on that tumultuous time, MLS NEXT and its key league partners, like the National Academy League (NAL), have been rewarded for their vision of building a multi-tiered development and competition platform.

“With the inclusion of these new age groups and the expanded MLS NEXT programming, we now have a clear, consistent pathway for our Gold, Black, Silver, and Red teams in the U13-U19 age groups,” said Scott Bower, Director of Soccer, when asked what this means for current players at CUP. “All of our 11v11 players now have the opportunity to compete at a regional or national level, no matter what team they are on, which is an exciting development for everyone involved."

Platforms 2025 / 26*

*Subject to change

Our Club Partner FC Cincinnati

CUP Boys has maintained a strong partnership with FC Cincinnati, the area’s MLS club. FC Cincinnati has remained an active participant in discussions about CUP Boys' place within the MLS NEXT pathway and were consulted prior to the decision. “The timing of this decision reflects our commitment to providing our players with the best possible development opportunities,” said Reece Hands, Technical Director at CUP Boys. “There were four key considerations in this decision: competition, player development, exposure, and experience, and this also played a key part in the decision-making process."

Supporting Our College Pathway

This expansion also aligns with a broader college pathway strategy for all CUP Boys players. 

“For the vast majority of an individual’s players experience within CUP, the two most important aspects we seek to provide are best in class training environments and appropriately challenging competition structures which work hand in hand to drive individual player development. At a certain age, however, we must introduce exposure as a third criterion to ensure that the player's investment in their own development is rewarded with opportunity. Our expansion within the MLS NEXT Pathway at the U16, U17, and U19 age groups, means that every year in every one of the age groups added, 36 boys will now have more opportunities for exposure to college scouts and coaches” said Blake Decker, CEO of Cincinnati United Soccer Club.

The benefits and opportunities this alignment creates are broad-based and will have a positive impact on every single CUP Boys player within the high school age groups. And Bower supports this thought process: “For those boys that are offered Black, they would still be able to play High School yet compete in a league that shares both MLS NEXT Fest and MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs that attracts collegiate programs of all divisions.”

By having larger MLS NEXT events that feature both Tier 1 and Tier 2 players, CUP Gold and Black will be able to showcase their players to college coaches in one centralized location, improving their exposure. As Bower explains “It’s about providing more opportunities for every player to reach their full potential.”

“Our Silver and Red teams, which start at U13, serve as the foundational level of our 11v11 pathway providing players with appropriately challenging regional level competition while offering a clear pathway for progression within our player development pyramid,” states Hands.

CUP has consistently led the market in college placement - over the past decade by elevating the pathways of Gold, Black and Silver, specifically at the U17 and U19 age groups, CUP is expanding the opportunity for every player in our player development pathway.

Overall Goal

For CUP Boys, this expansion is not just about increasing the number of teams in the MLS NEXT pathway; it's about enhancing the overall development of all players within the club. “One of my goals since joining the club has been to ensure that players in our club and city have the same opportunities as those in larger cities,” Bower shared. “Now, with this move, I believe we are closer than ever to achieving that goal.”

By joining the full MLS NEXT pathway, CUP Boys ensures greater consistency across the club’s coaching and development model.

The decision also takes into account the ongoing importance of high school soccer in the community. As Bower explains, “We’ve engaged in an ongoing dialogue with high school coaches throughout our decision-making process and will continue to do so. We continue to encourage High School Soccer for the vast majority of our players and recognize the vital role this experience has and will continue to play in the development of many players. We also believe that there is a desire within the market beyond what is currently available and the depth of the player pool to support multiple developmental pathways. We will continue to work with all our community partners (High School Programs, FCC and other clubs) to ensure CUP is doing our part to serve the diverse needs and interests of the entire Cincinnati soccer community.

Need more information?

Recording Link (Jan 16, 2025): 11v11 Platforms for2025/26 CUP Boys

Link to MLS NEXT site: https://www.mlssoccer.com/mlsnext/about

Interested in playing for CUP Boys?: Player Interest Form 

Further Questions?: Contact CUP Boys Technical Director Reece Hands (rhands@cincinnatiunitedsc.com).