Norfolk, VA ( March 17th, 2025) – West Virginia Soccer is making major strides in elite youth development, officially announcing its MLS NEXT Tier 1 and Tier 2 age groups ahead of the 2025-26 season.
For Tier 1, the club will field teams at the U13, U14, and U15 levels, ensuring top-tier talent has a clear developmental pathway to professional opportunities.
For Tier 2, West Virginia Soccer is going all in—offering a full slate of teams from U13 to U19. This expansion aligns with MLS NEXT’s latest initiatives, which introduced Tier 2 to provide highly competitive opportunities for more clubs nationwide, emphasizing college recruitment and long-term player development.
What Tier 2 Brings to MLS NEXT
Tier 2 serves as an extension of MLS NEXT’s commitment to youth soccer, allowing more players and clubs to compete at an elite level. The new competition structure will create regionalized schedules, reduce travel costs, and increase college scouting exposure, ensuring more athletes get noticed.
The Benefits of a Two-Tier System
With both Tier 1 and Tier 2 teams, West Virginia Soccer can now offer a wider range of competitive pathways for its athletes. Tier 1 provides a direct path to professional academies, while Tier 2 ensures high-level competition for players looking to develop and gain collegiate exposure. This structure also allows for internal movement between tiers, giving late bloomers and rising talents more chances to excel.
For more information on West Virginia Soccer MLS NEXT program and tryout details, stay tuned @westvirginiasoccer and www.wvsoccer.com
