MLS NEXT Combats Racism, Hate and Discrimination

March 26, 2021 

MLS NEXT, Major League Soccer's system of youth leagues created mid 2020, has announced a series of initiatives to combat racism, hate and discrimination while advocating for social justice in its youth soccer league. 

Ahead of its second season, the youth league, which features 118 clubs and more than 11,000 players across the United States and Canada, has established an Equity Action Committee (EAC). The EAC includes players, coaches and directors across the boys and girls soccer landscape. In addition, the league will provide educational sessions and guided discussions in an effort to prevent discrimination of any form at the youth level. 

The EAC, which includes nine members and is headlined by Toronto FC star and Black Players for Change executive board member Justin Morrow, encompasses men and women across the youth game, not just at MLS-affiliated clubs. 

“Major League Soccer is committed to cultivating and ensuring an inclusive environment at all levels of the game,” stated Sola Winley, MLS’s EVP and chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer. “The MLS NEXT platform offers an important opportunity to increase access and representation for diverse athletes and administrators, while educating the next generation of players, coaches, leaders and fans who will shape the future of our sport and our communities. Through the implementation of these key initiatives, our hope is that each participant that comes through this program will grow as an athlete and as a person.”

“We are committed to creating lasting change in youth soccer and continuing to build a platform that does not tolerate racism or other discriminatory language or behavior in any context,” said Fred Lipka, MLS NEXT Technical Director. 

“MLS NEXT will reach tens of thousands of young athletes during a critical time in their life. Educating all participants on the value of diversity from the moment they enter our platform is a top priority as we continue to build the sport for a new North America.” 

The following five initiatives are being immediately actioned: 

• Educational seminars that will work to build anti-racist environments throughout the platform 
• Exchange of best practices: MLS NEXT will work with the Girls Academy, the leading youth development platform for the best female soccer players in the US, and Black Players for Change, an independent organization working to bridge the racial equality gap that exists in society, to further enhance player development and youth programming 
• Increased representation in positions of influence: MLS NEXT is committed to incorporating an increased number of diverse coaches with the opportunity to earn a coveted Elite Formation Coaching License 
• Policy review and implementation: The MLS NEXT EAC is actively reviewing, enhancing and implementing policies to ensure an environment free from discrimination of any kind, in any context 
• Training materials: Coaches, players and parents will have access to training materials amplifying stories, voices and experiences of minority/racialized players, their caregivers and coaches 

The league is set to hold a series of anti-racism seminars with the aim of implementing inclusive principles throughout the youth game, while MLS NEXT will also work closely with Girls Academy to ensure that these principles are not just limited to the boys game.