Beyond the Score: A New Era in Youth Development
Pilot program with Taka is one-of-a-kind in global soccer and will rank MLS NEXT teams based on their quality of play in the U13 and U14 age groups
MLS NEXT today unveiled its groundbreaking Quality of Play rankings for the U13 and U14 age group, which will go beyond the traditional results of the game to focus on complete performance of individuals and teams.
A Paradigm Shift in Youth Soccer
Traditionally, youth soccer teams have been assessed based on their match outcomes. However, this approach often overlooks the nuances of player development and team dynamics. 
By implementing the Quality of Play rankings, MLS NEXT aims to promote a more holistic understanding of the game, encouraging teams to develop their unique playing styles—be it possession-based, transition-oriented, or other strategic approaches. This initiative is designed to foster an environment where young athletes can focus on skill development and tactical awareness without the overshadowing pressure of merely securing wins.
MLS Next Press Release Info
This pilot program will mark the first time that these age groups are ranked on this metric rather than the traditional win-draw-loss standings.
The Quality of Play rankings are calculated via Taka’s analytical formula that evaluates game play and focuses on the caliber of a team’s offensive and defensive actions in a match.
MLS NEXT aims to shift the paradigm in player development to focus predominantly on the process and progress in conjunction with individual match results.
These rankings are designed to promote positive in-game moments and strategic development among younger age groups rather than placing sole emphasis on athletic traits, which can disproportionately impact games at the youngest ages.
Each club or team will be encouraged to have its own identity (possession, transition-oriented, etc.) and coaches will now have further opportunities to highlight team strengths and areas of improvement. This pilot program also emphasizes nurturing young players’ passion for soccer irrespective of wins and losses.
In this informational VIDEO, MLS NEXT Technical Director Luis Robles and MLS VP and Technical Director Fred Lipka explain how the Quality of Play rankings operate.
“At Major League Soccer, one of our core objectives is to develop the next generation of talent to positively impact the professional game,” said MLS NEXT Technical Director Luis Robles.
“For younger age groups, we prioritize their individual development over competition, though we acknowledge competition’s role in personal growth. This pilot program allows us to evaluate both team and individual performance, helping us track progress while providing more support for players to achieve their goals.”
Taka is a single platform for players and coaches that utilizes industry-leading technology and professional soccer analysts to elevate youth soccer.
Taka provides athletes with personalized highlights and exposure, while facilitating streamlined and elevated performance analysis for coaches. Taka currently hosts over 50,000 Athlete Profiles, 20,000 analyzed games and 6 million individual highlights.
The new Quality of Play rankings for the U13 and U14 age group are now available HERE.
Source: Press Release
