Academy, college players join MLS Next Pro

by Travis Clark

March 25, 2022

This weekend’s launch of MLS Next Pro marks the arrival of another new league in North America.

With it, both college and club soccer talents are opting to turn pro, as numerous signings have been announced over the past few months.

MORE MLS Next Pro Content: Western Conference Players | Eastern Conference Players

Here’s a rundown of some of the players that have either signed early out of the college ranks, or academy standouts that recently signed directly with MLS Pro Next sides. Players that were drafted or left school after their senior seasons aren’t included.

One of the many MLS sides with an established lower division side, Real Monarchs added two players from the academy. Terron Williams signed earlier this year, while Yekeson Subah joined back in September 2021.

After a strong season in the fall of 2021, Saint Louis lost several players to pro soccer. That included Houston Dynamo 2 adding Mujeeb Murana, an intriguing right back prospect. He wasn’t the only academy player to sign an MLS Next Pro deal, as Beto Avila, Diego Gonzalez and Joyner Castillo did as well. SMU forward Papa Ndoye also inked with the Texas side, with a year of eligibility left.

After getting dismissed from the Pittsburgh men’s soccer program during the 2021 season, Veljko Petkovic opted to go the professional route. He signed with Minnesota United FC 2. The team also added St. Cloud State freshman Emanuel Iwe.

Several academy players have already joined Sporting KC II, which has also added former college players. Academy defender/midfielder Coby Jones signed earlier in March; Cade Thomson joins the team after spending time at Xavier in 2021.

There’s a solid list of academy and early departures that signed with Whitecaps FC 2. Simone Masi played at Division II program Simon Fraser in 2021, leaving the program after his freshman year to join the MLS Next Pro side. Academy players that directly signed deals include Emiliano Brienza, Finn Linder, Joshué Ndakala, Elage Bah, Jay Herdman, Joe Hanson, Lucas Dasovic, Vasco Fry and Owen Antoniuk.

Max Arfsten signed with San Jose Earthquakes II after a pair of standout seasons at UC Davis. He was the Big West Offensive Player of the Year in 2021. The Earthquakes have added several former college players that were seniors in the fall, though academy products Lalo Blancas and Jerry Ayon signed MLS Next Pro deals.

A couple of early college graduates have signed with St. Louis City SC 2. Sergio Rivas scored nine goals for Division III side Washington (Mo.), while VCU midfielder Celio Pompeu provides another boost.

A full roster hasn’t been unveiled by the Colorado Rapids organization, though Omar Gomez has signed with the team from Salt Lake City Community College.

For a team with a robust youth setup, FC Dallas continues to search far and wide for talent for North Texas SC. Joining the team this year from the academy is Blake Pope, a right back that returns to Texas after spending time in North Carolina. Pablo Torre is an 18-year-old that signed after most recently playing at Valley View High School in McAllen, Texas.

Defender Kai Thomas and forward Daniel Martin are both part of the FC Cincinnati 2 squad, having joined the academy setup relatively recently.

Former Maryland forward Jacen Russell-Rowe inked a contract with Columbus Crew 2. He’s joined by former Atlanta United Academy standout Coleman Gannon, who opted to turn pro instead of playing at Indiana last fall. Crew Academy vet Aidan Wolf also signed pro deals as well.

NYCFC II has a robust academy setup to work with, but has still added a handful of players to the MLS Next Pro team. Julian Gomez left Monmouth after his junior season, and he’ll be part of the team as the season begins this weekend.

The addition of academy standout Gonzalo Agustoni-Chagas headlines the roster of Orlando City B. Several academy players should feature as well.

Academy alum Nelson Pierre is now part of Philadelphia Union II, signing his pro contract earlier this year. The Union have also plucked Georgetown forward Stefan Stojanovic early from the college ranks.