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What is NUSA Next?

Introducing NUSA Next

Nashville United Soccer Academy is thrilled to announce NUSA Next, an MLS Next program based in Nashville, TN.

This will mark the first MLS NEXT program in the state of Tennessee outside the NSC Academy.

NUSA Next will provide an exciting opportunity for young soccer players to learn, grow and compete at the highest level of youth soccer in North America. The program will begin in the 2023/24 season with a U13 and a U14 team and expand to add the U16 and U18/19 age groups over the next few years.

Experienced professional coaching staff

NUSA Next will be led by an experienced coaching staff, dedicated to building a strong foundation for the program’s success. Teams will train 4 days a week, compete in the MLS Next Southeast League and the primary focus is on both player development and character development.

NUSA Principles: Player movement

All players grow and develop at different rates and at NUSA we are constantly evaluating players to put players in a training environment which allows them to have a good balance between success and being challenged. Too much of one or the other is not fun or conducive to long-term player development. In line with the rest of NUSA and the club’s philosophy on player development, there is potential for player movement throughout the year. Players could receive opportunities further up the player pathway with Nashville Soccer Clubs Academy or be moved between NUSA Next and NUSA’s Maroon team(s). Selected players from NUSA’s Maroon teams will have opportunities to train up once per week. This is no different than the current weekly player movement which takes place throughout the club.

TRUE PATHWAY TO PRO

“Perspective is also very important, and we pride ourselves regarding on going parent education at NUSA. While NUSA Next is a great next step in player pathway, and we hope it ultimately leads to more local players getting the opportunity to sign with Nashville Soccer Clubs Academy, the chances of any player becoming a professional player are still very small. The most important thing for all players and at all levels of the youth game is learning valuable character traits and skills that will carry them through life. How to be a teammate, goal setting, resilience, commitment, learning to deal with fear and failure etc. NUSA already has a good track record of supporting and guiding players who want to play in college. As we expand to U16 and U18/19’s in future years with NUSA Next, there is no question this will create more collegiate opportunities for our players who are not continuing on the professional pathway.”

“Providing a pro pathway for both NUSA’s excelling boys and girl’s programs has been long term goal for NUSA, and I am excited we are able to make this happen on the boys side with MLS Next. We could not do any of this without our fantastic coaching staff and the support of our membership, community partners, sponsors, and donors. We are actively looking for funding for and look forward to expanding our pro pathway on the girl’s side of the club in the near future." - Robbie Stewart, Executive Director

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