Youth Elite

In Spring 2020, Major League Soccer (MLS) invited Javanon FC to represent Kentucky in a new elite development league and platform: MLS Next. A total of 98 elite academy clubs, most of which formerly participated in the US Soccer Development Academy joined the MLS’s 30 existing club academies, ushering in a new platform that has transformed youth player development in North America. The competition now encompasses more than 600 teams and 12,000 players, across 141 clubs and six age groups, and consists of elite year-round competition.

By joining this new platform, Javanon created an unprecedented era for soccer in Kentucky and established a partnership with the highest level of soccer in North America. The move also integrated our club with the MLS’ resources to deliver important programming, education and innovation in the key areas of Player Development, Player Identification, Coaching Education, Environment, Personal Growth and Community Outreach. Javanon and the other competing elite academy clubs not only aim to develop world class players, but also create an equally structured soccer development culture to support and inspire elite-level players.

Upon joining MLS Next, Javanon recognized the opportunity to utilize the new elite platform to galvanize the Kentucky soccer community to align and compete together. With that collaborative mindset, we have aligned with Global FC for a unique partnership. Our intention was to begin the relationship in 2021, grow together to support each other, and develop and inspire our elite players.

Beginning with pool training and friendlies in the off-season for players from the U11-U12 age groups, leaders focus on identifying each top player’s potential, to possibly compete together within the MLS Next platform for the boys U13-U14 teams. This “Discovery Program” is inclusive, free of charge, and represents players from other clubs and cities in Kentucky.