2026 Finale | MLS NEXT HG & AD RULES
Match Competition
Match Ball:
Uniforms:
Video Equipment:
MLS NEXT U16-U17 HG & AD Roster Size & Substitutions
Disciplinary Actions
The National Academy Championships will follow standard rules and guidelines regarding issuing yellow and red cards. There will be no exceptions for removing suspensions throughout the tournament.
Players Equipment
National Academy Championship Tiebreakers
Teams will be awarded points on the following basis:
**In the event of a 3 team tie, once one team advances by the process above, the tie breaker moves back to tiebreaker point number 1 and moves through until the next seed is determined.
Semifinals and Finals
Any game that must identify a winner but ends in a tie (at the end of regulation time) shall proceed directly to a “Penalty shoot-out” to determine the winner (no overtime periods). “Penalty shoot-out” will be governed by the IFAB Laws of the Game. Only the players on the field at the end of regulation are permitted to be chosen to take penalty kicks. Games played in a Group Play / Round-Robin format can end in a tie.
- All teams will play at least 4 games (2 on the first day, 1 on the 2nd day and 1 on the 3rd day)
- All Group games, semifinals, and finals are 2x30 minutes
- U16 HG, U17 HG, and U16 AD consolation games are 2x45 minutes (Monday games)
Match Ball:
- U14- U19: Size 5 Official match ball must be used for all NAC matches
- U13: Size 4 Official match ball must be used for all NAC Matches
Uniforms:
- Home Team wears light color uniforms
- Away Team wears dark color uniforms
- If there is a conflict, it is the home team's responsibility to change
Video Equipment:
- All teams can bring their own video equipment
- All cameras must be set up at midfield of the bench side and must be anchored/secured for player safety.
- If both teams are looking to film the game, the camera should be set up on your team bench side of the midfield line
MLS NEXT U16-U17 HG & AD Roster Size & Substitutions
- You are permitted 20 players on your match day rosters and all 20 can participate in the match.
- 9 Substitutions over 3 moments per match not including half time. Maximum of 2 moments per half.
- Temporary concussion substitutions do not count toward substitutions or moments.
- No Re-Entry
- Concussion Protocol: A player who is suspected to have suffered a head injury may be substituted while being evaluated. The substitution for the evaluation of the concussion/head injury will not count against the team's total number of substitution moments in the half.
- If the player is deemed by the on-site Athletic Trainer to not have suffered a concussion, the player may re-enter the match at any stoppage of play and must replace the original substitute; this head injury evaluation will not count as a substitute moment.
- If the player is not cleared to return to play by the on-site Athletic Trainer, the replacement player will no longer be considered a temporary substitute.
- You are permitted 20 players on your match day rosters, and all 20 can participate in the match.
- Unlimited substitution over 3 moments per half not including half time. No re-entry per half
- Temporary concussion substitutions do not count toward substitutions or moments.
- Concussion Protocol: A player who is suspected to have suffered a head injury may be substituted while being evaluated. The substitution for the evaluation of the concussion/head injury will not count against the team's total number of substitution moments in the half.
- If the player is deemed by the on-site Athletic Trainer to not have suffered a concussion, the player may re-enter the match at any stoppage of play and must replace the original substitute; this head injury evaluation will not count as a substitute moment.
- If the player is not cleared to return to play by the on-site Athletic Trainer, the replacement player will no longer be considered a temporary substitute.
Disciplinary Actions
The National Academy Championships will follow standard rules and guidelines regarding issuing yellow and red cards. There will be no exceptions for removing suspensions throughout the tournament.
Players Equipment
- All players equipment must conform to FIFA rules.
- All players must wear shin guards (under their socks)
- Orthopedic casts are not permitted; however soft braces can be worn with written approval from a doctor, and judgement as to safety is at the discretion of the referee who is the ultimate authority (NO HARD CAST).
National Academy Championship Tiebreakers
Teams will be awarded points on the following basis:
- Three (3) points for each Win
- One (1) point for each Tie
- Zero (0) points for each Loss
- Result in Head-To-Head Game (only applicable if tied on points between two teams; if three team tie move to tie breaker number 2)
- Goal differential in all group matches (total).
- Goals against in all group matches (total)
- Goals scored in all group matches (total)
If a tie still exists after steps 1 through 4, an IFAB “Penalty shoot-out” will be executed
**In the event of a 3 team tie, once one team advances by the process above, the tie breaker moves back to tiebreaker point number 1 and moves through until the next seed is determined.
Semifinals and Finals
Any game that must identify a winner but ends in a tie (at the end of regulation time) shall proceed directly to a “Penalty shoot-out” to determine the winner (no overtime periods). “Penalty shoot-out” will be governed by the IFAB Laws of the Game. Only the players on the field at the end of regulation are permitted to be chosen to take penalty kicks. Games played in a Group Play / Round-Robin format can end in a tie.
