The desert delivered. Four Ozark United academy teams stepped onto 24 pristine fields at MLS Next Fest and found themselves surrounded by pro scouts, MLS academies, and a sea of college coaches, all hunting for players who can think fast, compete harder, and play brave. We came to showcase, not chase trophies, and the offers, interest, and hard lessons that followed proved why that choice matters.

We break down what MLS Next Fest actually is, more than a showcase, it’s an ecosystem, combining games, the MLS Draft and combine, coaching education, and real-world recruiting conversations. You’ll hear how our U15s, U16s, U17s, and U19s handled the step up, what cold desert kickoffs taught them about preparation, and why our staff focused on our game model instead of opponent tape. From live video boards and field side cameras to packed sidelines featuring D1, D2, D3, NAIA, and JUCO coaches, this was the most heavily scouted environment our players have experienced, and it changed how they approach every minute.

We talk candidly about recruiting: how rules differ by division, why the transfer portal shifts timelines, and how to evaluate fit across academics, finances, and playing time. You’ll also get a look at the road ahead, finishing league play before high school season, partnering with local coaches to keep players healthy, and aiming for regionals in Kansas City with Next Cup qualification paths clear. Along the way, we celebrate the best part: hearing respected programs and scouts praise the way Ozark United plays, and watching our community put Arkansas firmly on the national soccer map.

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More About this Episode

MLS Next Fest and the Rise of Youth Soccer in Northwest Arkansas: Ozark United FC Makes Its Mark

The development of youth soccer in the United States continues to accelerate, and few places illustrate this momentum more clearly than Northwest Arkansas. For Ozark United FC’s MLS Next Academy, 2025 ended on a high note, with a landmark appearance at MLS Next Fest, one of the most important youth soccer events in North America. This was not just a milestone for our academy but a statement of intent for what soccer in Arkansas can become.

Four of our six age groups, the U15s, U16s, U17s, and U19s, earned the opportunity to compete at this high-profile national showcase held at the Arizona Athletic Grounds in Phoenix. As a club representing the state for the first time at this event, the experience was monumental, not just for the players and coaches but for the entire soccer community in our region.

This wasn’t just another youth tournament. MLS Next Fest brought together players, coaches, scouts, and thought leaders in American soccer, uniting the entire development ecosystem under one roof, and Ozark United FC was right in the middle of it.

What is MLS Next Fest?

For those unfamiliar, MLS Next Fest is the premier national showcase for top-level youth soccer programs across the country. It’s structured to include competitive matches, professional development, scouting exposure, and off-field education, all geared toward developing elite players and future professionals.

Participating teams are part of MLS Next, Major League Soccer’s elite youth development platform. Clubs must opt in to attend, and placement within the event, including which division a team competes in, is based on regular-season performance. The divisions range from Homegrown to Pro Player Pathway, with varying levels of competition that mirror the long-term development structure of MLS.

For Ozark United, being there was already a breakthrough. But what we experienced in Phoenix went well beyond expectations.

Representing Arkansas on a National Stage

Walking into a 24-field facility buzzing with top-level youth matches, college scouts, professional coaches, media teams, and even the MLS Combine happening just fields away was a surreal moment. There was a palpable energy that comes from knowing the best of the best are all here, and you’re part of it.

We were proud to be the first Arkansas-based academy to represent at this level. For our players and families, it was eye-opening. The level of competition, the atmosphere, and the scale of the event made an indelible impression.

The feedback from both players and parents confirmed that this wasn’t just a good experience, it was a formative moment in their soccer journeys.

Exposure Like No Other: Scouts, Offers, and Opportunities

One of the most compelling aspects of MLS Next Fest is the scouting presence. According to league figures, more than 200 college programs registered to attend the event, including top NCAA Division I schools, Division II, Division III, NAIA, and junior colleges. In addition, MLS Academy scouts and Next Pro staff were out in force.

Our U19s’ first match alone had over 16 Division I coaches on the sidelines. We handed out 30 recruiting brochures that day, and ran out before the game even started. That kind of interest is unheard of in our region and demonstrates the power of being in the right environment.

By the end of the event, 17 players from our U19 team had played, and 16 of them left with at least one offer or serious interest from college programs. In one standout case, a player came away with 10 different offers to consider.

Let that sink in.

From a region where traditionally only a handful of players make the leap to college soccer each year, we’re now seeing double-digit opportunities from a single team, and that’s just the beginning.

Beyond the Game: Building Culture and Camaraderie

Beyond the pitch, MLS Next Fest fostered something equally valuable: community. One of the most rewarding sights as a coach was watching our older teams show up to cheer on the younger squads and vice versa. Whether it was our U16s celebrating goals by a completely unrelated team from Las Vegas or our U19s getting loud on the sidelines for the 17s’ match, there was a sense that we were building something bigger than any one result.

This is what culture looks like in the making.

Our players weren’t just there to win matches. They were absorbing what it means to be part of a high-performance environment, observing how other top programs prepare, compete, and support each other. These experiences can’t be replicated in training or even in regular league play.

They come from moments like these, when you’re representing your club, your state, and your dreams.

Competition and Development Over Results

In terms of match play, the competition level was elite. From our U15s pulling off a comeback win in their opener to our U17s getting hit hard in their first match and learning how to respond, every team faced strong opponents that tested their character and style.

The event wasn’t structured as a tournament. There was no trophy to chase, no knockout rounds. That intentional structure freed our coaching staff to prioritize development and exposure over tactics and results.

Our game model, how we want to play, was on full display. And the validation came not from scores, but from the scouts and coaches who took notice of how we played, regardless of outcome.

That’s the long game we’re committed to at Ozark United.

Coach and Club Development Matters Too

MLS Next Fest also offered professional development for coaches, and our staff took full advantage. From early arrival workshops with MLS technical directors to grassroots coaching license courses for our players, the educational side of the event was equally impressive.

As much as we’re here to help players grow, we’re also invested in growing coaches. Some of our staff had never been in this type of environment, and it was clear that it elevated their thinking and inspired new goals for the future.

What’s Next for OZFC and Our MLS Next Program?

Looking ahead, our focus is clear: finish strong in the league, qualify for playoffs, and build on what we’ve started.

We have six matches left in the season, wrapping up just before high school soccer begins. After that, we’ll head to the regional tournament in Kansas City, where a strong showing could land us a spot at MLS Next Cup Nationals in Salt Lake City.

Meanwhile, our U13 and U14 teams, who don’t yet participate in high school, will continue training, competing in friendlies and possibly some regional events to prepare for the next stage of their development.

From a recruitment perspective, we’re continuing to guide our players through college decisions, and we’re working with schools daily to get the right fit academically, financially, and athletically.

Our goal is to raise the number of players from our U19 squad heading to college soccer from the current 30 percent to over 50 percent. And we’re on track to do it.

The Bigger Picture: Northwest Arkansas is on the Map

MLS Next Fest was a landmark event not just for Ozark United FC, but for the entire region. We’ve long believed in the talent and potential of players from Northwest Arkansas, and now the rest of the country is starting to see it too.

From national exposure to real college offers, from creating a professional pathway to building a soccer culture that values development over results, this is just the beginning.

We’re building something special. We’re telling a new story about soccer in Arkansas. And with every training session, every match, and every opportunity, we’re laying the foundation for a future where our players and coaches can thrive, here at home and beyond.