Welcome to Next XI, the youth soccer newsletter spotlighting scores, highlights, and rising players across NYC, Long Island, and the Tri-State.
Each week you’ll find recaps, standout performances, and updates from local tournaments and league play. Our goal is simple: to give youth athletes, clubs, and families the recognition they deserve.
Share Next XI with your club, your team, and your soccer community — together we’ll build the go-to source for youth soccer news.
Elected officials and soccer executives at the announcement of the new team and stadium. Courtesy of The Island F.C.
Beyond the Scoreboard: The Island F.C. Expands the Game on Long Island
Long Island is stepping onto the professional stage.
This week, MLS NEXT Pro announced The Island F.C. as its newest independent club — and the first professional team based on Long Island. The club is expected to begin play in 2027 at a new, privately funded stadium at the Mitchel Athletic Complex in Uniondale, NY.
The 2,500-seat venue (expandable to 5,000) will serve as both a home for pro soccer and a hub for community programs, youth training, and year-round sports activity. The project is led by Principal Owner and Chairman Mitchell Rechler and Team President Peter Zaratin, who describe the club as “a gathering place for Long Islanders” — one focused on opportunity, connection, and long-term impact.
“Since 1960, our family has focused on building Long Island to create a better quality of life,” said Rechler. “This is another step in that mission, and one we hope inspires the next generation of players.”
In addition to the men’s team, Rechler confirmed that The Island F.C. plans to make an announcement within the next two years about bringing a women’s professional team to Long Island — part of a larger vision to create a complete player pathway from youth to college to pro, for all athletes.
A Development-First Vision
The Island F.C. is already planning enhanced scholarship programs, expanded academy access, and deeper collaboration across Nassau and Suffolk. These efforts aim to create continuity between existing youth clubs and professional infrastructure — strengthening Long Island’s long-established grassroots soccer network rather than replacing it.
Community Roots, Professional Standards
“This isn’t just about a team,” said Zaratin. “It’s about building something sustainable — a place where players, fans, and families feel connected to the game and to each other.”
MLS NEXT Pro President Ali Curtis echoed that sentiment, calling Long Island “a natural fit” for professional soccer given its long history of player development and passionate local support.
What’s Next
Spring 2026: Club branding and stadium renderings released
2027: First MLS NEXT Pro season in Uniondale
Future: Women’s professional team announcement expected within 1–2 years
📬 Next XI Final Whistle
For players, parents, and coaches across the Island, this expansion represents something tangible: professional-level opportunity within reach — and a sign that the local soccer ecosystem continues to grow in both scale and inclusivity.
📩 Share Your Scores & Player Nominations!
Next XI is all about spotlighting the incredible talent across our region — but we can’t do it without you! Coaches, parents, and players: send us your game results, standout moments, and Player of the Week nominations so your team gets the recognition it deserves. Whether it’s a last-minute winner, a goalkeeper making clutch saves, or a team going unbeaten through the weekend, we want to hear it.
Help us celebrate the game by making sure your club and players are featured in the next issue!
Help Us Grow! Forward Next XI to your team, your club, or your soccer friends — and encourage them to subscribe.
Attention Club Directors
Next XI is growing fast — and we want to grow with your club. If you’re a director or admin, reach out to us about partnerships for distribution so your teams, players, and families never miss the highlights.
