NEW YORK (Wednesday, November 13, 2024) – MLS NEXT today announced Kyle Albrecht as the program’s new General Manager following a global search for the role. Albrecht previously served as the Interim General Manager of MLS NEXT starting in April 2024. In the role, Albrecht is responsible for overseeing the execution of MLS NEXT programs to elevate the overall player pathway. As part of this, he will lead efforts to enhance the quality of competition, talent identification, education, compliance, operations, and club membership.
As General Manager, Albrecht will report to Senior Vice President of Sporting Development for Major League Soccer, Ali Curtis, and manage the MLS NEXT internal team. Albrecht will continue to oversee MLS GO, the league’s recreational soccer program that supports access, participation, and the growth of soccer for boys and girls across the country.
“MLS NEXT has transformed elite youth soccer in North America, and it is an honor to now lead the program,” said Albrecht. “I look forward to working closely with all of our MLS and MLS NEXT Elite Academies as we continue to build on the success of this platform to make it the top player development pathway in the world.”
Albrecht has spent five years with MLS, most recently as vice president of MLS GO, leading the launch of the league’s new recreational soccer program in 2023. Before launching MLS GO, Albrecht was instrumental in the commercial development and planning for notable MLS events – the MLS All-Star Game, MLS All-Star Skills Challenge, Generation adidas Cup, MLS SuperDraft, Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, MLS Cup presented by Audi, and more.
Prior to joining MLS, he had a nine-year tenure with Under Armour, which included leading Sports Marketing for the organization’s European operations while based in London. During his time at Under Armour, Albrecht played a key role when the company signed top European players including Trent Alexander-Arnold, Memphis Depay, Ollie Watkins, and Granit Xhaka, and Premier League clubs Aston Villa, Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur.
A native of Silver Spring, Md., Albrecht is a product of the American youth soccer development system. Before playing four seasons on the George Washington University men’s soccer team from 2006-09, he spent his youth soccer career with MLS NEXT Elite Academy, Bethesda Soccer Club (Bethesda, Md). Prior to the launch of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, his Bethesda SC team competed in three USYS National Championships as Region 1 Champions. In high school, Albrecht was the captain of a standout at DeMatha Catholic High School soccer team, earning first-team All-Maryland honors as a senior for a Stags team that finished the season 23-0 and ranked second in the nation.
About MLS NEXT
Launched in 2020, MLS NEXT is the most elite platform for youth player development in North America. With a commitment to innovation and providing access and representation, MLS NEXT players receive top training and coaching as they prepare for their futures, both in soccer and in life. Throughout a season, MLS NEXT hosts four marquee events across the country, including the Generation adidas Cup, which features MLS academies playing against the top international clubs. Membership for the 2024-25 season included 29 MLS academies, 122 Elite Academies (151 total clubs), 753 teams and over 16,000 players across the U.S. and Canada. Official partners of MLS NEXT include adidas, Allstate, and DoorDash. For more information about MLS NEXT, visit www.mlssoccer.com/mlsnext.
