After an incredible inaugural season, MLS NEXT Pro is back and gearing up for its second campaign.
With seven new teams joining the league in 2023 and significant changes to the playoff format, fans can expect this season to have plenty of drama, thrilling moments, and exciting storylines.
Let's look at how each team in the Eastern Conference's Northeast Division is shaping up and what coaches and players will look to make history when they try to lay claim to the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro Cup.
Head Coach: Matt Pilkington
Venue: Belson Stadium
Record last year: Fifth in Eastern Conference, 9W-9L-6T (37 Points, 4 SOW, 2 SOL)
Notable Offseason News: Denis, Beer, among several 2022 debutants to stay with NYCFC II
NYCFC II possessed one of MLS NEXT Pro’s dynamic attacking units in 2022 and several of those top goalscoring options remained with the club ahead of Year No. 2.
John Denis is back for Matt Pilkington’s squad after leading NYCFC II with 14 goals in 18 appearances. Denis will certainly be one of the Golden Boot candidates again in 2023 after providing a glimpse of what he brings to the table.
Jack Beer, Pedro Elias, and El Mahdi Youssoufi also chipped in multiple goals in 2022 and will be back to support Denis in the final third. Stephen Turnbull (five goals, four assists) was one of the top two-way defenders and he too is back, giving Pilkington a strong foundation to build off of.
NYCFC II hit the ground running in 2022 and that will hopefully be on the horizon this March.
Head Coach: Ibrahim Sekagya
Venue: Montclair State University Soccer Park
Record last year: N/A
Notable Offseason News: Several USL standouts retained ahead of MLS NEXT Pro debut
New York Red Bulls II heads into MLS NEXT Pro with several familiar faces remaining with the club including O’Vonte Mullings (five assists) and John Murphy (two goals, three assists).
NYRB II did not enjoy much success in 2022, but with plenty of experience returning to the bunch, the focus will be on relying on its leaders for a smooth transition to MLSNP. In addition to many returning players, several academy players have also been added to the MLSNP roster including Oladayo Thomas, Dylan Sullivan, Will Meyer, and Henry Wise.
The growing Eastern Conference will not only force NYRB II to be prepared for plenty of tough competition, but also give a large squad of players ample opportunities to develop.
Head Coach: Clint Peay
Venue: Gillette Stadium
Record last year: Seventh in Eastern Conference 9W-10L-5T (33 Points, 1 SOW, 4 SOL)
Notable Offseason News: Okello’s arrival, Dias, Cayet re-signing provides spine for 2023
New England Revolution II watched several of last season’s standouts earn jumps to the first team this winter, but the arrival of several new faces and the return of a few key contributors should have Clint Peay’s side competing for a top-four spot in the East.
Marcos Dias (six goals) and Pierre Cayet (team-leading 1,849 minutes played) return from the 2022 campaign and will give the team a spine to build off of in 2023. Noble Okello is a promising midfielder who previously featured for Toronto FC in MLS. The 22-year-old should reap the rewards that come with his new home, while Jordan Adebayo-Smith netted seven goals for New York Red Bulls II in the USL Championship last year.
Jacob Jackson’s move to the first team means Max Weinstein will have big boots to fill in between the posts, but it provides the academy standout with an early opportunity to shine. After watching Jackson, Noel Buck, and others use MLS NEXT Pro to their advantage in 2022, the new campaign could give many players their boost to take the next step in their careers.
Head Coach: Gianni Cimini
Venue: York Lions Stadium
Record last year: Eastern Conference Finalist, 12W-9L-3T (41 Points, 2 SOW, 1 SOL)
Notable Offseason News: Gavran, Walkes, Coello Camarero headline returning stars for 2023
Toronto FC II retained several key players this winter, with Luka Gavran, Reshaun Walkes, and Alonso Coello Camarero committing their futures to the club. All three were vital in TFC II’s second place in the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro regular season and should remain expected starters in Gianni Cimini’s squad this season.
Gavran excelled as one of the league’s best goalkeepers in 2022. Walkes’ physical presence in the final third was also on display last season, and the 23-year-old will be fighting to start as lead forward on opening day. Meanwhile, team captain, Coello Camarero, made 24 starts and 25 appearances and was instrumental in the midfield throughout the team's memorable 2022 campaign.
The offseason signings of Matthew Catavolo and Jesus Batiz were also crucial for Cimini to add to his already-dangerous squad. Catavolo, 20, has already featured for several of Canada’s youth national teams and is coming off a strong campaign in the Canadian Premier League with Valour FC.
Batiz enjoyed success in MLS NEXT Pro last season and will be keen to carry that production to TFC II.
Head Coach: Marlon LeBlanc
Venue: Subaru Park
2022 MLS NEXT Pro record: Third in Eastern Conference, 11W-9L-4T (40 points, 3 SOW, 1 SOL)
Notable offseason news: Castillo, Alvarez, headline new talents for Union II
Marlon LeBlanc will not have the opportunity to call on several of his key players from 2022, but new faces should keep Philadelphia Union II competitive in the Eastern Conference.
Juan Castillo and Pedro Alvarez are the newest players in the Union II after arriving this winter. Castillo last featured for New York Red Bulls II in 2022 while Alvarez made the move from Venezuelan club Aragua FC. Both players will be seeking to hit the ground running with several Union homegrown players trying to carve out starting positions as well.
Maike Villero is also back with Union II after rejoining on loan for the 2023 campaign. Villero made nine appearances during the inaugural 2022 season and signed a one-year loan agreement from Deportivo La Caruna to head back to Chester, Pennsylvania.
In addition, Jose Riasco, Jesus Bueno, Brandan Craig, and Stefan Stojanovic are also back for 2023, giving Union II a strong foundation to lean on.
Head Coach: Jose Tavares
Venue: Mecklenburg County Sportsplex
Record last year: N/A
Notable Offseason News: Mixed roster with international, collegiate signings joining Crown Legacy FC
Crown Legacy FC went heavy with international signings this winter, making that the focus ahead of its 2023 MLS NEXT Pro debut. Marko Filipovic, Nikola Petkovic, and Josue Rodrigues headlined seven international signings, giving Jose Tavares plenty of players with a point to prove this year.
In addition to bringing in players from abroad, Nate Silveira, Jacob Williams, Ethan Dudley, and Gurman Sangha have joined the roster following their collegiate careers. Philip Mayaka featured during the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro campaign with Colorado Rapids 2 and will bring needed experience to the roster after being a former college standout at Clemson University.
