When it comes to MLS, I’m consistently asked one question more than any other. It’s a simple query with an unimaginably complex answer.



How are MLS academies doing?



The simple answer is that the professional youth development scene is getting better. There are some clear leaders in this space and they’re doing lots of things right. However, on the whole, MLS academies still aren’t doing well enough.



But each academy is different, and so to investigate this question more thoroughly, I set out to rank every MLS franchise’s academy as it stands today, from one through 23.



I considered five factors to arrive at this list: coaching, overall talent, track record, matriculation, and investment. These are the five most important ingredients in the academy stew. You need exceptional coaching, the ability to identify talent at a young age, the ability to grow that talent into next-level players, and a track record of doing...