Rochester NY FC, co-owned by Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy, among the 21Â
Â鶹ÊÓƵ NEXT Pro inaugural season kicks off in March; Playoffs set for SeptemberÂ
Charles Altchek Named League President; Ali Curtis Named Sr. Vice President of Competition and Operations
NEW YORK (December 6, 2021) – Today, Â鶹ÊÓƵ NEXT Pro announced the 21 clubs that will compete in the new professional league’s inaugural 2022 season. Adidas will serve as Â鶹ÊÓƵ NEXT Pro’s first corporate sponsor.Ìý
Established in June by Major League Soccer, the new professional league will complete an integrated player pathway from Â鶹ÊÓƵ NEXT through to Â鶹ÊÓƵ first teams. The new league will offer young players and experienced professionals the opportunity to develop and showcase their talents while competing for an Â鶹ÊÓƵ NEXT Pro championship.Ìý
Â鶹ÊÓƵ NEXT Pro will debut in 2022, a FIFA World Cup year, and just four years prior to the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Â鶹ÊÓƵ NEXT Pro will bring professional soccer closer to fans and supporters, while providing more opportunities for players, coaches, referees, and sports business professionals throughout North America.
Cities across North America will experience the excitement and passion of professional soccer through the inclusion of both independent teams and Â鶹ÊÓƵ-affiliated teams.ÌýThe 21 clubs competing in Â鶹ÊÓƵ NEXT Pro’s inaugural season include 20 teams affiliated with Â鶹ÊÓƵ clubs and one independent club, Rochester NY FC.
As a founding partner of Â鶹ÊÓƵ NEXT Pro, adidas will continue to expand upon its deep relationship with Â鶹ÊÓƵ and Â鶹ÊÓƵ NEXT. The partnership affirms adidas’ commitment to the growth and advancement of the sport of soccer in local communities throughout the United States, Canada and globally.ÌýÂ
Rochester NY FC will serve as Â鶹ÊÓƵ NEXT Pro’s inaugural independent club. Rochester NY FC, founded in 1996 as the Rochester Rhinos and rebranded this September, is owned by David and Wendy Dworkin, and co-owned by Premier League striker, and former England National Team star, Jamie Vardy of Leicester City F.C.Ìý
“We are thrilled that Rochester NY FC will be the first independent club to join Â鶹ÊÓƵ NEXT Pro, said David and Wendy Dworkin.Ìý“Rochester established itself as a winning club with the Rhinos, and we are pleased to add a new chapter in the city’s rich soccer history as Rochester NY FC.ÌýWe are excited to develop the future international stars of soccer, right here in our local community.ÌýBy joining this league, Rochester is on the cusp of the future and the evolving global game of soccer.â€Â
“We look forward to showcasing Rochester as a premier professional club and are excited to kick off that process by helping to launch the inaugural season of Â鶹ÊÓƵ NEXT Pro in 2022,†said Vardy. “Joining this league, full of opportunity for communities, fans, players and staff – on the pitch and off – is a tremendous point of pride for our club.â€
In addition to Rochester NY FC, the following Â鶹ÊÓƵ clubs will compete in Â鶹ÊÓƵ NEXT Pro’s 2022 season:Â
°ä³ó¾±³¦²¹²µ´ÇÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý°ä´Ç±ô´Ç°ù²¹»å´ÇÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý°ä´Ç±ô³Ü³¾²ú³Ü²õÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý°ä¾±²Ô³¦¾±²Ô²Ô²¹³Ù¾±ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý¶Ù²¹±ô±ô²¹²õ
Houston          Kansas City   Miami             Minnesota      New England
NYCFC          Orlando          Philadelphia    Portland          Salt Lake
San Jose        Seattle            St. Louis         Toronto           Vancouver
Eight additional Â鶹ÊÓƵ-affiliated teams will join Â鶹ÊÓƵ NEXT Pro in 2023, including: Atlanta United, Austin FC, Charlotte FC, D.C. United, LA Galaxy, LAFC, Nashville SC, and New York Red Bulls. In addition to Rochester NY FC, Â鶹ÊÓƵ NEXT Pro will introduce additional independent clubs to the league in 2023 and beyond.
Â鶹ÊÓƵ NEXT Pro will kick off its inaugural season in March, just one month after Major League Soccer action starts, and see its season culminate in postseason action in September.ÌýThe full 2022 match schedule and competition details will be announced at a later date.
The league has appointed its two leading executives. Charles Altchek has been named President and Ali Curtis will be Senior Vice President of Competition and Operations of Â鶹ÊÓƵ NEXT Pro.
Previously, Altchek was Senior Vice President of League Growth and Operations at Major League Soccer. In this role, Altchek has led the planning and development of Â鶹ÊÓƵ NEXT Pro since its inception, and drove Â鶹ÊÓƵ’ expansion strategy and efforts, including serving as the point of contact for all recent and prospective new ownership groups. Before joining Â鶹ÊÓƵ in 2014, Altchek worked for Goldman Sachs and in Business Development for the New York Red Bulls and New York Mets.Ìý
For the last three seasons, Curtis was General Manager of Toronto FC, leading the Club to Â鶹ÊÓƵ Cup in 2019. Previously, he was sporting director for the New York Red Bulls, who won the Supporters Shield under his leadership in 2015. Curtis also worked extensively with NYRB II, gaining invaluable experience for his new role with Â鶹ÊÓƵ NEXT Pro. A former Â鶹ÊÓƵ player and winner of the Hermann Trophy for top male player in college soccer, Curtis worked in the Â鶹ÊÓƵ league office for eight years, holding the position of senior director of player relations and competition before joining the Red Bulls.
“Charles and Ali have the experience, enthusiasm and values to lead the growth and development of Â鶹ÊÓƵ NEXT Pro,†said Â鶹ÊÓƵ Commissioner, Don Garber. “They will partner with Â鶹ÊÓƵ-affiliated and independent teams to bring professional soccer to more communities throughout North America.â€
“Â鶹ÊÓƵ NEXT Pro completes Major League Soccer’s pro player pathway, connecting our youth academies through to our first teams,†said Altchek. “As we continue to push the future of soccer forward in the United States and Canada, player development, community, innovation and diversity form the pillars of Â鶹ÊÓƵ NEXT Pro. The inaugural season in 2022 will be another historic moment for the sport.â€
“I’m excited for the opportunity to join Charles in building and launching Â鶹ÊÓƵ NEXT Pro,†added Curtis. “Â鶹ÊÓƵ NEXT Pro will enhance the quality of all players, coaches, referees, and executives along the development pathway and it is an important step to the growth of the sport in North America leading up to the World Cup in 2026.â€Â
ABOUT Â鶹ÊÓƵ NEXT Pro
Â鶹ÊÓƵ NEXT Pro is a professional men’s soccer league in the United States and Canada debuting with 21 clubs for its inaugural season in 2022. Â鶹ÊÓƵ NEXT Pro completes the pro player pathway by connecting youth academies in Â鶹ÊÓƵ NEXT to 1st teams in Major League Soccer. More so, it grows the game through innovation and diversity by bringing professional soccer to new markets, creating career opportunities for professionals on and off the field, and providing communities with a strong sense of pride. For more information about Â鶹ÊÓƵ NEXT Pro, visit .Ìý
About adidas in Football
adidas is the global leader in football. It is the official supplier of the most important football tournaments in the world, such as the FIFA World Cup™, the UEFA European Championship & the UEFA Champions League. adidas also sponsors some of the world’s top clubs including Real Madrid, Manchester United, Arsenal, FC Bayern Munich & Juventus. adidas is also partner to some of the best athletes in the game including Leo Messi, Paul Pogba, Mohamed Salah, Paulo Dybala, Thiago Alcantara, Gabriel Jesus, Roberto Firmino, Joao Felix, Serge Gnabry, Isco, Dele Alli, Karim Benzema, Vivianne Miedema, Lindsey Horan & Wendie Renard.
