Huntsville City FC provides proof MLS concept can succeed

HUNTSVILLE – While Major League Soccer plans to expand its footprint in the lower divisions of the sport, its move into Huntsville is an example for future plans.

Reserve teams in MLS play in MLS Next Pro, which began two years ago and operates at the third tier of the game in the United States. That’s the league where Nashville FC’s reserve team, Huntsville City Football Club (HCFC), resides with its second season beginning this spring.

MLS plans to continue to target cities and towns without professional clubs in advance of the 2026 World Cup, with the league’s second teams becoming new-look  clubs based away from the parent club’s home.

Charles Altchek, president of MLS Next Pro, told AFP in an interview that MLS wants to be in a position to fully capitalize on the impact of the World Cup being hosted in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

“Looking ahead to the World Cup in 2026 we want to be in as many markets as we can be that want professional soccer,” he said in a story posted on yahoo.com.

Nashville SC was the first MLS club to make that switch in taking their reserve side to Huntsville.

“It’s been incredibly successful,’’ Altchek said. “We thought it would work, but it’s overachieved from every perspective. The team has developed a really important connection with the fans there.

“The local community has really come out to support the club, and it’s only going to get better and better as the years progress.’’

Altchek also said Huntsville’s success provides proof the concept works to other clubs who might follow suit.

“We now have our first working and real example of one of these relationships functioning in a way that’s sustainable and productive and helping us achieve our goals collectively and the city, they’ve got what they want, a really dynamic professional soccer team,” he said.

While clubs have the choice of continuing with standard reserve teams, they are being encouraged by the league to look into how they could transform like Nashville-Huntsville.

“We think it’s really important to explore what opportunities there are to have the team playing in a different place and activate a new fan base, activate a new market, and bring professional soccer to a new market,” Altchek said. “We think it’s a really tremendous opportunity to do that.”

While the first division MLS, which began play in 1996, has grown into a solid league with San Diego due to become the 30th club in 2025, the lower divisions of American soccer have continued to be plagued by instability.

MLS Next Pro is also attracting interest from independent clubs with no prior connection to the league.

Next season Chattanooga FC, who played in the third division NISA, will join MLS Next Pro along with a new club, Carolina Core, based in High Point, N.C.

Jacksonville Armada, who have played in other lower leagues but have been inactive since 2018, are set to join the league in 2025 with team in Cleveland slated for the following year.