MLS, MLS Next Pro And MLS Next Expand Collaboration With Kitman Labs To Unify And Optimize Player Pathway Data

Sports Science and Technology Company Will Integrate MLS, MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT and their Respective Operating Systems and Player Performance Data into One Centralized Platform

NEW YORK (April 16, 2025) – Major League Soccer (MLS), MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT today announced an expansion of the work being done alongside Kitman Labs that will help complete the management of the player pathway across the three organizations. Teaming up to centralize MLS, MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT operations and performance data into an integrated platform to drive connectivity between competitions, teams and players, this collaboration will ultimately help define and solidify player pathways from the academy level all the way up to MLS first teams. 

The initiative – which will completely unify all MLS, MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT operations and player performance data into one advanced operating system, is being led by MLS Assist. Developed to help advance the technological infrastructure of MLS, MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT, MLS Assist will aid in elevating the level of play and competition through innovation. 

“The focus of MLS Assist is to streamline the technology behind our competitions by consolidating solutions, modernizing sports management processes, and standardizing the reporting and distribution of our sports data,” said John Sullivan, MLS Chief Information Officer. “A key goal is digitizing the player pathway—using integrated technologies and data-driven systems to modernize scouting, optimize player development, and build a smarter, more connected talent pipeline. By aligning efforts across MLS, MLS NEXT Pro, and MLS NEXT, the Sporting Technology department and Kitman Labs are building an innovative and scalable foundation for how the game is managed.”

The new League Operations Solution and MLS Intelligence Platform has launched this season and will consolidate and streamline program-wide operations and build a unified data set for players, staff, coaches and games played at every level across MLS, MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT. The ability to now collect this data across the pathway represents a critical and foundational step in understanding, defining and optimizing the player pathway.

“Through our work with MLS, MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT, we are building a strong foundation—one that not only identifies and develops talent but also fosters a competitive, sustainable ecosystem. Too often, organizations are held back by disconnected systems that create inefficiencies and obscure the full picture of player development and league operations,” said Stephen Smith, Founder & CEO, Kitman Labs. “With the launch of the League Operations Solution in iP: Intelligence Platform*, we’re working to empower MLS, MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT by unifying their data, streamlining operations, and ultimately unlocking transformative growth—ensuring they continue to be a destination for top talent while delivering an exceptional experience for players, practitioners, partners, and fans alike.”

MLS, MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT are the first soccer leagues to launch the League Operations Solution from Kitman Labs and will include:

• Player and Staff Registration: Simplifying the registration process with a streamlined, scalable approach that reduces administrative burdens while enhancing data quality.
• Fixture Management: Provides a centralized view of all fixtures and automated tools for rescheduling, ensuring more streamlined processes and better communication across all stakeholders. 
• Discipline and Eligibility: Centralizes the tracking of disciplinary actions, ensuring consistency and compliance. 
• Match Reporting: Provides a centralized platform for match reports, making critical data accessible and actionable. 
• Digital Match Rosters: Automates roster management, ensuring eligibility and providing critical match information to stakeholders. 
• Scheduling: Simplifies scheduling logistics with automation and real-time updates.

“The commitment of MLS, MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT to provide best-in-class management of their respective competitions and the player pathway has been supported by the recent expansion of our work with Kitman Labs,” said Paul Grafer, MLS Senior Technical Director, Competition. “Collaboratively, we have developed customized software that serves as the administrative backbone for MLS, MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT. We are excited by the opportunity these tools present to improve the management of each MLS, MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT competition while enhancing various aspects of the player development pathway.”

Kitman Labs has an established track record of working with top governing bodies, leagues, teams and athletes across a variety of sports, including soccer/global football, basketball, rugby, and American football. The company’s technology has been used by leagues and teams in some of the world’s most elite sports organizations and universities including the NFL, NBA, NWSL, Premier League and NCAA.

For more information on Kitman Labs, visit www.kitmanlabs.com.

*iP: Intelligence Platform represents the industry’s largest dataset of talent, performance, and medical data for all stages of the athlete lifecycle.