[NEXT GENERATION SERIES] Atlanta Fire United and Southern Soccer Academy are the latest youth clubs to be accepted into the Next Generation Series, the new development program engineered by USL and IMG Academy.

AFU, which was formed 32 years ago, has qualified eight teams for the Super Y-League North American Finals, with two of the teams taking home the title. Southern Soccer Academy finished sixth in the 2012 Super Y-League First 11 rankings.

Other clubs in the NGS includes Knoxville Soccer Academy and the Nashville Metros.

The clubs will begin competition in the Next Gen Series in August 2013. The format will consist of U12 and U14 boys and girls teams participating in an eight-month season culminating in April that will feature two evaluation/competition events at IMG.

Top players will be identified through the NGS Player Tracking Program and invited to attend the NGS ID Training Camp at IMG.