Columbus Crew 2 won the inaugural MLS Next Pro title with a 4-1 win over St. Louis City SC 2 in the 2022 final. The MLS’s development league’s second season gets underway this weekend with 27 teams. MLS Next Pro has introduced a third unique rule and a playoff format in which some teams choose their opponent.

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Soccer America Executive Editor Mike Woitalla has written freelance articles about soccer for more than 30 media outlets in nine nations. The winner of eight United Soccer Coaches Writing Contest awards,...