What A Tryout For An MLS Next Academy Is Like (Road To AN MLS Next Academy Ep.10)

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About Me
Name: Atehnkeng Njinju
Height: 5'7
Weight: 140 lbs
Nationality: Cameroon 🇨🇲, USA 🇺🇸
Current Teams: Salem Academy Charter School (Highschool) 🏫, IFA '06 (Club)⚽
Positions: RB/CDM/LB
Intro (0:00)
Ride To The MLS Next Tryouts (1:27)
Game 1 (1:38)
Game 2 (4:53)
Recap Of Tryouts (9:28)
Outro (10:12)

[@ateh4]

Don’t Forget To Like & Subscribe‼️

[@LensonChen]

Your scanning ability is great and I can visibly see you improve and get more comforttable as the trial went on.

[@ateh4]

Yeah I really put a focus on making sure I was scanning throughout the whole tryout and honestly at first I wasn’t too confident because me and my team wasn’t doing good at all and then the more we played, the better i and my team played which gave me more confidence, good eye for picking that up bro!

[@AlpineF1_]

Dude in the pink adidas shoes in game 2 was nice with it

[@ateh4]

Yeah it was kinda hard to keep up with his skills 😂😂😂

[@ateh4]

@@VerdeViteza11 yeah I agree with that for sure

[@ateh4]

@@VerdeViteza11 That's very true man and thanks, bro!

[@adammzte]

I wish my MLS Tryouts were like this (couple months ago for U19), instead they just put us in 2 full field matches for the tryout with subs so I hardly got playtime. I decided to move to morocco to play instead but good luck on the MLS Journey bro.

[@ateh4]

Yeah no, we first did small sided and then we did full field 11v11’s which was a good format, but aye good luck on your journey and thank you bro! 🙏

[@AMKprodz]

I’m from Morocco so if you need help in the country just reply to my comments. You should try to get in to the academy there. It’s really good and produced half of the Moroccan team that got 4th in the world cup

[@prod.a.i.m.]

Love your positive mentality. You always have next tryout to make it. But for now at least you can be happy that you are improving up to that point. Good luck bro

[@ateh4]

Aye man I really do appreciate that! As I try to live my life in a positive way and I try to channel that through my content and so it means a lot that you noticed that! And that’s very true that there are always next tryouts! And good luck to you too bro!

[@jakey1817]

@@ateh4 I'm in the same spot as you and you're inspiring me, I tried out for a local academy and was stressed, didn't make it. But you're mentality has been helping me push my skills, effort, and drive for the game. Keep it up!

[@ateh4]

@@jakey1817 Aye man you really don't understand how much these words mean to me man as that's the whole point of my channel! Keep it up and keep grinding with your head up bro!

[@jakey1817]

@@ateh4 Preciate it, I see you going places for sure fr

[@luckythedog3196]

Nice job man. I havent stayed on a team for more then a year due to being capable of playing in higher levels over the past three years ive gone from rec to local to regional to ecnl rl im hoping to be able to reach great things like you have and I want to follow you as we both make our joruneys

[@ateh4]

Aye bro just keep pushing and grinding and updating me on your journey bro!

[@adsanm9643]

yo bro im kinda stuck at the local/regional level what are your tips for moving onto the next level

[@Lamorindamls2010]

I am 13 and just made and mls next academy, my advice to u is to work on field awareness and u always want a good first touch especially at a high level. Hope u make it, and good luck for the future

[@ateh4]

Appreciate that bro and congratulations!

[@Lamorindamls2010]

@@ateh4 I just started my youtube cannel and posted my first video. I am going to post trainign sessions and gameday vlogs like u.

[@ateh4]

That's great to see bro, and I'll keep an eye out for those videos 👀

[@itdobetony17]

Hey, I’m new to your channel! You got this! What I did to get into an MLS next team is to just play with confidence and don’t forget to take risks! 🙌

[@ateh4]

That’s wassup bro, I post football content about how to improve as a player, analyzing my games and also taking you guys through my Journey to playing MLS Next and also thank you for those tips too bro 🙏

[@SimplySupremeYT]

@@ateh4don’t take it too seriously just have fun there’s always other chances

[@ateh4]

@@SimplySupremeYT Yeah nah i know bro, MLS Next is the goal i have for myself so i can keep striving for something

[@magamaga1827]

I'm an old man but played high level travel/academy/college D1 back in the 90s. It's so great what you are doing by sharing this video and information. Back in my day, everything was so secret. Nobody shared information or tried to help other friends/players. I even played on a travel team and one of my teamates was also playing on the US under 18 national team and NONE of us knew it!! lol. that's crazy. His parents and our coaches didn't want other kids getting jealous so they never told us. He'd just dissapear every now and then and miss some of our games. We had no idea why. Keep up the good work. Karma is real. You'll get it back.

[@ateh4]

Hey thank you very much for your story sir! And yeah the whole goal of my Chanel is to help my viewers become better players and you recognizing that genuinely means so much to me! 🙌

[@KDEditzzx]

“Back in my day”

[@elib295]

The funny thing is, this still applies today. To progress through higher and higher levels of soccer, you need a ton of high end contacts who have plenty of connections. Many people today keep these sort of connections secret and available only to a select few so that they can succeed.

[@ateh4]

@@elib295 Yup, you couldn't be more correct bro, I had friends who played club but ever showed me how to sign up and I wonder what would have been if I started earlier but nothing I can do but keep working and moving forward!

[@elib295]

@@ateh4 Same, I didn’t even know about mls next or ecnl until 8/9th grade. I wish I would’ve known about it at 9 or 10 years old tbh

[@isaaktheboii]

I watched some of your vids like a month ago when you had around 700 subscribers and I came back to your channel to see that you have 1.19k now and 36k views on this vid, that's some huge improvement bro 💪💪 I didn't know so much was gonna change when I came back

[@ateh4]

Aye man I have no words and I am as star-struck as you are 😂

[@CR7XADIE]

YOUR HONESTLY SO UNDERATTED BRO!

[@ateh4]

THANK YOU BRO!

[@KDEditzzx]

Love your mentality bro

[@ateh4]

Thank you bro! 🙌

[@FutbolSTL]

Way to Go kid , Keep up the Good Work!!

[@ateh4]

Thank you man! And Will Do! 🙌🏾

[@shadekaiser]

Good work bro, keep grinding!

[@ateh4]

Appreciate that bro!🙌

[@lautios8871]

Really great video bro I haven’t tried out for an mls next team but have been moved up from edp to usys National league. So I pray you and I next year make an mls next team much love bro

[@ateh4]

Aye that’s wassup bro and that’s the goals 🙏🏾

[@ClipsFn2837]

i play on a mls next team, how i got on was playing for a decent local club and working hard for around 6 years untill i was a top player on my team. After that my dad emailed a coach of a mls next to allow me to try out at a practice and thats how it started. it just takes dedication and skill.

[@ateh4]

Aye Congrats bro! What age group are you?

[@ClipsFn2837]

@@ateh4 im only u14

[@pjo9u9ph9uibjjfb89j]

its very difficult for me to improve bc my mom cant afford to put me on a high level of travel soccer and im stuck playing w different players every year bc all of my friends decide to move to a higher level and MLS next is a journey thats in my headlights i just have to keep training and my time will come

[@ateh4]

Yeah bro you just have to work with what you got, I know it’s cliché but keep training and grinding and all you need is one shot and so keep working for that and stay ready for it bro, best of luck!

[@manavarro00]

some clubs have ways of off setting costs to make it a little easier

[@ateh4]

@@manavarro00 yeah a decent amount of clubs have financial assistance

[@Gumbaz]

Love the content just subbed

[@ateh4]

Appreciate those kind words brodie and I hope my content helps you in any way 🙌

[@ViniJunior07]

Yo I just found out ur channel and its a W keep going!

[@ateh4]

Welcome bro I hope you enjoy the content and hope it helps you out in anyway and appreciate the kind words brodie! 🙌

[@Sonit922]

That’s awesome I hope to play there one day too

[@ateh4]

Thanks man! 🙏

[@matiasacosta2718]

Keep up the good work man. I’m currently playing EDP. 2008 but I’m better than most mls players on my team so just keep it up and work hard and u got this.

[@ateh4]

Yeah that’s wassu and thanks bro! I’m also currently playing EDP for my new club, and bro keep trying out every year because your young and if you keep training you’ll certainly make MLS Next, keep it up bro!

[@seabassdadino2815]

hey what club you play for? @@ateh4

[@ateh4]

@@seabassdadino2815 I am going into my first season with my new club called “IFA” at the EDS level, they also have an NAL and MLS Next team so who knows, there’s a chance I can get moved up 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@seabassdadino2815]

good to know, also what state are you from?@@ateh4

[@ateh4]

@@seabassdadino2815 I’m In Massachusetts

[@Not.Henry.]

keep up the grind brother !!!

[@ateh4]

That's the plan brother!!!

[@Not.Henry.]

@@ateh4 id want to try out buh id highly doubt id make it

[@ateh4]

@@Not.Henry. Aye man you miss 100% of the shots you don't take, so I would train on your weeknesses before trying out so that you will feel more ready and just go there and be loud and communicative, confident and also have fun and talk to the players and coaches around you and all of that will give youa better chance of making it.

[@Not.Henry.]

@@ateh4 Aye bro thank you bro

[@plyda5106]

new to watching u but no joke u making me wanna tryout for more teams and try my best to continue playin footy

[@ateh4]

Aye man just do it! Go search up some clubs nearby and email them for a tryout and Include some video and atleats one of them will reply and all you need is one chance to make it bro so just do it! And I hope my content helps you in any way bro.

[@plyda5106]

@@ateh4 Preciate you bro

[@christianmwale]

Fire video bro

[@ateh4]

Thank you Christian 🙌

[@editgod2412]

i hope you make it im on mls next tem good luck man

[@ateh4]

Thank you brodie and good luck to you as well!

[@benhart1310]

I’d suggest working on your first touch. Watch pro games and see how close they keep it to them when receiving. 2nd you are passing to areas instead of feet. You are passing at times hoping someone is there. Instead pass with just the inside of your foot to someone you can see firm and on the ground. Play simple proper soccer. Receive open on your back foot. You also need to up the intensity. Play like your life depends on it. Nice improvement and keep it up.

[@ateh4]

Yeah, I've been working on my first touch lately and actually have a video about how to improve on your first touch, which is coming out this Saturday, thank you very much for the tips bro!🙏🏿

[@rodrigoalfonso6282]

ay bro wish u the best

[@ateh4]

Aye thank you bro 🙌 and same to you!

[@naseerahmadghausi8366]

I play for mls next as a 12 yr and the tryouts where hard but I was a skilled defender and making good plays and that's how I got into mls next

[@ateh4]

That’s wassup bro 🙌

[@naseerahmadghausi8366]

thx

[@killua_gaming]

loved the video and your football skills, i too also wanna become a pro football player but i live in ny far from academies and even if im close its kinda expensive have any tips on what i should do?

[@ateh4]

I would say just a play at the highest level possible, wether it is Highschool or a less expensive club team, and work with what you have because all you need in one coach to see you and help you out to bigger things so my advice would be to work with what you can play at and keep training and improving!!

[@killua_gaming]

@@ateh4 thnx earned urself a sub

[@celestinrubeni6776]

All this omah lag beats❤❤

[@ateh4]

You noticed bro 😂😂😂

[@jordank2914]

Hopefully u make it bro crazy it’s 3 days mine was 2 hrs only didn’t make it tho i haven’t played in years hopefully nxt year tho🙏🏽

[@ateh4]

Yeah same bro they were 3 days and 2hrs long but I unfortunately didn’t make it as well but yeah it’s in to next year brodie! 🙏🏾

[@jordank2914]

@@ateh4 grind don’t stop man we gotta sacrifice for our dreams or our dreams will be sacrificed💯

[@jordank2914]

@@ateh4 best of luck to u brodie do u got ig

[@ateh4]

@@jordank2914 💯 🙏🏾

[@sebastianvaccaro8906]

ur underated

[@ateh4]

Appreciate That Brodie! 🙌🏾

[@RealBallers_]

Please make a day in the life video, ur fire btw🔥🔥

[@ateh4]

I made a couple already, you can see my day in the life of a highschool soccer player video is my 3rd most recent video and I have another day in the life in which I go through a day in the summer as a 16 year footballer (at the time) in the US, And thank you very much bro!! 🙌🙌

[@isaacdanna7385]

cool vid

[@ateh4]

🙌

[@jaxsondaricek3918]

what are your thoughts on a gk wanting to play as a cm for a ecnl or mls next team?

[@ateh4]

I would say if you have to switch positions slightly, in order to play at a significantly higher level then I would say do it, but if you have to change from such a difference from GK to cm in order to play, even is the level is significantly higher then I would say don’t do it and just stick with the position you love playing

[@shafikdehni689]

Good vid bro. What age groups were the tryouts

[@ateh4]

I appreciate that man 🙏 and I was trying out for U19’s

[@shafikdehni689]

@@ateh4 thanks for the feed back. Good luck on your journey

[@ateh4]

@@shafikdehni689 No problem bro and thank you and same to you! 🙏

[@BJABALLER]

What position do you usually play? I noticed you were smart on the ball so I’m guessing a CM but I am probably wrong.

[@ateh4]

I’m mainly a RB, but I’ve been transitioning to the CDM spot over the last year, so I’m a primary RB but I usually play CDM

[@Frosteez_ZT6]

I’m trying to get an mls next contract too. Keep It Up Bro

[@ateh4]

Aye man that’s wassup! Keep grinding too Bro

[@thtclost8813]

Did u make the team man? Your very inspirational to me and I really hope life treating you well

[@ateh4]

Nah unfortunately I didn’t make the MLS Next team but I made their EDS team and I really do appreciate those words and I also hope life is treating you well brodie 🙏

[@Darkknight-ob3np]

@@ateh4what did they tell you?? What does EDS mean

[@ateh4]

@@Darkknight-ob3np they told me I didn’t make their MLS Next team but they liked me, and EDS is in the USYS National league, it’s confusing if your not too informed on the leagues

[@thtclost8813]

@@Darkknight-ob3np EDS is basically E64

[@thtclost8813]

@@ateh4 ok don’t stop trying🔥 your a really good baller and your putting in the effort you will make it.

[@FCGoffProdz]

I’m really curious what this is like because I have just started my first year of ECNL and this would be the dream

[@FCGoffProdz]

Btw I play for Maryland United who did u play for youth soccer

[@ateh4]

I play for a club named IFA and I play on their EDS team

[@Sot572]

I was thinking next year I might do a try out for the academy remember if you see a Lucas martin

[@ateh4]

Will do 🙌

[@grahamfraser5636]

MLS next gang that’s me

[@ateh4]

That’s wassup bro 👍

[@Logan.Cargill]

🔥

[@ateh4]

🙌

[@carsondiaz3324]

So the tryout was just small sided games and not full field 11v11 or 8v8

[@ateh4]

Yeah it was 2 3v3 games and then 11v11 but this video was only the first session, the next two session we did full field 11v11 scrimmages

[@feature2204]

Hey I have a question what if you are interested in trying out but the academy is not in the city where you live. And what if you get in but you dont live in the city of the club what do you do? And good luck for your tryout.

[@ateh4]

If the academy is not in the city then you gotta ask your parents and see if they will be able to make that commitment to dropping you off to games and practices if you as well are willing to make that commitment and if they can’t, then you just gotta play at the highest level possible that is close to you and make the most out of it, that would be my advice!

[@feature2204]

@@ateh4 Thanks for your advice I appreciate it.

[@jessemuvunasugira7240]

yo where did you go for tryouts what state is this held in?

[@ateh4]

Almost every state has an MLS Next team and simply just search up the mls next team in your state and search for their MLS Next tryout dates and that’s it! I will be posting a video about how to make an MLS Next academy within the next 30 days so turn on all notifications for that video!

[@Mk.Stackss]

Do you tell them wht position you play , or do they pick for you?

[@ateh4]

Yeah at the beginning of the tryout where you check in, they ask you your position. For this specific 3v3 tho we just played where ever and made the position’s ourselves

[@Mk.Stackss]

@@ateh4 oh , thanks for the info

[@ateh4]

@@Mk.Stackss Of course!

[@illusionxz3135]

can you tell me how you find one of these tryouts

[@ateh4]

Search up MLS Next teams in your state or area and then go on their website or search up their name with “MLS Next tryout” at the end and the club’s website with the tryouts should pop up

[@quinntonbattiste2831]

dnt get me wrong im a LW/RW nd rn i play in the USYS NL conference playoffs u15 nd my coaches say im a great player nd told me i should try out for an mls next team ,, but im too scared to try out cs im scared i wont be able to keep up nd stay on the team

[@ateh4]

“You never know until you try” you yourself have to just try and see if you can, and there’s this thing where when you play against players better than you, you naturally play better and play closer to your level, as long as you are decent at the assentials of football then you should be all good bro, and GO TRY OUT!!! 😂

[@beyourself1306]

Let me ask, I am a factory worker who lives in Southeast Asia, I am 22 years old, my position is as a striker, is it possible to play in the MLS League? Am I late? It's okay to play for a weak club, the important thing is to be able to play in the MLS league, my dream if I play in MLS is to play for the Seattle Sounders or LA Galaxy.

[@ateh4]

Aye bro it's never too late but realistic you wouldn't be able to play in the MLS from the start, a more realistic option would be to start at a semi-pro team which in the U.S. is the UPSL league and make your way up the divisions!

[@prizo4822]

how are you able to find these tryouts?

[@ateh4]

Search up MLS Next teams in your state or area and then go on their website or search up their name with “MLS Next tryout” at the end and the club’s website with the tryouts should pop up

[@bolbuoi5978]

What date were these trials at?

[@ateh4]

This tryout was all the way back in late March, and in the U.S. most tryouts for clubs happen around that time in march, April and just in and around the spring time

[@planetfoot9046]

How do you find the tryouts?

[@ateh4]

I have a friend who plays MLS Next who was getting scouted my this team to play for them and he told me about a tryout for this team and so now every year I go to the tryouts, you can also find these MLS Next tryouts by simply searching up if there are MLS Next teams in your stats and then searching up which ones are close enough for you and then search up the club name with “MLS Next Tryout” at the end and something from that club’s website should pop up, almost all of the tryouts tho are in the spring around march, so by now they already have their teams but you never know, try it out and if there aren’t any right now then just do it in the spring, hope that helps! If you have any questions, don’t be afraid to dm me on instagram.

[@RayFTW-999]

Yo man ur hella tuff u got any tips?

[@ateh4]

Thank you bro, the biggest tip I could give you is make sure you are always scanning over both of your shoulders and seeing the whole field, especially before you get the ball so that you will know what to do before getting the ball, another thing is in my road to and MLS Next playlist I have drills that can help you with finishing, passing, defending, etc… so also check that out!

[@RayFTW-999]

@@ateh4 bett bro I appreciate u ima check em out tmrw

[@user-ft6sy4zu7f]

How can I join a MLS Next Academy as a swiss

[@ateh4]

You have to be in the U.S. to be able to play for an MLS Next academy and then just got to the tryouts and is clinics that those clubs hold

[@fraz7461]

who was the dude recording the tryouts bro 😭 bros gonna get me sick, cool vid tho man

[@ateh4]

Yeah nah he was pushing through it 😂😂😭

[@novaplayz4744]

How can I try out for a mls team? I would like to try out

[@ateh4]

Search up MLS Next teams in your state or area and then go on their website or search up their name with “MLS Next tryout” at the end and the club’s website with the tryouts should pop up

[@novaplayz4744]

@@ateh4 okay, thank you

[@fhhdhddvdgddb400]

How do u find mls next tryouts?

[@ateh4]

Search up MLS Next teams in your state or area and then go on their website or search up their name with “MLS Next tryout” at the end and you should see it that way

[@SimplySupremeYT]

What national team you wanna play for?

[@ateh4]

I was am both Cameroonian and American but I would love to play for the Cameroon national team 🇨🇲

[@darrylkamgang6713]

@@ateh4same I’m also Cameroonian

[@ateh4]

@@darrylkamgang6713 That's wassup bro! I Were you born in Cameroon or in the US??

[@RealVesper]

@@ateh4 Yessir 🇨🇲🇨🇲🇨🇲. Im cameroonian and American as well and also on my journey of going pro.

[@ateh4]

@@RealVesper yessirrrr brooo 🇨🇲🇨🇲🇨🇲

[@danielmedina3301]

Were you trying out for IFA?

[@ateh4]

Yeah I was trying out for their MLS Next team

[@larata9]

That's the whole try out 3 v 3 , you better of going to college

[@ateh4]

Nah there was also an 11v11 later in the tryout

[@PhonkeW]

For what team did you tryout?

[@ateh4]

I tried out for “IFA” I tried out for their U19 MLS Next team but sadly didn’t make their MLS Next team but they offered me a spot on their U19 EDS team and that’s where I currently play

[@PhonkeW]

@@ateh4that’s nice I play for Bethesda SC and it’s cool to play on mls next, like it’s competitive 🤷🏽

[@ateh4]

@@PhonkeW Yeah that's wassup, what age group do you currently play and how did you get on the club?

[@PhonkeW]

@@ateh4 I play on the U15 team, they have tryout on summer and they tryout 2 times I think, and they will make u play for their U14 team to see if you are good enough for the U15 team, and after that you will register for the team so they can put your name on every tournament the team plays, and it’s going good so far to me 👍

[@PhonkeW]

@@ateh4 idk about my team but other MLS next teams annual payment is up to 4000 and that’s lowkey fine when u pay monthly,

[@stick8713]

yo bro what age group are u?

[@ateh4]

This upcoming season imma be playing U18s but in this tryout I was trying out for the U19’s because they didn’t have a U18 MLS Next team

[@lewnisbelkebir5807]

what club iss these

[@ateh4]

This tryout was for “Intercontinental Football Academy” MLS Next team

[@Nahom__Kegne]

raynnnn???

[@ateh4]

🙌

[@user-fo5uk5dh6v]

What age group

[@ateh4]

U19s

[@PotentPickle]

nice video but pls remove the person sniffing in the bg

[@ateh4]

Yo he was sick 😂😂😭

[@PotentPickle]

its all good 😂😂

[@ateh4]

@@PotentPickle 😂😂😭

[@keving6555]

I played ecnl

[@ateh4]

Do you currently still play ECNL??

[@giorgisbest6317]

Don’t go to Fa Euro one of the worst teams

[@ateh4]

???

[@giorgisbest6317]

@@ateh4 If you try out for any other teams just don’t go to Fa euro is a mls next team but the coaching staff is terrible and they only want money coming from personal experience

[@ateh4]

@@giorgisbest6317 Ahhhh I see, what state is that club in??

[@giorgisbest6317]

@@ateh4 New York

[@ateh4]

@@giorgisbest6317 I see, did you use to play for the club??

[@MrSoccerplayer55]

Didn't see anyone that is good enough for high level here. Some kids could move the ball but overall they're all the typical "Neymars" trying to dribble passed everyone thats not how the aport works and coaching generally hate that kind of play unless you are... well neymar.... these kids dont know how to make quick decisions instead they wanna show of their "dribbling skills"🤣

[@ateh4]

Yeah that’s true but there were some really decent kids at the tryouts

[@danieltovar3375dt]

Jesus is King!

[@ateh4]

Amen! 🙏

[@Ig_Henry]

I was your 1000 sub!!!

[@ateh4]

AYEEEE THANKS MANNNN!!! 🙌

[@Ig_Henry]

@@ateh4 no problem! I am trying to get there too

[@isaacdanna7385]

cool vid

[@ateh4]

🙌