April 17 – Major League Soccer has deepened its relationship with performance intelligence firm Kitman Labs in a move that could help stitch together a more coherent player development pathway across the United States and Canada — from academy level through to the first team.
The expanded partnership now spans MLS, MLS NEXT Pro, and MLS NEXT, unifying operations and player data across all three tiers under a single digital platform. The initiative, led by MLS Assist, aims to construct what the league describes as a “smarter, more connected talent pipeline,” by modernising the way players are tracked, evaluated, and progressed.
“The focus of MLS Assist is to streamline the technology behind our competitions by consolidating solutions, modernising sports management processes, and standardising the reporting and distribution of our sports data,” said John Sullivan, MLS Chief Information Officer. “A key goal is digitising the player pathway—using integrated technologies and data-driven systems to modernise scouting, optimise 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.”
At the heart of the rollout is Kitman Labs’ League Operations Solution, now active across all MLS-affiliated competitions. For a sport still catching up with its North American counterparts in digital infrastructure, it marks a significant step forward.
Yet while MLS is billing the initiative as a technological leap, the move underscores a deeper issue the league continues to grapple with: the fragmented nature of talent development in North American football.
In theory, the new platform provides end-to-end visibility on a player’s development journey — from grassroots to the professional ranks — by compiling a unified and comprehensive dataset. This should enable clubs to scout and manage talent more effectively, and offer the league a clearer picture of whether its developmental framework is producing players ready for the top flight.
Kitman Labs, which also supports elite organisations in the NFL, NBA, Premier League, and NWSL, is positioning itself as the digital backbone for sports entities seeking to streamline operations and unlock performance gains through data.
Still, the real-world impact will depend heavily on how the system is adopted by clubs, coaches, and support staff at every level. Centralised data is only as powerful as the decisions it informs — and with MLS clubs varying widely in their investment and commitment to youth development, software alone is unlikely to level the playing field.
For MLS, the project reflects a broader ambition to professionalise its talent ecosystem and offer a clearer, more structured pathway to the top. Whether that translates into a consistent pipeline of elite-level players is another question entirely. But the league is making a clear bet: better data might just lead to better football.
“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, organisations 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.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1745041707labto1745041707ofdlr1745041707owedi1745041707sni@g1745041707niwe.1745041707yrrah1745041707