MLS NEXT Pro today announced the addition of a seventh independent club to the League. The Island F.C. plans to begin playing in 2027 in a new stadium in Uniondale, New York. The club will become the fourth MLS NEXT Pro team in the Tri-State Area and the first on Long Island.

The Island F.C. Principal Owner and Chairman Mitchell Rechler and Team President Peter Zaratin have a plan. They will build a privately funded, fan-friendly stadium at Mitchel Athletic Complex in Uniondale, NY. The stadium is designed to seat 2,500 at launch. It has the ability to increase to 5,000 seats. The multi-functional stadium and entertainment complex will also serve as a year-round academy training facility. It will host various competition sports and community events. It is intended to provide a gathering place for Long Islanders as well as generate local economic activity.

In addition to launching an MLS NEXT Pro team, The Island F.C. is focused on expanding opportunities for young players to grow. They aim to help them succeed as well. Future programming will be announced soon. Enhanced scholarship programs and a strengthened youth-college-pro pathway will help aspiring athletes pursue their goals. Youth academy expansion efforts in Suffolk County will further unify Long Island’s player development landscape. They will bridge Nassau and Suffolk through shared infrastructure. Players will have elite training access and benefit from long-term investment.

The Island F.C. plans to announce its full branding, including logos, as well as stadium renderings in Spring 2026.

Pending sanctioning approval by the U.S. Soccer Federation, The Island F.C. will join fellow MLS NEXT Pro independent clubs. These clubs will begin play in the coming years: AC Grand Rapids, Cleveland, CT United FC, and Jacksonville Armada. Two independent clubs currently compete in the League. Carolina Core FC and Chattanooga FC are the teams.

They both began playing in 2024.