ANALYSIS OF PERFORMANCE METRICS IN SOCCER PLAYERS ACROSS AGE GROUPS AND PROFESSIONAL LEVELS IN AN MLS ORGANIZATION

Abstract

This study investigates the variations in performance metrics across a professional, Next Pro, and youth academy teams within a Major League Soccer (MLS) organization, focusing on both physical testing (n=143 players) and in-game metrics (n=101 players). Metrics included eccentric mean power (EMP) and vertical jump height (JH) collected from a counter movement jump test, eccentric hamstring strength (EHS) collected from a Nordic test, and high-speed running (HSR), distance in zone 6 (zone 6), and distance per minute (m/min) collected from satellite GPS monitoring. One-way ANOVAs with post-hoc LSD tests revealed significant differences in physical metrics (JH, EMP; p < 0.001, EHS; p < 0.0001) between the professional, next pro or academy teams (team level comparison). Youth players (18-20 years) on the professional team demonstrated superior performance in several metrics (JH, EMP; p < 0.001) compared to the Next Pro and U19 teams (youth level comparison) along with significant differences (JH; (p<0.002), EMP; (p<0.027), EHS; (p<0.003)) found between players aged 18-25 on the professional and Next Pro team (elite level comparison) using an Independent T-test. In-game metrics showed more variability, on team level comparisons significance in HSR and zone 6 was found but no differences in m/min (HSR; (p<0.05), zone 6; (p<0.001)). Youth level comparisons found significance in HSR (p<0.001), and no differences existed for elite level comparisons. Correlation analysis indicated significant relationships between physical and in-game metrics. These findings suggest that while maturation influences performance, other factors also contribute to the progression to higher-level teams. This study adds to the limited body of research comparing physical and performance metrics across age groups and team levels within a single soccer organization, offering valuable insights into the physical attributes that align with successful professional play and the developmental pathways of youth soccer players.