MLS NEXT: Why Bayside FC wanted to expand with two more teams

Bayside FC's Randy Vang gets past a group of defenders. (Bayside FC)

Bayside FC is expanding its MLS NEXT presence, beginning in August.

The Rhode Island-based club will be adding U-16 and U-19 MLS NEXT teams, while it already offers U-13 and U-14 sides at that level.

"We think it’s a great opportunity for the kids and a great opportunity for our staff," said Bayside FC MLS NEXT Director Kevin Bacher. "It’ll be a challenge for those ages. We have 13 and 14 now and I think MLS likes what we’ve been trying to do in terms of the model, where we have a really good relationship with the (New England) Revs, so we push our top players to the Revs, we don’t hold them back. I think that’s obviously the model that the MLS league is looking at, in terms of pushing the better players to the professional organizations."