USL Division One

Last updated

USL Division One
USL Division One.svg
Interim logo
Organizing body United Soccer League
First season2027–28 (proposed)
CountryUnited States
Confederation CONCACAF
Number of clubs12 (proposed)
Level on pyramid 1 (proposed)
Relegation to USL Championship
Domestic cup(s) U.S. Open Cup
League cup(s) USL Cup
International cup(s) CONCACAF
Champions Cup

USL Division One is the tentative name for a proposed professional men's soccer league in the highest level of the United States league system, alongside Major League Soccer. Organized by the United Soccer League (USL), it would supersede the USL Championship as its premier league for men, and would employ a promotion and relegation system with the Championship.

Contents

History

The USL announced its intent to establish a new Division I league via a press release published on February 13, 2025. USL clubs were informed of the decision the day prior. [1] [2] [3] Before making their announcement, the USL waited for the outcome of N. Am. Soccer League, LLC v. U.S. Soccer Fed'n, Inc. in the United States District Court, E.D.N.Y., which ultimately ruled on February 3 that U.S. Soccer's league system was legal and did not break antitrust laws. [4]

Format

USL Division One would play a spring-to-fall schedule, and would not employ a college draft a la the MLS SuperDraft. [5] A system of promotion and relegation would be implemented, in which the worst-performing teams in Division One would be replaced by the best-performing teams in the USL Championship at the end of each season. [6] [7] [8]

Teams

U.S. Soccer stipulates that a league must have a minimum of twelve teams to qualify for Division I sanctioning, and fourteen teams by its third season. The league must have teams situated in the Eastern, Central, and Pacific time zones, and at least three quarters of the teams must be based in metropolitan areas with a population of a million or more. [2] [9] [10] All clubs must play in a venue with a capacity of 15,000 or more, and have an ownership group with a combined net worth of US$70 million. An individual owner with a net worth of US$40 million must also have a 35% or greater stake in the club. [9] [10] The USL Championship's Birmingham Legion, Miami FC, and Oakland Roots currently meet the stadium and market population requirements. [3] The USL are also open to applications from clubs from outside the USL system. [5]

References

  1. ↑ Becherano, Lizzy (February 13, 2025). "USL announces plans to start new league that would rival MLS". ESPN . Archived from the original on February 13, 2025. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  2. 1 2 Schneider, Jacob (February 13, 2025). "USL intends to launch rival Division 1 men's soccer league in 2027-28 to challenge MLS". Goal.com . Archived from the original on February 17, 2025. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  3. 1 2 Cattry, Pardeep (February 13, 2025). "USL to launch first division men's league: Here's everything to know about potential MLS rival". CBS Sports . Archived from the original on February 17, 2025. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  4. ↑ Tenorino, Paul (February 13, 2025). "Move over, Major League Soccer. A rival top flight men's league is coming to the U.S." . The Athletic . Archived from the original on February 13, 2025. Retrieved February 20, 2025. McDonough said the USL waited for the trial to conclude before moving forward with its plans.
  5. 1 2 Peterson, Anne M. (February 14, 2025). "New top-tier men's soccer league coming to the United States". Associated Press . Archived from the original on February 17, 2025. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  6. ↑ "USL votes to adopt pro-rel in 2027 when Division One launches". ESPN . March 19, 2025. Archived from the original on March 19, 2025. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
  7. ↑ Steiner, Ben (March 19, 2025). "Promotion-Relegation Coming to American Professional Soccer, per Report". Sports Illustrated . Archived from the original on March 19, 2025. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
  8. ↑ Thompson, Andrew (March 19, 2025). "USL makes history after official adoption of promotion-relegation system". OneFootball . Archived from the original on March 25, 2025. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
  9. 1 2 Abnos, Alexander (February 13, 2025). "USL announces intention to start new league at same tier as MLS". The Guardian . Archived from the original on February 17, 2025. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  10. 1 2 "USL plans to launch Division I men's league, take on MLS". Street & Smith's Sports Business Journal . February 13, 2025. Archived from the original on February 17, 2025. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
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