United Soccer League (USL) is an organizer of soccer leagues in the United States. It operates several men's and women's leagues, both professional. Men's leagues currently organized are the USL Championship, USL League One, USL League Two, and the youth league, USL Youth. A women's league, the USL W League, began play in 2022.[2] It is directly affiliated with the United States Soccer Federation and the United States Adult Soccer Association. The USL is headquartered in Tampa, Florida.[3]
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| Industry | Soccer |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1986 |
| Founder | Francisco Marcos[1] |
| Headquarters | , U.S. |
Area served |
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Key people |
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| Website | uslsoccer |
History
editThe United Soccer League (USL) traces its roots to 1985 when Francisco Marcos founded the Southwest Indoor Soccer League. Initially intended as a minor indoor league associated with the Major Indoor Soccer League, it began with five teams owned by operators of indoor soccer arenas in the Southwest United States. By 1986, Marcos’ own team, the Austin Sockadillos, joined the league, expanding it to six teams. [4]
In 1989, the league shifted its focus beyond semi-professional indoor soccer. A press release from that year revealed ambitions to align with the United States Soccer Federation (USSF)’s plan to professionalize soccer in the lead-up to the 1994 FIFA World Cup. The league aimed to become part of a structured, three-tiered system envisioned by the USSF. [5]
By 1990, the league began outdoor soccer competitions and rebranded as the Sunbelt Independent Soccer League, reflecting its broader ambitions. Throughout the 1990s, the league underwent significant changes, including a merger with the American Professional Soccer League in 1997 to form the A-League, solidifying its position in the U.S. soccer pyramid.[6]
In 2009, several USL First Division clubs expressed dissatisfaction with the league’s leadership and structure, leading to a significant split. These clubs formed a breakaway competition called the North American Soccer League (NASL), which aimed to operate as a separate second division under the USSF. This division sparked disputes over sanctioning rights between the USL and the NASL. In response, the USSF organized a temporary combined league in 2010 before officially sanctioning the NASL as a separate entity.[7]
In 2010, the USL unified its First Division and Second Division under the name USL Pro (now the USL Championship) to consolidate its professional competitions.[8] In 2013, USL Pro and Major League Soccer (MLS) entered a partnership to integrate their competitions, enhancing player development and strengthening the league’s professional status.[9]
In recent years, the USL has expanded its reach. It reintroduced the W League in 2022 to support women’s development and is set to launch the USL Super League in 2024 as a professional women’s competition.[10] [11]
Competitions
editMen’s Competitions
editThe USL operates three divisions within the U.S. soccer pyramid for men’s professional and developmental teams:
- USL Championship: The second division of professional soccer in the United States, sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation. It features clubs across the U.S. and Canada and includes a regular season and playoffs to determine the league champion.
- USL League One: The third division of professional soccer, launched in 2019 to focus on smaller markets and player development. It also features a regular season and playoffs.
- USL League Two: A developmental league primarily for collegiate players aspiring to go professional. It operates during the summer and provides a platform for scouting and talent development.
Women’s Competitions
edit- USL Super League: A professional league scheduled to launch in 2024, aiming for top-tier status within women’s soccer.
- USL W League: A pre-professional women’s league reintroduced in 2022 to create a pathway for collegiate players and young talent.
Historical Competitions
editThe USL has a history of organizing leagues and competitions that have since evolved or ceased operations:
- USL First Division: The former top-tier league operated by the USL until 2010, when it was restructured into the USL Pro (now USL Championship).
- USL Second Division: Operated as a lower-level professional league until 2010, when its teams were absorbed into other USL leagues.
- USL PDL (Premier Development League): A precursor to USL League Two, it operated as a developmental league for aspiring professional players before being rebranded in 2018.
- Southwest Indoor Soccer League: The USL’s original indoor competition, established in 1986. It provided a platform for amateur and semi-professional teams in the Southwest United States.
- Sunbelt Independent Soccer League (Indoor Division): After expanding into outdoor soccer in 1990, the league continued operating indoor divisions to maintain year-round competition. The indoor leagues were phased out as the organization shifted its focus to outdoor soccer in the 1990s.
These competitions show the evolution of the USL from its origins as an indoor soccer league to a modern, multi-tiered system supporting professional and developmental soccer across North America.
Champions
editIndoor seasons
edit| Season | Winner | Final score | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986/87 | Addison Arrows | 7–2 | Lubbock Lazers |
| 1987/88 | Oklahoma City Warriors | 3–0 | Austin Sockadillos |
| 1988/89 | Lubbock Lazers | 3 games to 2 | Austin Sockadillos |
| 1989/90 | Addison Arrows | 3 games to 0 | Phoenix Hearts |
| 1990/91 | Colorado Comets | 3 games to 0 | Oklahoma City Warriors |
| 1991/92 | Oklahoma City Warriors | 7–2 | Atlanta Magic |
| 1992/93 | Atlanta Magic | 11–7 | Arizona Cotton |
| 1993/94 | Atlanta Magic | 8–3 | Chattanooga Express |
| 1994/95 | Atlanta Magic | 6–3 | Oklahoma City Slickers |
| 1995/96 | Baltimore Bays | 10–8 | Atlanta Magic |
| 1996/97 | Baltimore Bays | 5–4; 13–10 | Tulsa Roughnecks |
| 1997/98 | Baltimore Bays | 11–4 | Tulsa Roughnecks |
| The USISL ceased operating its own indoor league in 1998. From 2011–2014, the USL operated the MISL. | |||
| 2011/12 | Milwaukee Wave | 14–2; 12–10 | Baltimore Blast |
| 2012/13 | Baltimore Blast | 21–12; 8–6 | Missouri Comets |
| 2013/14 | Missouri Comets | 15–8; 4–19; 6–4 | Baltimore Blast |
Outdoor seasons 1989–2010
edit| Season | Winner | Final score | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semi-pro | |||
| 1989 | Colorado Comets | 3–1 | Addison Arrows |
| 1990 | Colorado Comets | ||
| 1991 | Richardson Rockets | 3–0 | New Mexico Chiles |
| 1992 | Palo Alto Firebirds | 1–0 | Tucson Amigos |
| 1993 | Greensboro Dynamo | 2–1 | Orlando Lions |
| 1994 | Greensboro Dynamo | 2–1 (SO) | Minnesota Thunder |
Outdoor seasons 2011–2018
editUnited Soccer League 2019–present
editW-League seasons 1995–2015
editW League seasons 2022–present
edit| Season | Winner | Final score | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 W League | Tormenta FC | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | Minnesota Aurora FC |
| 2023 W League | Indy Eleven | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | North Carolina Courage U23 |
| 2024 W League | North Carolina Courage U23 | 3–2 | Colorado Storm |
Complete historical team list
editUISL/USISL
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Staff
edit- Alec Papadakis – Chief executive officer
- Justin Papadakis – Chief operating officer and chief real estate officer
- Paul McDonough – President and chief soccer officer[16]
References
edit- ^ Kennedy, Paul (March 7, 2018). "Francisco Marcos: 'The impatient train left a long time ago'". Soccer America. Archived from the original on December 15, 2018. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
- ^ "USL announces return of the W League from 2022 – SportsPro Media". www.sportspromedia.com. Archived from the original on June 16, 2021. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
- ^ "About". www.uslsoccer.com. Archived from the original on August 29, 2017. Retrieved August 22, 2017.
- ^ "The Origins of the United Soccer League". U.S. Soccer History. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
- ^ "A Comprehensive History of the USL". SOC Takes. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
- ^ "A Comprehensive History of the USL". SOC Takes. Retrieved December 22, 2024. In 1999, it adopted the name United Soccer Leagues to reflect its expanding scope."A Comprehensive History of the USL". SOC Takes. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
- ^ "USSF Plans One-Year Second Division League". Sports Business Journal. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
- ^ "USL Championship Overview". United Soccer League. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
- ^ "Garber Proud of Progress with USL-MLS Partnership". United Soccer League. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
- ^ "United Soccer League Overview". United Soccer League. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
- ^ "USL Super League Overview". United Soccer League. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
- ^ "USL Championship Final Cancelled, Season Concludes with Tampa Bay, Phoenix as Conference Title-Winners". USLChampionship.com. October 31, 2020. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
- ^ "USL League One Final Cancelled, Greenville Named 2020 Title-Winners". USLLeagueOne.com Staff. October 29, 2020. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
- ^ "USL League Two cancels 2020 season". Matthew Ralph. brotherlygame.com. April 30, 2020. Archived from the original on June 7, 2020. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
- ^ "USL cancels 2020 League Two season, extends pro league suspensions". Jenny Hojnacki. sbisoccer.com. April 30, 2020. Archived from the original on June 9, 2020. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
- ^ "United Soccer League Names Experienced Soccer Executive Paul McDonough as USL President and Chief Soccer Officer". United Soccer League. May 8, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023.