Professional men's soccer league in the United States
Football league
TheUSL Championship (USLC ) is a men's professionalsoccer league in the second tier of theUnited States league system . It is organized by theUnited Soccer League (USL) as its premier league for men aboveUSL League One . Operating under afranchise model , 24 teams divided between the league'sEastern andWestern conferences compete in an annualround-robin regular season , lasting from spring to fall. At the end of the season, the top team overall wins thePlayers' Shield , while the top eight teams in each conference advance to aplayoff tournament culminating in theUSL Championship final , which determines the champion. The league's teams also simultaneously compete in theU.S. Open Cup andUSL Cup .
Playing itsfirst season in 2011 asUSL Pro , and later theUSL , the league formed from the merger of the USL's preceding two pro leagues, after a number of clubs broke away to found theNorth American Soccer League . It was initially sanctioned byU.S. Soccer as a third-tier league, but was later promoted to the second tier in 2017.Reserve teams ofMajor League Soccer (MLS) franchises also competed in the league from 2014 to the advent ofMLS Next Pro in 2022. The Championship adopted its current name following the re-establishment of a second pro league in 2019. A third pro league, tentatively namedUSL Division One , is currently being planned to supersede the Championship as the USL's premier league.
As of the2024 season ,Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC are the current champions, whileLouisville City FC andOrlando City SC have won the most championships each (2). The current Players' Shield holders are Louisville City FC, while Orlando City SC have won the most Players' Shields (3). Three former USL Championship teams – Orlando City SC,FC Cincinnati , andNashville SC – are now MLS franchises.
[ edit ] Logo of USL Pro – the competition's original name from 2011 to 2014. Thoughleaked by theDayton Dutch Lions weeks prior,[ 1] press release the merger of itsFirst andSecond Division into theUSL Pro , a new league withD3 status granted byU.S. Soccer .[ 2] Premier Development League (PDL) team, joined the new competition alongside the five remaining Second Division clubs: theCharleston Battery ,Charlotte Eagles ,Harrisburg City Islanders ,Pittsburgh Riverhounds , andRichmond Kickers ;[ 3] [ 4] [ 5] [ 6] [ 7] Wilmington Hammerheads , who last played in the Second Division.[ 8] Orlando City SC , after relocating toOrlando, Florida .[ 9] [ 10] Rochester Rhinos also joined, aborting their plan to defect from the USL to the NASL.[ 11]
USL Pro charter clubs American Division National Division International Division Bold Currently playing (2025) Italics Left
USL President Tim Holt initially hoped to launch USL Pro with 14–20 teams across fourconferences .[ 8] [ 12] Caribbean " and "Western " division – the league added thePuerto Rico Soccer League 's (PRSL)Puerto Rico United ,River Plate Puerto Rico , andSevilla FC Puerto Rico ; and theAntigua Barracuda andLos Angeles Blues ; asexpansion teams to serve as "building blocks" for these divisions.[ 13] [ 14] [ 15] 2011 season , these five clubs were grouped in a "International" division, while the nine existing USL clubs and another expansion team,F.C. New York ,[ 16] [ 17]
The league's first match took place on April 2, 2011 atCity Stadium inRichmond, Virginia , where the Kickers defeated Orlando City andStanley Nyazamba scored the league's first goal.[ 18] [ 19] de facto single division, with their teams only occasionally playing International opponents.[ 20] [ 21] [ 22] [ 23] [ 24] [ 25] [ 26] National Premier Soccer League at the end of the season.[ 27] [ 28] 2012 season ,[ 29] [ 30] [ 31]
[ edit ] In the2013 season ,affiliations withMajor League Soccer (MLS) clubs began as part of a partnership that aimed to improve "player development, competition and the overall business" of American soccer, according to MLS executive Todd Durbin.[ 32] [ 33] [ 34] Phoenix FC andVSI Tampa Bay FC entered the league,[ 35] [ 36] [ 37] franchise rights revoked for allegedly committingaccounting fraud andwage theft ,[ 38] [ 39] [ 40] without a win or draw .[ 41] Arizona United SC , who began play the following season.[ 42] successful bid to enter the MLS.[ 43]
Sacramento Republic FC (pictured) won the championship, and doubled the season average attendance record in their inaugural 2014 season.Choosing not to affiliate with a USL club, theLA Galaxy founded areserve team ,[ 44] 2014 season alongside Arizona United,Oklahoma City Energy FC , andSacramento Republic FC .[ 45] [ 46] [ 47] [ 48] [ 49] [ 50] [ 51] [ 52] [ 53] [ 54] Charlotte Independence andLouisville City FC respectively.[ 55] [ 56]
Reserve teams fielded byMLS clubs, such as 2016 championsNew York Red Bulls II (pictured) , populated the league from 2014 to 2022.The two clubs began play in the2015 season of theUSL , which dropped "Pro" from its name, alongsideColorado Springs Switchbacks FC ,Saint Louis FC , and theTusla Roughnecks .[ 57] Austin Aztex also joined, but entered a hiatus after the season due to financial troubles caused by ahistoric flood that damaged their home ground.[ 58] [ 59] MLS Reserve League .[ 60] [ 61] Eastern " and "Western " conferences, where teams played 22 intraconference and six interconference games,[ 62] D2 status in early 2015.[ 57] shutouts (17) and fewest goals allowed (15) on their way to their fourth and final USL title.[ 63] [ 64]
FC Cincinnati (pictured) repeatedly broke attendance records during their tenure in the USL from 2016 to 2018.Three more MLS reserve teams entered in the2016 season ,[ 65] [ 66] [ 67] San Antonio FC ,[ 68] FC Cincinnati ,[ 69] Rio Grande Valley FC Toros – a "hybrid" club with independent ownership, but managed by the MLS'sHouston Dynamo FC .[ 70] [ 71] [ 72] [ 73] [ 74] New York Red Bulls II became the first MLS reserve team to win a USL title.[ 75] Baltimore, Maryland being reportedly planned by the club.[ 76] [ 77]
[ edit ] Louisville City FC (pictured) won two consecutive championships in 2017 and 2018.Seeking to arrest financial losses incurred while playing in the NASL, theOttawa Fury andTampa Bay Rowdies defected to the USL ahead of the2017 season ,[ 78] [ 79] provisional D2 status to both the NASL and USL.[ 80] [ 81] Reno 1868 FC also joined,[ 82] Montreal Impact foldedtheir reserve team for a Fury affiliation.[ 83] Premier League Hall of Famer Didier Drogba , who also signed for the club.[ 84] [ 85] [ 86] [ 87] [ 88] [ 89] [ 90] [ 91] Orlando City B (OCB) went on hiatus due to a lack of players and staff.[ 92]
Indy Eleven (pictured) were one of four NASL clubs to join the USL amid its collapse during 2017 and 2018.For the2018 season , the USL gained full D2 status, while the NASL was stripped of theirs.[ 93] preliminary injunction against the decision was denied, leading to the NASL's collapse, and its clubs scattering.[ 94] [ 95] [ 96] Indy Eleven andNorth Carolina FC ,[ 97] [ 98] Fresno FC ,Las Vegas Lights FC ,[ 99] [ 100] Nashville SC .[ 101] San Diego 1904 FC , were denied entry as concerns arose over its ownership, home ground, and lack of local investment.[ 102] [ 103] Atlanta United enteredtheir reserve team , while theVancouver Whitecaps foldedtheirs for a Fresno affiliation.[ 104] [ 105] [ 106] their bid to enter the MLS,[ 107] [ 108] [ 109] [ 110]
In 2019, the USL was split into the USL Championship
(top) and
USL League One (bottom) .
After a decade playing as a single league, the USL returned to a two-division structure in the2019 season . It rebranded its D2 league as theUSL Championship and introduced a new D3 league,USL League One ,[ 111] Toronto FC II moved.[ 112] [ 113] [ 114] D.C. United 'sLoudoun United FC became the league's final MLS reserve team,[ 115] Birmingham Legion FC ,[ 116] El Paso Locomotive FC ,[ 117] Hartford Athletic ,[ 118] Memphis 901 FC ,[ 119] New Mexico United .[ 120] Austin Bold FC .[ 121] [ 122] Real Monarchs became the second and last MLS reserve team to win a USL title,[ 123] [ 124] [ 125] [ 126] their bid to join, Nashville became the seventh USL club to move to MLS.[ 127] [ 128] Concacaf and U.S. Soccer denied them permission to continue play in an American league.[ 129] Miami FC , aNational Independent Soccer Association (NISA) club that first played in the NASL.[ 130] [ 131]
[ edit ] Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the league and its clubs (Hartford Athletic pictured) continued to experience rapid growth. San Diego Loyal SC began play in the 2020 season.[ 132] Saint Louis FC folded at the end of the 2020 season. At the time, the city was set to receive an MLS franchise, withSt. Louis City SC ultimately starting play in 2023. A spokesperson for SLFC toldSports Illustrated financial impact ofCOVID-19 and MLS on the horizon, it didn't make sense to continue operations."[ 133] Philadelphia Union andPortland Timbers , withdrew their reserve sides,Philadelphia Union II andPortland Timbers 2 , from the United Soccer League system.[ 134]
An expansion team was announced for theNew York City borough ofQueens to be namedQueensboro FC .[ 135] [ 136] [ 137] [ 138] East Bay club's bid had faltered due to stadium issues and its USL franchise rights were purchased byOakland Roots SC , which had previously played in NISA, who started play in the USLC in the 2021 season.[ 139] [ 140]
On November 6, 2020,Reno 1868 FC announced it was ceasing operations as a result of the financial and operational impacts of COVID-19.[ 141] North Carolina FC club chairmanStephen Malik announced that the club would make a "strategic move" toUSL League One .[ 142]
Detroit City FC (pictured) was one of threeNISA clubs to join the USL Championship in a span of two years.On February 1, 2021,Monterey Bay FC , which is a continuation of USLC'sFresno FC , joined the USL Championship since Beshoff, the owner of Fresno, was able to retain franchise rights after Fresno ceased operations due to lack of securing construction of asoccer-specific stadium , and landed the franchise in Monterey Bay atCardinale Stadium on the campus ofCalifornia State University, Monterey Bay inSeaside, California . On November 13, 2021, it was announced thatDetroit City would join the USL Championship for the 2022 USL Championship season, becoming the third NISA team to join the league afterMiami FC andOakland Roots SC .[ 143] Charlotte Independence decided to drop down to the third tierUSL League One for 2022, with the goal of better serving its youth players, as well as the fact that a new expansion franchise in the cityCharlotte FC was joiningMajor League Soccer that season, with whom several Independence players had signed for.[ 144] [ 145]
On December 3, 2021,Oklahoma City Energy FC announced that it would temporarily suspend soccer operations and would not compete in the 2022 USL Championship season.[ 146] [ 147] [ 148] 2023 USL Championship season , they have since come out with a new majority ownership group, Echo Investment Capital that would build a stadium inBricktown with part of the money reserved fromthe city's MAPS 4 penny tax initiative , with plans to return for the2027 USL Championship season .[ 149] [ 150]
[ edit ] On December 6, 2021,Major League Soccer announcedMLS Next Pro , a Division III league that would begin play in 2022. The MLS–USL partnership that started in 2014 came to an end: all MLS clubs with reserve teams in USL Championship or USL League One would be moving their affiliated teams to MLS Next Pro by 2023, with the exception ofLoudoun United FC (although under different ownership).[ 151] Austin Bold FC . The new ownership group consists ofDonnie Nelson , Neil Leibman, and Bobby Epstein. The team has not participated since the 2021 USL Championship season as it actively seeks relocation to another city in Texas.[ 152]
On January 27, 2022, the USL officially awardedUSL Pro Iowa an expansion team to be based inDes Moines, Iowa , that would join the league in the 2024 season. The team's majority owner is Kyle Krause, who has been the majority owner of USL League Two sideDes Moines Menace since 1998.[ 153] New Orleans, Louisiana , with a goal for the Championship side to kick off by 2025.[ 154]
Rhode Island FC(pictured) was one of many clubs announced as expansion franchises into the Championship during the late 2010s-early 20s. On August 12, 2022, ground was broken inPawtucket, Rhode Island , onCentreville Bank Stadium that will be the permanent home ofRhode Island FC .[ 155] [ 156] Jacksonville, Florida , with the goal for the Championship side to kick off in 2025.[ 157] USL Milwaukee , set to begin play in 2025 with plans to build an8,000-seat stadium inMilwaukee, Wisconsin .[ 158]
[ edit ] On July 12, 2023, the USL awarded an expansion team to a team that would later be calledOzark United FC [ 159] Rogers, Arkansas , with a goal for the Championship and Super League sides to kick off by 2026 and play in a new 5,000-seat stadium.[ 160]
On August 7, 2023,North Carolina FC majority ownerSteve Malik announced that the club would come back fromUSL League One to the USL Championship starting from the 2024 season.[ 161]
TheSan Diego Loyal SC (pictured) were one of a handful of teams in the USL Championship affected by MLS expansion. On August 24, 2023,San Diego Loyal ownership announced that the team would shut down at the end of the season due to an inability to find a "viable near- and long-term stadium solution".[ 162] [ 163] Major League Soccer announced a San Diego expansion team that would begin play in 2025 asSan Diego FC .[ 162] Phoenix Rising , the eventual playoff champions.[ 164]
On November 29, 2023, it was announced that Milwaukee's expansion would be deferred to the 2026 season.[ 165] USL Palm Beach with the intent to bring USL Championship and Super League teams toPalm Beach County, Florida , with a goal for the Super League side to kick off by 2025.[ 166]
On December 18, 2023,Rio Grande Valley FC Toros announced they were ceasing all soccer and business operations, officially ending their eight-year business partnership withUSL .[ 167]
On March 7, 2024, it was announced that Brooklyn FC, originally vying for a spot in League One, would instead move their efforts to try to get a team in the Championship by 2025, along with getting their women's side to play in the inauguralUSL Super League season in 2024, both playing atMaimonides Park , the home also to baseball'sBrooklyn Cyclones .[ 168] [ 169]
In August 2024, the USL announced thatLexington SC would move from League One to the Championship in the 2025 season.[ 170]
On November 13, 2024, the USL announced thatMemphis 901 FC would cease operations, with their franchise rights being moved toSanta Barbara Sky FC . The Sky, initially planning to play in League One in 2025, will now begin play in the Championship starting with the 2026 season.[ 171] quarterfinal playoff loss to Orange County.
The following teams are playing in the 2025 season.[ 172]
Overview of USL Championship teams Conference Team City Stadium Capacity Founded Joined Head coach Eastern Conference Birmingham Legion FC Birmingham, Alabama Protective Stadium [ i] [ 173] 47,100 2017 2019 Mark Briggs [ 174] Charleston Battery Mount Pleasant, South Carolina Patriots Point Soccer Complex [ ii] [ 175] 3,900 1993 2011 Ben Pirmann [ 176] Detroit City FC Hamtramck, Michigan Keyworth Stadium [ i] [ 177] [ ii] [ 178] 7,933 2012 2022 Danny Dichio [ 179] Hartford Athletic Hartford, Connecticut Trinity Health Stadium [ ii] [ 180] 5,500 2018 2019 Brendan Burke [ 181] Indy Eleven Indianapolis, Indiana Carroll Stadium [ i] [ 182] 10,524 2013 2018 Sean McAuley [ 183] Loudoun United FC Leesburg, Virginia Segra Field [ ii] [ 184] 5,000 2018 2019 Ryan Martin Louisville City FC Louisville, Kentucky Lynn Family Stadium [ ii] [ 185] 15,304 2014 2015 Danny Cruz [ 186] Miami FC University Park, Florida Pitbull Stadium [ i] [ 187] 20,000 2015 2020 North Carolina FC Cary, North Carolina WakeMed Soccer Park [ ii] [ 188] 10,000 2006 2007 John Bradford [ 189] [ 190] Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Highmark Stadium [ ii] [ 191] 5,000 1998 2011 Bob Lilley [ 192] Rhode Island FC Pawtucket, Rhode Island Centreville Bank Stadium [ ii] [ 193] 10,500 2019 2024 Khano Smith [ 194] Tampa Bay Rowdies St. Petersburg, Florida Al Lang Stadium [ iii] [ 195] 7,227 2008 2017 Robbie Neilson [ 196] Western Conference Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC Colorado Springs, Colorado Weidner Field [ ii] [ 197] 8,000 2013 2015 James Chambers [ 198] El Paso Locomotive FC El Paso, Texas Southwest University Park [ iii] [ 199] 9,500 2018 2019 Wilmer Cabrera [ 200] Las Vegas Lights FC Las Vegas, Nevada Cashman Field [ ii] [ 201] [ 202] 9,334 2017 2018 Lexington SC Lexington, Kentucky Lexington SC Stadium [ ii] [ 203] 7,500 2021[ 204] [ 205] 2025[ 206] Terry Boss [ 207] Monterey Bay FC Seaside, California Cardinale Stadium [ ii] [ 208] 6,000 2021 2022 Jordan Stewart [ 209] New Mexico United Albuquerque, New Mexico Rio Grande Credit Union Field [ iii] [ 210] [ ii] [ 211] 13,500 2018 2019 Oakland Roots SC Oakland, California Oakland Coliseum [ i] 15,000 2018 2021 Benny Feilhaber [ 212] Orange County SC Irvine, California Championship Soccer Stadium [ ii] [ 213] 5,000 2010 2011 Danny Stone Phoenix Rising FC Phoenix, Arizona Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium [ ii] [ 214] 10,000 2014 Pa-Modou Kah Sacramento Republic FC Sacramento, California Heart Health Park [ ii] [ 215] [ ii] [ 216] 11,569 2012 2014 Neill Collins [ 217] San Antonio FC San Antonio, Texas Toyota Field [ ii] [ 218] 8,296 2016 Carlos Llamosa [ 219] FC Tulsa Tulsa, Oklahoma Oneok Field [ iii] [ 220] 7,833 2013 2015 Luke Spencer [ 221]
Overview of USL Championship planned teams Team City Stadium Capacity Founded Joining Head coach On League Website Brooklyn FC [ 222] Brooklyn ,New York City ,New York Maimonides Park [ iii] [ 223] 7,000 2023[ 224] 2026[ 225] Yes Sporting Club Jacksonville [ 226] Jacksonville, Florida TBD TBD 2022 2026[ 227] [ 228] Yes Santa Barbara Sky FC [ 229] Santa Barbara, California Harder Stadium [ i] [ 230] 17,000 2022 2026[ 231] Yes Milwaukee Pro Soccer [ 232] Milwaukee, Wisconsin Iron District Stadium [ ii] [ 233] 8,000 2022 2026[ 233] [ 234] Yes Buffalo Pro Soccer [ 235] Buffalo, New York Buffalo Pro Soccer Stadium[ ii] [ 236] TBD 2024 2027[ 237] No Atlético Dallas [ 238] [ 239] Garland, Texas Cotton Bowl [ 240] 90,000 2024 2027[ 241] Yes Ozark United FC [ 242] [ 243] Rogers, Arkansas Ozark United Stadium[ ii] [ 244] 5,000 2023 2027[ 245] No USL Pro Iowa [ 246] [ 247] Des Moines, Iowa Pro Iowa Stadium[ ii] [ 248] 6,300 2022 TBD[ 249] Yes USL Palm Beach [ 250] Palm Beach County, Florida TBD TBD 2023 TBD No
Notes
Overview of former USL Championship teams Club City Stadium Capacity Joined Final season MLS affiliation Fate Antigua Barracuda FC St. John's , AntiguaStanford Cricket Ground 5,000 2011 2013 None Folded[ 40] Atlanta United 2 Kennesaw, Georgia Fifth Third Bank Stadium [ i] 8,318 2018 2022 Atlanta United Moved toMLS Next Pro [ 254] Austin Bold FC Austin, Texas Circuit of the Americas 5,000 2017 2021 None Folded[ 152] Austin Aztex Austin, Texas House Park [ i] 6,500 2015 Columbus Crew SC Folded[ 58] [ 59] Charlotte Eagles Charlotte, North Carolina Dickson Field [ ii] 5,006 2011 2014 None Moved toPremier Development League [ iii] [ 55] Charlotte Independence Charlotte, North Carolina Memorial Stadium [ ii] 10,500 2014 2021 None Moved toUSL League One [ 255] FC Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio Nippert Stadium [ i] 33,800 2015 2018 None Moved toMajor League Soccer [ 107] Dayton Dutch Lions West Carrollton, Ohio DOC Stadium [ i] 3,000 2011 2014 Columbus Crew SC Moved toPremier Development League [ iii] [ 51] FC Montreal Montreal, Quebec Complexe sportif Claude-Robillard [ i] 3,500 2015 2016 Montreal Impact Folded byMLS parent club[ 83] F.C. New York Queens ,New York Belson Stadium [ ii] 2,168 2011 None Moved toNational Premier Soccer League [ 29] Fresno FC Fresno, California Chukchansi Park [ iv] 12,500 2017 2019 None Relocated toMonterey County, California , becameMonterey Bay FC [ 128] LA Galaxy II Carson, California Dignity Health Sports Park [ i] 10,000 2014 2022 LA Galaxy Moved toMLS Next Pro [ 254] Memphis 901 FC Memphis, Tennessee AutoZone Park [ iv] 10,000 2018 2024 None Folded; USL rights transferred toSanta Barbara Sky FC [ 256] Nashville SC Nashville, Tennessee First Horizon Park [ iv] 10,000 2016 2019 None Moved toMajor League Soccer [ 127] New York Red Bulls II Montclair, New Jersey MSU Soccer Park [ ii] 5,000 2015 2022 New York Red Bulls Moved toMLS Next Pro [ 254] Orlando City B Orlando ,Florida Inter&Co Stadium [ ii] 3,500 2016 2017 Orlando City SC Moved toUSL League One [ 257] [ 112] Orlando City SC Bay Lake ,Florida ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex [ i] 5,500 2011 2014 Sporting Kansas City Moved toMajor League Soccer ;[ 52] [ 258] Louisville Ottawa Fury FC Ottawa ,Ontario TD Place Stadium [ i] 24,000 2017 2019 Montreal Impact Folded[ 129] Miami [ 259] Penn FC Harrisburg, Pennsylvania FNB Field [ iv] 6,187 2011 2018 None Folded[ 113] Philadelphia Union II Chester, Pennsylvania Subaru Park [ ii] 18,500 2015 2020 Philadelphia Union Moved toMLS Next Pro [ 254] Phoenix FC Tempe, Arizona Sun Devil Soccer Stadium [ i] 3,400 2013 None Folded; replaced byArizona United SC [ v] Portland Timbers 2 Hillsboro, Oregon Hillsboro Stadium [ i] 7,600 2015 2020 Portland Timbers Moved toMLS Next Pro [ 254] Puerto Rico United [ vi] Aguada, Puerto Rico Aguada Stadium [ ii] 4,000 2011 None Moved toLiga Nacional (PR) Real Monarchs Herriman, Utah Zions Bank Stadium [ ii] 5,000 2015 2021 Real Salt Lake Moved toMLS Next Pro [ 254] Reno 1868 FC Reno, Nevada Greater Nevada Field [ iv] 9,013 2017 2020 San Jose Earthquakes Folded[ 141] Richmond Kickers Richmond, Virginia City Stadium [ ii] 22,000 2011 2018 D.C. United Moved toUSL League One [ 260] Rio Grande Valley FC Edinburg, Texas H-E-B Park [ ii] 9,400 2016 2023 None Folded[ 261] [ 262] [ 167] River Plate Puerto Rico [ vi] Fajardo, Puerto Rico Roberto Clemente Stadium [ i] 12,500 2011 None Moved toPuerto Rico Soccer League Rochester Rhinos Rochester ,New York Rochester Community Sports Complex Stadium [ ii] 13,768 2011 2017 New England Revolution Moved toMLS Next Pro [ 263] [ 254] Saint Louis FC Fenton, Missouri West Community Stadium [ ii] 5,500 2014 2020 None Folded[ 264] [ 265] San Diego Loyal SC San Diego, California Torero Stadium [ ii] 6,000 2020 2023 None Folded[ 266] Sevilla Puerto Rico [ vi] Juncos, Puerto Rico Josué Elevadito González Stadium[ ii] 2,500 2011 None Moved toLiga Nacional (PR) Sporting Kansas City II Kansas City, Kansas Children's Mercy Park [ ii] 18,467 2016 2021 Sporting Kansas City Moved toMLS Next Pro [ 254] Tacoma Defiance Tacoma, Washington Cheney Stadium [ iv] 6,500 2015 2021 Seattle Sounders FC Moved toMLS Next Pro [ 254] Toronto FC II Toronto ,Ontario Lamport Stadium [ i] 9,600 2014 2018 Toronto FC Moved toUSL League One Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 Vancouver ,British Columbia Thunderbird Stadium [ i] 3,500 2015 2017 Vancouver Whitecaps FC Moved toMLS Next Pro [ 254] VSI Tampa Bay FC Plant City, Florida Plant City Stadium [ i] 6,700 2013 2013 None Folded[ 40] Wilmington Hammerheads FC Wilmington, North Carolina Legion Stadium [ ii] 6,000 2011 2016 Toronto FC &New York City FC Moved toPDL [ iii]
From beginning of USL Pro to reserve team exit [ edit ] ‡ Puerto Rico clubsPuerto Rico United ,River Plate Puerto Rico , andSevilla Puerto Rico began play in the league, but in May 2011 United Soccer Leagues announced that the teams would not finish the season due to financial difficulties.[ 267]
After reserve team exit [ edit ] For the 2025 season, teams play a home-and-away schedule within their conference and an additional twelve games (six home and six away) against 8 of the 12 teams in the opposing conference for an unbalanced 30-game schedule. At the conclusion of the regular season, the top eight teams in each conference will qualify for the playoffs. The USL Championship playoffs is a single-elimination tournament with a fixed bracket format, culminating in theUSL Championship Final .[ 268]
Fox Sports purchased the league'sbroadcasting rights for the2011 and2012 seasons, and aired matches on itsFox Soccer channel, while the leaguelivestreamed matches on its USL Live website.[ 29] ESPN since the 2016 season. The first iteration of the deal brought 20 matches toESPN3 and the championship match to one of its linear networks, while all remaining matches were broadcast directly by the league on itsYouTube channel.[ 269]
Beginning with the launch ofESPN+ on April 12, 2018, all USL matches moved to theover-the-top service, with 18 games of the week and the championship continuing to air on one of ESPN's linear channels.[ 270] ESPN Deportes . The deal with ESPN expired after the 2019 season, but was subsequently renewed for three additional seasons. Although the ESPN+ match streams are notblacked out in-market, individual clubs are also allowed tosyndicate the USL-produced broadcast to local television stations.[ 271]
The English-language commentary team for theUSL Championship on ESPN has includedMike Watts and Devon Kerr since 2018. Watts and Kerr also host a weekly program,USL All-Access , onSirius XM FC. Broadcasts on ESPN Deportes have been led by Jesús Eduardo Acosta and José Armando Rodriguez.[ 272]
In August 2020, the USL announced their first international broadcast partner withCaribbean broadcaster Flow Sports.[ 273]
In August 2021, the USL announced a new broadcast agreement withOneFootball in Italy.[ 274]
The USL announced that four-year media deal withCBS Sports beginning with the 2024 season through 2027.[ 275] ESPN as a second broadcast partner through 2026.[ 276]
Teams that no longer participate in the USL Championship are initalics .
USL Championship Final results [ edit ] Season Champions Score Runners–up Venue Attendance MVP 2011 Orlando City SC 2–2 (p ) Harrisburg City Islanders Citrus Bowl 11,220 Sean Kelley (ORL )2012 Charleston Battery 1–0 Wilmington Hammerheads Blackbaud Stadium 4,963 Jose Cuevas (CHS )2013 Orlando City SC 7–4 Charlotte Eagles Citrus Bowl 20,886 Dom Dwyer (ORL )2014 Sacramento Republic 2–0 Harrisburg City Islanders Bonney Field 8,000 Rodrigo López (SAC )2015 Rochester Rhinos 2–1 (a.e.t. ) LA Galaxy II Sahlen's Stadium 5,247 Asani Samuels (ROC )2016 New York Red Bulls II 5–1 Swope Park Rangers Red Bull Arena 5,547 Brandon Allen (NYRB )2017 Louisville City FC 1–0 Swope Park Rangers Louisville Slugger Field 14,456 Paolo DelPiccolo (LOU )2018 Louisville City FC 1–0 Phoenix Rising FC Lynn Stadium 7,025 Luke Spencer (LOU )2019 Real Monarchs 3–1 Louisville City FC Lynn Stadium 7,025 Konrad Plewa (SLC )2020 Final cancelled due toCOVID-19 pandemic [ b] 2021 Orange County SC 3–1 Tampa Bay Rowdies Al Lang Stadium 7,521 Ronaldo Damus (OCO )2022 San Antonio FC 3–1 Louisville City FC Toyota Field 8,534 Santiago Patiño (SAN )2023 Phoenix Rising FC 1–1 (p ) Charleston Battery Patriots Point Soccer Complex 5,094 Rocco Ríos Novo (PHX )2024 Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC 3–0 Rhode Island FC Weidner Field 8,023 Juan Tejada (COS )
Updated to the end of the 2024 USL playoffs; sorted by major honors (championships).
As of January 27, 2024[ 277] > NOTE: Active players in any capacity are bolded. < FC Cincinnati played before a record crowd of 20,497 atNippert Stadium on April 16, 2016, in a rivalry match against neighboringLouisville City FC .[ 278] Sacramento Republic in its home debut on April 26, 2014, atHughes Stadium .[ 279] [ 280] [ 281]
Cincinnati broke the regular season record again on August 5, 2017, at Nippert Stadium, drawing 25,308 againstOrlando City B . They broke their own record again about six weeks later drawing 30,417 to a 4–2 win over the New York Red Bulls II.[ 282] Indy Eleven .[ 283]
Season Teams League avg. Playoff avg. Highest teams Lowest teams Ref 2011 12 2,274 5,555 5,330 (Orlando City) 410 (Los Angeles Blues) [ 284] 2012 11 2,777 4,252 6,606 (Orlando City) 666 (Los Angeles Blues) [ 285] 2013 13 2,611 6,989 8,056 (Orlando City) 378 (VSI Tampa Bay) [ 286] 2014 14 3,114 5,397 11,293 (Sacramento) 533 (Dayton) [ 287] 2015 24 3,369 5,463 11,313 (Sacramento) 313 (FC Montreal) [ 288] 2016 29 3,439 5,281 17,296 (FC Cincinnati) 243 (FC Montreal) [ 289] 2017 30 4,302 5,339 21,198 (FC Cincinnati) 632 (New York Red Bulls II) 2018 33 4,923 7,786 25,717 (FC Cincinnati) 810 (Toronto FC II) [ 290] 2019 36 4,478 5,389 12,693 (New Mexico United) 478 (Bethlehem Steel FC) 2020 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2021 31 4,138 6,645 12,115 (Louisville City) 310 (Loudoun United) [ 291] [ 292] 2022 27 5,061 7,841 14,673 (Louisville City FC) 122 (New York Red Bulls II) [ 293] 2023 24 5,803 6,394 10,627 (Sacramento) 1,432 (Miami FC) [ 294]
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RetrievedJune 6, 2025 .USL Championship club Las Vegas Lights FC owner Jose Bautista said that the club "will play the remainder of the 2025 season and the whole 2026 campaign" at Cashman Field before moving to a new venue, according to Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. ^ jbrambley (October 10, 2023)."Lexington Sporting Club Announces New State of the Art Stadium" .lexsporting.com . RetrievedNovember 12, 2024 . ^ "United Soccer League Welcomes Lexington Pro Soccer as League One Expansion Club" .USLLeagueOne.com . October 5, 2021. RetrievedOctober 22, 2022 .^ "Lexington Sporting Club Reveal Brand Identity" .USLLeagueOne.com . March 22, 2022. RetrievedOctober 22, 2022 .^ "Lexington Sporting Club to join USL Championship for 2025 season" .uslsoccer.com . August 13, 2024. RetrievedAugust 13, 2024 .^ dlilian (December 4, 2024)."Terry Boss Named Head Coach of Lexington Sporting Club's USL Championship Men's Team" .lexsporting.com . RetrievedDecember 5, 2024 . ^ "Cardinale Stadium" .montereybayfc.com . RetrievedNovember 15, 2024 .^ Vargo, Steven (August 5, 2024)."Monterey Bay F.C. Begins New Era, Names former English Premier League and SJ Earthquakes Defender Jordan Stewart Permanent Head Coach" .montereybayfc.com . RetrievedNovember 12, 2024 . ^ "Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park" .nexmexicoutd.com . RetrievedNovember 15, 2024 .^ "Albuquerque City Council Approves Lease Between New Mexico United & City of Albuquerque for Private Construction of Soccer Stadium at Balloon Fiesta Park" .newmexicoutd.com . RetrievedNovember 15, 2024 .^ "Former US midfielder Benny Feilhaber hired as coach of 2nd-tier Oakland Roots" .AP News . June 3, 2025. RetrievedJune 5, 2025 .^ Orange County SC Communications (October 11, 2023)."Ten More Years for Orange County Soccer Club in Irvine" .orangecountysoccerclub.com . RetrievedNovember 13, 2024 . ^ "Phoenix Rising FC stadium to be moved to east side of Phoenix" .Soccer Stadium Digest . November 16, 2022.^ "Heart Health Park" .sacrepublicfc.com . RetrievedNovember 15, 2024 .^ "Republic Stadium at The Railyards" .sacrepublicfc.com . RetrievedNovember 15, 2024 .^ Macht, Daniel (December 21, 2024)."Sacramento Republic FC names former 'coach of the year' Neill Collins as its next head coach" .KCRA . RetrievedDecember 22, 2024 . ^ "Toyota Field" .sanantoniofc.com . RetrievedNovember 15, 2024 .^ SAFC Communications (December 16, 2024)."San Antonio FC Announces Carlos Llamosa as Head Coach" .sananoniofc.com . San Anotnio, Texas. RetrievedJune 7, 2025 . ^ "ONEOK Field" .Minor League Baseball . RetrievedNovember 15, 2024 .^ Creider, Ben (November 13, 2024)."FC Tulsa Promotes Luke Spencer to Head Coach, Mario Sanchez to Focus on Technical Director Role" .fctulsa.com . FC Tulsa. RetrievedNovember 13, 2024 . ^ "Exclusive: Brooklyn Football Club will join USL Championship" .hudsonriverblue.com . March 7, 2024. RetrievedMarch 7, 2024 .^ Nalton, James."New York Pro Soccer Club Brooklyn FC To Play At Maimonides Park, Coney Island" .Forbes . RetrievedJanuary 19, 2024 . ^ "Brooklyn, N.Y. awarded USL League One franchise" .uslleagueone.com . June 8, 2023. RetrievedDecember 6, 2024 .^ "Brooklyn Football Club Men's Team Launch Moves to 2026" .brooklynfootballclub.com . December 6, 2024. RetrievedDecember 6, 2024 .^ "Sporting Club Jacksonville revealed to the First Coast Community" .sportingjax.com . RetrievedDecember 20, 2023 .^ Brown, Will (December 12, 2023)."New soccer club reveals its crest and name: Sporting Jax" .jaxtoday.org . RetrievedOctober 27, 2024 . ^ Freeman, Clayton."Meet Sporting Jax: It's the name for Jacksonville's new men's & women's pro soccer teams" .Jacksonville.com . RetrievedOctober 27, 2024 . ^ "USL Championship's Memphis 901 FC to transfer rights to Santa Barbara: Sources" .givemesport.com . November 12, 2024. RetrievedNovember 13, 2024 .^ "Harder Stadium Announced As New Home Of Santa Barbara Sky FC" .ucsbgauchos.com . RetrievedNovember 15, 2024 .^ SB Sky FC Staff (November 13, 2024)."Sky FC Joins USL Championship for 2026, a Landmark Moment" .santabarbaraskyfc.com . Santa Barbara, California. RetrievedJune 13, 2025 .Santa Barbara SKY FC, a new professional soccer addition to California's Central Coast, is proud to announce it will join the USL Championship in the 2026 season. ^ "Kacmarcik Enterprises and Milwaukee Pro Soccer Agree to Join USL Championship in 2025, Bringing Highest Level of Pro Soccer in Wisconsin to Iron District in 2025" .milwaukeeprosoccer.com . RetrievedOctober 19, 2022 .^a b "Milwaukee's Iron District stadium to be home to USL Championship soccer club" . TMJ4. October 19, 2022. RetrievedOctober 19, 2022 .^ "Milwaukee Pro Soccer to Begin Play in USL in 2026" .MilwaukeeProSoccer.com .Milwaukee Pro Soccer . November 29, 2023. RetrievedNovember 29, 2023 .^ USLChampionship.com Staff (November 19, 2019)."Initial Agreement Reached to Bring USL Championship to Buffalo" .uslchampionship.com . Buffalo, N.Y. RetrievedJune 13, 2025 .Ownership group led by John H. McClutchy Jr. spearheading drive for 10,000-seat soccer venue ^ Buckley, Eileen (July 3, 2025)."Buffalo Pro Soccer scraps plan to play at stadium at Elk & Lee" .WKBW 7 News Buffalo . RetrievedJuly 3, 2025 . ^ DeGeorge, Kim (July 3, 2025)."Buffalo Pro Soccer drops stadium plan" .wgrz.com . RetrievedJuly 3, 2025 . ^ Carrick, Buzz (November 13, 2024)."USL Championship side coming to Garland" .3rddegree.net . Garland, Texas. RetrievedNovember 13, 2024 . ^ "United Soccer League welcomes USL Dallas to the USL Championship" . United Soccer League. November 19, 2024. RetrievedNovember 19, 2024 .^ USLChampionship.com Staff (June 12, 2025)."Atlético Dallas to call historic Cotton Bowl Stadium home" .uslchampionship.com . Dallas, Texas. RetrievedJune 13, 2025 .USL Championship expansion club to kick off inaugural 2027 season at iconic venue, agreement complements investment in Garland ^ "United Soccer League welcomes USL Dallas to the USL Championship" .uslchampionship.com . Garland, Texas. November 19, 2024. RetrievedMay 3, 2025 .Club based in Garland set to kick off during the 2027 season ^ "Professional Soccer Landing in Northwest Arkansas" .USL Championship . July 12, 2023. RetrievedJuly 12, 2023 .^ "Pro soccer teams coming to Northwest Arkansas | What to know" .5newsonline.com . July 12, 2023. RetrievedJuly 12, 2023 .^ Swaim, Kyler."Ozark United FC names strategic advisor to support stadium, entertainment district development" .nwahomepage.com . RetrievedMay 2, 2025 . ^ Ozark United FC (March 25, 2025)."Ozark United FC Releases Renderings, Mixed-Use Development Plans for Stadium Site" .ozarkunited.com . RetrievedApril 30, 2025 . ^ "United Soccer League Welcomes Pro Iowa to USL Championship" . January 27, 2022. RetrievedJanuary 27, 2022 .^ Jett, Tyler (January 27, 2022)."USL Championship awards long-sought pro soccer franchise to Des Moines' Krause Group" .Des Moines Register . RetrievedJanuary 27, 2022 . ^ "Iowa Soccer Development Foundation secures $5M Destination Iowa Fund Grant for Pro Iowa Stadium and Global Plaza" .uslproiowa.com . DES MOINES, Iowa. February 21, 2025. RetrievedMay 26, 2025 .The Iowa Economic Development Authority board announced today its intent to award a $5 million Destination Iowa Fund Grant to the Iowa Soccer Development Foundation. The grant will support the development of the ISDF's Pro Iowa Stadium and Global Plaza — an effort that will drive economic vitality and cultural placemaking in a currently underutilized area of downtown Des Moines. ^ "The teetering future of a downtown soccer stadium" . Axios.com. September 1, 2023. RetrievedMarch 25, 2024 .^ "International Polo Star Nacho Figueras to Bring Professional Men's and Women's Soccer to the Palm Beaches" . December 14, 2023. RetrievedJanuary 8, 2024 .^ "Club Statement From Energy FC" . OKC Energy FC. November 18, 2022. RetrievedNovember 18, 2022 .^ Reichard, Kevin (January 3, 2024)."OKC pitches higher budget, new location for new Energy FC stadium" . Soccer Stadium Digest. RetrievedJanuary 9, 2024 . ^ Energy FC (February 10, 2025)."Flag marks the Spot: OKC for Soccer and city officials raise flag at future stadium site" . OKC, OK. RetrievedApril 28, 2025 .Highly visible "OKC for Soccer" banners showcase the stadium's central location and symbolize soccer's exciting future in OKC ^a b c d e f g h i j "MLS Next Pro unveils 21 clubs for inaugural season starting March 2022" .MLSsoccer.com . December 6, 2021. RetrievedDecember 8, 2024 .^ "Charlotte Independence to Compete in USL League One Starting in 2022" .USLLeagueOne.com . December 2, 2021. RetrievedDecember 2, 2021 .^ "United Soccer League announces transfer of Memphis 901 FC's USL Championship rights to Santa Barbara SKY FC" . United Soccer League. November 13, 2024. RetrievedNovember 13, 2024 .^ "Orlando City B Becomes USL Division III Founding Member" . September 6, 2018. RetrievedOctober 1, 2018 .^ "Major League Soccer names Orlando City SC as 21st franchise, set for 2015 debut" . Major League Soccer. November 19, 2013.Archived from the original on November 23, 2013. RetrievedNovember 20, 2013 .^ "The Miami FC Joins the USL Championship" .miamifc.com . December 11, 2019. Archived fromthe original on February 24, 2020. RetrievedFebruary 24, 2020 .^ "Kickers Named a USL Division III Founding Member" (Press release). United Soccer Leagues. September 11, 2018. Archived fromthe original on July 30, 2019. RetrievedSeptember 12, 2018 .^ "Cease Of Operations" .rgvfc.com .^ "Rio Grande Valley FC folds amid stadium sale reports" .San Antonio Express-News . RetrievedNovember 26, 2024 .^ "Jamie Vardy: Leicester City striker becomes co-owner of American football club Rochester Rhinos" .Sky Sports . June 15, 2021. RetrievedAugust 26, 2021 .^ Straus, Brian (August 25, 2020)."USL's Saint Louis FC to Fold With St. Louis MLS Expansion Club on the Way" .si.com . RetrievedDecember 11, 2024 . ^ Reuter, Jeff (August 27, 2020)."Amid COVID-19 and MLS expansion, USL's Saint Louis FC faces an abrupt end" The Athletic . RetrievedDecember 11, 2024 . ^ Hernandez, Cesar (August 24, 2023)."Landon Donovan's San Diego Loyal USL team to fold after 2023" . ESPN. RetrievedDecember 11, 2024 . ^ "USL reforms Agreement with PRSL" . United Soccer Leagues. May 10, 2011. Archived fromthe original on May 14, 2011. RetrievedMay 10, 2011 .^ "USL Championship announces 2023 Alignment, Season Format" (Press release). United Soccer League. December 20, 2022. RetrievedJune 9, 2023 .^ "USL Announces Partnership with ESPN" . USL. April 22, 2016. RetrievedApril 24, 2016 .^ "USL, ESPN Expand Broadcast Agreement Through 2019" . April 6, 2018. RetrievedApril 17, 2018 .^ Rimpson, Robert."USL announces a new broadcast deal with ESPN" .The Courier-Journal . ^ "USL Announces Broadcast Teams for USL Championship Final on ESPN" .USL Championship . USLChampionship.com. November 19, 2021. RetrievedFebruary 10, 2022 .^ "United Soccer League Nets Agreement with First International-Based Broadcast Partner Flow Sports Secured by Sportfive" .USL Championship . August 18, 2020.^ "USL Announces New Broadcast Agreement with OneFootball" .USL Championship . August 7, 2021.^ Vertelney, Seth (November 7, 2023)."USL and CBS Sports sign four-year media rights agreement" .Pro Soccer Wire .USA Today . ^ Lucia, Joe (February 27, 2024)."USL strikes media rights deal with ESPN" .Awful Announcing . RetrievedNovember 10, 2023 . ^ "Record Book" .uslchampionship.com . RetrievedJuly 23, 2021 .^ Leggate, James (April 17, 2016)."FC Cincinnati crowd sets league attendance record" . WCPO. RetrievedApril 17, 2016 . ^ "Republic FC loses home opener before sellout crowd at Hughes Stadium" Archived April 27, 2014, at theWayback Machine , Sacramento Bee, April 27, 2014.^ Brennan, Patrick."Another record crowd turns out to watch FC Cincy win" .Cincinnati.com . RetrievedMay 14, 2016 . ^ Kimura, Fumi (October 2, 2016)."Post-Season Ends in Loss To Battery, FCC Sets USL Playoff Record" . Archived fromthe original on August 6, 2017. RetrievedOctober 7, 2016 . ^ "FCC Tames Red Bulls II" . September 16, 2017. Archived fromthe original on May 28, 2018. RetrievedMay 27, 2018 .^ Murray, Nicholas (September 29, 2018)."Gameday Report: September 29, Week 29" . RetrievedOctober 1, 2018 . ^ "current 2011 attendance - USL Discussions" . usldiscussions.com. RetrievedMay 2, 2014 .^ "2012 USL-Pro Attendance" .Doherty Soccer .^ "Taking Attendance 9/13/2013: Final USL Pro Numbers" .kenn.com .^ "2014 USL-Pro Season Attendance Log" .Doherty Soccer . Archived fromthe original on July 22, 2014. RetrievedAugust 6, 2014 .^ "USL 2015 Stat Leaders - United Soccer League" .uslsoccer.com . Archived fromthe original on October 2, 2015. RetrievedOctober 1, 2015 .^ "USL Total Attendance Soars by 33 Percent in 2016" .uslsoccer.com . September 28, 2016. RetrievedOctober 14, 2016 .^ "2018 USL Attendance" .^ Pendleton, Mike [@phat7deuce] (November 1, 2021)."USL Attendance 2021 Final: Switched back to the leaderboard template for this final week" (Tweet ). RetrievedFebruary 21, 2022 – viaTwitter . ^ "Scores" .uslchampionship.com . RetrievedFebruary 21, 2022 .^ "2022 USL Championship Attendance" . Soccer Stadium Digest. October 16, 2022. RetrievedOctober 25, 2022 .^ "2023 USL Championship Attendance" .Soccer Stadium Digest . RetrievedJanuary 9, 2024 .
Eastern Western Future teams
Eastern Western Future
Men's leagues Women's leagues Defunct leagues
Men's
National teams Outdoor leagues
Professional Amateur Defunct
Indoor leagues
Futsal leagues Cup competitions
Women's
National teams Outdoor leagues
Indoor leagues Futsal leagues International competitions Club competitions Defunct leagues
Youth
By city Other topics
North America Central America Caribbean 1: Full CONCACAF member, but not affiliated to FIFA.2: North American member but affiliated to CFU.3: South American member but affiliated to CONCACAF and to CFU.
USL Championship Awards
Rookie of the Year (2011–2017) Young Player of the Year (2018–)
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Western Conference
Eastern Conference
On hiatus (Expected 2027)
2026
2026, Not Listed On League Website
2027
TBD
Evan Newton
Odisnel Cooper
Cody Laurendi
Alex Tambakis
Miguel Gallardo
