United Soccer League

Founded	1986; 39 years ago (1986)
Country	United States
Confederation	CONCACAF
Divisions	Men's USL Division One USL Championship USL League One USL League Two Women's USL Super League USL W League
Number of clubs	182 (men's) 101 (women's)
Level on pyramid	1–4
Domestic cup(s)	U.S. Open Cup (men's)
League cup(s)	USL Cup (men's)
TV partners	CBS/Paramount ESPN
Website	uslsoccer.com

TheUnited Soccer League (USL) is agoverning body that organizes a number ofprofessional andamateursoccer leagues in theUnited States league system. It currently organizes itsChampionship,League One, andLeague Two for men, itsSuper League andW League for women, and theUSL Academy andUSL Youth for youth players. It also organizes theUSL Cup, aleague cup competition for its professional men's clubs.

The USL began in 1986 as a men'sindoor soccerminor league, before branching out into outdoor soccer in 1989. After rebranding as theUnited States Interregional Soccer League (USISL), it commenced a women's outdoor league (theW-League) and split its men's outdoor league into two pro and one amateur league over the course of 1995–96. Its top pro flight would merge with theAmerican Professional Soccer League to become theA-League in 1997 – a decision influenced by the advent ofMajor League Soccer (MLS). Its indoor league folded in 1998. The USISL adopted its current name, the USL, in 1999.

In 2011, a number of USL clubs broke away to form theNorth American Soccer League, necessitating the merger of its two pro leagues into one. The USL also took ownership of theMajor Indoor Soccer League, though it and the W-League would fold by 2015. Despite these setbacks, the USL experienced growth in the late 2010s, leading to a split of the professional leagues back into two in 2019. It also revived the W League and established a pro women's league over the course of 2022–24. A third men's pro league, tenatively namedUSL Division One, is currently being planned for a 2027–28 debut.

TheRochester Rhinos men's team andPali Blues women's team are the most successful clubs in the USL, having won four championships each in its top flights. Two USL clubs, the Rochester Rhinos and theRichmond Kickers, have won the men'sU.S. Open Cup. Seven men's clubs that played in the USL – theSeattle Sounders,Portland Timbers,Vancouver Whitecaps,Montreal Impact,Orlando City SC,FC Cincinnati, andNashville SC – are now MLS franchises.

The United Soccer League (USL) traces its roots to 1985 when Francisco Marcos founded theSouthwest Indoor Soccer League.^[1] Initially intended as a minor indoor league associated with theMajor 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, theAustin Sockadillos, joined the league, expanding it to six teams.^[2]

In 1989, the league shifted its focus beyond semi-professional indoor soccer. A press release from that year revealed ambitions to align with theUnited States Soccer Federation (USSF)'s plan to professionalize soccer in the lead-up to the1994 FIFA World Cup. The league aimed to become part of a structured, three-tiered system envisioned by the USSF.^[3]

By 1990, the league began with their first outdoor soccer competitions, and rebranded as theSunbelt Independent Soccer League, reflecting broader ambitions. Throughout the 1990s, the league underwent significant changes. This included splitting out an amateur Premier League in 1995 (renamed to the Premier Development League (PDL) in 1997), and the launch of their first attempt at a women's league. A merger with theAmerican Professional Soccer League was completed in 1997 to form theA-League (later named theUSL First Division), solidifying its position in the U.S. soccer pyramid.^[4]

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 theNorth 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.^[5]

In 2010, the USL unified itsFirst Division andSecond Division under the nameUSL Pro to consolidate its professional competitions, and moved down to the third division.^[6] In 2013, USL Pro andMajor League Soccer (MLS) entered a partnership to integrate their competitions, enhancing player development and strengthening the league's professional status.^[7] The W-League folded in 2015. Second division sanctioning was once again granted by USSF in 2017. In 2019, the professional league rebranded toUSL Championship, the PDL rebranded asUSL League Two, and a new division three league namedUSL League One was launched.

In recent years, the USL has expanded its reach significantly in the women's game. It reintroduced theW League in 2022 to support women's development and launched theUSL Super League in 2024 as a Division I professional women's league alongside theNational Women's Soccer League.^[8][9]

On February 13, 2025, the USL announced plans tolaunch a Division I league in 2027 that would exist apart from MLS, pending USSF approval. They also re-stated their desire to eventually introduce apromotion and relegation system like most other global soccer leagues.^[10]

The 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 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.

• USL Super League: A professional league launched in 2024, with joint 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.

The 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.
• 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.

• Alec Papadakis – Chief executive officer
• Justin Papadakis – Chief operating officer and chief real estate officer
• Paul McDonough – President and chief soccer officer^[11]

• Official website

• United Soccer League
• Companies based in Tampa, Florida
• American companies established in 1986
• Entertainment companies established in 1986
• Soccer governing bodies in the United States
• Soccer governing bodies in Canada

• Articles with short description
• Short description is different from Wikidata
• Use American English from March 2022
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• Use mdy dates from February 2025