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USL Division One

Not to be confused with USL League One or USL First Division (2005–2010).

USL Division One
Interim logo
Organizing bodyUnited Soccer League
First season2027–28 (proposed)
CountryUnited States
ConfederationCONCACAF
Number of clubs12 (proposed)
Level on pyramid1 (proposed)
Domestic cup(s)U.S. Open 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.

History

The USL announced their 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]

Format

USL Division One would play a spring-to-fall schedule, and would not employ a college draft a la the MLS SuperDraft.[4] The USL does not currently plan to introduce promotion and relegation between USL Division One and the USL Championship, but are open to introducing it in the future.[2][5]

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][5][6] 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.[5][6] 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.[4]

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. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b 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.
  5. ^ a b c 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.
  6. ^ a b "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.
Quelle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USL_Division_One