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United Soccer League

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This article is about the soccer governing body. For their highest-division league (formerly known as United Soccer League), see USL Championship. For the unrelated defunct league, see United Soccer League (1984–85).

United Soccer League
IndustrySoccer
Founded1986; 38 years ago (1986)
FounderFrancisco Marcos[1]
Headquarters
Tampa, Florida
,
U.S.
Area served
  • United States
  • Canada
Key people
  • Rob Hoskins (Chairman)
  • Alec Papadakis (CEO)
Websiteuslsoccer.com
United Soccer League divisions
Men's leagues
Women's leagues
Youth leagues

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]

History

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The 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

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Men’s Competitions

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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 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

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  • 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

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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.

Champions

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Indoor seasons

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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

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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
Season Winner Final score Runner-up Season Winner Final score Runner-up Season Winner Final score Runner-up
Division II Division III Semi-pro
1995 Professional Long Island Rough Riders 2–1 Minnesota Thunder 1995 Premier Richmond Kickers 3–1 Cocoa Expos
1996 Select California Jaguars 2–1 (SO) Richmond Kickers 1996 Professional Charleston Battery 3–2 (SO) Charlotte Eagles 1996 Premier Central Coast Roadrunners 2–1 San Francisco Bay Seals
1997 A-League Milwaukee Rampage 1–1 (3–0) Carolina Dynamo 1997 D-3 Pro Albuquerque Geckos 4–1 Charlotte Eagles 1997 PDSL Central Coast Roadrunners 2–1 Cocoa Expos
1998 A-League Rochester Raging Rhinos 3–1 Minnesota Thunder 1998 D-3 Pro Chicago Stingers 3–2 (OT) New Hampshire Phantoms 1998 PDSL San Gabriel Valley Highlanders 3–2 Jackson Chargers
1999 A-League Minnesota Thunder 2–1 Rochester Raging Rhinos 1999 D-3 Pro Western Mass Pioneers 2–1 South Jersey Barons 1999 PDL Chicago Sockers 3–1 Spokane Shadow
2000 A-League Rochester Raging Rhinos 3–1 Minnesota Thunder 2000 D-3 Pro Charlotte Eagles 5–0 New Jersey Stallions 2000 PDL Chicago Sockers 1–0 Mid-Michigan Bucks
2001 A-League Rochester Raging Rhinos 2–0 Hershey Wildcats 2001 D-3 Pro Utah Blitzz 1–0 Greenville Lions 2001 PDL Westchester Flames 3–1 Calgary Storm
2002 A-League Milwaukee Rampage 2–1 (OT) Richmond Kickers 2002 D-3 Pro Long Island Rough Riders 2–1 Wilmington Hammerheads 2002 PDL Cape Cod Crusaders 2–1 Boulder Rapids Reserves
2003 A-League Charleston Battery 3–0 Minnesota Thunder 2003 Pro Soccer Wilmington Hammerheads 2–1 (OT) Westchester Flames 2003 PDL Cape Cod Crusaders 2–0 Chicago Fire Reserves
2004 A-League Montreal Impact 2–0 Seattle Sounders 2004 Pro Soccer Utah Blitzz 2–2 (5–4 PK) Charlotte Eagles 2004 PDL Central Florida Kraze 1–0 Boulder Rapids Reserves
2005 First Division Seattle Sounders 1–1 (4–3 PK) Richmond Kickers 2005 Second Division Charlotte Eagles 2–2 (5–4 PK) Western Mass Pioneers 2005 PDL Des Moines Menace 0–0 (6–5 PK) El Paso Patriots
2006 First Division Vancouver Whitecaps 3–0 Rochester Raging Rhinos 2006 Second Division Richmond Kickers 2–1 Charlotte Eagles 2006 PDL Michigan Bucks 2–1 Laredo Heat
2007 First Division Seattle Sounders 4–0 Atlanta Silverbacks 2007 Second Division Harrisburg City Islanders 1–1 (8–7 PK) Richmond Kickers 2007 PDL Laredo Heat 0–0 (4–3 PK) Michigan Bucks
2008 First Division Vancouver Whitecaps 2–1 Puerto Rico Islanders 2008 Second Division Cleveland City Stars 2–1 Charlotte Eagles 2008 PDL Thunder Bay Chill 1–1 (4–1 PK) Laredo Heat
2009 First Division Montreal Impact 3–2; 3–1 Vancouver Whitecaps 2009 Second Division Richmond Kickers 3–1 Charlotte Eagles 2009 PDL Ventura County Fusion 2–1 Chicago Fire Premier
2010 D2 Pro League Puerto Rico Islanders 2–0; 1–1 Carolina RailHawks 2010 Second Division Charleston Battery 2–1 Richmond Kickers 2010 PDL Portland Timbers U23s 4–1 Thunder Bay Chill

Outdoor seasons 2011–2018

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USL Pro / United Soccer League Premier Development League (PDL)
Season Winner Final score Runner-up Season Winner Final score Runner-up
Division III Semi-pro
2011 USL Pro Orlando City SC 2–2 (3–2 PK) Harrisburg City Islanders 2011 PDL Kitsap Pumas 1–0 Laredo Heat
2012 USL Pro Charleston Battery 1–0 Wilmington Hammerheads 2012 PDL Forest City London 2–1 Carolina Dynamo
2013 USL Pro Orlando City SC 7–4 Charlotte Eagles 2013 PDL Austin Aztex 3–1 Thunder Bay Chill
2014 USL Pro Sacramento Republic FC 2–0 Harrisburg City Islanders 2014 PDL Michigan Bucks 1–0 Kitsap Pumas
2015 USL Rochester Rhinos 2–1 (a.e.t.) LA Galaxy II 2015 PDL K-W United FC 4–3 New York Red Bulls U-23
2016 USL New York Red Bulls II 5–1 Swope Park Rangers 2016 PDL Michigan Bucks 3–2 Calgary Foothills FC
Division II Semi-pro
2017 USL Louisville City FC 1–0 Swope Park Rangers 2017 PDL Charlotte Eagles 2–1 Thunder Bay Chill
2018 USL Louisville City FC 1–0 Phoenix Rising FC 2018 PDL Calgary Foothills FC 4–2 (a.e.t.) Reading United AC

United Soccer League 2019–present

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USL Championship (Division II) USL League One (Division III) USL League Two (Semi-pro)
Season Winner Final score Runner-up Season Winner Final score Runner-up Season Winner Final score Runner-up
2019 Real Monarchs 3–1 Louisville City FC 2019 North Texas SC 1–0 Greenville Triumph SC 2019 Flint City Bucks 1–0 (a.e.t.) Reading United AC
2020 Final canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic[12] 2020 Greenville Triumph SC N/A[13] Union Omaha 2020 Season canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic[14][15]
2021 Orange County SC 3–1 Tampa Bay Rowdies 2021 Union Omaha 3–0 Greenville Triumph SC 2021 Des Moines Menace 1–0 North Carolina Fusion
2022 San Antonio FC 3–1 Louisville City FC 2022 Tormenta FC 2–1 Chattanooga Red Wolves SC 2022 Ventura County Fusion 2–1 Long Island Rough Riders
2023 Phoenix Rising FC 1–1 (3–2 PK) Charleston Battery 2023 North Carolina FC 1–1 (5–4 PK) Charlotte Independence 2023 Ballard FC 2–1 Lionsbridge FC
2024 Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC 3–0 Rhode Island FC 2024 Union Omaha 3–0 Spokane Velocity FC 2024 Seacoast United Phantoms 3–2 (a.e.t.) Peoria City

W-League seasons 1995–2015

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For more information, see USL W-League
Season Winner Final score Runner-up
1995 W-League Long Island Lady Riders 3–0 Southern California Nitemares
1996 W-League Maryland Pride 3–0 Dallas Lightning
1997 W-League Long Island Lady Riders 2–1 (OT) Chicago Cobras
1998 W-League W-1 Raleigh Wings 4–3 Boston Renegades
1998 W-League W-2 Fort Collins Force 3–1 Hampton Roads Piranhas
1999 W-League W-1 Raleigh Wings 3–2 (OT) Chicago Cobras
1999 W-League W-2 North Texas FC 5–1 Springfield Sirens
2000 W-League W-1 Chicago Cobras 1–1 (4–2 PSO) Raleigh Wings
2000 W-League W-2 Springfield Sirens 2–1 Charlotte Lady Eagles
2001 W-League W-1 Boston Renegades 5–1 Vancouver Whitecaps Women
2001 W-League W-2 Charlotte Lady Eagles 3–1 Memphis Mercury
2002 W-League Boston Renegades 3–0 Charlotte Lady Eagles
2003 W-League Hampton Roads Piranhas 1–0 Chicago Cobras
2004 W-League Vancouver Whitecaps Women 0–0 (4–2 PSO) New Jersey Wildcats
2005 W-League New Jersey Wildcats 3–0 Ottawa Fury Women
2006 W-League Vancouver Whitecaps Women 3–0 Ottawa Fury Women
2007 W-League Washington Freedom 3–1 Atlanta Silverbacks Women
2008 W-League Pali Blues 2–1 F.C. Indiana
2009 W-League Pali Blues 2–1 Washington Freedom Reserves
2010 W-League Buffalo Flash 3–1 Vancouver Whitecaps Women
2011 W-League Atlanta Silverbacks Women 6–1 Ottawa Fury Women
2012 W-League Ottawa Fury Women 1–1 (4–3 PSO) Pali Blues
2013 W-League Pali Blues 1–0 Laval Comets
2014 W-League Los Angeles Blues 6–1 Washington Spirit Reserves
2015 W-League Washington Spirit Reserves 2–1 Colorado Pride
The W-League ceased operations after the 2015 season.

W League seasons 2022–present

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For more information, see USL W League
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

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UISL/USISL

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Staff

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  • Alec Papadakis – Chief executive officer
  • Justin Papadakis – Chief operating officer and chief real estate officer
  • Paul McDonough – President and chief soccer officer[16]

References

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ "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.
  3. ^ "About". www.uslsoccer.com. Archived from the original on August 29, 2017. Retrieved August 22, 2017.
  4. ^ "The Origins of the United Soccer League". U.S. Soccer History. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  5. ^ "A Comprehensive History of the USL". SOC Takes. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  6. ^ "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.
  7. ^ "USSF Plans One-Year Second Division League". Sports Business Journal. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  8. ^ "USL Championship Overview". United Soccer League. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  9. ^ "Garber Proud of Progress with USL-MLS Partnership". United Soccer League. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  10. ^ "United Soccer League Overview". United Soccer League. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  11. ^ "USL Super League Overview". United Soccer League. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  12. ^ "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.
  13. ^ "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.
  14. ^ "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.
  15. ^ "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.
  16. ^ "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.
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