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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 season2028 (proposed)
CountryUnited States
ConfederationCONCACAF
Number of clubs12 (proposed)
Level on pyramidDivision 1 (proposed)
Relegation toUSL Championship
Domestic cup(s)U.S. Open Cup
League cup(s)USL Cup
International cup(s)CONCACAF
Champions 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, and would employ a promotion and relegation system with the Championship. Its inaugural season would commence in 2028.

History

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The USL announced its intent to establish a new Division I league via a press release published in February 2025. USL clubs were informed of the decision the day prior.[1][2][3] Before making their announcement, the USL waited for the outcome of N. Am. Soccer League, LLC v. U.S. Soccer Fed'n, Inc. in the United States District Court, E.D.N.Y., which ultimately ruled that U.S. Soccer's league system was legal and did not break antitrust laws.[4] The USL aims to commence play in USL Division One in the 2028 season.[5][6]

Format

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USL Division One would play a spring-to-fall schedule, and its teams would sign players via transfers and free agency – a college draft would not be used similar to most association football leagues outside of the United States.[7] A system of promotion and relegation would be implemented, in which the worst-performing teams in Division One would be replaced by the best-performing teams in the USL Championship at the end of each season.[8][9][10]

Teams

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U.S. Soccer stipulates that a league must have a minimum of twelve teams to qualify for Division 1 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][11][12] 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.[11][12]

Pittsburgh Riverhounds FC have applied to join, with an upgrade of Highmark Stadium to meet the stadium capacity requirement put forward as the centerpiece of their bid.[13][14] Detroit City FC and Sacramento Republic FC have also initiated stadium projects with an intent to meet the stadium capacity requirement.[15][16][17] Birmingham Legion FC, Miami FC, and Oakland Roots currently meet both the market population and stadium capacity requirements.[3] The USL are also open to applications from clubs outside its system.[7]

List of applicant clubs
Team Location Stadium Capacity Ref.
Pittsburgh Riverhounds FC Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Highmark Stadium 15,000 (planned) [13][14]

References

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  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 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. ^ Tenorino, Paul (February 13, 2025). "Move over, Major League Soccer. A rival top flight men's league is coming to the U.S.". The Athletic. Archived from the original on February 13, 2025. Retrieved February 20, 2025. McDonough said the USL waited for the trial to conclude before moving forward with its plans.
  5. ^ Abnos, Alexander (March 20, 2025). "USL's Paul McDonough: promotion and relegation likely in US soccer by 2028". The Guardian. Archived from the original on April 29, 2025. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
  6. ^ Booth, Chuck (March 19, 2025). "United Soccer League to bring promotion and relegation to American soccer for first time, starting in 2028". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on August 20, 2025. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ "USL votes to adopt pro-rel in 2027 when Division One launches". ESPN. March 19, 2025. Archived from the original on March 19, 2025. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
  9. ^ Steiner, Ben (March 19, 2025). "Promotion-Relegation Coming to American Professional Soccer, per Report". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on March 19, 2025. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
  10. ^ Thompson, Andrew (March 19, 2025). "USL makes history after official adoption of promotion-relegation system". OneFootball. Archived from the original on March 25, 2025. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
  11. ^ a b 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.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ a b Babetski, Adam (August 19, 2025). "Riverhounds' owner plans a $125 million expansion project at its riverfront soccer venue". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on August 19, 2025. Retrieved August 20, 2025. ...he was increasing capacity from 5,500 to 15,000 to qualify the Riverhounds for the United Soccer League's new Division One, which will launch in 2028.
  14. ^ a b Schooley, Tim (August 19, 2025). ""We'll say not if, but when": The Pittsburgh Riverhounds submit application for new league as fundraising starts for stadium expansion". Pittsburgh Business Times. Archived from the original on August 19, 2025. Retrieved August 20, 2025. We've currently completed our Division One application,
  15. ^ Biderman, Chris (August 18, 2025). "Why MLS looms large as Sacramento Republic FC breaks ground on downtown stadium". The Sacramento Bee. Archived from the original on August 21, 2025. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  16. ^ Davis, Coty M. (August 11, 2025). "Detroit City FC unveils new stadium and name, AlumniFi Field, for 2027". The Detroit News. Archived from the original on August 21, 2025. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  17. ^ Batcheller, Pat (March 26, 2025). "New soccer stadium in Detroit could open in 2027". WDET. Archived from the original on August 21, 2025. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
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