The United Soccer Leagues (USL), the organization overseeing various lower-division soccer leagues in the United States, has unveiled plans to establish a new Division I league by 2027, positioning it alongside Major League Soccer (MLS) at the pinnacle of American men’s soccer. This initiative aims to expand the USL’s existing structure, which currently includes the Division II USL Championship, Division III USL League One, the semi-professional USL League Two, and USL Youth leagues.
USL President and Chief Soccer Officer Paul McDonough emphasized that this move is driven by the organization’s own ambitions rather than a desire to compete directly with MLS. He stated, “I don’t think of it as a threat to the MLS. I think we’re just gonna go and do our business.”
One of the primary motivations behind launching a new Division I league is the belief that the United States’ vast geography can support a greater number of professional teams. McDonough highlighted that Europe, in a comparable land area, boasts over 400 professional Division I men’s teams, whereas the U.S. currently has only 30, all within MLS. He remarked, “This is about us and it’s about us building a higher tier because we wanna be in certain communities. Why can’t it be in middle America and … ?”
Internally, the USL aims to create a unified league structure encompassing nearly every level of American professional and semi-professional soccer. While this mirrors the tiered systems seen in European countries, McDonough noted that there are currently no immediate plans to implement promotion and relegation within the USL’s framework, stating, “We’ve always stated our ambition to get … . If the opportunity arises for us to … .”
To achieve Division I status, the new league must adhere to specific criteria set by the United States Soccer Federation (USSF). These requirements include:
•A minimum of 12 teams at launch, expanding to at least 14 teams by the third year.
•At least 75% of the teams must be based in metropolitan areas with populations exceeding one million.
•Each team must play in a stadium with a minimum seating capacity of 15,000.
•Ownership groups must meet financial standards, such as having a principal owner with at least a … and a net worth of at least $40 million, or a collective ownership group with a combined net worth of at least $70 million.
These stringent standards are designed to ensure the league’s stability and competitiveness. McDonough mentioned that the USL has informed the USSF of its plans and received a positive response. A USSF spokesperson stated, “We welcome innovation and growth … .”
The composition of the new league … under consideration. Current USL team owners were briefed on the plans recently, and the USL anticipates that some existing teams, particularly those in the USL Championship, may transition to the new Division I league. Additionally, discussions with potential new owners are expected to commence soon. Notably, the financial entry requirements for this league are likely to be significantly lower than the $500 million expansion fee recently paid by MLS’s latest entrant, San Diego.
This announcement follows the USL’s recent launch of the women’s USL … , which shares Division I status with the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). The USL Super League differentiates itself by operating on a fall-to-spring schedule, aligning with most European leagues. However, a USL spokesperson clarified that there are currently no plans to adopt a similar schedule for the men’s competitions.
In summary, the USL’s plan to introduce a new Division I league represents a significant development in the American soccer landscape. By expanding opportunities for professional play and aiming to establish a comprehensive league structure, the USL seeks to foster the growth of soccer across diverse communities in the United States.
