USL Championship

Professional soccer league in the United States

Football league

USL Championship

Organizing body| United Soccer League
Founded|

* September 8, 2010; 13 years ago (2010-09-08)
* (as USL Pro) (2010–2014)
* (as USL) (2015–2018)

First season| 2011
Country| United States
Confederation|

* CONCACAF
* (North American Football Union)

Conferences| Eastern Conference
Western Conference
Number of teams| 24
Level on pyramid| 2
Domestic cup(s)| U.S. Open Cup
Current champion(s)| Phoenix Rising FC
(2023)
Current Players' Shield| Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
(2023)
Most championships|

* Orlando City
* Louisville City FC
* (2 titles each)

Most Players' Shields| Orlando City (3 titles)
TV partners|

* CBS Sports
* ESPN
* YouTube
* OneFootball

Website| uslchampionship.com
Current: 2024 USL Championship season
United Soccer League divisions

Men's leagues

Championship

League One

League Two

Women's leagues

Super League

W League

Youth leagues

USL Academy

USL Youth

* v
* t
* e

The USL Championship (USLC) is a professional men's soccer league in the United States that began play in 2011. The USL is sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation (U.S. Soccer) as a Division II league since 2017, placing it under Major League Soccer (Division I) in the hierarchy.[1] The USL is headquartered in Tampa, Florida.[2]

The league is owned and operated by United Soccer League and was formed as result of the merger of their USL First (USL-1) and Second Divisions (USL-2), following the 2010 season which saw neither the USL-1 nor the North American Soccer League (NASL) receive Division II sanctioning from the USSF, resulting in the temporary USSF Division 2 Pro League. United Soccer Leagues stated that the merger would strengthen the league's position within the American professional soccer landscape through stability, commercial growth and the professional development of soccer in four main regions throughout the United States and Canada.[3]

## History

[edit]

### Founding (2010)

[edit]

On September 8, 2010, the United Soccer Leagues formally announced the creation of USL Pro in a press release.[3] Prior to the official announcement of the new league, on August 11, 2010, the Dayton Dutch Lions FC revealed they would be joining the "USL-Pro Championship Division (former USL-2)" at a press conference, revealing the name of the new league before its official announcement.[4] With this disclosure, the Dutch Lions were the first confirmed team in USL Pro for its inaugural 2011 season. Alongside the announcement of the new league, the Richmond Kickers revealed they would be moving to USL Pro for 2011.[5] With the departure of the Portland Timbers to MLS in 2011 and the defection of the Puerto Rico Islanders to the NASL[6] from USL-1, the Austin Aztex were the only remaining USL-1 team not yet a part of USL Pro.

On September 22, 2010, the "Caribbean Division" of USL Pro was announced, with teams from Puerto Rico and Antigua and Barbuda signing on to compete in the league.[7] With the addition of Puerto Rico United to the league and "Caribbean Division", league representatives expressed their intent to see expansion in the region continue, with an eventual 8-team "Caribbean Conference".[8] With the inclusion of a team from Los Angeles, this division eventually became the International Division. On September 22, 2010, USL announced that Sevilla FC Puerto Rico and River Plate Puerto Rico would be joining USL Pro in 2011 alongside Antigua Barracuda FC as part of the building blocks of a Caribbean division.[7] On September 28, 2010, USL announced that one of their flagship clubs and reigning 2010 USL-2 Champions, the Charleston Battery, would be joining USL Pro for its launch in 2011.[9] On September 30, 2010, nearly two months following the team's own announcement of a "USL Pro Championship Division" move, the USL formally announced Dayton Dutch Lions FC would join USL Pro.[10] On October 4 and 7, 2010, the USL revealed two USL-2 clubs, the Charlotte Eagles and the Harrisburg City Islanders (later known as Penn FC), would be making the jump to USL Pro for 2011.[11][12]

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds were added as the 9th official team on October 22, 2010.[13] October 25, 2010, saw the addition of the Rochester Rhinos[14] who had previously committed to the NASL, along with expansion team Orlando City SC (formerly the Austin Aztex FC of USL-1) after new ownership secured and moved the team from Texas to Florida.[15]

On November 9, 2010, former USL-2 side Wilmington Hammerheads officially joined the league as the 12th team,[16] followed on November 17, 2010, by F.C. New York.[17] The expected number of teams to launch league play in 2011 was announced as 18–20, alongside the announcement of the Wilmington Hammerheads joining the league.[16]

The Los Angeles Blues, associated with the successful women's Pali Blues organization, were added on December 7, 2010, with a message of future "Western Conference" growth into 2012.[18] The "Caribbean Division" of USL Pro grew to four teams on December 9, 2010, with the addition of Puerto Rico United to the league,[8] marking the last of the 15 teams that would compete in USL Pro in its inaugural 2011 season.

On September 14, 2010, United Soccer Leagues President Tim Holt expressed the desired structure for the league to launch with 14–18 teams across four specific geographic areas in 2011, expansion to 22–26 teams by 2013, and 28–32 teams by 2015.[19]

Following USL Pro's first annual general meeting, the league confirmed it would debut with 16 teams playing a 24-game regular season schedule in 2011, with planned growth for 20–24 teams to start the 2012 season.[20]

Progression of expansion  Season  | # Teams

|

2011 | 12
2012 | 11
2013 | 13
2014 | 14
2015 | 24
2016 | 29
2017 | 30
2018 | 33
2019 | 36
2020 | 35
2021 | 31
2022 | 27
2023 | 24
2024

### Play begins (2011–2012)

[edit]

Main articles: 2011 USL Pro season and 2012 USL Pro season

USL Pro debuted in 2011, starting with 15 teams playing a 24-game regular season schedule. American and National Division teams played a home-and-away series against all opponents from the two divisions (totaling 18 games), 2 additional regional rivalry matches, with each team making an additional trip to either Los Angeles or the Caribbean to play two games while hosting International Division competition for two games. International Division teams played each team in their division four times (twice home, twice away, totaling 16 games) while traveling to face American or National Division opponents in four games and hosting those opponents for four games.[20][21][22]

The original playoff format saw eight teams compete in a one-game quarterfinal. Both the American and National Divisions saw their top three teams advance for an inter-divisional playoff, while the top two teams in the International Division played-off against each other to reach the semi-finals. The four remaining teams were re-seeded for a single semi-final match, again with the higher seed hosting, leading up to a single match for the USL Cup. In all playoff matches the highest seeded team hosted.[23]

The first league game was played on April 2, 2011. The Richmond Kickers defeated Orlando City SC 2–0 at Richmond's City Stadium. Stanley Nyazamba scored the first goal in the 35th minute on a penalty kick.[24]

On May 10, 2011, early in the league's inaugural season, the league announced that it was dropping the three Puerto Rican clubs from the USL Pro schedule.[25] The PRSL clubs were dropped due to economic and ownership issues.[25] The two remaining International Division teams – Antigua Barracuda FC and Los Angeles Blues – were re-aligned into the American and National Divisions. Due to the removal of the International Division, the revised playoff format featured the top four teams in each of the two divisions. The two division playoff winners met in the USL Pro Championship at the home venue of the team with the better record.

Following the 2011 season, USL Pro announced with the release of the 2012 season schedule that F.C. New York would not be returning to play, with the former National and American Divisions being dissolved to form a single, eleven team league table.[26]

Charleston Battery celebrates winning the league title in 2012.

### Beginnings of MLS partnership (2013–2014)

[edit]

Main articles: 2013 USL Pro season and 2014 USL Pro season

Two expansion teams joined for the 2013 season: Phoenix FC[27][28] and the VSI Tampa Bay FC.[29]

On January 23, 2013, the United Soccer Leagues and the Major League Soccer announced a multi-year agreement to integrate MLS Reserve League play with USL Pro teams, first through team affiliations and "interleague" play, but eventually fully merging MLS Reserves into the USL Pro structure. The stated goals[30] of this partnership are to improve North American player development, strengthen league competition, build long-term ties between the leagues and expand the audience for both the leagues and developing players.

While the 2013 season would feature partnered competitions between USL Pro and MLS Reserve teams, four Major League Soccer clubs opted to affiliate with an existing USL Pro team, agreeing to loan at least four MLS players to their affiliate: Sporting Kansas City with Orlando City, the Philadelphia Union with the Harrisburg City Islanders, D.C. United with the Richmond Kickers and the New England Revolution with the Rochester Rhinos. Each MLS club will eventually be expected to either affiliate with a USL Pro team or operate an independent reserve team in the league.[31][32] The Houston Dynamo announced that they would be partnering with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in 2014.[33] However, this partnership between the Riverhounds and Dynamo was dissolved after just one year.[34] Following the conclusion of the 2013 season, VSI Tampa Bay folded after only one season, along with founding league member Antigua.[35]

In December 2012, Sacramento announced it would begin play in 2014 as an expansion team,[36] and in July 2014, USL announced that Oklahoma City would also join USL in 2014.[37] Orlando City announced that it would leave USL after the 2014 season to join MLS as an expansion team for the 2015 season.[38][39][40] The Los Angeles Blues were rebranded as Orange County Blues FC on February 5, 2014.[41] The Phoenix FC franchise was revoked and replaced with Arizona United SC on March 13, 2014.[42]

In what would become a major trend, on January 29, 2014, the LA Galaxy announced the creation of LA Galaxy II, a reserve team within the club's existing development structure. The Galaxy purchased a USL Pro expansion franchise[43] and became the first MLS club to enter its reserve team into the USL Pro.

### Expansion of MLS partnership and first rebranding (2015–2016)

[edit]

Main articles: 2015 USL season and 2016 USL season

USL Pro nearly doubled the number of teams in the league for 2015 in large part due to MLS franchises following the path taken by the LA Galaxy II. Seven MLS clubs announced the purchase of a USL Pro franchise for their reserve team. These MLS franchises joined four independent expansion teams that were previously announced for Colorado Springs, St. Louis, Tulsa and Austin. Additionally, Orlando City sold its franchise rights to Louisville interests, which unveiled Louisville City FC on June 3, 2014, as an affiliate of the new MLS side.[44] The United Soccer Leagues announced that the Charlotte Eagles would drop to its Premier Development League (PDL), now known as USL League Two, while selling their franchise rights to another Charlotte group, which formed Charlotte Independence for play beginning in 2015.[45] Finally, on December 11, 2014, the Dayton Dutch Lions self-relegated to play in the PDL starting in 2015.[46]

During 2014 and early 2015, the various MLS clubs in conjunction with the USL announced seven new franchises that would be owned or controlled by MLS team ownership, and would all begin play in 2015. On September 10, 2014, Real Salt Lake revealed the name of their previously announced USL Pro affiliate team would be Real Monarchs, and confirmed that the team would begin play in 2015.[47][48] The team played at Rio Tinto Stadium until the 5,000-seat Zions Bank Stadium was built in Herriman, Utah.[49] Both the Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders FC created their own USL Pro squads, Portland Timbers 2 and Seattle Sounders FC 2 on October 14, 2014.[50] The Montreal Impact announced that it would field a USL Pro team in September 2014. On November 18, 2014, FC Montreal officially joined the league.[51][52][53] On November 20, 2014, Toronto FC announced that it would also field a team, subsequently named Toronto FC II, for the 2015 season.[54] Whitecaps FC 2 joined USL Pro the next day.[55] After discussing plans for a USL Pro team in 2015,[56] then postponing those plans in September,[57] the New York Red Bulls announced that their USL Pro team, New York Red Bulls II would begin play in 2015.[58][59]

MLS affiliations were announced for the remaining MLS teams that did not have an affiliation in 2014 and did not elect to purchase a USL Pro franchise. On September 18, 2014, the Colorado Rapids announced an affiliation partnership with the Charlotte Independence.[60] On January 16, 2015 New York City FC announced that it would have an affiliate relationship with the Wilmington Hammerheads[61] and the Chicago Fire announced their affiliation with St Louis.[62] On February 9, 2015, FC Dallas announced it would add Arizona United SC as its USL Pro affiliate.[63][64] As a result, all 20 MLS teams for the 2015 season were either fielding their own team in the USL Pro or were affiliated with an independent USL Pro club.

The league also announced in 2015 that the league would be divided into two conferences. Teams would play a 28-game schedule with 22 games against all the teams in their conference, and the teams would be further assigned to four-club subdivisions for the other six games with an eye towards geographic rivalries between clubs.[65]

USL logo used from 2015 until 2018

On February 10, 2015, United Soccer Leagues announced a branding change for the league. It would now be called the United Soccer League or "USL" for short. They introduced a new logo and branding, and stated their intention to apply for Division II status within the United States Soccer Federation hierarchy.[66]

During the 2015 season, USL announced several expansion teams for the 2016 season. The 25th franchise was awarded to Lone Star, LLC and the team would be named Rio Grande Valley FC.[67] In a first for the USL, the team has a "hybrid" affiliation with the Houston Dynamo, who are responsible for the tactical part of the club, while the ownership group, Lone Star, is responsible for operations and management.[68][69] FC Cincinnati was added as the 26th franchise[70][71] and Bethlehem Steel FC, in the Lehigh Valley area and owned by the Philadelphia Union, became the 27th,[72][73] Orlando City B (owned by Orlando City SC) as the 29th,[74] the Swope Park Rangers (owned by Sporting Kansas City) as the 30th,[75] and San Antonio FC as the 31st.[76]

The Austin Aztex announced that they would go on hiatus for the 2016 USL season on October 2, 2015. Floods damaging House Park midway through the 2015 season forced the team to relocate to a high school facility. The team was intended to return in 2017, pending construction of a new, soccer-specific stadium.[77] However, stadium and ownership issues continued to plague the franchise, and they did not return.[78]

### Division II sanctioning and second rebranding (2017–2019)

[edit]

Main articles: 2017 USL season, 2018 USL season, and 2019 USL Championship season

Expansion continued for the 2017 season with Reno 1868 FC, which had been announced during the 2015 season as the 28th franchise, starting play.[79] On October 25, 2016, the USL added two teams from the North American Soccer League (NASL): the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Ottawa Fury FC. This was the first time a club moved from the NASL to the USL.[80] The Montreal Impact also announced that it would fold its USL team, FC Montreal, in favor of affiliating with Ottawa Fury FC.[81]

On August 31, 2016, Kyle Eng sold his majority share of Arizona United SC to an investment group led by Berke Bakay and was rebranded as Phoenix Rising FC.[82][83][84] Ivory Coast Soccer Legend Didier Drogba later purchased a share of the team and played the final two seasons of his career there.[85][86][87][88]

On January 6, 2017, the U.S. Soccer board of directors voted to grant provisional Division II status to the USL for the 2017 season,[1] placing the league on the same tier as the North American Soccer League. The NASL was also downgraded from Division II sanctioning to a provisional status because its membership decreased below the 12-team minimum. Following the 2017 season, the USL gained two more NASL teams: Indy Eleven[89] and North Carolina FC.[90] For the 2018 season, the NASL's provisional sanctioning was not renewed by U.S. Soccer, while the USL was granted full sanctioning under Division II on a year-to-year basis.[91] The NASL sued U.S. Soccer, asking a court to order U.S. Soccer to grant NASL Division II status, but the request was denied by the trial court, and denied again by the appeals court.[92]

The USL's expansion efforts continued in the 2018 season with the additions of Nashville SC,[93][94] Las Vegas Lights FC,[95][96][97] Fresno FC (affiliated with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC)[98] and Atlanta United 2 (owned by Atlanta United FC).[99][100] The league also lost Orlando City B and the Rochester Rhinos, which each announced a hiatus,[101][102] while the Whitecaps FC 2 were folded after its parent team in Vancouver decided to no longer run its own development team and affiliated with the new Fresno expansion.

FC Cincinnati celebrates winning the 2018 regular season title.

Four teams left the USL top flight after the 2018 season. The ownership group of FC Cincinnati was awarded an MLS franchise that started play under the FC Cincinnati name in 2019.[103] Penn FC,[104] the Richmond Kickers,[105] and Toronto FC II voluntarily dropped to USL League One, a new third-level league that United Soccer Leagues launched in 2019.[106] The Kickers and Toronto FC II began League One play in 2019; Penn FC suspended professional operations for 2019 and will resume play in League One in 2020. In addition, the announced hiatuses for both the Rhinos and Orlando City B became permanent departures. The Rhinos originally announced they would extend their hiatus through 2019 before resuming play in League One in 2020,[107] but ended up not resuming play until 2022, by which time the club had changed its name to Rochester New York FC and joined the new third-level MLS Next Pro.[108] Orlando City B resumed play in 2019 in League One.[109]

The league also approved several other expansion locations in Austin,[110] Birmingham,[111] Memphis,[112][113] Chicago,[114][115] Oakland East Bay, Hartford,[116] Albuquerque,[117] El Paso,[118] Loudoun County, Virginia,[119] and San Diego.[120] All of these teams began play in 2019 except for San Diego, which began play in the 2020 season; Chicago and East Bay were both announced to launch by 2021, but were indefinitely put on hold when they had issues in securing stadium plans.[121]

### COVID 19 Impact (2020–2021)

[edit]

Main articles: 2020 USL Championship season and 2021 USL Championship season

Following the end of the 2019 season, three teams left the USL Championship. Nashville SC was awarded a Major League Soccer franchise,[122] Fresno FC announced that they would not be returning to Fresno,[123] and Ottawa Fury FC announced that they would be suspending operations after not receiving sanctioning to remain in USL by CONCACAF and U.S. Soccer.[124] An expansion team was announced for the New York City borough of Queens to be named Queensboro FC.[125] On December 11, the Ottawa Fury announced the sale of its franchise rights to the ownership group of Miami FC, with Miami set to participate in the 2020 USL Championship season. This marked the entrance of another former NASL team into the league, with Miami having previously spent time in NPSL and the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) after the NASL folded.

Saint Louis FC folded at the end of the 2020 season. At the time, the city was set to receive an MLS franchise, with St. Louis City SC ultimately starting play in 2023. A spokesperson for SLFC told Sports Illustrated in August 2020, "The ownership decided that with the financial impact of COVID-19 and MLS on the horizon, it didn't make sense to continue operations."[126] Also at the end of the 2020 season, two MLS clubs, the Philadelphia Union and Portland Timbers, withdrew their reserve sides, Philadelphia Union II and Portland Timbers 2, from the United Soccer League system.[127] The proposed East Bay club's bid had faltered due to stadium issues and its USL franchise rights were purchased by Oakland Roots SC, which had previously played in the NISA, with plans to debut in the USLC for the 2021 season.[128][129] On November 6, 2020, Reno 1868 FC announced it was ceasing operations as a result of the financial and operational impacts of COVID-19.[130] On January 10, 2021, North Carolina FC club chairman Stephen Malik announced that the club would make a "strategic move" to USL League One.[131]

On February 1, 2021, Monterey Bay FC joined the USL Championship. Monterey Bay FC is a continuation of the USL Championship's Fresno FC franchise. Fresno FC, the original club owned by Ray Beshoff, ceased operations after the 2019 season because he was unable to secure construction of a soccer-specific stadium. Beshoff, however, retained the franchise rights and managed to land the franchise to play their home matches at Cardinale Stadium on the campus of California State University, Monterey Bay in Seaside, California. On November 13, 2021, it was announced that Detroit City would join the USL Championship for the 2022 USL Championship season, becoming the third NISA team to join the league after Miami FC and Oakland Roots SC.[132] On December 2, 2021, Charlotte Independence decided to drop down to the third tier USL League One for 2022, with the goal of better serving its youth players, as well as the fact that a new expansion franchise in the city Charlotte FC was joining Major League Soccer that season, with whom several Independence players had signed for.[133][134] On December 3, 2021, Oklahoma City Energy FC announced that it will temporarily suspend soccer operations and will not compete in the 2022 USL Championship season. The decision comes after Energy FC's home field at Taft Stadium, which is owned and operated by the Oklahoma City Public Schools, will undergo major renovations that directly overlap with the 2022 USL Championship season and will resume play for the 2023 USL Championship season in its temporary home at Taft Stadium.[135]

### End of MLS partnership (2021–2022)

[edit]

On December 6, 2021, Major League Soccer announced MLS Next Pro, a Division III league that would begin play in 2022. The MLS–USL partnership that started in 2014 came to an end: all MLS clubs with reserve teams in USL Championship or USL League One would be moving their affiliated teams to MLS Next Pro by 2023, with the exception of Loudoun United FC (although under a different ownership).[136] On December 10, 2021, the USL Championship approved a new ownership group for USL Championship club Austin Bold FC. The new ownership group consists of Donnie Nelson, Neil Leibman, and Bobby Epstein. The team did not participate in the 2022 USL Championship season as it actively seeks relocation to another city in Texas.[137]

On January 27, 2022, the USL officially awarded USL Pro Iowa an expansion team to be based in Des Moines, Iowa, that would join the league in the 2024 season. The team's majority owner is Kyle Krause, who has been the majority owner of USL League Two side Des Moines Menace since 1998.[138] On July 14, 2022, the USL announced a group that intended to bring USL Championship and Super League teams to New Orleans, Louisiana, with a goal for the Championship side to kick off by 2025.[139] On August 12, 2022, ground was broken in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, on a stadium that will be the home of Rhode Island FC.[140] The team begins play in the 2024 season in Smithfield, Rhode Island, as the construction is completed in Pawtucket.[141] On August 30, 2022, the USL announced that a group of investors had formed to bring USL Championship and USL Super League expansion teams to Jacksonville, Florida, with the goal for the Championship side to kick off in 2025.[142] On October 19, 2022, the USL awarded an expansion team to USL Milwaukee, set to begin play in 2025 with plans to build an 8,000-seat stadium in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.[143]

### Recent history (2023–present)

[edit]

On July 12, 2023, the USL awarded an expansion team to USL Arkansas with the intent to bring USL Championship and Super League teams to Rogers, Arkansas, with a goal for the Championship and Super League sides to kick off by 2026 and play in a new 5,000-seat stadium.[144]

On August 7, 2023, North Carolina FC majority owner Steve Malik has announced that the club would come back from USL League One to the USL Championship starting from the 2024 season.[145]

On August 24, 2023, San Diego Loyal ownership announced that the team would shut down at the end of the season,[146] and the USL announced that it would transfer the franchise rights of the Loyal due to an inability to find a "viable near- and long-term stadium solution."[147] The announcement came three months after Major League Soccer announced a San Diego expansion team that would begin play in 2025 as San Diego FC.[146] The club's final game was a 4–3 extra-time playoff quarterfinal loss to Phoenix Rising, the eventual playoff champions.[148]

On November 29, 2023, it was announced that Milwaukee's expansion will be deferred to the 2026 season.[149] On December 14, 2023, the USL awarded an expansion team to USL Palm Beach with the intent to bring USL Championship and Super League teams to Palm Beach County, Florida, with a goal for the Super League side to kick off by 2025.[150]

On December 18, 2023, Rio Grande Valley FC Toros announced they were ceasing all soccer and business operations, officially ending their eight-year business partnership with USL.[151]

## Teams

[edit]

Birmingham

Charleston

Colorado Springs

Detroit

El Paso

Hartford

Indy

Las Vegas

Loudoun

Louisville

Memphis

Miami

Monterey Bay

New Mexico

North Carolina

Oakland

Oklahoma City

Orange County

Phoenix

Pittsburgh

Rhode Island

Sacramento

San Antonio

Tampa Bay

Tulsa

Brooklyn

Jacksonville

Lexington

Iowa

Buffalo

Milwaukee

Arkansas

Palm Beach

New Orleans

class=notpageimage|

Locations of teams in the USL Championship

* Western Conference
* Eastern Conference
* On hiatus
* Future team

The following teams are playing in the 2024 USL Championship season.[152]

Overview of USL Championship teams  Conference  | Team  | City  | Stadium  | Capacity  | Founded  | Joined  | Head coach

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Eastern Conference | Birmingham Legion FC | Birmingham, Alabama | Protective Stadium[i] | 47,100  | 2017  | 2019  |  Tom Soehn
Charleston Battery | Mount Pleasant, South Carolina | Patriots Point Soccer Complex[ii] | 3,900  | 1993  | 2011  |  Ben Pirmann
Detroit City FC | Hamtramck, Michigan | Keyworth Stadium[i] | 7,933  | 2012  | 2022  |  Danny Dichio
Hartford Athletic | Hartford, Connecticut | Trinity Health Stadium[ii] | 5,500  | 2018  | 2019  |  Brendan Burke[153]
Indy Eleven | Indianapolis, Indiana | Carroll Stadium[i] | 10,524  | 2013  | 2018  |  Sean McAuley[154]
Loudoun United FC | Leesburg, Virginia | Segra Field[ii] | 5,000  | 2018  | 2019  |  Ryan Martin
Louisville City FC | Louisville, Kentucky | Lynn Family Stadium[ii] | 11,700  | 2014  | 2015  |  Danny Cruz
Miami FC | University Park, Florida | FIU Stadium[i] | 20,000  | 2015  | 2020  |  Antonio Nocerino
North Carolina FC | Cary, North Carolina | WakeMed Soccer Park | 10,000  | 2006  | 2024  |  John Bradford
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Highmark Stadium[ii] | 5,000  | 1998  | 2011  |  Bob Lilley
Rhode Island FC | Smithfield, Rhode Island[iii] | Beirne Stadium[i][155][iii] | 5,252  | 2019  | 2024  |  Khano Smith
Tampa Bay Rowdies | St. Petersburg, Florida | Al Lang Stadium[iv] | 7,227  | 2008  | 2017  |  Robbie Neilson
Western Conference | Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC | Colorado Springs, Colorado | Weidner Field[ii] | 8,000  | 2013  | 2015  |  James Chambers
El Paso Locomotive FC | El Paso, Texas | Southwest University Park[iv] | 9,500  | 2018  | 2019  |  Wilmer Cabrera
Las Vegas Lights FC | Las Vegas, Nevada | Cashman Field[ii] | 9,334  | 2017  | 2018  |  Dennis Sanchez
Memphis 901 FC | Memphis, Tennessee | AutoZone Park[iv] | 10,000  | 2018  | 2019  |  Stephen Glass
Monterey Bay FC | Seaside, California | Cardinale Stadium[ii] | 6,000  | 2021  | 2022  |  Jordan Stewart
New Mexico United | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Rio Grande Credit Union Field[iv] | 13,500  | 2018  | 2019  |  Eric Quill
Oakland Roots SC | Oakland, California | Pioneer Stadium[i] | 5,000  | 2018  | 2021  |  Gavin Glinton (interim)
Orange County SC | Irvine, California | Championship Soccer Stadium[ii] | 5,000  | 2010  | 2011  |  Paul Hardyman
Phoenix Rising FC | Phoenix, Arizona | Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium[ii][156] | 10,000  | 2014  |  Diego Gómez (interim)
Sacramento Republic FC | Sacramento, California | Heart Health Park[ii] | 11,569  | 2012  | 2014  |  Mark Briggs
San Antonio FC | San Antonio, Texas | Toyota Field[ii] | 8,296  | 2016  |  Alen Marcina
FC Tulsa | Tulsa, Oklahoma | Oneok Field[iv] | 7,833  | 2013  | 2015  |  Mario Sanchez

### Expansion teams

[edit]

Overview of USL Championship planned teams  Team  | City  | Stadium  | Capacity  | Founded  | Joining  | Head coach

|
|
|
|
|
|

Brooklyn FC[157] | Brooklyn, New York City, New York | Maimonides Park[158] | 7,000  | 2023  | 2025 [159] |
Sporting Club Jacksonville | Jacksonville, Florida | TBD  | TBD  | 2022  | 2025[160] |
Lexington SC[161] | Lexington, Kentucky | Lexington SC Stadium  | 7,500  | 2021  | 2025  |  Darren Powell
Milwaukee Pro Soccer | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Iron District Stadium[ii] | 8,000  | 2022  | 2026[162][163] |
USL Arkansas[164][165] | Rogers, Arkansas | USL Arkansas Stadium[ii] | 5,000  | 2023  | 2026[165] |
Buffalo Pro Soccer | Buffalo, New York | TBD  | TBD  | 2024  | 2026[166] |
USL Pro Iowa[167][168] | Des Moines, Iowa | Pro Iowa Stadium[ii] | 6,300  | 2022  | TBD[169] |
USL New Orleans[170] | New Orleans, Louisiana | TBD  | TBD  | 2022  | TBD  |
USL Palm Beach[171] | Palm Beach County, Florida | TBD  | TBD  | 2023  | TBD  |

Notes

1. ^ a b c d e f Shared facility; not a soccer-specific stadium
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Soccer-specific stadium
3. ^ a b Temporary home until a new stadium is built in the club's planned home of Pawtucket.
4. ^ a b c d e Baseball park

Overview of inactive USL Championship teams  Club  | City  | Stadium  | Capacity  | Joined  | Last played  | Notes

|
|
|
|
|
|

OKC Energy FC | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Taft Stadium | 7,500  | 2014  | 2021  | Planned 2027 return, pending new stadium completion[172][173]
Overview of former USL Championship teams  Club  | City  | Stadium  | Capacity  | Joined  | Final season  | MLS affiliation  | Fate

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Antigua Barracuda FC | St. John's, Antigua  | Stanford Cricket Ground | 5,000  | 2011  | 2013  | None  | Folded
Atlanta United 2 | Kennesaw, Georgia | Fifth Third Bank Stadium | 8,318  | 2018  | 2022  | Atlanta United | Moved to MLS Next Pro
Austin Bold FC | Austin, Texas | Circuit of the Americas | 5,000  | 2017  | 2021  | None  | Folded
Austin Aztex | Austin, Texas | House Park | 6,500  | 2015  | Columbus Crew SC | Folded
Charlotte Eagles | Charlotte, North Carolina | Dickson Field | 5,006  | 2011  | 2014  | None  | Moved to Premier Development League[i]
Charlotte Independence | Charlotte, North Carolina | Memorial Stadium | 10,500  | 2014  | 2021  | None  | Moved to USL League One[174]
FC Cincinnati | Cincinnati, Ohio | Nippert Stadium | 33,800  | 2015  | 2018  | None  | Moved to Major League Soccer
Dayton Dutch Lions | West Carrollton, Ohio | DOC Stadium | 3,000  | 2011  | 2014  | Columbus Crew SC | Moved to Premier Development League[i]
FC Montreal | Montreal, Quebec | Complexe sportif Claude-Robillard | 3,500  | 2015  | 2016  | Montreal Impact | Folded by MLS parent club
F.C. New York | Queens, New York | Belson Stadium | 2,168  | 2011  | None  | Moved to National Premier Soccer League
Fresno FC | Fresno, California | Chukchansi Park | 12,500  | 2017  | 2019  | None  | Relocated to Monterey County, California, became Monterey Bay FC
LA Galaxy II | Carson, California | Dignity Health Sports Park | 10,000  | 2014  | 2022  | LA Galaxy | Moved to MLS Next Pro
Nashville SC | Nashville, Tennessee | First Tennessee Park | 10,000  | 2016  | 2019  | None  | Moved to Major League Soccer
New York Red Bulls II | Montclair, New Jersey | MSU Soccer Park | 5,000  | 2015  | 2022  | New York Red Bulls | Moved to MLS Next Pro
Orlando City B | Orlando, Florida | Orlando City Stadium | 3,500  | 2016  | 2017  | Orlando City SC | Moved to USL League One[175]
Orlando City SC | Bay Lake, Florida | ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex | 5,500  | 2011  | 2014  | Sporting Kansas City | Moved to Major League Soccer; USL rights transferred to Louisville
Ottawa Fury FC | Ottawa, Ontario | TD Place Stadium | 24,000  | 2017  | 2019  | Montreal Impact | Folded;[124] USL rights transferred to Miami[176]
Penn FC | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania | FNB Field | 6,187  | 2011  | 2018  | None  | Folded
Philadelphia Union II | Chester, Pennsylvania | Subaru Park | 18,500  | 2015  | 2020  | Philadelphia Union | Moved to MLS Next Pro
Phoenix FC | Tempe, Arizona | Sun Devil Soccer Stadium | 3,400  | 2013  | None  | Folded; replaced by Arizona United SC[ii]
Portland Timbers 2 | Hillsboro, Oregon | Hillsboro Stadium | 7,600  | 2015  | 2020  | Portland Timbers | Moved to MLS Next Pro
Puerto Rico United[iii] | Aguada, Puerto Rico | Aguada Stadium | 4,000  | 2011  | None  | Moved to Liga Nacional (PR)
Real Monarchs | Herriman, Utah | Zions Bank Stadium[iv] | 5,000  | 2015  | 2021  | Real Salt Lake | Moved to MLS Next Pro
Reno 1868 FC | Reno, Nevada | Greater Nevada Field[v] | 9,013  | 2017  | 2020  | San Jose Earthquakes | Folded
Richmond Kickers | Richmond, Virginia | City Stadium | 22,000  | 2011  | 2018  | D.C. United | Moved to USL League One
Rio Grande Valley FC | Edinburg, Texas | H-E-B Park[iv] | 9,400  | 2016  | 2023  | None  | Folded
River Plate Puerto Rico[iii] | Fajardo, Puerto Rico | Roberto Clemente Stadium | 12,500  | 2011  | None  | Moved to Puerto Rico Soccer League
Rochester Rhinos | Rochester, New York | Marina Auto Stadium | 13,768  | 2011  | 2017  | New England Revolution | Moved to MLS Next Pro[177]
Saint Louis FC | Fenton, Missouri | West Community Stadium[iv] | 5,500  | 2014  | 2020  | None  | Folded
San Diego Loyal SC | San Diego, California | Torero Stadium | 6,000  | 2020  | 2023  | None  | Folded
Sevilla Puerto Rico[iii] | Juncos, Puerto Rico | Josué Elevadito González Stadium  | 2,500  | 2011  | None  | Moved to Liga Nacional (PR)
Sporting Kansas City II | Kansas City, Kansas | Children's Mercy Park[iv] | 18,467  | 2016  | 2021  | Sporting Kansas City | Moved to MLS Next Pro
Tacoma Defiance | Tacoma, Washington | Cheney Stadium[v] | 6,500  | 2015  | 2021  | Seattle Sounders FC | Moved to MLS Next Pro
Toronto FC II | Toronto, Ontario | Lamport Stadium | 9,600  | 2014  | 2018  | Toronto FC | Moved to USL League One
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 | Vancouver, British Columbia | Thunderbird Stadium | 3,500  | 2015  | 2017  | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Moved to MLS Next Pro
VSI Tampa Bay FC | Plant City, Florida | Plant City Stadium | 6,700  | 2013  | 2013  | None  | Folded
Wilmington Hammerheads FC | Wilmington, North Carolina | Legion Stadium | 6,000  | 2011  | 2016  | Toronto FC & New York City FC | Moved to PDL[i]

1. ^ a b c Known as USL League Two (USL2) since the 2019 season
2. ^ Renamed as Phoenix Rising FC in 2016.
3. ^ a b c Puerto Rico United, River Plate Puerto Rico, and Sevilla Puerto Rico tried to participate in the USL's first season but had financial difficulties almost immediately and the league had to cancel all games after May and make significant changes to the remaining schedule
4. ^ a b c d Soccer specific stadium
5. ^ a b Baseball park

### Timeline

[edit]

‡ Puerto Rico clubs Puerto Rico United, River Plate Puerto Rico, and Sevilla Puerto Rico began play in the league, but in May 2011 United Soccer Leagues announced that the teams would not finish the season due to financial difficulties.[178]

## Competition format

[edit]

USL Pro's scheduling format changed for the 2015 season to accommodate the expansion that took place during the 2014–2015 off-season, and the league's resulting need to divide teams into conferences – which eliminated the single table.[179][180]

All teams played 28 regular-season matches stretching from March to September. This included a 22-game, double-round-robin schedule that pitted each team against all its conference opponents at home and on the road. The remaining six fixtures were played against regional rivals, which lead to some inter-conference regular season matches. The top six finishers in each conference went through to the October playoffs, which continued as a series of single-game knockout rounds. After three rounds of intra-conference play, the two conference champions met in the championship match, to be hosted by the team with the better regular-season record.[181] For 2016 season the season was extended to 30 games.[182]

Teams play a home-and-away schedule within their conference and an additional twelve games (six home and six away) against teams in the opposing conference for a 34-game schedule. At the conclusion of the regular season, the top eight teams in each conference will qualify for the 2023 USL Championship Playoffs. The USL Championship Playoffs will remain in a single-elimination format and will return to a fixed bracket format, culminating in the USL Championship Final.[183]

There has been some recent media speculation of bringing in Promotion and relegation to create an open league system.[184] The potential benefits would be increased competition, meritocracy, fan engagement and a balanced league structure. In order to create more stability, multiple European leagues require that promotion is usually contingent on meeting criteria set by the higher league, especially concerning appropriate facilities and finances.

## Media coverage

[edit]

The USL has been partnered with ESPN since the 2016 season. The first iteration of the deal brought 20 matches to ESPN3 and the championship match to one of its linear networks, while all remaining matches were broadcast directly by the league on its YouTube channel.[185]

Beginning with the launch of ESPN+ on April 12, 2018, all USL matches moved to the over-the-top service, with 18 games of the week and the championship continuing to air on one of ESPN's linear channels.[186] The 2019 final will also air on ESPN Deportes. The deal with ESPN expired after the 2019 season, but was subsequently renewed for three additional seasons. Although the ESPN+ match streams are not blacked out in-market, individual clubs are also allowed to syndicate the USL-produced broadcast to local television stations.[187]

The English-language commentary team for the USL Championship on ESPN has included Mike Watts and Devon Kerr since 2018. Watts and Kerr also host a weekly program, USL All-Access, on Sirius XM FC. Broadcasts on ESPN Deportes have been led by Jesús Eduardo Acosta and José Armando Rodriguez.[188]

In August 2020, the USL announced their first international broadcast partner with Caribbean broadcaster Flow Sports.[189]

In August 2021, the USL announced a new broadcast agreement with OneFootball in Italy.[190]

The USL announced that four-year media deal with CBS Sports beginning with the 2024 season through 2027.[191] On February 27, 2024, the USL also announced multi-year deal with ESPN as a second broadcast partner through 2026.[192]

Region  | Broadcaster

|

United States  | CBS Sports:
(CBS, Paramount+, CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports Golazo Network)
ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN+
Caribbean  | Flow Sports
Italy  | OneFootball

## Champions

[edit]

Teams that no longer participate in the USL Championship are in italics.

Season  | Playoff champions  | Players' Shield[a]

|
|

USL Professional Division (USL Pro)
2011 | Orlando City SC | Orlando City SC
2012 | Charleston Battery | Orlando City SC
2013 | Orlando City SC | Richmond Kickers
2014 | Sacramento Republic FC | Orlando City SC
United Soccer League
2015 | Rochester Rhinos | Rochester Rhinos
2016 | New York Red Bulls II | New York Red Bulls II
2017 | Louisville City FC | Real Monarchs SLC
2018 | Louisville City FC | FC Cincinnati
USL Championship
2019 | Real Monarchs SLC | Phoenix Rising FC
2020 | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic | Reno 1868 FC
2021 | Orange County SC | Tampa Bay Rowdies
2022 | San Antonio FC | San Antonio FC
2023 | Phoenix Rising FC | Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

### USL Championship Final results

[edit]

Season  | Champions  | Score  | Runners–up  | Venue  | Attendance  | MVP

|
|
|
|
|
|

2011 | Orlando City | 2–2 (p)  | Harrisburg City Islanders | Citrus Bowl | 11,220  | Sean Kelley (ORL)
2012 | Charleston Battery | 1–0  | Wilmington Hammerheads | Blackbaud Stadium | 4,963  | Jose Cuevas (CHB)
2013 | Orlando City | 7–4  | Charlotte Eagles | Citrus Bowl | 20,886 | Dom Dwyer (ORL)
2014 | Sacramento Republic | 2–0  | Harrisburg City Islanders | Bonney Field | 8,000  | Rodrigo López (SAC)
2015 | Rochester Rhinos | 2–1 (a.e.t.)  | LA Galaxy II | Sahlen's Stadium | 5,247  | Asani Samuels (ROC)
2016 | New York Red Bulls II | 5–1  | Swope Park Rangers | Red Bull Arena | 5,547  | Brandon Allen (NYRB)
2017 | Louisville City FC | 1–0  | Swope Park Rangers | Louisville Slugger Field | 14,456  | Paolo DelPiccolo (LOU)
2018 | Louisville City FC | 1–0  | Phoenix Rising FC | Lynn Stadium | 7,025  | Luke Spencer (LOU)
2019 | Real Monarchs | 3–1  | Louisville City FC | Lynn Stadium | 7,025  | Konrad Plewa (SLC)
2020 | Final cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic[b]
2021 | Orange County SC | 3–1 | Tampa Bay Rowdies | Al Lang Stadium | 7,521 | Ronaldo Damus (OCO)
2022 | San Antonio FC | 3–1 | Louisville City FC | Toyota Field | 8,534 | Santiago Patiño (SAN)
2023 | Phoenix Rising FC | 1–1 (p) | Charleston Battery | Patriots Point Soccer Complex | 5,094 | Rocco Ríos Novo (PHX)

1. ^ Known as the "Commissioners Cup" from 2011 to 2014 and the "regular season champions" from 2015 to 2022
2. ^ The 2020 Final was scheduled to be played at Al Lang Stadium between Tampa Bay Rowdies and Phoenix Rising FC

## USL club honors

[edit]

Updated to the end of the 2023 USL playoffs; sorted by major honors (championships).

Team  | Seasons  | USL playoffs | USL regular season  | Total honors  | Major honors /
championships

|
|
|
|
|

Winner  | Runner-up  | Winner  | Runner-up
Orlando City SC | 4 | 2 | — | 3 | 1 | 6 | 5
Louisville City FC | 9 | 2 | 2 | — | 3 | 7 | 2
Rochester Rhinos | 7 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2
New York Red Bulls II | 8 | 1 | — | 1 | — | 2 | 2
Real Monarchs | 7 | 1 | — | 1 | — | 2 | 2
San Antonio FC | 8 | 1 | — | 1 | — | 2 | 2
Phoenix Rising FC | 10 | 1 | 2[a] | 1 | — | 3 | 2
Tampa Bay Rowdies | 7 | — | 2[a] | 1 | — | 3 | 1
Sacramento Republic | 10 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 2 | 1
Orange County SC | 13 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 1
Charleston Battery | 13 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1
FC Cincinnati | 3 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 1
Reno 1868 FC | 4 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 1
Richmond Kickers | 8 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 1
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC | 13 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 1
Penn FC | 8 | — | 2 | — | — | 2 | 0
Wilmington Hammerheads | 6 | — | 1 | — | 1 | 2 | 0
Sporting Kansas City II | 6 | — | 2 | — | — | 2 | 0
LA Galaxy II | 8 | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 0
Charlotte Eagles | 4 | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 0

1. ^ a b Includes the canceled 2020 finals.

### Player records

[edit]

As of January 27, 2024[193]

Most USL goals  | Rank | Player | Goals

|
|

1  |  Dane Kelly | 104
2  |  Neco Brett | 86
3  |  Corey Hertzog | 73
4  |  Jorge Herrera | 72
5  |  Cameron Lancaster | 71
6  |  Chandler Hoffman | 66
7  |  Hadji Barry | 63
8  |  Kyle Greig | 61
9  |  Cameron Iwasa | 59
10  |  George Davis IV | 57
10  |  Junior Flemmings
Most USL appearances  | Rank | Player | Apps

|
|

1  |  George Davis IV | 242
2  |  Taylor Mueller | 241
2  |  Jorge Herrera | 231
4  |  Dane Kelly | 228
5  |  Josh Suggs | 223
6  |  Kyle Greig | 222
7  |  Neco Brett | 203
8  |  Luke Vercollone | 200
9  |  Christian Duke  | 199
10  |  Kareem Dacres  | 197
Most USL assists  | Rank | Player | Asts

|
|

1  |  Kenardo Forbes | 45
2  |  Danny Barrera | 44
3  |  Solomon Asante | 41
4  |  Maikel Chang | 38
5  |  Jorge Herrera | 35
6  |  Antoine Hoppenot | 33
Rodrigo Lopez  | 33
7  |  Christiano Francis  | 32
Bryan Ownby  | 32
8  |  Enzo Martinez  | 30

Most USL clean sheets  Rank | Player | CS

|
|

1  |  Evan Newton | 57
2  |  Brandon Miller | 43
3  |  Odisnel Cooper | 40
4  |  Matt Pickens | 37
Tomas Gomez | 37
5  |  Cody Laurendi | 36
6  |  Carl Woszczynski | 34
7  |  Alex Tambakis  | 33
8  |  Miguel Gallardo | 32
Andrew Dykstra | 32

## Attendance

[edit]

Season  | Teams  | League avg.  | Playoff avg.  | Highest teams  | Lowest teams  | Ref

|
|
|
|
|
|

2011 | 12 | 2,274 | 5,555 | 5,330 (Orlando City)
4,927 (Rochester) | 410 (Los Angeles Blues)
542 (Dayton) | [194]
2012 | 11 | 2,777 | 4,252 | 6,606 (Orlando City)
6,265 (Rochester) | 666 (Los Angeles Blues)
722 (Dayton) | [195]
2013 | 13 | 2,611 | 6,989 | 8,056 (Orlando City)
5,898 (Rochester) | 378 (VSI Tampa Bay)
718 (Los Angeles Blues) | [196]
2014 | 14 | 3,114 | 5,397 | 11,293 (Sacramento)
5,329 (Rochester) | 533 (Dayton)
597 (LA Galaxy II) | [197]
2015 | 24 | 3,369 | 5,463 | 11,313 (Sacramento)
6,765 (Louisville City) | 313 (FC Montreal)
479 (Toronto FC ll) | [198]
2016 | 29 | 3,439 | 5,281 | 17,296 (FC Cincinnati)
11,514 (Sacramento) | 243 (FC Montreal)
589 (New York Red Bulls II) | [199]
2017 | 30 | 4,302 | 5,339 | 21,198 (FC Cincinnati)
11,569 (Sacramento) | 632 (New York Red Bulls II)
869 (Vancouver Whitecaps 2) |
2018 | 33 | 4,923 | 7,786 | 25,717 (FC Cincinnati)
11,311 (Sacramento) | 810 (Toronto FC II)
812 (New York Red Bulls II) | [200]
2019 | 36 | 4,478 | 5,389 | 12,693 (New Mexico United)
10,734 (Indy Eleven) | 478 (Bethlehem Steel FC)
505 (Swope Park Rangers) |
2020 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
2021 | 31 | 4,138 | 6,645 | 12,115 (Louisville City)
10,418 (New Mexico United) | 310 (Loudoun United)
369 (New York Red Bulls II) | [201][202]
2022 | 27 | 5,061 | 7,841 | 14,673 (Louisville City FC)
14,519 (New Mexico United) | 122 (New York Red Bulls II)
182 (New York Red Bulls II) | [203]
2023 | 24  | 5,803 | 6,394 | 10,627 (Sacramento)

10,547 (Louisville City)

| 1,432 (Miami FC)

2,664 (Loudoun United)

| [204]

FC Cincinnati played before a record crowd of 20,497 at Nippert Stadium on April 16, 2016, in a rivalry match against neighboring Louisville City FC.[205] This broke the USL Pro's previous record for attendance at a regular-season match of 20,231 set by Sacramento Republic in its home debut on April 26, 2014, at Hughes Stadium.[206] Cincinnati broke the record again on May 14, 2016, with a new all-time high of 23,375.[207] Cincinnati broke the single game attendance record again on October 2, 2016, in their first ever playoff match against the Charleston Battery, losing 2–1 in the quarterfinals of the 2016 USL playoffs. The attendance of 30,187 also set the USL playoff record.[208] Cincinnati broke the all time regular season record again on August 5, 2017, at Nippert Stadium, drawing 25,308 versus Orlando City B. They broke their own record again about six weeks later drawing 30,417 to a 4–2 win over the New York Red Bulls II.[209] Cincinnati broke the record once more in their final home regular season game as a USL team on September 29, 2018, drawing 31,478 versus Indy Eleven[210]

## See also

[edit]

Portals:

* Association football
* Sports
* United States
* Canada

* Soccer in the United States
* Soccer in Canada
* Professional sports leagues in the United States

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[edit]

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## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to USL Championship.

* Official website

* v
* t
* e

USL Championship

Eastern Conference|

* Birmingham Legion FC
* Charleston Battery
* Detroit City FC
* Hartford Athletic
* Indy Eleven
* Loudoun United FC
* Louisville City FC
* Miami FC
* North Carolina FC
* Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
* Rhode Island FC
* Tampa Bay Rowdies

Western Conference|

* Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
* El Paso Locomotive FC
* Las Vegas Lights FC
* Memphis 901 FC
* Monterey Bay FC
* New Mexico United
* Oakland Roots SC
* Orange County SC
* Phoenix Rising FC
* Sacramento Republic FC
* San Antonio FC
* FC Tulsa

Future teams|

* Brooklyn FC (2025)
* Sporting Club Jacksonville (2025)
* Milwaukee Pro Soccer (2026)
* USL Arkansas (2026)
* Buffalo Pro Soccer (2026)
* USL Pro Iowa (TBD)
* USL New Orleans (TBD)
* USL Palm Beach (TBD)
* OKC Energy FC (on hiatus)

Former teams|

* Antigua Barracuda FC
* Atlanta United 2
* Austin Aztex
* Charlotte Eagles
* Charlotte Independence
* FC Cincinnati
* Dayton Dutch Lions
* Fresno FC
* LA Galaxy II
* FC Montreal
* Nashville SC
* F.C. New York
* New York Red Bulls II
* Orlando City B
* Orlando City SC
* Ottawa Fury FC
* Penn FC
* Philadelphia Union II
* Phoenix FC
* Portland Timbers 2
* Puerto Rico United
* Real Monarchs
* Reno 1868 FC
* Richmond Kickers
* Rio Grande Valley FC Toros
* River Plate Puerto Rico
* Rochester Rhinos
* Saint Louis FC
* San Diego Loyal SC
* Sevilla FC Puerto Rico
* Sporting Kansas City II
* Tacoma Defiance
* Toronto FC II
* VSI Tampa Bay FC
* Whitecaps FC 2
* Wilmington Hammerheads FC

Seasons|

* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

Miscellaneous|

* Foreign players
* USL Championship Final
* United Soccer League
* USL League One
* USL League Two

* v
* t
* e

USL Championship venues

Eastern
Conference|

* Al Lang Stadium
* Beirne Stadium
* Carroll Stadium
* Highmark Stadium
* Keyworth Stadium
* Lynn Family Stadium
* Patriots Point Soccer Complex
* Pitbull Stadium
* Protective Stadium
* Segra Field
* Trinity Health Stadium
* WakeMed Soccer Park

Western
Conference|

* AutoZone Park
* Cardinale Stadium
* Cashman Field
* Championship Soccer Stadium
* Heart Health Park
* ONEOK Field
* Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium
* Pioneer Stadium
* Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park
* Southwest University Park
* Toyota Field
* Weidner Field

Future|

* Eleven Park
* Iron District Stadium
* Pro Iowa Stadium
* Tidewater Landing Stadium

* v
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* e

Soccer in the United States

* U.S. Soccer Federation
* USASA
* USCS
* State Soccer Associations
* League system
* History
* First game
* College
* Hall of Fame
* Awards
* Clubs
* International competition
* Champions
* Venues (stadiums by capacity
* soccer-specific stadium)
* Women's

Men's|

| National teams|

* Senior (results
* players)
* U23
* U20
* U18
* U17
* U15
* Beach soccer
* Futsal
* indoor soccer
* Paralympic

|

Outdoor leagues|

| Professional|

* MLS
* History
* Playoffs
* MLS Cup
* USL Championship
* USLC Final
* USL League One
* NISA
* MLS Next Pro

|

Amateur|

* USL League Two
* NISA Nation
* NPSL
* CSL
* EPSL
* EPLWA
* GCPL
* MWPL
* OVPL
* SFSFL
* UPSL
* USLPA

Defunct|

* AFA (1884–1924)
* American Cup (1885–1924)
* ALPF (1894)
* APSL (2015–2018)
* NAFL (1895–1898)
* AAFA Cup (1912–13)
* ASL (1921–1933)
* ASL (1933–1983)
* NASFL (1946–47)
* USA (1967)
* NPSL (1967)
* NASL (1968–1984)
* USL (1984–85)
* LSSA (1987–1992)
* ASL (1988–89)
* WSA (1989)
* USL 2nd (1990–2010)
* APSL (1990–1996)
* A-League (1996–2004)
* USL 1st (2005–2009)
* D2 Pro (2010)
* PLA (2015–2017)
* NASL (2011–2017)

Indoor leagues|

| Current|

* MASL
* MASL2
* MASL3
* MLIS
* NISL
* PASL
* WISL

|

Defunct|

* NASL (1975–76, 1979–1984)
* MISL (1978–1992)
* NPSL (1984–2001)
* CISL (1993–1997)
* EISL (1997–98)
* WISL (1998–2001)
* MISL (2001–2008)
* AISL (2003–2008)
* XSL (2008–09)
* MISL (2008–2014)

Futsal leagues|

* MLF
* PFL

Club competitions|

* U.S. Open Cup
* USL Cup
* National Amateur Cup
* Hank Steinbrecher Cup
* U.S. Open (indoor)

Women's|

| National teams|

* Senior (players)
* U23
* U20
* U19
* U18
* U17
* U15
* Futsal
* Deaf

|

Outdoor leagues|

| Professional|

* NWSL
* NWSL Challenge Cup
* NWSL Shield
* Playoffs
* USL Super League (beginning play in 2024)

|

Amateur|

* USL W League
* WPSL
* UWS
* OVPL

Indoor leagues|

* NISL
* PASL

Futsal leagues|

* MLF

International competitions|

* SheBelieves Cup
* Tournament of Nations

Club competitions|

* Women's Open
* Women's Amateur

Defunct leagues|

* W-League (1995–2015)
* WUSA (2001–2003)
* WPS (2009–2011)
* WPSL Elite (2012)

Youth|

| Leagues|

* AYSO
* NFHS
* USYSA
* Super Y League
* MLS Next
* USL Academy

|

Competitions|

* US Youth Soccer National Championships

By city|

* Houston
* Los Angeles
* New York City
* Seattle
* St. Louis

Other topics|

* Most expensive American soccer transfers
* Broadcast rights
* Soccer America

* Category

* v
* t
* e

Second level association football leagues of North America, Central America, and the Caribbean (CONCACAF)

North America|

* Mexico
* United States

Central America|

* Belize
* Costa Rica
* El Salvador
* Guatemala
* Honduras
* Nicaragua
* Panama

Caribbean|

* Anguilla
* Antigua and Barbuda
* Aruba
* Bahamas
* Grand Bahama
* New Providence
* Barbados
* Bermuda2
* British Virgin Islands
* Cayman Islands
* Cuba
* Curaçao
* Dominica
* Dominican Republic
* French Guiana1 3
* Grenada
* Guadeloupe1
* Guyana3
* Haiti
* Jamaica
* Eastern
* Kingston–St. Andrews
* South Central
* Western
* Martinique1
* Montserrat
* Puerto Rico
* Saint Kitts and Nevis
* Saint Lucia
* Saint Martin1
* Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
* Sint Maarten1
* Suriname3
* Trinidad and Tobago
* Turks and Caicos Islands
* United States Virgin Islands
* St. Croix
* St. Thomas

* 1: Full CONCACAF member, but not affiliated to FIFA.
* 2: North American member but affiliated to CFU.
* 3: South American member but affiliated to CONCACAF and to CFU.

* v
* t
* e

United States Soccer – Division 2 seasons

American Soccer League|

* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983

United Soccer League (1984–85)|

* 1984
* 1985

APSL/A-League|

* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996

USISL Select League / A-League|

* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004

USL First Division|

* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009

USSF Division 2 Professional League|

* 2010

North American Soccer League|

* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017

USL / USL Championship|

* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

* v
* t
* e

United States Soccer – Division 3 seasons

USISL Pro / D-3 Pro / USL Second Division|

* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010

USL Pro / United Soccer League|

* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016

USL League One|

* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

National Independent Soccer Association|

* 2019–20
* 2020–21
* Fall 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

MLS Next Pro|

* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

* v
* t
* e

Current head coaches in the USL Championship

Eastern Conference|

* Soehn (Birmingham Legion FC)
* Pirmann (Charleston Battery)
* Dichio (Detroit City FC)
* Burke (Hartford Athletic)
* McAuley (Indy Eleven)
* Martin (Loudoun United FC)
* Cruz (Louisville City FC)
* Nocerino (Miami FC)
* Bradford (North Carolina FC)
* Lilley (Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC)
* Smith (Rhode Island FC)
* Neilson (Tampa Bay Rowdies)

Western Conference|

* Chambers (Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC)
* Cabrera (El Paso Locomotive FC)
* Sanchez (Las Vegas Lights FC)
* Glass (Memphis 901 FC)
* Stewart (Monterey Bay FC)
* Quill (New Mexico United)
* Glinton (Oakland Roots SC) (interim)
* Hardyman (Orange County SC) (interim)
* Gómez (Phoenix Rising FC) (interim)
* Briggs (Sacramento Republic FC)
* Marcina (San Antonio FC)
* Sanchez (FC Tulsa)

Future expansion|

* Vacant (Brooklyn FC)
* Vacant (USL Pro Iowa)
* Vacant (USL Milwaukee)

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