American Soccer League (2014–2017) Explained

American Soccer League
Country:United States
Teams:10
Levels:5
Domest Cup:Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
Champions:Philadelphia Fury (2017)

The American Soccer League (ASL) was an American soccer league that held three seasons of play between August 2014 and 2017.[1] It is the fourth league in U.S. history to use that name. The league footprint was in the northeastern United States. ASL players were paid, making it different from the NPSL or PDL models in which college-eligible players can compete.

American Professional Soccer (APS) is the parent company of American Soccer League (ASL). The league's goal was to eventually achieve U.S. Soccer Division 3 status. However, this did not materialize. Initially, the league was sanctioned by the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA).[2]

History

Initially, the league played a traditional FIFA calendar schedule. After the first season, ASL switched formats to a Spring-Fall schedule. The ASL spring season ran from April to June. After a short break, the fall season continued in late August and ran until early November. In the league's initial season, an affiliation agreement was formalized with the Canadian Soccer League.[3] [4]

Teams

TeamCityStadiumFounded
AFC Lancaster LionsEphrata, PennsylvaniaEphrata High School2015
Atlanta Futuro FCSnellville, GeorgiaShiloh High School2015
New Britain, ConnecticutVeterans Stadium2015
Long Island Express FCUniondale, New YorkMitchel Athletic Complex2016
Maryland SGFC EaglesSilver Spring, MarylandPaint Branch HS Athletic Stadium2017
Mass United FCLynn, MassachusettsManning Field2009
Glenside, PennsylvaniaJean Lenox West Field2017
Glassboro, New JerseyRichard Wackar Stadium2012
Virginia FCLeesburg, VirginiaEvergreen Sport Complex2017

Champions

SeasonChampionResultRunner Up
2014–15Icon FC[5] 0:0 (6–5 PKs)Western Mass Pro
2016Long Island Express[6] 1:0Philadelphia Fury
2017Philadelphia Fury3:1Mass United FC

Rivalry Cups

CompetitionMost WinsTitlesOther Club(s)TitlesDrawsRecent winner
Commonwealth Derby 2 0 4Mass United FC[7]
Soccer Factory Derby 2 1 1 Philadelphia Fury
Yankee Derby 1 0 3 Mass United FC
Philadelphia Derby 5 0 0 Philadelphia Fury
Keystone Derby 2 0 1 Philadelphia Atoms SC

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: About the League. November 13, 2014. American Soccer League. https://web.archive.org/web/20141129031211/http://www.aslsoccer.us/about-the-league/. 2014-11-29. dead.
  2. Web site: ASL Receives Provisional USASA Sanctioning. ASL. March 6, 2014.
  3. Web site: 13 March 2014 . Partnership with American Soccer League a Historic Occasion . 15 March 2024 . Canadian Soccer League . en-US.
  4. News: Graham . Doug . 17 April 2014 . 'It is business as usual': Kingston FC owner . . C1.
  5. Web site: Western Mass Falls on PKs in ASL Title Match. 4 July 2015. New England Soccer Today.
  6. Web site: Undefeated . 13 November 2016 . American Soccer League . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20161116014950/http://www.aslsoccer.org/ASLFBTFinal . 16 November 2016 .
  7. Web site: United Gets It Done Against Pioneers. Mass United FC. May 12, 2014.