United Soccer League Explained
| United Soccer League |
| Industry: | Soccer |
| Founder: | Francisco Marcos[1] |
| Hq Location City: | Tampa, Florida |
| Hq Location Country: | U.S. |
| Key People: | - Rob Hoskins (Chairman)
- Alec Papadakis (CEO)
|
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 Super Y League. 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
Year by year
- 1986 – The original USL is established as the Southwest Indoor Soccer League.
- 1989 – An outdoor league, known as the Southwest Outdoor Soccer League is added.
- 1990 – The indoor and outdoor leagues merge, becoming the Sunbelt Independent Soccer League.
- 1991 – The SISL is renamed the United States Interregional Soccer League.
- 1995 – The USISL is renamed the United States International Soccer League. Later that year, the USISL is renamed United Systems of Independent Soccer Leagues and formally establishes professional Pro League and amateur Premier Development League. The USL W-League women's semi-pro league is also launched.
- 1996 – Select League is established consisting of strongest teams from Division 3 Pro League and Amateur Premier League in hopes of gaining Division 2 sanctioning.
- 1997 – Select League and the former American Professional Soccer League merge to form A-League under the USISL umbrella.
- 1999 – Umbrella USISL changes its name to the United Soccer Leagues. The A-League's Rochester Raging Rhinos defeat four Major League Soccer teams to win the 1999 U.S. Open Cup, the first—and to date, only—team outside of Division I to win the Open Cup in its modern era (1995–present).
- 2009 – Nike sells organization to NuRock Soccer Holdings, LLC. As a result, nine clubs left the First Division to form the North American Soccer League: Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina RailHawks FC, Miami FC, Minnesota Thunder, Montreal Impact, Rochester Rhinos, Tampa Bay Rowdies, Vancouver Whitecaps, and the AC St. Louis expansion group.[4] [5] The United Soccer League becomes a division in the temporary USSF Division 2 league, due to a dispute between the NASL and the USL over Division 2 status.[6]
- 2010 – The USL announce the formation of USL Pro, which merged the USL First Division and USL Second Division.[7]
- 2011 – The Inaugural season of USL Pro is held. The USL takes over operation of the Major Indoor Soccer League.
- 2013 – USL Pro and Major League Soccer announce a multi-year agreement, beginning that season, to integrate MLS Reserve League play with USL Pro teams, first through team affiliations and "interleague" play, eventually fully merging MLS Reserves into the USL Pro structure. The W-20 League is launched, a youth league that is operationally aligned with the USL W-League.[8]
- 2015 – USL Pro is renamed the United Soccer League. The USL W-League and W-20 League cease operations.[9]
- 2017 – The USL is granted Provisional Division II status by U.S. Soccer.[10] The USL also creates the USL Division III league, filing for Division III status with U.S. Soccer.
- 2018 – The USL announces re-branding of its top league to the USL Championship, USL Division III to USL League One, and the Premier Development League to USL League Two beginning with the 2019 season.
- 2019 – USL League One launches with 10 teams.
- 2021 – The USL announces two new women's competitions, the amateur W League launching in the 2022 season and the professional Super League launching in 2024.
- 2024 – The USL reorganizes and rebrands Super Y League as USL Youth. USL Super League receives Division I sanctioning from U.S. Soccer and launches with 8 teams.
Narrative
Founded in 1985 by Francisco Marcos, the Southwest Indoor Soccer League was first intended as a minor indoor league associated with Major Indoor Soccer League.[11] The league began with five teams, all owned by individuals who owned or operated indoor soccer arenas in the Southwest United States. League headquarters was in Austin, Texas. In 1986, Marcos' team, the Austin Sockadillos, entered the league giving it six teams. By 1989, the league had set its sights on greater prospects than remaining a small, semi-professional indoor league. A 1989 press release stated, "It is envisioned the league will be part of the USSF's plan to professionalize soccer in the USA prior to the 1994 World Cup, and the league plans to push its teams to be considered for the "three-tiered first, second and third divisions" plan the USSF envisions for soccer."[12]
Complete historical team list
UISL/USISL
- Amarillo Challengers (Indoor: 1986–1990, 1991–92)
- Ann Arbor Elite (1995)
- Arizona Cotton (1993–94, Indoor: 1991–93, as Phoenix Hearts in 1991–92)
- Arkansas A's (1990–1992, 1994, Indoor: 1989–1992, as Arkansas Diamonds in 1994)
- Georgia Steamers/Atlanta Lightning (Indoor: 1990–1992)
- Atlanta Magic (1993–94, Indoor: 1991–96, as Atlanta Lasers in 1993)
- Austin Lone Stars (1989–94, Indoor: 1987–91, as Austin Sockadillos in 1992–93)
- Baltimore Bays (1993–94, Indoor: 1992–98)
- Birmingham Grasshoppers (1993–94)
- Boca Raton Sabres (1992–94)
- Boston Storm (1994)
- Brandon Braves (Indoor: 1994–96)
- Cape Cod Crusaders (1994)
- Central California Valley Hydra (1994)
- Charlotte Eagles (1993–94)
- Charleston Battery (1993–94)
- Chattanooga Express (1992–94, Indoor: 1992–96, as Chattanooga Railroaders in 1992–93)
- Chico Rooks (1993–94)
- Cincinnati Cheetahs (1994)
- Cocoa Expos (1994, Indoor: 1993–94)
- Colorado Comets (1989–91, Indoor: 1989–92)
- Columbia Heat (1993–94, as Columbia Spirit in 1993)
- Connecticut Wolves (1993–94)
- Coral Springs Kicks (1993)
- Dallas Rockets (1992–94, Indoor: 1991–92, as North Texas Mid-Cities Flyers in 1991–92)
- Dallas/Fort Worth Toros (1989–94, Indoor: 1986–93, 95/96, various names)
- Dallas Lightning (1993–94, Indoor: 1993–94, 1995–96, as Tyler Lightning in 1993, as Texas Lightning in 1993–94)
- Delaware Wizards (1993–94)
- Des Moines Menace (1994)
- Detroit Wheels (1994–95)
- East Bay Red Riders (1992–93)
- East Los Angeles Cobras (1993–94)
- El Paso Patriots (1991–1994, Indoor: 1989–1991, as El Paso Sixshooters in 1989/90, as El Paso Spurs in 1990/91)
- Florida Stars (1994)
- Fort Lauderdale Kicks (1994)
- Greensboro Dynamo (1993–94, Indoor: 1993–94)
- Gwinnett County Steamers (1991–1992, Indoor: 1990/91)
- Hampton Roads Hurricane (1994)
- Hawaii Tsunami (1994)
- Houston Express (Indoor: 1988/89–89/90)
- Jacksonville Fury (1994–95)
- Jersey Dragons (1994)
- Kansas City All-Stars (Indoor: 1996–97)
- Knoxville Impact (Indoor: 1992–96)
- Las Vegas Quicksilver (1994)
- Lexington Bluegrass Bandits (1994)
- Lincoln Brigade (1997) (Indoor: 1996–97)
- Long Island Rough Riders (1994)
- Louisville Thoroughbreds (1994)
- Lubbock Lazers (1989–91, Indoor: 1986–93, as Lubbock Tornado in 1991–92)
- Memphis Jackals (1991–94, Indoor: 1990–92, as Memphis Survivors in 1991–92, as Memphis United Express in 1992)
- Mesquite Kickers (Indoor: 1994–97)
| - Michigan Madness (1996)
- Milwaukee Rampage (1994)
- Minnesota Thunder (1994)
- Montclair Standard Falcons (1993–94)
- Myrtle Beach Boyz (1995)
- Nashville Metros (1991–94, Indoor: 1990–94)
- New Mexico Chiles (1989–1991, 1994, Indoor: 1986/87–90/91, as Albuquerque Outlaws in 1986/87, as Albuquerque Gunners in 1987/88–1990, as New Mexico Roadrunners in 1990/91)
- New Orleans Storm (1993–99; as New Orleans Riverboat Gamblers in 1993–97)
- New York Fever (1994)
- North Bay Breakers (1992–94)
- North Jersey Imperials (1994)
- Ohio Xoggz (1994–96, as Columbus Xoggz in 1994–95)
- Oklahoma City Slickers (1993–96, as Oklahoma City Heat in 1996)
- Oklahoma City Warriors (1989–93, Indoor: 1986–93)
- Oklahoma City Warriors (Indoor: 1996–98, as Oklahoma City Alliance in 1996–97)
- Omaha Flames (1996–97, Indoor: 1996–98)
- Orlando Lions (1992–94, Indoor: 1993–96)
- Permian Basin Mirage (1990, Indoor: 1989–92)
- Philadelphia Freedom (1994, Indoor: 1995–97, as Pennsylvania Freedom in 1994–96)
- Phoenix Hearts (Indoor: 1989/90–90/91; Outdoor: 1990–91)
- Raleigh Flyers (1993–95)
- Reading Rage (Indoor: 1995–96)
- Reno Rattlers (1994)
- Richardson Rockets (Indoor: 1989/90–90/91; Outdoor: 1990–91)
- Richmond Kickers (1993–94, Indoor: 1993–94)
- Rockford Raptors (1994)
- St. Louis Knights (1994)
- San Antonio Pumas (1989–1994, Indoor: 1988–93, as San Antonio Generals in 1991–93, as San Antonio Heat in 1988/89–1989))
- San Diego Top Guns (1994)
- San Fernando Valley Golden Eagles (1993–94)
- San Francisco United All Blacks (1992–94, as San Francisco All Blacks in 1992)
- San Francisco Bay Diablos (1993–94)
- San Jose Hawks (1993)
- Santa Cruz Surf (1993–94)
- Shasta Scorchers (1994)
- Silicon Valley Firebirds (1992–94, as Palo Alto Firebirds in 1992)
- Sioux City Breeze (1994)
- South Florida Flamingos (1994)
- Texas Arsenal (Indoor: 1992–94, as Texas Stampede in 1992–93)
- Toledo Twisters (Indoor: 1993–94)
- Tucson Amigos (1990–94, Indoor: 1989–93)
- Tulsa Renegades (1989–91, Indoor: 1989–92)
- Tulsa Roughnecks (1993–99, Indoor: 1993–98, as Green County Roughnecks in 1999)
- Virginia Kickers/Richmond Kickers (1997–98)
- Waco Kickers (1990, Indoor: 1989/90, merged into North Texas United after 1990 season)
- Washington Mustangs (1994)
- Wichita Blue (1995–96, 1999, as Wichita Blue Angels in 1994)
- Wichita Tornado (Indoor: 1988/89)
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Champions
Indoor seasons
The USL began operations in 1986 as the Southwest Indoor Soccer League, a semi-professional indoor league. The league quickly expanded and added an outdoor season in 1989. In 1991, the league renamed itself the United States Interregional Soccer League. By then, the outdoor league overshadowed the indoor league which continued to slowly dwindle in importance. By the 1997–98 season, only five teams remained indoors while the outdoor season had over a hundred teams divided into a three-division structure. This led the league to stop running an indoor league.
In 2010, the USL began to consider relaunching an indoor season. However, it decided instead to take over operations of the Major Indoor Soccer League; beginning indoor operations in 2011. The champions were determined by a single games in 1987, 1988, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1998. The champions were determined by a best of three series in 1998 and a best of five series in 1989, 1990 and 1991 and a home-and-home series in 2012 and 2013.
Outdoor seasons 1989–2010
In 1989, the Southwest Indoor Soccer League added a summer, outdoor season known as the Southwest Outdoor Soccer League. In 1990, the league dropped both "indoor" and "outdoor" from its name as it ran both a semi-professional indoor and outdoor season. By 1995, the outdoor season had grown to such a size that the USISL, as it was known at the time, split the league into two levels, the aptly named, fully professional Professional League and the semi-professional Premier League. In 1996, the USISL added a third, higher, Select League. This was formed from the strongest teams from both the Professional and Premier League. The Select League, along with the competing A-League, both received official Division II status from FIFA. However, the A-League was in decline while the USISL was expanding. In 1997, the A-League ceased operations and merged into the USISL Select League which was renamed the USISL A-League. From that point, the USL's three-level structure remained stable until 2010. Some teams left to start the North American Soccer League and the First and Second Divisions were merged to become USL Pro.
Outdoor seasons 2011–2018
United Soccer League 2019–present
W-League seasons 1995–2015
W League seasons 2022–present
Staff
- Alec Papadakis – Chief executive officer
- Justin Papadakis – Chief operating officer and chief real estate officer
- Paul McDonough – President and chief soccer officer[17]
Notes and References
- News: Kennedy . Paul . Francisco Marcos: 'The impatient train left a long time ago' . December 14, 2018 . . March 7, 2018 . en . December 15, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181215023905/https://www.socceramerica.com/publications/article/77036/francisco-marcos-the-impatient-train-left-a-long.html . live .
- Web site: USL announces return of the W League from 2022 – SportsPro Media . www.sportspromedia.com . June 15, 2021 . June 16, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210616042949/https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/usl-w-league-2022-inaugural-season-founding-clubs . live .
- Web site: About. www.uslsoccer.com. August 22, 2017. August 29, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170829144925/http://www.uslsoccer.com/about. live.
- Web site: USL outcasts set to launch new league in 2010 . Soccerbyives.net . November 10, 2009 . October 8, 2011 . February 19, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120219134439/http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2009/11/usl-outcasts-set-to-launch-new-league-in-2010.html . live .
- Web site: Molinaro . John F. . CBC Sports: Whitecaps, Impact to form breakaway league . Cbc.ca . November 10, 2009 . October 8, 2011 . November 5, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121105203010/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/story/2009/11/10/sp-usl-new-league.html . live .
- News: US Soccer Federation To Oversee Combined NASL/USL League . Goal.com . January 7, 2010 . January 8, 2010 . September 8, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110908083041/http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/66/united-states/2010/01/07/1731779/us-soccer-federation-to-oversee-combined-naslusl-league . live .
- News: USL Restructures Professional Division. www.uslsoccer.com. September 8, 2010. September 10, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20101011101750/http://usl1.uslsoccer.com/home/464019.html. October 11, 2010. dead.
- News: W-20 League Set for 2013 Debut. www.uslsoccer.com. April 4, 2013. June 29, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130409023026/http://www.uslsoccer.com/home/708136.html. April 9, 2013. dead.
- Web site: W-League Statement. United Soccer Leagues (USL). November 7, 2015. November 7, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151119110213/http://wleaguesoccer.com/home/899334.html. November 19, 2015. dead.
- News: U.S. Soccer Board of Directors Grants Provisional Division II Status to NASL and USL. U.S. Soccer. January 6, 2017. July 24, 2017. January 7, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170107171106/http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2017/01/07/02/01/20170106-us-soccer-board-of-directors-grants-provisional-division-ii-status-to-nasl-and-usl. live.
- Web site: Indoor Soccer Comes to City Warriors Feature "Cream of Crop' Players. December 22, 1986. August 22, 2017. March 3, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303205307/http://newsok.com/indoor-soccer-comes-to-city-warriors-feature-cream-of-crop-players/article/2169953. live.
- Web site: earlyyears. www.unm.edu. August 22, 2017. March 4, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304081243/http://www.unm.edu/~jshealy/earlyyears.html. live.
- Web site: USL Championship Final Cancelled, Season Concludes with Tampa Bay, Phoenix as Conference Title-Winners. USLChampionship.com. October 31, 2020. October 31, 2020. November 1, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201101004852/https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1130727. live.
- Web site: USL League One Final Cancelled, Greenville Named 2020 Title-Winners. USLLeagueOne.com Staff. October 29, 2020. October 29, 2020. November 1, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201101171704/https://www.uslleagueone.com/news_article/show/1130386. live.
- News: USL League Two cancels 2020 season. Matthew Ralph. brotherlygame.com. April 30, 2020. June 9, 2020. June 7, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200607070433/https://www.brotherlygame.com/2020/4/30/21243252/usl-league-two-cancels-2020-season. live.
- News: USL cancels 2020 League Two season, extends pro league suspensions. Jenny Hojnacki. sbisoccer.com. April 30, 2020. June 9, 2020. June 9, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200609212652/https://sbisoccer.com/2020/04/usl-cancels-2020-league-two-season-extends-pro-league-suspensions. live.
- Web site: United Soccer League Names Experienced Soccer Executive Paul McDonough as USL President and Chief Soccer Officer . United Soccer League . May 8, 2023 . May 8, 2023.
