The USL may have upgraded to Division II status earlier this year, but it knows full well how to operate a third-division league. So much so that it plans to launch one in the not-too-distant future.
The USL announced on Friday that it intends to start a third-division professional league beginning in 2019. Plans for the unnamed league have been in development for the past 18 months, and talks with potential owners are already underway. It is expected that some inaugural teams and the preliminary competition format will be announced this summer.
“We are in a unique position to lead the sport’s next phase of growth with a proven and exciting competition model, the same which has made the USL the top Division II league in North America,” said USL CEO Alec Papadakis in a statement issued by the league. “With elite competition and strong ownership groups providing unrivaled fan experiences, the USL will continue shaping the future of professional soccer through a third-division league, cultivating and bonding local supporters through the ‘beautiful game’ for generations to come.”
The USL used to operate as a third division, but US Soccer granted it Division II status along with the NASL back in January. There are currently 30 teams in the USL, many of which are affiliates or owned by MLS teams.
