Soccer
The United Soccer League is planning to launch a new Division One men’s professional league.
This new league would rival MLS and is expected to begin in 2027, the USL announced on Thursday. The USL would operate separately from MLS, despite working under the same sanctioning by U.S. Soccer as a professional soccer league.
The new Division One league stands as the highest of three levels for the USL, that includes the USL Championship (Division Two) and USL League One (Division Three). The new tiered system would foster a promotion and relegation style, something that MLS does not have as part of its league.
“Today is a defining moment for the USL and the future of soccer in the United States,” said USL CEO Alec Papadakis. “Creating a Division One league is a bold step forward, expanding access to top-tier competition, deepening the connection between our communities and taking another step in aligning with the structure of the global game.
“By uniting people through soccer and bringing Division One to more cities, we’re not just growing the sport-we’re creating lasting opportunities while building a more sustainable and vibrant soccer ecosystem in the U.S,” he added.
The USL launched in 1986 and later announced a women’s pathway that includes the top-tier USL Super League (Division I), which debuted in 2024.
“The continued investment into the game reflects the strength of the United States as a soccer country, which will only accelerate as we build towards hosting the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” a U.S. Soccer statement read. “We welcome innovation and growth to the landscape of American soccer and we look forward to learning more.”
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