USL Pro
Encyclopedia
The USL Professional Division, commonly known as USL Pro (stylized USL PRO), is a professional men's soccer league in the United States
that began its inaugural season in 2011.
The league is owned and operated by United Soccer Leagues
(USL) and was formed as result of the organization's merger of the old USL First
and Second Divisions
, following the controversial 2010 season which saw neither the USL First Division or the North American Soccer League
(NASL) receive sanctioning from the USSF, resulting in the temporary USSF Division 2 Pro League. The merger is meant to consolidate USL's position within the American professional soccer landscape and focus on stability, commercial growth and the professional development of soccer in four main regions throughout the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean.
USL Pro is sanctioned as the third tier of soccer in the American Soccer Pyramid
, behind Major League Soccer
(first tier) and the North American Soccer League
(second tier) in the hierarchy.
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. 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. With the departure of the Portland Timbers
to MLS in 2011 and the defection of the Puerto Rico Islanders
to the NASL from the USL First Division, the Austin Aztex
were the lone First Division team left to fold into USL Pro.
On September 22, 2010 at a press conference in San Juan
, Puerto Rico
, USL formally announced that Sevilla FC Puerto Rico and Club Atletico 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.
On September 28, 2010 USL announced that one of their flagship clubs and reigning 2010 USL Second Division Champions, the Charleston Battery
, would be joining USL Pro for its launch in 2011. Two days later, 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. The following week, on October 4 and October 7, 2010, the USL revealed two Second Division clubs, the Charlotte Eagles
and the Harrisburg City Islanders
, would be making the jump to USL Pro for 2011.
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds
were added as the 9th official team on October 22, 2010. October 25, 2010 saw the addition of the Rochester Rhinos who had previously committed to the NASL
, along with expansion side Orlando City Soccer Club (formerly the Austin Aztex
of USL First Division) after new ownership secured and moved the team from Texas to Florida.
On November 9, 2010, former USL-2 Division side Wilmington Hammerheads
officially joined the league as the 12th team. They were followed by FC New York on November 17, 2010. The Los Angeles Blues
, associated with the successful women's Pali Blues
organization, were added with a message of future "Western Conference" growth into 2012, on December 7, 2010.
The "Caribbean Division" of USL Pro grew to four teams with the addition of Puerto Rico United
to the league on December 9, 2010, rounding out the 15 teams that would compete in USL Pro for its inaugural season.
and Los Angeles Blues
- were re-aligned into the American and National Divisions.
American and National Division teams play 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 play 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.
The original playoff format saw eight teams compete in a one-game quarterfinal. Both the American and National Divisions will see their top three teams advance for an inter-divisional playoff, while the top 2 teams in the International Division will play-off against each other to reach the semifinals. The four remaining teams will be re-seeded for a single semi-final match, again with the higher seed hosting, leading up to a single match for the USL Pro Championship. In all playoff matches the highest seeded team hosts. Due to the removal of the International Division, the revised playoff format features the top four teams in each of the two divisions. The two eventual division playoff winners will meet in the USL Pro Championship, at the home venue of the team with the better record.
joining the league, however 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.
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. 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". With the inclusion of a team from Los Angeles, this division eventually became the International Division.
On May 10, 2011, the USL announced it formally removed the three Puerto Rico Soccer League
(PRSL) teams from the 2011 USL PRO schedule due to severe economic difficulties and serious unforeseen medical situations involving owners from two of the three PRSL
teams. The USL announced a revised schedule for USL PRO, with the Antigua Barracuda FC
joining the American Division and the Los Angeles Blues
joining the National Division as part of the adjusted divisional alignment resulting in two, six-team divisions.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
that began its inaugural season in 2011.
The league is owned and operated by United Soccer Leagues
United Soccer Leagues
The United Soccer Leagues is the organizer of several soccer leagues with teams in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. It includes men's and women's leagues, both professional and amateur. Leagues currently organized are the USL Pro, the USL Premier Development League, the W-League, and...
(USL) and was formed as result of the organization's merger of the old USL First
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
and Second Divisions
USL Second Division
The United Soccer Leagues Second Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, part of the United Soccer Leagues league pyramid...
, following the controversial 2010 season which saw neither the USL First Division or the North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League (2010)
The North American Soccer League is a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico which began league play on April 9, 2011. It has been provisionally sanctioned as the second tier of soccer in the United States soccer pyramid, behind Major League Soccer in the...
(NASL) receive sanctioning from the USSF, resulting in the temporary USSF Division 2 Pro League. The merger is meant to consolidate USL's position within the American professional soccer landscape and focus on stability, commercial growth and the professional development of soccer in four main regions throughout the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean.
USL Pro is sanctioned as the third tier of soccer in the American Soccer Pyramid
American Soccer Pyramid
The United States soccer pyramid is a term used in soccer to describe the structure of the league system in the United States. The country's governing body for the sport, the United States Soccer Federation , oversees the system but does not operate any of its component leagues—with one temporary...
, behind Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
(first tier) and the North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League (2010)
The North American Soccer League is a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico which began league play on April 9, 2011. It has been provisionally sanctioned as the second tier of soccer in the United States soccer pyramid, behind Major League Soccer in the...
(second tier) in the hierarchy.
History
On September 8, 2010, USL formally announced the creation of USL Pro in a press release.Prior to the official announcement of the new league, on August 11, 2010, the Dayton Dutch Lions FC
Dayton Dutch Lions
Dayton Dutch Lions is an American soccer team based in Dayton, Ohio, United States. Founded in 2009, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, having promoted themselves from the USL Premier Development League at the...
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. 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
Richmond Kickers
The Richmond Kickers are an American professional soccer club based in Richmond, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid...
revealed they would be moving to USL Pro for 2011. With the departure of the Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers (USL)
Portland Timbers was an American professional soccer team based in Portland, Oregon, United States. Founded in 2001, the team played in various leagues at the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, including the USL First Division and the USSF Division 2 Professional League, until the end of...
to MLS in 2011 and the defection of the Puerto Rico Islanders
Puerto Rico Islanders
Puerto Rico Islanders is a Puerto Rican professional football team based in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. Founded in 2003, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
to the NASL from the USL First Division, the Austin Aztex
Austin Aztex
Austin Aztex FC was an American professional soccer team based in Austin, Texas, United States. Founded in 2008, the team played in the USL First Division, and in the USL Division of the USSF D2 Pro League, the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid...
were the lone First Division team left to fold into USL Pro.
On September 22, 2010 at a press conference in San Juan
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
, USL formally announced that Sevilla FC Puerto Rico and Club Atletico River Plate Puerto Rico
Club Atletico River Plate Puerto Rico
Club Atlético River Plate Puerto Rico is a Puerto Rican professional association football team based in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. Founded in 2007, the team plays in the Puerto Rico Soccer League, and is the reigning Supercopa DirecTV champion....
would be joining USL Pro in 2011 alongside Antigua Barracuda FC
Antigua Barracuda FC
Antigua Barracuda is an Antiguan professional soccer team based in St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda. Founded in 2010, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
as part of the building blocks of a Caribbean division.
On September 28, 2010 USL announced that one of their flagship clubs and reigning 2010 USL Second Division Champions, the Charleston Battery
Charleston Battery
Charleston Battery is an American professional soccer team based in Charleston, South Carolina, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
, would be joining USL Pro for its launch in 2011. Two days later, 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. The following week, on October 4 and October 7, 2010, the USL revealed two Second Division clubs, the Charlotte Eagles
Charlotte Eagles
Charlotte Eagles is an American professional soccer team based in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1991, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
and the Harrisburg City Islanders
Harrisburg City Islanders
Harrisburg City Islanders is an American professional soccer team based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 2004, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
, would be making the jump to USL Pro for 2011.
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Pittsburgh Riverhounds is an American professional soccer team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1999, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
were added as the 9th official team on October 22, 2010. October 25, 2010 saw the addition of the Rochester Rhinos who had previously committed to the NASL
North American Soccer League (2010)
The North American Soccer League is a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico which began league play on April 9, 2011. It has been provisionally sanctioned as the second tier of soccer in the United States soccer pyramid, behind Major League Soccer in the...
, along with expansion side Orlando City Soccer Club (formerly the Austin Aztex
Austin Aztex
Austin Aztex FC was an American professional soccer team based in Austin, Texas, United States. Founded in 2008, the team played in the USL First Division, and in the USL Division of the USSF D2 Pro League, the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid...
of USL First Division) after new ownership secured and moved the team from Texas to Florida.
On November 9, 2010, former USL-2 Division side Wilmington Hammerheads
Wilmington Hammerheads
Wilmington Hammerheads is an American professional soccer team based in Wilmington, North Carolina. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
officially joined the league as the 12th team. They were followed by FC New York on November 17, 2010. The Los Angeles Blues
Los Angeles Blues
Los Angeles Blues is an American soccer team based in the Los Angeles suburb of Fullerton, California, United States. Founded in 2010, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
, associated with the successful women's Pali Blues
Pali Blues
Pali Blues is an American women’s soccer team, founded in 2008. The team is a member of the United Soccer Leagues W-League, the second tier of women’s soccer in the United States and Canada...
organization, were added with a message of future "Western Conference" growth into 2012, on December 7, 2010.
The "Caribbean Division" of USL Pro grew to four teams with the addition of Puerto Rico United
Puerto Rico United
Puerto Rico United is a Puerto Rican professional association football team based in Aguada, Puerto Rico. Founded in 2007, the team plays The team competes in the Puerto Rico Soccer League....
to the league on December 9, 2010, rounding out the 15 teams that would compete in USL Pro for its inaugural season.
International Division reformed
On May 10, 2011, the USL announced that it was "reforming" its agreement with the Puerto Rican Soccer League and dropping the three Puerto Rican clubs from the USL PRO schedule. The PRSL clubs were dropped due to economic and ownership issues, and the two remaining International Division teams - Antigua Barracuda FCAntigua Barracuda FC
Antigua Barracuda is an Antiguan professional soccer team based in St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda. Founded in 2010, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
and Los Angeles Blues
Los Angeles Blues
Los Angeles Blues is an American soccer team based in the Los Angeles suburb of Fullerton, California, United States. Founded in 2010, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
- were re-aligned into the American and National Divisions.
Competition format
USL Pro will debut in 2011 with 15 teams playing a 24-game regular season schedule.American and National Division teams play 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
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
or the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
to play two games while hosting International Division competition for two games.
International Division teams play 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.
The original playoff format saw eight teams compete in a one-game quarterfinal. Both the American and National Divisions will see their top three teams advance for an inter-divisional playoff, while the top 2 teams in the International Division will play-off against each other to reach the semifinals. The four remaining teams will be re-seeded for a single semi-final match, again with the higher seed hosting, leading up to a single match for the USL Pro Championship. In all playoff matches the highest seeded team hosts. Due to the removal of the International Division, the revised playoff format features the top four teams in each of the two divisions. The two eventual division playoff winners will meet in the USL Pro Championship, at the home venue of the team with the better record.
Organization
On September 14, 2010, USL President Tim Holt expressed the desired structure for the league to launch with 14-18 teams across 4 specific geographic areas in 2011, expansion to 22-26 teams by 2013, and 28-32 teams by 2015. The expected number of teams to launch league play in 2011 was announced as 18-20 alongside the announcement of the Wilmington HammerheadsWilmington Hammerheads
Wilmington Hammerheads is an American professional soccer team based in Wilmington, North Carolina. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
joining the league, however 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.
On September 22, 2010, the "Caribbean Division" of USL Pro was announced, with teams from Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
and Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda is a twin-island nation lying between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It consists of two major inhabited islands, Antigua and Barbuda, and a number of smaller islands...
signing on to compete in the league. With the addition of Puerto Rico United
Puerto Rico United
Puerto Rico United is a Puerto Rican professional association football team based in Aguada, Puerto Rico. Founded in 2007, the team plays The team competes in the Puerto Rico Soccer League....
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". With the inclusion of a team from Los Angeles, this division eventually became the International Division.
On May 10, 2011, the USL announced it formally removed the three Puerto Rico Soccer League
Puerto Rico Soccer League
The Puerto Rico Soccer League or PRSL is an association football league in Puerto Rico. It is the first unified football league in the island's history, and had a total of six teams for the 2011 season. Association football has been growing in popularity in recent years, and this is an attempt to...
(PRSL) teams from the 2011 USL PRO schedule due to severe economic difficulties and serious unforeseen medical situations involving owners from two of the three PRSL
Puerto Rico Soccer League
The Puerto Rico Soccer League or PRSL is an association football league in Puerto Rico. It is the first unified football league in the island's history, and had a total of six teams for the 2011 season. Association football has been growing in popularity in recent years, and this is an attempt to...
teams. The USL announced a revised schedule for USL PRO, with the Antigua Barracuda FC
Antigua Barracuda FC
Antigua Barracuda is an Antiguan professional soccer team based in St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda. Founded in 2010, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
joining the American Division and the Los Angeles Blues
Los Angeles Blues
Los Angeles Blues is an American soccer team based in the Los Angeles suburb of Fullerton, California, United States. Founded in 2010, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
joining the National Division as part of the adjusted divisional alignment resulting in two, six-team divisions.
Clubs
| Team | City/Area | Stadium | Founded | Color | Head Coach |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Division | |||||
| Antigua Barracuda Antigua Barracuda FC Antigua Barracuda is an Antiguan professional soccer team based in St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda. Founded in 2010, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid.... |
St. George Saint George Parish, Antigua and Barbuda Saint George is a parish of Antigua and Barbuda on the island of Antigua. It includes Long Island and the localities of Barnes Hill, Marble Hill, Crosbies, Hodges Bay, Paradise View, Coolidge, Carlisle, Fitches Creek, Osbourn, Pigotts, New Winthorpes, Picadilly, Gunthorpes, Sea View Farm and... , AG |
Sticky Wicket Stadium Stanford Cricket Ground The Stanford Cricket Ground, colloquially known as "Sticky Wicket Stadium", is a cricket ground in Osbourn, Saint George Parish, Antigua. It was previously known as the Airport Cricket Ground, before it was taken over by Allen Stanford and rebuilt in 2004... |
2010 | White, Black |  Tom Curtis |
| Charleston Battery Charleston Battery Charleston Battery is an American professional soccer team based in Charleston, South Carolina, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid.... |
Charleston Charleston, South Carolina Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the... , SC South Carolina South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence... |
Blackbaud Stadium Blackbaud Stadium Blackbaud Stadium is a soccer-specific stadium located on Daniel Island in Charleston, South Carolina, that opened in 1999. Charleston Battery call Blackbaud Stadium home... |
1993 | Yellow, Black, Red |  Michael AnhaeuserMichael Anhaeuser Mike Anhaeuser is the head coach and general manager of the USL Second Division Charleston Battery. He played five seasons as a midfielder with the Battery before becoming a coach.-Player:... |
| Charlotte Eagles Charlotte Eagles Charlotte Eagles is an American professional soccer team based in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1991, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid.... |
Charlotte Charlotte, North Carolina Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009... , NC North Carolina North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte... |
Restart Field | 1991 | Orange, White | Mark Steffans |
| Orlando City | Orlando Orlando, Florida Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States... , FL Florida Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it... |
Citrus Bowl Citrus Bowl The Florida Citrus Bowl is a stadium in Orlando, Florida, USA, built for football, which currently seats around 70,000 people.... |
2010 | White, Red | Adrian Heath Adrian Heath Adrian Paul Heath is an English football manager and former player. He manages American USL Pro Orlando franchise. As a player he is remembered as part of the Everton side of the 1980s, where he won several trophies... |
| Richmond Kickers Richmond Kickers The Richmond Kickers are an American professional soccer club based in Richmond, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid... |
Richmond Richmond, Virginia Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area... , VA Virginia The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there... |
City Stadium | 1993 | Red, White | Leigh Cowlishaw Leigh Cowlishaw Leigh Cowlishaw is a former English footballer and current manager for Richmond Kickers in the USL Professional Division.-College and Amateur:... |
| Wilmington Hammerheads Wilmington Hammerheads Wilmington Hammerheads is an American professional soccer team based in Wilmington, North Carolina. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid.... |
Wilmington Wilmington, North Carolina Wilmington is a port city in and is the county seat of New Hanover County, North Carolina, United States. The population is 106,476 according to the 2010 Census, making it the eighth most populous city in the state of North Carolina... , NC North Carolina North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte... |
Legion Stadium Legion Stadium Legion Stadium is the main stadium on the Legion Sports Complex. The stadium's capacity is about 6,000, and it was built in the 1930s. It is located in Wilmington, North Carolina. The stadium has 3,500 seats in the grandstand and 2,500 visitor seats. The stadium also has 40 handicapped seats and a... |
1996 | Light Blue, White | David Irving David Irving (footballer) David Irving is a former professional football striker. His childhood ambition was to play for then Football League side Workington... |
| National Division | |||||
| Dayton Dutch Lions Dayton Dutch Lions Dayton Dutch Lions is an American soccer team based in Dayton, Ohio, United States. Founded in 2009, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, having promoted themselves from the USL Premier Development League at the... |
Bellbrook Bellbrook, Ohio Bellbrook is a city in Greene County, Ohio, United States. The population was 6,943 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:Bellbrook was first settled in 1814... , OH Ohio Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus... |
Miami Valley South Stadium Bellbrook High School Bellbrook High School is a public high school in Sugarcreek Township, Ohio / Bellbrook, Ohio area. It is the four year high school of the Bellbrook - Sugarcreek Local School District, which is rated Excellent by the Ohio Department of Education. The school serves grades 9–12. Their mascot is the... |
2009 | Orange, White, Blue |  Ivar van DinterenIvar van Dinteren Ivar van Dinteren is a Dutch professional footballer who is currently a player/coach for Dayton Dutch Lions in the USL Professional Division.-Career:... |
| F.C. New York F.C. New York F.C. New York is an American professional soccer team based in Queens, New York, United States. Founded in 2009, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid.... |
Jamaica Jamaica, Queens Jamaica is a neighborhood in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York, United States. It was settled under Dutch rule in 1656 in New Netherland as Rustdorp. Under British rule, the Village of Jamaica became the center of the "Town of Jamaica"... , NY New York New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east... |
Belson Stadium Belson Stadium Belson Stadium is a soccer-specific stadium located in Jamaica, Queens, New York on the Queens campus of St. John's University.An interesting feature of the stadium is that it is built on top of a parking garage to save space in a crowded urban environment. The official capacity is listed as 2,600... |
2009 | Sky Blue, Yellow | Paul Shaw Paul Shaw Paul Shaw is an English footballer who is currently a player-coach for F.C. New York in the USL Professional Division.-Career:... |
| Harrisburg City Islanders Harrisburg City Islanders Harrisburg City Islanders is an American professional soccer team based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 2004, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid.... |
Harrisburg Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 49,528, making it the ninth largest city in Pennsylvania... , PA Pennsylvania The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to... |
Skyline Sports Complex Skyline Sports Complex Skyline Sports Complex is a sports complex/stadium on City Island, along the Susquehanna River, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.The original structure was built in 1987 and is adjacent to Metro Bank Park.... |
2004 | Navy Blue, White | Bill Becher |
| Los Angeles Blues Los Angeles Blues Los Angeles Blues is an American soccer team based in the Los Angeles suburb of Fullerton, California, United States. Founded in 2010, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid.... |
Fullerton Fullerton, California Fullerton is a city located in northern Orange County, California. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 135,161.It was founded in 1887 by George and Edward Amerige and named for George H. Fullerton, who secured the land on behalf of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway... , CA California California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area... |
Titan Stadium Titan Stadium (Cal State Fullerton) Titan Stadium is a 10,000 seat multi-purpose stadium on the campus of California State University, Fullerton in Fullerton, California.-History:... |
2010 | Light/Dark Blue, White | Charlie Naimo |
| Pittsburgh Riverhounds Pittsburgh Riverhounds Pittsburgh Riverhounds is an American professional soccer team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1999, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid.... |
Pittsburgh, PA Pennsylvania The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to... |
Chartiers Valley High School Chartiers Valley High School Chartiers Valley High School is a public school in the Bridgeville borough of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA. The school's on-site stadium is home to the professional soccer team the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. The school has an indoor swimming pool which is open to the public three evenings a... |
1999 | Black, White, Blue | Justin Evans Justin Evans Justin Evans is an American former professional soccer player. He is currently the head coach of Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the USL Second Division.- College :... |
| Rochester Rhinos | Rochester Rochester, New York Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City... , NY New York New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east... |
Sahlen's Stadium | 1996 | Black, White | Jesse Myers Jesse Myers Jesse Myers is currently the head coach of the Rochester Rhinos in the USL Pro. He was the assistant coach of the Richmond Kickers for 14 years.... |
Expansion Clubs
USL has announced that VisionPro Sports Institute will be creating an academy, PDL team, W-League team, and a USL Pro team in Tampa Bay, Florida. The USL Pro team is set to start in 2013.Former Clubs
- Puerto Rico UnitedPuerto Rico UnitedPuerto Rico United is a Puerto Rican professional association football team based in Aguada, Puerto Rico. Founded in 2007, the team plays The team competes in the Puerto Rico Soccer League....
- River Plate Puerto RicoClub Atletico River Plate Puerto RicoClub Atlético River Plate Puerto Rico is a Puerto Rican professional association football team based in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. Founded in 2007, the team plays in the Puerto Rico Soccer League, and is the reigning Supercopa DirecTV champion....
- Sevilla Puerto Rico
Championships
| Season | Champions | Score | Runners–up | Venue | Attendance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 2011 USL Pro season The 2011 USL PRO season is the 25th season of third-division soccer in the United States, and is the inaugural season of the United Soccer Leagues' new professional competition. The league is effectively a combination of the USL's former First and Second Divisions.The league announced that each... |
Orlando City | 2-2 | Harrisburg City Islanders Harrisburg City Islanders Harrisburg City Islanders is an American professional soccer team based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 2004, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid.... |
Citrus Bowl Citrus Bowl The Florida Citrus Bowl is a stadium in Orlando, Florida, USA, built for football, which currently seats around 70,000 people.... |
11,220 | Orlando won on Penalty Kicks 3-2 |
See also
- United States Soccer FederationUnited States Soccer FederationThe United States Soccer Federation is the official governing body of the sport of soccer in the United States. Its headquarters are located in Chicago, Illinois. It is a member of FIFA and is responsible for governing amateur and professional soccer, including the men's, women's, youth, futsal...
- Major League SoccerMajor League SoccerMajor League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
- North American Soccer LeagueNorth American Soccer League (2010)The North American Soccer League is a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico which began league play on April 9, 2011. It has been provisionally sanctioned as the second tier of soccer in the United States soccer pyramid, behind Major League Soccer in the...
- United Soccer LeaguesUnited Soccer LeaguesThe United Soccer Leagues is the organizer of several soccer leagues with teams in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. It includes men's and women's leagues, both professional and amateur. Leagues currently organized are the USL Pro, the USL Premier Development League, the W-League, and...
- USL Premier Development LeagueUSL Premier Development LeagueThe USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...