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USL (soccer)

United Soccer League
United Soccer League 2015 logo.svg
Founded September 8, 2010; 6 years ago (2010-09-08)
Country United States
Other club(s) from Canada
Confederation CONCACAF
Conferences Eastern Conference
Western Conference
Number of teams 30
Level on pyramid II (US)
II (CAN)
Domestic cup(s) U.S. Open Cup
Canadian Championship
Current champions New York Red Bulls II (2016)
Current Regular Season Title New York Red Bulls II (2016)
Most championships Orlando City (2 titles)
Most Regular Season Titles Orlando City (3 titles)
TV partners ESPN; YouTube
Website uslsoccer.com
2017 USL season

The United Soccer League (USL), formerly known as USL Pro, is a professional men's soccer league in the United States and Canada that began its inaugural season in 2011. USL is sanctioned as a Division II Professional League by the United States Soccer Federation (U.S. Soccer), placing it under Major League Soccer (Division I) and equal to the North American Soccer League (also Division II) in the hierarchy.

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 nor 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 and Canada.

In January 2013, USL and MLS reached an agreement to integrate USL Pro league competition with the MLS Reserve League, primarily to improve player development in North America, strengthen league competition and build ties between divisions in the American soccer pyramid. This multi-year deal encourages MLS and USL Pro team affiliations and player loans, aiming to have more games for teams and developing players. As of March 2017, 22 USL teams are affiliated to MLS teams and every MLS team but Minnesota United FC has a USL affiliation.


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