USL League One

USL League One. It is a professional men's soccer league in the United States, sanctioned as a third-division league by the U.S. Soccer Federation alongside MLS Next Pro. Founded in 2017, the league began play in 2019 with ten teams and has since expanded, focusing on markets across the United States. Operated by the United Soccer League, it serves as a crucial developmental and professional platform beneath Major League Soccer and the USL Championship.

History

The league was officially announced by the United Soccer League in 2017, with the goal of establishing a professional third-division circuit. The inaugural 2019 season featured ten founding members, including FC Tucson, Greenville Triumph SC, and Richmond Kickers. Early growth was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a shortened 2020 season. Strategic expansion has since added teams in new markets like Fresno with Central Valley Fuego FC and in Lexington with Lexington SC. The league's structure and sanctioning have been affirmed through agreements with the U.S. Soccer Federation, solidifying its position in the American soccer landscape.

Competition format

The regular season follows a balanced schedule where each club plays the others multiple times, typically totaling 32 matches. The season runs from March to October, culminating in a playoff tournament for the top six teams in the final standings. The playoff format has evolved, recently featuring single-elimination matches leading to a final hosted by the higher-seeded team. Points are awarded under the standard system: three for a win, one for a draw. Tiebreakers for playoff qualification and seeding include total wins, goal difference, and goals scored.

Clubs

For the 2024 season, twelve clubs compete. The current lineup includes Charlotte Independence, Chattanooga Red Wolves SC, Central Valley Fuego FC, and Forward Madison FC. Other members are Greenville Triumph SC, Lexington SC, North Carolina FC, One Knoxville SC, Richmond Kickers, South Georgia Tormenta FC, Union Omaha, and the newest addition, Spokane Velocity FC. Clubs are independently owned and represent a mix of long-standing organizations like the Richmond Kickers, founded in 1993, and newer entities created specifically for the league.

Champions

The league champion is determined by the playoff winner. Greenville Triumph SC won the inaugural title in 2019. Union Omaha claimed the championship in 2021 and again in 2023, while North Carolina FC won its first title in 2023 and added a second in the 2024 season. Other champions include the 2020 winner Greenville Triumph SC and the 2022 champion South Georgia Tormenta FC. The most successful clubs are North Carolina FC and Union Omaha, each with two championships.

Organization and management

The league is owned and operated by the United Soccer League, headquartered in Tampa, Florida. Leadership includes President Lee O’Neill and CEO Jeremy Alumbaugh. Key governance involves the U.S. Soccer Federation, which sets divisional standards and grants sanctioning. The league maintains a strategic partnership with IMG for media rights and works with PUMA as its official kit supplier. Competition and disciplinary matters are overseen by the league's front office, which also handles expansion and club compliance with U.S. Soccer Federation regulations. Category:Soccer leagues in the United States Category:USL League One Category:Third level soccer leagues in North America