Louisville City FC’s league, the United Soccer League, was on Friday granted provisional Division 2 status by the U.S. Soccer Federation Board of Directors starting with the 2017 season.
Earlier this year, the USL submitted its application and supporting documentation for entry into Division 2. This landmark decision by USSF supports the USL’s vision to become one of the most globally recognized second division professional soccer leagues.
Since 2014, one year before LouCity began play, the USL has more than doubled in size. Ottawa Fury FC, Reno 1868 FC and the Tampa Bay Rowdies are joining as new clubs for next season while Nashville SC will begin play in 2018. Further expansion is on the horizon.
“The USL is honored to receive U.S. Soccer Federation Division 2 status, which provides further validation about our League’s financial sustainability, national footprint, ownership quality, stadium infrastructure and player development,” said Alec Papadakis, the USL’s chief executive officer. “Our teams have invested more than $100 million into stadium development in the last year to enhance the experience for the 1.5 million passionate fans that attended games in 2016, the 1,000-plus players and nearly 100 coaches that have positioned our League as a highly sophisticated competition model that cultivates strong regional rivalries.”
The USL’s expansive national footprint features teams in 21 of the top 50 U.S. Metropolitan Statistical Areas and three of the top six populated Canadian cities. This year, team markets reached 75 million people including 30 million who lived in a region where the USL was the only professional league.
“After an exhaustive process working with both leagues, in the best interest of the sport the U.S. Soccer Board of Directors has decided to grant provisional Division II status to the USL,” said U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati. “U.S. Soccer will create an internal working group that will work with the league to set a pathway to meet the full requirements for Division II and allow for the larger goal of creating a sustainable future. We look forward to another productive year for professional soccer in this country.”
With the USL kicking off its 2017 season in late March, the League will be announcing its official schedule and conference alignments soon.
“I’m thinking this will be the only time we will ever be satisfied with being second,” said LouCity Chairman John Neace. “It’s an excellent recognition of Alec Papadakis and the league’s effort. Louisville City FC salutes our fans as we make this move. Thank you for your support, and go City!”
Added LouCity coach James O’Connor: “It’s the first time I’ve been promoted in January. I’m really pleased for the league and especially our ownership group. They all really deserve it for their hard work and perseverance.”
