Revolution in U.S. soccer: new top division adopts promotion and relegation

The United Soccer League (USL) has taken a historic step by becoming the first professional sports league in the United States to implement a promotion and relegation system. In an unprecedented decision, club owners approved the competitive model that governs major leagues worldwide, such as the Premier League and LaLiga. With this, the USL breaks away from the traditional structure of American soccer and offers its teams the chance to move up or down based on their performance on the field.

To achieve this, the USL will create a new top division league, the USL Division One, which will coexist with Major League Soccer (MLS) as the highest level of professional soccer in the country. Both competitions will be recognized by the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) as top-tier leagues, but the USL Division One will be part of the promotion and relegation system along with the USL Championship (second division) and the USL League One (third). This move comes after a court ruling validated the USSF's league structure, paving the way for this reform.

Starting from the 2027-28 season, the USL will feature these three interconnected levels. This change aims to raise the level of competition, attract more investment, and generate greater interest among soccer fans in the country, many of whom have been calling for a competitive system that rewards sporting merit for years.

"We want a more competitive league where every match has real consequences," expressed Alec Papadakis, CEO of the USL, in a statement published on the competition's official website.

Paul McDonough, president of the league, added:

"Fans want excitement and more meaningful soccer, and now is the time to take that step."

While MLS maintains its closed franchise model, USL is betting on a more dynamic scheme aligned with global soccer. This change could redefine the landscape of the sport in the U.S. and increase the league's international projection.