USL League Two (USL2), formerly the Premier Development League (PDL), is an amateur/semi-professional soccer league sponsored by United Soccer Leagues in the United States and Canada, forming part of the United States soccer league system. The league featured 122 teams for 2023, split into eighteen regional divisions across four conferences. USL League Two is headquartered in Tampa, Florida.[1]

USL League Two
Organizing bodyUnited Soccer League
Founded1995; 29 years ago (1995)
(as PDL) (1995–2018)
First season1995
CountryUnited States
Other club(s) fromCanada
ConfederationU.S. Soccer
Divisions18 divisions in 4 conferences
Number of teams128
Domestic cup(s)U.S. Open Cup
Current champion(s)Seacoast United Phantoms (1st title)
(2024)
Most championshipsFlint City Bucks (4 titles)
TV partnersSportsEngine Play
YouTube
Websiteuslleaguetwo.com
Current: 2024 USL League Two season

The Seacoast United Phantoms are the current champions, having defeated Peoria City 3–2 in extra time to win the 2024 USL League Two Championship final on August 3, 2024.[2]

Competition format

edit

USL League Two is divided into 4 conferences (Eastern, Central, Southern, and Western), comprising 18 divisions. The league season runs from May through July, with the playoffs decided through July and August. All teams play a regular season schedule of 10-14 games, up to seven home and seven away, within their division, depending on the size of the division.

Playoffs

edit

The USL2 playoffs see division winners and each conference's best second-place finishers advance to the conference quarter finals. All matches in the playoffs are played in single match elimination format, with each conference winner hosting a four-team conference championship weekend. The four conference champions advance to national semi-finals and the league Championship, both played at the home of the higher seed.

History

edit

1990s

edit

In 1995 the United States Interregional Soccer League (USISL) changed its name to the United States International Soccer League, and split into two leagues, one professional (the 'Professional League', which ultimately became the USL Second Division) and one amateur (the Premier League). The purpose for the split was to expand into and improve the soccer capabilities of many urban areas throughout the United States and Canada, while offering current college soccer players the opportunity to continue playing during the summer months without losing their college eligibility. The inaugural season of the new USISL Premier League featured 27 teams, and the Richmond Kickers won the first title, beating the Cocoa Expos 3–1 in the championship game.[3] Gabe Jones of the Austin Lone Stars was the league's top scorer and MVP.

The United States International Soccer League changed its name again in 1996, to the United Systems of Independent Soccer Leagues, and before the season, there was substantial movement of teams between the Pro League, the Premier League and the newly created Select League (which would later merge with the A-League, and eventually become the USL First Division). The Premier League grew to 34 teams in its second year, with the Central Coast Roadrunners from San Luis Obispo, California, beating the San Francisco Bay Seals in the championship game to take the title.[4] Pasi Kinturi of the Nashville Metros was the league's top scorer and MVP.

 
Brian Ching was the PDL Rookie of the Year in 1998

The Premier League renamed itself the Premier Development Soccer League (PDSL) in 1997, and the Central Coast Roadrunners repeated as national champions, the first team to do so, beating the Cocoa Expos in the PDSL championship game.[5] Lester Felicia of the Jackson Chargers was the league's MVP, while Rodrigo Costa of the Detroit Dynamite was the leading scorer and the league's Rookie of the Year, tallying 21 goals and 2 assists for 44 points. In 1998 the PDSL took to the field with 33 teams, including four associate members from the Pacific Coast Soccer League who played shortened schedules after their PCSL season was over. In the championship game the San Gabriel Valley Highlanders upset regular season champions Jackson Chargers 3–2, taking the trophy to California for the third straight year. Rodrigo Costa of the Detroit Dynamite was the league MVP, Boniventure Manati of the Jackson Chargers was the league's top scorer, and a young striker by the name of Brian Ching from the Spokane Shadow was named Rookie of the Year.[6]

In 1999 the umbrella USISL changed its name to the United Soccer Leagues, and the Premier Development Soccer League dropped the 'soccer' part of its name and became known as the USL Premier Development League, or PDL. The league took in several teams from the D3 Pro league, expanding to 42 teams in six divisions. Expansion franchise Chicago Sockers ultimately won the league, beating Spokane Shadow 3–1 for the title in a tight championship game. Fabio Eidenwein of the Sioux City Breeze was named League MVP and was the top scorer, with 20 goals.[7]

2000s

edit

The PDL expanded by a further eight franchises in 2000, and the Chicago Sockers won their second straight title, beating the Mid-Michigan Bucks in a close 1–0 championship game. The single goal was scored by Rodrigo Costa who, having received a pass from teammate Hamid Mehreioskouei, chipped Bucks goalkeeper Eric Pogue from 18 yards through a crowded penalty area. Fernando Salazar of the Los Angeles-based San Fernando Valley Heroes was the league's MVP, while his teammate Arshak Abyanli took the honors as top goalscorer.[8]

The league grew from 41 to 44 teams in 2001 through the usual mix of relegation from D3Pro, teams folding and new franchises being added. In the semi-finals, the Westchester Flames defeated Sioux Falls Spitfire 5–1 and Calgary Storm defeated Des Moines Menace 2–1; in the final, Westchester defeated Calgary 3–1 to take their first league title.[9] Des Moines and Chicago Fire Reserves dominated the 2002 regular season, but both teams stuttered in the playoffs; the PDL final saw the Cape Cod Crusaders defeating the Boulder Rapids Reserve 2–1 to bring the title to the Northeast for the second year in a row. 2002 also saw the debut of the soon-to-be PDL legend, Tomas Boltnar of Des Moines Menace, who secured an unprecedented triple-crown of PDL MVP, Top Scorer and Rookie of the Year.[10]

The mid-2000s was a period of steady growth and consolidation for the PDL. A TV agreement with Fox Soccer Channel saw the PDL Championship game being broadcast live on national television in North America for the first time, and professional teams began investing in the league by adding U-23 development sides as an addition to their senior rosters. Cape Cod repeated as PDL champs in 2003, beating the Chicago Fire Reserves in the final[11] (and despite the presence of Jürgen Klinsmann playing for Orange County Blue Star), while 2004 saw the title head to Florida for the first time as the Central Florida Kraze overcame perennial bridesmaids Boulder Rapids Reserve.[12]

Des Moines Menace took the PDL Championship trophy back to Iowa in 2005 after beating the El Paso Patriots 6–5 on penalty kicks, following a 0–0 draw in the PDL Championship game.[13][14] 2006 saw the beginning of two seasons of dominance for two teams: the Michigan Bucks and the Laredo Heat. Both teams made the PDL Final in 2006 and 2007, with the Bucks emerging victorious in '06 with a 2–1 win thanks to goals by Kenny Uzoigwe and Ty Shipalane,[15][16] only for Laredo to get their revenge the following year with an epic penalty kicks win after a 0–0 tie in regulation time.

Laredo became the first team to make three consecutive PDL championship games in 2008, but fell at the final hurdle to Thunder Bay Chill, who became the first ever Canadian side to win the PDL following their 4–1 penalty shootout victory.[17] The PDL had grown to 68 teams by 2009, and to reflect their growing reputation, introduced a new scheme called PDL-Pro, whereby certain teams would be allowed to act as professional clubs, paying players, while still adhering to NCAA collegiate eligibility rules, and the USL's own age restriction policy. Ventura County Fusion returned the PDL title to Southern California for the first time in over a decade with a stoppage-time victory over Chicago Fire Premier, and in doing so became the lowest-seeded team to claim the national title.[18]

2010s

edit

The 2010s began with a record, as the Portland Timbers U23s ended the season as national champions, beating Thunder Bay Chill 4–1 in the 2010 PDL Championship game.[19] The Timbers also had the best regular season record, winning all their 16 games, scoring 53 goals and conceding just six along the way. In doing so the Timbers became the first team to post a perfect PDL regular season record since the Jackson Chargers in 1998,[20] the first regular season champion to win the playoffs since the Central Coast Roadrunners in 1996, and the first team in PDL history to go through an entire PDL regular season and playoff campaign without posting a loss or a tie. Portland Timbers U23s striker Brent Richards was named League MVP and Rookie of the Year for his stellar campaign with the national champions. Players from Canadian side Thunder Bay Chill led the majority of the statistical categories, with striker Brandon Swartzendruber leading the league with 15 goals, while his teammate Gustavo Oliveira led the league with 13 assists. Portland Timbers U23s goalkeeper Jake Gleeson enjoyed the best goalkeeping statistics, allowing just five goals in 15 games and earning with a 0.360 GAA average.[21]

Western Conference teams dominated the league in 2011 for the third year in a row, with the Kitsap Pumas ending the season as national champions, beating Laredo Heat 1–0 in the 2011 PDL Championship game. Kitsap, who lost just one game and conceded just ten goals all season, were the second team from the Northwest Division to win the national title in a row, while Laredo were contesting their fourth championship game in six years. Kitsap also were the first PDL-Pro team to win the championship, a milestone for the league. Kitsap's Western Conference rivals Fresno Fuego had the best regular-season record, posting an unbeaten 13–0–3 record. Fresno midfielder Milton Blanco was named League MVP, after leading the league in points (38) and assists (14) and helping his team to the Southwest Division title. Two Michigan Bucks players – Stewart Givens and Mitch Hildebrandt – were given end-of-season awards as Defender of the Year and Goalkeeper of the Year respectively, while their coach Gary Parsons was named Coach of the Year. Jake Keegan of the Westchester Flames was named Rookie of the Year after tallying 16 goals in 16 games to take the league goal-scoring crown. Keegan accounted for 64 percent of Westchester's goals in 2011 and also finished third in the league in points with 34.[22]

The 2012 PDL season would see a resurgence of the Eastern Conference, as the Michigan Bucks would claim the regular season title, with Canadian rivals Forest City London winning their first ever PDL Championship in an East coast contest, defeating Carolina Dynamo 2–1.[23] Canadian clubs would also have another strong season in 2013, with four of eight Canadian clubs finishing in the final eight and two, the Victoria Highlanders and Thunder Bay Chill, advancing to the semi-finals.[24] After a final four finish in 2012, The Chill would repeat their strong season, winning the 2013 regular season title but falling to the Austin Aztex in the Championship final 3–1 in front of a crowd of 4,253 fans, the largest attendance for a final since 2007.[25][26]

In 2014, the Michigan Bucks would claim their second PDL Championship, defeating the Kitsap Pumas 1–0 on August 3, 2014, following a strong regular season campaign with a record of 9–2–3.[27]

With USL Pro re-branding as the United Soccer League in February 2015,[28] the PDL dropped the "USL" descriptor from their name, simply operating as the "Premier Development League".

The 2015 season would see league newcomers, New York Red Bulls U-23, put forth a very strong showing, finishing first in the Mid Atlantic Division and making it all the way to the Championship Final, before falling to the lower-seeded K-W United FC, who emerged from the very competitive Great Lakes Division, fending off perennial contenders and rivals Forest City London and the defending champions Michigan Bucks on their path to the final. United would come away winners 4–3 over the Red Bulls on August 3, 2015, at Starfire Stadium in Tukwila, Washington, to claim their first-ever championship and the third for a Canadian club.[29][30]

In May 2018, the league did not permit Calgary Foothills FC to sign Stephanie Labbé, a goalkeeper for the Canadian women's team, even though the team had offered her a position. The decision was made due to her gender.[31][32] Lubbe filed a lawsuit against the league.[33]

In 2018, it was announced that the PDL would be renamed as USL League Two in advance of the 2019 season.[34]

2020s

edit

The league was forced to cancel the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[35] The league returned for the 2021 season, although the Southwest division elected not to play due to concerns over COVID-19.[36] The 2022 season saw the Southwest division return and thus was the first full season for the league since 2019.[37] There were two new divisions added for the 2023 season, the Nor Cal and South Florida divisions, which were formed with expansions and former clubs from the Southwest and Southeast divisions respectively.[38]

The Northwest Division underwent a major expansion for the 2024 season by adding three new teams from the state of Washington.[39]

Organization

edit

As USL League Two seasons take place during the summer months, the player pool is drawn mainly from elite college soccer players seeking to continue playing high-level soccer during their summer break, which they can do while still maintaining their college eligibility, as USL2 is not considered a professional league.[40]

Formerly, teams such as Laredo Heat, New Orleans Jesters, Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-23, Kitsap Pumas and the Hollywood United Hitmen had embraced partial professionalism through the PDL-Pro program, whereby teams could choose to employ players who were paid for their performances,[41] but who still met the age eligibility criteria. This did not contravene NCAA rules, which state that college players cannot play alongside professionals, but may play against them. What this also meant, however, is that PDL-Pro teams could not have any active NCAA players on their rosters, but could employ NAIA and community college players, ex-NCAA players who have already graduated, or other local players who do not play college soccer at all.

Currently, all USL2 teams field amateur U-23 squads. Additionally, USL2 squads often also include standout high school and junior club players, as well as former professionals seeking to continue competing at a high level, often having been forced to retire from top flight competition due to age or injury. League rules dictate that a maximum of eight players on each team's 26-man roster can be over 23 years old, while at least three players on each team's roster must be 18 or younger.

Increasingly, League Two is seen as a 'shop window' for professional clubs looking to discover and identify aspiring professional players who may enter the MLS SuperDraft in future years. Many of the players currently playing in Major League Soccer and elsewhere began their careers in the league.

Teams

edit

Current teams

edit

The following teams are current members of USL League Two.[42]

Conference Division Team City Stadium Founded Joined Head coach
Eastern Conference Northeast Division AC Connecticut[a] Hartford, Connecticut Dillon Stadium 2011 2012   Alex Harrison
  Joe Mingachos
Albany Rush Schenectady, New York Union College College Park Field 2021 2022
Black Rock FC Manchester Center, Vermont Applejack Stadium 2013 2018   Brad Agoos
Boston Bolts[b] Newton, Massachusetts Alumni Field 2015 2016   Aidan Byrne
Boston City FC Revere, Massachusetts Harry Della Russo Stadium 2015 2022
Pathfinder FC[c] Pleasant Valley, New York Pathfinder Field 2013 2021   George Jermy
Seacoast United Phantoms[d] Hampton, New Hampshire New England Sports Park 1996 2008   Paul Baber
  Alex Ryan
Vermont Green FC Burlington, Vermont Virtue Field 2021 2022   Adam Pfeifer
Western Mass Pioneers Ludlow, Massachusetts Lusitano Stadium 1998 2010   Federico Molinari
Mid Atlantic Division Lehigh Valley United Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Rocco Calvo Field 2009 2015   Andrew Adlard
Ocean City Nor'easters[e] Ocean City, New Jersey Carey Stadium 1996 2003   Alan McCann
Philadelphia Lone Star FC Philadelphia, Pennsylvania South Philadelphia Athletic Super Site 2001 2020*   Fatoma Turay
Reading United AC[f] Reading, Pennsylvania Don Thomas Stadium 1996 2004   Casey Moore
Real Central New Jersey West Windsor, New Jersey Mercer County Community College 2020 2021   Brian Woods
West Chester United SC West Chester, Pennsylvania Kildare's Field 1976 2020*   Blaise Santangelo
Metropolitan Division Cedar Stars Rush Teaneck, New Jersey Fairleigh Dickinson University 2018 2019   Juan Santamaria
Hudson Valley Hammers Newburgh, New York Mount Saint Mary College 2021 2022
Ironbound SC Newark, New Jersey Eddie Moraes Stadium 2006 2023    Nick Lavrador
Long Island Rough Riders Hempstead, New York Hofstra University Soccer Stadium 1994 2007   Tom Bowen
Manhattan SC New York City, New York Gaelic Park / Randall's Island 1997 2019   Colin Hodge
Morris Elite SC Livingston, New Jersey Livingston High School 2016 2021   Javier Velasco
FC Motown Morristown, New Jersey Ranger Stadium 2012 2021   Alan McClintock
New Jersey Copa FC Metuchen, New Jersey St. Joseph High School 2004 2021   Fernando Barboto
Staten Island Athletic Sporting Club[g][43] Staten Island, New York[h] Lions for Hope Sports Complex 2021 2022
Westchester Flames New Rochelle, New York City Park Stadium 1999 1999/2005   Edson Buddle
Chesapeake Division Charlottesville Blues FC[44] Charlottesville, Virginia St. Anne's-Belfield School 2023 2024 TBD
Christos FC Baltimore, Maryland Moose Athletic Center 1997 2022
Lionsbridge FC Newport News, Virginia TowneBank Stadium 2017 2018   Chris Whalley
Northern Virginia FC[i] Leesburg, Virginia Evergreen Sportsplex 1998 2006   Ian Bishop
Patuxent Football Athletics Patuxent, Maryland Calverton School 2018 2022
Virginia Beach United FC Virginia Beach, Virginia Virginia Beach Sportsplex 2019 2019   Matt Ellinger
Virginia Marauders FC Winchester, Virginia Winchester Sportsplex 2023 2023 TBD
South Atlantic Division Charlotte Eagles Charlotte, North Carolina Sportsplex at Matthews 1991 2015   Michael Kovach
Charlotte Independence II Rock Hill, South Carolina Manchester Meadows Soccer Complex 2019 2020   Dave Carton
North Carolina FC U23[j] Cary, North Carolina WakeMed Soccer Park 2017 2002/2017   Tom Harris
Salem City FC[45] Winston-Salem, North Carolina TBD 1993 2024 Chris Williams
SC United Bantams[k] Columbia, South Carolina SC United Soccer Center at Monticello Road 2012 2012   Lee Morris
Tobacco Road FC Durham, North Carolina Durham County Stadium 2013 2017   Cedric Burke
Wake FC Holly Springs, North Carolina Ting Park 2001 2019   Eddie Rodriguez
West Virginia United[l] Dunbar, West Virginia Shawnee Sports Complex 2003 2003   Daniel Smee
Central Conference Great Lakes Division AFC Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, Michigan Saline Hornet Stadium 2014 2016   Eric Rudland
Flint City Bucks[m] Flint, Michigan Atwood Stadium 1995 1996   Andrew Wagstaff
Kalamazoo FC Kalamazoo, Michigan Soisson-Rapacz-Clason Field 2015 2021   Shane Lyons
Lansing City Football Lansing, Michigan Lansing Catholic High School Cougar Stadium 2016 2022   Marco Bernardini
Michiana Lions FC South Bend, Indiana TCU School Field 2019 2020   Thiago Pinto
Midwest United FC Grand Rapids, Michigan Aquinas College 1990 2022
Oakland County FC Clawson, Michigan Clawson Stadium 2015 2020*   Vincent Vasilevski
Union FC Macomb[46] Macomb Township, Michigan TBD 2024 2024 TBD
Heartland Division Chicago City SC Chicago, Illinois Lions for Hope Sports Complex 2013 2022   Charlie Latshaw III
Chicago Dutch Lions FC Aurora, Illinois Spartan Athletic Park[47] 2020 2022   Enzo Fuschino
Des Moines Menace Des Moines, Iowa Valley Stadium 1994 1994   Troy McKerrell
Peoria City Peoria, Illinois Shea Stadium 2020 2020*   Ruben Resendes
River Light FC[48] Aurora, Illinois TBD 2020 2024 TBD
St. Charles FC St. Charles, Missouri TBD 2020 2023   Lawrence Olum
Sueño FC[49] Joliet, Illinois Joliet Memorial Stadium 2023 2024 TBD
Valley Division Cleveland Force SC Cleveland, Ohio TBD 2011 2022
Dayton Dutch Lions West Carrollton, Ohio DOC Stadium 2009 2010/2015   Hans Pascoal
FC Buffalo Buffalo, New York Williamsville South High School 2009 2023   Dan Panaro
Fort Wayne FC Fort Wayne, Indiana Shields Field 2019 2021   Mike Avery
Kings Hammer SC Cincinnati, Ohio Corcoran Field 1993 2021   Paul Nicholson
Toledo Villa FC Toledo, Ohio Paul Hotmer Field 2017 2021   Mathius Johnson
Deep North Division Bavarian United SC Milwaukee, Wisconsin Heartland Value Fund Stadium 1929 2023   Calum Mallace[50]
Minneapolis City SC Minneapolis, Minnesota Edor Nelson Field 2016 2022   Carl Craig
RKC Third Coast Racine, Wisconsin Pritchard Park Multi-Purpose Field 2023 2023   Matt Foldesy
Rochester FC Rochester, Minnesota RCTC Stadium 2018 2023   Sebastian Narvarez
Saint Croix SC Stillwater, Minnesota Stillwater Area High School 1984 2022
Thunder Bay Chill Thunder Bay, Ontario Tbaytel Place at Chapples Park 2000 2000   Tony Colistro
Southern Conference South Central Division Asheville City SC Asheville, North Carolina UNC Asheville 2016 2020*   Scott Wells
Athens United[51] Athens, Georgia TBD 1972 2024 TBD
Birmingham Legion 2 Birmingham, Alabama TBD 2024 2024 TBD
Dothan United Dragons[52][53] Dothan, Alabama Rip Hewes Stadium 2024 2024   Carl Reynolds
East Atlanta Dutch Lions Atlanta, Georgia Friends Field 2019 2020*   Sam Walker
Southern Soccer Academy Kings Dallas, Georgia North Paulding High School 2012 2020*   Kelham O'Hanlon
Tennessee SC Franklin, Tennessee Ravenwood High School 2012 2022
Southeast Division Brave SC Summerfield, Florida The Villages SC Complex 2016 2016   Anderson DaSilva
Brevard SC Melbourne, Florida Melbourne Central Catholic High School 2020 2023 TBD
Brooke House FC[54] Maitland, Florida TBD 2022 2024  Niall O'grady
Florida Elite SA St. Johns, Florida Creekside High School 2014 2019   Sean Bubb
Inter Gainesville KF[55] Gainesville, Florida TBD 2021 2024 TBD
NONA FC Orlando, Florida Austin Tindall Soccer Complex 2021 2022   Dave Jacobs
South Florida Division Miami AC Miami, Florida Various 2021 2022
Sarasota Paradise Sarasota, Florida Sarasota High Football Stadium 2022 2023 TBD
St. Petersburg FC St. Petersburg, Florida St. Petersburg High School 2023 2023 TBD
Swan City SC Lakeland, Florida TBD 2016 2023 TBD
Tampa Bay United SC Tampa, Florida Ed Radice Sports Complex 2021 2021   Brian Johnson
Weston FC Weston, Florida Weston Regional Park 2017 1998   Luis Mendoza
Mid South Division Blue Goose SC Shreveport, Louisiana Mayo Field 2021 2022   Bryan Turner
Hattiesburg FC[56] Hattiesburg, Mississippi TBD 1980 2024 TBD
Little Rock Rangers Little Rock, Arkansas War Memorial Stadium 2016 2016   Adriano Versari
Louisiana Krewe FC Lafayette, Louisiana Clark Field 2019 2022   Joan Oliva
Mississippi Brilla Clinton, Mississippi Clinton High School 2006 2007   Michael Azira
Lone Star Division AC Houston Sur Houston, Texas The Village School 2021 2022   Amr Neamatalla
AHFC Royals Houston, Texas Campbell Road Sports Park 2017 2018   Josh Gardner
Corpus Christi FC Corpus Christi, Texas St. John Paul II High School Stadium 2017 2018   Adriano Versari
Hill Country Lobos[57] Kyle, Texas Bob Shelton Stadium 1996 2024   Luis Alvarado
Houston FC Houston, Texas Sorrels Field 2017 2017   Bruce Talbot
Twin City Toucans FC[58] Bryan, Texas Edible Field 2017 2017   Gareth Glick
Western Conference Mountain Division Albion SC Colorado Lafayette, Colorado TBD 2021 2023 TBD
Colorado International Soccer Academy Aurora, Colorado Englewood High School 2012 2022   Camilo Valencia
Flatirons Rush SC Arvada, Colorado North Stadium 1998 2020*  Brad Camp
New Mexico United U23 Albuquerque, New Mexico Various 2022 2022   Luke Sanford
Salt City SC Herriman, Utah Zions Bank Real Academy 2017 2018   Eric Landon
Utah Avalanche[59] Midvale, Utah TBD 2020 2024 TBD
Utah United[60] Utah County, Utah TBD 2023 2024 TBD
Northwest Division Ballard FC Seattle, Washington Interbay Stadium /
Memorial Stadium (2024)[61]
2021 2022   James Riley
Capital FC Atletico Salem, Oregon John Chambers Field 2008 2009   Matt Broadhead
FC Olympia Olympia, Washington South Sound Stadium 2014 2022   Jason Dunn
Lane United FC Eugene, Oregon Civic Park 2013 2014   Manny Martins
Midlakes United[62] Bellevue, Washington Bellevue College Soccer Field 2023 2024   Justi Baumgardt
Tacoma Stars[63] Tacoma, Washington Bellarmine Preparatory School 2003 2024 TBD
United PDX Portland, Oregon TBD 2018 2023 TBD
West Seattle Junction FC[64] Seattle, Washington Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex 2023 2024   Erik Oman
NorCal Division Academica SC Turlock, California Academica Field 1972 2023 Sergio Sousa
Almaden FC[65] Almaden Valley, California Pioneer High School 1967 2024 Mark Christie
Davis Legacy SC Davis, California Davis Legacy Stadium 1989 2022
Marin FC Legends Marin County, California San Rafael High School[66] 2004 2022
Monterey Bay F.C. 2 Salinas, California Rabobank Stadium / Cardinale Stadium[67] 2023 2023   Ramiro Corrales
Project 51O Oakland, California UCSF Health Training Facility 2020 2021   Dannylo Ayllon
San Francisco City FC San Francisco, California Kezar Stadium 2001 2016   Berdi Merdanov
San Francisco Glens SC San Francisco, California Skyline College 1961 2018   Jimmy Conrad
Southwest Division Arizona Arsenal SC Mesa, Arizona Legacy Sports Park USA 1992 2023   Adam Burke
AMSG FC[68] Huntington Beach, California TBD 2017 2024 TBD
Capo FC San Juan Capistrano, California JSerra Catholic High School 2006 2023 TBD
Coachella FC[69] Coachella, California Desert Mirage High School 2024 2024   Joe Aldape
FC Tucson Tucson, Arizona Kino North Sports Complex 2010 2012/2023   Sebastian Pineda
Redlands FC Redlands, California Redlands High School 2022 2023   Cody Carlson
Southern California Seahorses La Mirada, California La Mirada High School 2001 2001   Todd Elkins
Ventura County Fusion Ventura, California Ventura College 2006 2007   Rudy Ybarra
  1. ^ AC Connecticut was known as CFC Azul until the end of the 2014 season
  2. ^ Boston Bolts was known as FC Boston until the end of the 2018 season
  3. ^ Pathfinder FC was known as FC Málaga City New York in 2021
  4. ^ Seacoast United Phantoms was known as New Hampshire Phantoms until the end of the 2011 season
  5. ^ Ocean City Nor'easters were known as South Jersey Barons until the end of the 2009 season
  6. ^ Reading United AC was known as Reading Rage until the end of the 2009 season
  7. ^ Previously played as Springfield Athletic SC
  8. ^ Previously located in Springfield, Illinois
  9. ^ Northern Virginia FC was previously known as Northern Virginia Royals, D.C. United U-23, and Evergreen FC
  10. ^ North Carolina FC U23 has previously been known as Raleigh CASL Elite, Carolina RailHawks U23s, and Cary Clarets while in the PDL
  11. ^ SC United Bantams was known as Palmetto United Bantams until the end of the 2014 season
  12. ^ West Virginia United was previously known as West Virginia Chaos and West Virginia Alliance
  13. ^ Flint City Bucks were known as the Mid-Michigan Bucks from 1996 to 2003 and the Michigan Bucks from 2004 to 2019
 
Charlottesville Blues FC
Christos FC
Lionsbridge FC
Northern Virginia FC
Patuxent Football Athletics
Virginia Beach United
Virginia Marauders FC
Cedar Stars Rush
Hudson Valley Hammers
Ironbound SC
Long Island Rough Riders
Manhattan SC
Morris Elite SC
FC Motown
New Jersey Copa FC
Staten Island Asc
Westchester Flames
Lehigh Valley United
Ocean City Nor'Easters
Philadelphia Lone Star FC
Reading United AC
Real Central New Jersey
West Chester United SC
AC Connecticut
Albany Rush
Black Rock FC
Boston Bolts
Boston City FC
Pathfinder FC
Seacoast United Phantoms
Vermont Green FC
Western Mass Pioneers
Charlotte Eagles
Charlotte Independence 2
North Carolina FC U23
Salem City FC
SC United Bantams
Tobacco Road FC
Wake FC
West Virginia United
Bavarian United SC
Minneapolis City SC
RKC Third Coast
Rochester FC
St. Croix SC
Thunder Bay Chill
Afc Ann Arbor
Flint City Bucks
Kalamazoo FC
Lansing City Football
Michiana Lions FC
Midwest United FC
Oakland County FC
Union FC Macomb
Chicago City SC
Chicago Dutch Lions FC
Des Moines Menace
Peoria City
River Light FC
St. Charles FC
Sueño FC
Cleveland Force SC
Dayton Dutch Lions
FC Buffalo
Fort Wayne FC
Kings Hammer FC
Toledo Villa FC
Asheville City SC
Athens United
Birmingham Legion 2
Dothan United SC
East Atlanta Dutch Lions FC
Southern Soccer Academy Kings
Tennessee SC
Miami AC
Sarasota Paradise
St. Petersburg FC
Swan City SC
Tampa Bay United
Weston FC
AC Houston Sur
AHFC Royals
Corpus Christi FC
Hill Country Lobos
Houston FC
Twin City Toucans FC
Brave SC
Brevard SC
Brooke House FC
Florida Elite SA
Inter Gainesville KF
Nona FC
Blue Goose SC
Hattiesburg FC
Little Rock Rangers
Louisiana Krewe FC
Mississippi Brilla FC
Albion SC Colorado
CISA
Flatirons Rush
New Mexico United U23
Salt City SC
Utah Avalanche
Utah United
Ballard FC
Capital FC Atletico
FC Olympia
Lane United FC
Midlakes United
Tacoma Stars
United PDX
West Seattle Junction FC
Arizona Arsenal SC
AMSG FC
Capo FC
Coachella FC
FC Tucson
Redlands FC
Southern California Seahorses
Ventura County Fusion
Academica SC
Almaden FC
Davis Legacy SC
Marin FC Legends
Monterey Bay FC 2
Project 51O
San Francisco City FC
San Francisco Glens SC
Locations of USL League Two franchises.

Eastern Conference:   Northeast Division   Mid Atlantic Division   Metropolitan Division   Chesapeake Division   South Atlantic Division
Central Conference:   Great Lakes Division   Heartland Division   Valley Division   Deep North Division
Southern Conference:   South Central Division   Southeast Division   South Florida Division   Mid South Division   Lone Star Division
Western Conference:   Mountain Division   Northwest Division   NorCal Division   Southwest Division

Future clubs

edit
Team City Stadium Founded Joining Head coach
Stars FC[70] Phoenix, Arizona TBD 2024 2025 TBD

Champions

edit
Season Playoff champions Regular season champions
USISL Premier League
1995 Richmond Kickers San Francisco All-Blacks United
1996 Central Coast Roadrunners Central Coast Roadrunners
USISL Premier Development Soccer League
1997 Central Coast Roadrunners Spokane Shadow
1998 San Gabriel Valley Highlanders Jackson Chargers
USL Premier Development League
1999 Chicago Sockers Jackson Chargers
2000 Chicago Sockers Mid-Michigan Bucks
2001 Westchester Flames Calgary Storm
2002 Cape Cod Crusaders Des Moines Menace
2003 Cape Cod Crusaders New Orleans Shell Shockers
2004 Central Florida Kraze Chicago Fire Reserves
2005 Des Moines Menace Orange County Blue Star
2006 Michigan Bucks Carolina Dynamo
2007 Laredo Heat Hampton Roads Piranhas
2008 Thunder Bay Chill Michigan Bucks
2009 Ventura County Fusion Reading Rage
2010 Portland Timbers U23s Portland Timbers U23s
2011 Kitsap Pumas Fresno Fuego
2012 Forest City London Michigan Bucks
2013 Austin Aztex Thunder Bay Chill
2014 Michigan Bucks Des Moines Menace
2015 K–W United FC Michigan Bucks
2016 Michigan Bucks Michigan Bucks
2017 Charlotte Eagles New York Red Bulls U-23
2018 Calgary Foothills FC Des Moines Menace
USL League Two
2019 Flint City Bucks Des Moines Menace
2020 Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic[71]
2021 Des Moines Menace Des Moines Menace
2022 Ventura County Fusion[72] Lionsbridge FC
2023 Ballard FC[73] Chicago City SC
2024 Seacoast United Phantoms Seacoast United Phantoms

Championships

edit

(Defunct teams in italics)

Playoff championships

edit

USL League Two MVPs

edit
Season Player Club College
1995   Gabe Jones Austin Lone Stars Davidson
1996   Pasi Kinturi Nashville Metros Campbell University (TN)
1997   Lester Felicia Jackson Chargers Bellhaven University (MS)
1998   Rodrigo Costa Detroit Dynamite Union College (KY)
1999   Fabio Eidelwein Sioux City Breeze St. Edward's University (TX)
2000   Fernando Salazar San Fernando Valley Heroes N/A
2001   Beau Brown Lafayette Lightning West Texas A&M
2002   Tomas Boltnar Des Moines Menace California University of Pennsylvania
2003   Tomas Boltnar Des Moines Menace California University of Pennsylvania
2004   Ruben Mingo South Jersey Barons Mercer County Community College (NJ)
2005   Daniel Frias El Paso Patriots N/A
2006   Frederico Moojen Augusta FireBall Lincoln Memorial University (TN)
2007   Pablo Campos Fresno Fuego Fresno Pacific University
2008   Junior Garcia Yakima Reds Wenatchee Valley College (WA)
2009   Aaron Wheeler Reading Rage Lenoir–Rhyne University (NC)
2010   Brent Richards Portland Timbers U23s University of Washington
2011   Milton Blanco Fresno Fuego Fresno Pacific University
2012   Sullivan Silva Thunder Bay Chill Oklahoma Baptist
2013   Kris Tyrpak Austin Aztex Houston Baptist
2014   Dzenan Catic Michigan Bucks Davenport University (MI)
2015   Anthony Grant Seacoast United Phantoms Bowling Green State University
2016   Chevaughn Walsh Ocean City Nor'easters Jefferson College (MO)
2017   Brian White New York Red Bulls U-23 Duke University
2018   Ryosuke Kinoshita Des Moines Menace Marshalltown Community College (IA)
2019   Deri Corfe Ocean City Nor'easters Wright State
2020 Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021   Nicolás Molina West Virginia United University of North Carolina Wilmington
2022   Samory Powder Hudson Valley Hammers University of Detroit Mercy
2023   Logan Farrington Ventura County Fusion Oregon State University

References

edit
  1. ^ "CONTACT". USL PDL. Retrieved August 22, 2017.
  2. ^ "USL League Two: Seacoast United Phantoms capture first-ever championship". soccerjournal.com. New England Soccer Journal. August 4, 2024. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
  3. ^ "United Soccer Leagues, Part 2 (1994–1996)". Homepages.sover.net. February 13, 2010. Archived from the original on July 13, 2013. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  4. ^ "The Year in American Soccer, 1996". Homepages.sover.net. Archived from the original on August 2, 2018. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  5. ^ "United Soccer Leagues, Part 3 (1997–1999)". Homepages.sover.net. February 13, 2010. Archived from the original on November 21, 2014. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  6. ^ "The Year in American Soccer, 1998". Homepages.sover.net. Archived from the original on November 5, 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  7. ^ "The Year in American Soccer, 1999". Homepages.sover.net. Archived from the original on February 6, 2019. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  8. ^ "United Soccer Leagues, Part 4 (2000–2003)". Homepages.sover.net. February 14, 2010. Archived from the original on January 8, 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  9. ^ "United Soccer Leagues, Part 4 (2000–2003)". Homepages.sover.net. February 14, 2010. Archived from the original on January 8, 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  10. ^ "United Soccer Leagues, Part 4 (2000–2003)". Homepages.sover.net. February 14, 2010. Archived from the original on January 8, 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  11. ^ "Cape Cod repeats as champion with 1–0 shutout of Chicago". Soccertimes.com. August 9, 2003. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  12. ^ "Cook scores late to send Central Florida past Rapids Reserve for title". Soccertimes.com. August 7, 2004. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  13. ^ "Des Moines captures PDL title in seven rounds of penalties". Pdl.uslsoccer.com. August 13, 2005. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  14. ^ "Gruenebaum, Frieberg lead Menace past El Paso for title in penalty kicks". Soccertimes.com. August 13, 2005. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  15. ^ "Uzoigwe, Shipalane power Michigan to first championship 2–1 over Heat". Soccertimes.com. August 12, 2006. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  16. ^ Demosphere International, Inc. (August 12, 2006). "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". Uslsoccer.com. Archived from the original on March 13, 2012. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  17. ^ "Chill stay cool to win PDL title". Uslsoccer.com. August 9, 2008. Archived from the original on March 13, 2012. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  18. ^ "Fusion overcome Fire for PDL title". Uslsoccer.com. Archived from the original on September 14, 2012. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  19. ^ "Perfection in Portland". Pdl.uslsoccer.com. August 7, 2010. Archived from the original on August 17, 2012. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  20. ^ "Timbers Make History at Kitsap; Portland Becomes First Unblemished Team Since 1998". Uslsoccer.com. July 18, 2010. Archived from the original on March 13, 2012. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  21. ^ "Chill Dominate Season Honors". Pdl.uslsoccer.com. July 27, 2010. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  22. ^ "Bucks Highlight PDL Award Winners". Uslsoccer.com. August 5, 2011. Archived from the original on August 18, 2012. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  23. ^ "FC London Claims PDL Championship". USLPDL.com. August 4, 2012. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  24. ^ "Canadian clubs turning heads with PDL success". WakingTheRed.com. July 29, 2013. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  25. ^ "Clubs set for PDL Championship". USLPDL.com. August 1, 2013. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  26. ^ "Aztex Claim PDL Championship". USLPDL.com. August 4, 2013. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  27. ^ Nicholas Mendola (August 3, 2014). "Michigan Bucks top Kitsap Pumas in PDL championship match". NBCSports.com. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
  28. ^ "USL Rising – United Soccer League". USLSoccer.com. February 10, 2015. Archived from the original on September 25, 2015. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
  29. ^ Dave Rowaan (August 3, 2015). "KW United win club's first ever PDL Championship". WakingTheRed.com. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
  30. ^ Paul Kennedy (August 3, 2015). "Ontario's K-W United FC takes PDL crown". SoccerAmerica.com. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
  31. ^ "Men's soccer league refuses top Canadian goaltender because she's a woman – CBC News". Retrieved May 4, 2018.
  32. ^ "Female footballer barred from men's league". BBC. May 3, 2018. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
  33. ^ "Goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé taking legal action against Premier Development League – CBC Sports". Retrieved May 22, 2018.
  34. ^ "USL Unveils New Structure: One Central Brand, Three Leagues, Evolving for the Future". United Soccer League. September 25, 2018. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
  35. ^ Hojnacki, Jenny (April 30, 2020). "USL cancels 2020 League Two season, extends pro league suspensions". sbisoccer.com. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  36. ^ Staff, USLLeagueTwo com (April 6, 2021). "USL League Two's Southwest Division to Forgo the 2021 Season". USL League Two. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  37. ^ Staff, USLLeagueTwo com (April 6, 2021). "USL League Two's Southwest Division to Forgo the 2021 Season". USL League Two. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  38. ^ Staff, USLLeagueTwo com (February 14, 2023). "USL League Two Announces 2023 Divisional Alignment". USL League Two. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  39. ^ Evans, Jayda (January 10, 2024). "Two former Sounders take over as coaches of USL League Two sides". The Seattle Times. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  40. ^ Bird, Liviu (July 24, 2012). "In the P.D.L., Looking Up From the Bottom of the Food Chain". The New York Times. New York Times Soccer Blog.
  41. ^ "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". Pdl.uslsoccer.com. December 17, 2008. Archived from the original on February 17, 2012. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  42. ^ USLLeagueTwo.com Staff (February 13, 2024). "USL League Two Announces 2024 Divisional Alignment". USLLeagueTwo.com. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  43. ^ "Monarchs organization to relocate to Staten Island". USLLeagueTwo.com. USL League Two. February 9, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
  44. ^ "Charlottesville Blues FC to join USL League Two and USL W League in 2024". USL League Two. September 29, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  45. ^ "Salem City FC to compete in USL League Two in 2024". USL League Two. October 18, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  46. ^ "Union FC Macomb to join USL League Two in 2024". USL League Two. January 25, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  47. ^ @@ChicagoDLFC (February 19, 2023). "We are pleased to announce our new 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚 and multi-year deal with Aurora University & their Spartan Athletic Park 🏟️ @uslwleague @uslleaguetwo" (Tweet). Retrieved February 19, 2023 – via Twitter.
  48. ^ "River Light FC to join USL League Two and USL W League in 2024". USL League Two. October 3, 2023. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  49. ^ "Sueño FC to join USL League Two in 2024". January 30, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  50. ^ @@BavarianSoccer (February 15, 2023). "Calum Mallace picked to lead our new USL League 2 team this Summer. 🔹Loyola University Assistant Coach 🔹Former MLS & USL Pro 🔹Marquette University Alumni #BavsDNA #USL2 #WIsoccer #wisconsinsoccer" (Tweet). Retrieved February 19, 2023 – via Twitter.
  51. ^ "USL League Two and W League to add Athens United in 2024". February 12, 2024. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  52. ^ "USL League Two welcomes Dothan United for 2024 season". February 1, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  53. ^ "Dothan United Dragons unveiled as name of new minor league soccer team". January 25, 2024. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  54. ^ "Brooke House FC to join USL League Two and W League in 2024". USL League Two. November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  55. ^ "USL League Two welcomes Inter Gainesville KF for the 2024 season". February 1, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
  56. ^ "Hattiesburg FC to join USL League Two in 2024". USL League Two. January 16, 2024. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  57. ^ "Hill Country Lobos to join USL League Two in 2024". USL League Two. September 5, 2023. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  58. ^ "The rebranded Twin City Toucans to begin play on June 1st at Edible Field". KBTX-TV. May 4, 2023. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  59. ^ "Utah Avalanche to join USL League Two in 2024". USL League Two. January 24, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  60. ^ "USL League Two club coming to Utah County in 2024". USL League Two. September 19, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  61. ^ "Ballard FC to Play 2024 Season at Memorial Stadium". goballardfc. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  62. ^ "Midlakes United to begin play in USL League Two in 2024". USL League Two. December 26, 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  63. ^ "Tacoma Stars joining USL League Two in 2024" (Press release). USL League Two. January 4, 2024. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  64. ^ "West Seattle Junction FC to join USL League Two in 2024" (Press release). USL League Two. January 3, 2024. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  65. ^ "Almaden FC to join USL League Two in 2024". USL League Two. December 19, 2023. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  66. ^ Marin FC Legends | The Marin Football Club
  67. ^ "MBFC2 Announces Home Venue in Salinas, Open Tryout Dates". Monterey Bay Football Club | USL Championship. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  68. ^ "AMSG FC to join USL League Two in 2024". USL League Two. January 16, 2024. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  69. ^ "Coachella FC to join USL League Two in 2024". January 31, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  70. ^ "Stars FC to join USL League Two in 2025". USLWLeague.com Staff. October 31, 2024. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  71. ^ "United Soccer League Provides Update on 2020 Seasons". United Soccer League. April 30, 2020.
  72. ^ "Ventura County Fusion capture USL League Two national title with 2-1 victory". Ventura County Star. August 7, 2022. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  73. ^ "Ballard FC claims dramatic victory in 2023 USL League Two Final". www.USLLeagueTwo.com. USL League Two. August 6, 2023. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
edit