LEAGUES & CLUBS

USL League One

Division III

USL League One is a Division III professional league focused on smaller markets. It brings professional soccer to cities that are often overlooked in the top divisions.

USL League One (USL-1) is a Division III professional men’s soccer league in the United States. Following the sanctioning of the USL Championship as a Division II league in 2017, the United Soccer League launched USL League One to establish a fully connected professional structure beneath it.

The league was officially sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation in 2018 and began play in 2019 with 10 founding clubs. USL League One primarily targets small to mid-sized markets, typically ranging from approximately 150,000 to one million in population, many of which previously did not have access to professional soccer.

Since its launch, the league has steadily expanded, adding new independent clubs across the country while emphasizing local ownership, community identity, and long-term sustainability.

In 2022, Major League Soccer launched MLS NEXT Pro as another Division III league. This created direct competition at the third tier of the U.S. soccer landscape, with some clubs choosing to move between leagues based on ownership strategy and development goals.

As of the 2026 season, USL League One continues to grow with a mix of established independent clubs and newer expansion markets. The league typically features a regular season followed by a playoff format to determine the league champion.

In January 2026, the USL announced USL Premier as a new Division I league launching in 2028, with USL Championship at Division II, and USL League One remaining at Division III within a connected three-tier pyramid where promotion and relegation will link all three professional levels.

USL League One Teams

Future Clubs (Announced)

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