United Soccer League

This page is about the governing body that sponsors several soccer leagues:
   for the United Soccer League (formerly USL Pro) see United Soccer League;
   for the former league with a similar name see United Soccer League (1984–85).

United Soccer Leagues

File:United Soccer Leagues logo.svg
Founded	1986
Country	United States
Other club(s) from	Canada
Confederation	CONCACAF
Level on pyramid	3 (US), 3 (CAN)
Promotion to	None
Relegation to	None
Domestic cup(s)	U.S. Open Cup
International cup(s)	CONCACAF Champions League
Website	www.uslsoccer.com

The United Soccer Leagues (USL) is the organizer of several soccer leagues with teams in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. It includes men's and women's leagues, both professional and amateur. Leagues currently organized are the United Soccer League, the Premier Development League and the youth Super Y-League and Super-20 League. It is directly affiliated with the United States Soccer Federation, the United States Adult Soccer Association and the Canadian Soccer Association.

History

Year by year

• 1986 Established as Southwest Indoor Soccer League
• 1989 Added an outdoor league known as the Southwest Outdoor Soccer League. This was soon changed to Southwest Independent Soccer League which included both the indoor and outdoor leagues.
• 1990 Renamed Sunbelt Independent Soccer League
• 1991 Renamed United States Interregional Soccer League
• 1995 Renamed United States International Soccer League
• 1995 Renamed United Systems of Independent Soccer Leagues and formally established professional Pro League and amateur Amateur Premier League
• 1995 The W-League women's semi-pro league is launched.
• 1996 Established Select League consisting of strongest teams from Division 3 Pro League and Amateur Premier League in hopes of gaining Division 2 sanctioning.
• 1997 Select League and the former American Professional Soccer League merged to form A-League under the USISL umbrella.
• 1999 Umbrella USISL changed its name to the modern United Soccer Leagues.
• 2009 Nike sells organization. As a result, nine clubs left the First Division to form the North American Soccer League: Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina RailHawks FC, Miami FC, Minnesota Thunder, Montreal Impact, Rochester Rhinos, Tampa Bay Rowdies, Vancouver Whitecaps, and the AC St. Louis expansion group. United Soccer League was a division in the temporary USSF Division 2 league.
• 2010 USL announced the formation of USL Pro, which merged the USL First Division and USL Second Division.
• 2011 Inaugural season of USL Pro.
• 2011 USL takes over operation of the Major Indoor Soccer League.
• 2013 USL Pro and Major League Soccer announce a multi-year agreement, beginning that season, to integrate MLS Reserve League play with USL Pro teams, first through team affiliations and "interleague" play, eventually fully merging MLS Reserves into the USL Pro structure.
• 2013 The W-20 League is launched, a youth league that is operationally aligned with the W-League.
• 2015 USL Pro renamed United Soccer League
• 2015 W-League and W-20 League ceases operations.

Narrative

Founded in 1985 by Francisco Marcos, the Southwest Indoor Soccer League was first intended as a minor indoor league associated with Major Indoor Soccer League. The league began with five teams, all owned by individuals who owned or operated indoor soccer arenas in the Southwest United States. League headquarters was in Austin, Texas. In 1986, Marcos' team, the Austin Sockadillos, entered the league giving it six teams. By 1989, the league had set its sights on greater prospects than remaining a small, semi-professional indoor league. A 1989 press release stated, "It is envisioned the league will be part of the USSF's plan to professionalize soccer in the USA prior to the 1994 World Cup, and the league plans to push its teams to be considered for the "three-tiered first, second and third divisions" plan the USSF envisions for soccer."

Complete historical team list

SISL

Amarillo Challengers (Indoor: 1986/87–89/90) Arkansas Diamonds (Indoor: 1989/90–90/91; Outdoor: 1990–91) Atlanta Express (Indoor: 1990/91; Outdoor: 1991) Austin Sockadillos (Indoor: 1987/88–90/91; Outdoor: 1989–91) Colorado Comets (Indoor: 1989/90-90/91; Outdoor: 1989–91) El Paso Patriots (Indoor: 1989/90-90/91; Outdoor: 1991, as El Paso Sixshooters in 1989/90, as El Paso Spurs in 1990/91) Fort Worth Kickers (Indoor: 1986/87-90/91; Outdoor: 1989–91, as Garland Genesis in 1986/87, as Addison Arrows in 1986/87–89/90, as North Texas United in 1990, merged with Waco Kickers after 1990) Georgia Steamers (Indoor: 1990/91) Houston Express (Indoor: 1988/89–89/90) Lubbock Lazers (Indoor: 1986/87–90/91; Outdoor: 1989–91) Memphis Rogues (Indoor: 1990/91; Outdoor: 1991) Nashville Metros (Indoor: 1990/91; Outdoor: 1991)

New Mexico Chiles (Indoor: 1986/87–90/91; Outdoor: 1989–91, as Albuquerque Outlaws in 1986/87, as Albuquerque Gunners in 1987/88–1990, as New Mexico Roadrunners in 1990/91) Oklahoma City Warriors (Indoor: 1986/87–90/91; Outdoor: 1989–91) Permian Basin Shooting Stars (Indoor: 1989/90–90/91; Outdoor: 1990) Phoenix Hearts (Indoor: 1989/90–90/91; Outdoor: 1990–91) Richardson Rockets (Indoor: 1989/90–90/91; Outdoor: 1990–91) San Antonio Generals (Indoor: 1988/89–90/91; Outdoor: 1989–91, as San Antonio Heat in 1988/89–1989) Tucson Amigos (Indoor: 1989/90–90/91; Outdoor: 1990–91) Tulsa Renegades (Indoor: 1989/90–90/91; Outdoor: 1989–91) Waco Kickers (Indoor: 1989/90; Outdoor: 1990, merged into North Texas United after 1990 season) Wichita Tornado (Indoor: 1988/89)

USISL

Amarillo Challengers (Indoor: 1991/92) Ann Arbor Elite (1995) Arizona Cotton (1993–94, Indoor: 1991/92–92/93, as Phoenix Hearts in 1991/92) Arkansas A's (1992, 94, Indoor: 1991/92, as Arkansas Diamonds in 1994) Atlanta Lightning (Indoor: 1991/92) Atlanta Magic (1993–94, Indoor: 1991/92–95/96, as Atlanta Lasers in 1993) Austin Lone Stars (1992–94, as Austin Sockadillos in 1992–93) Baltimore Bays (1993–94, Indoor: 1992/93–97/98) Birmingham Grasshoppers (1993–94) Boca Raton Sabres (1992–94) Boston Storm (1994) Brandon Braves (Indoor: 1994/95–95/96) Cape Cod Crusaders (1994) Central California Valley Hydra (1994) Charlotte Eagles (1993–94) Charleston Battery (1993–94) Chattanooga Express (1992–94, Indoor: 1992/93–95/96, as Chattanooga Railroaders in 1992–1992/93) Chico Rooks (1993–94) Cincinnati Cheetahs (1994) Cocoa Expos (1994, Indoor: 1993/94) Colorado Comets (Indoor: 1991/92) Columbia Heat (1993–94, as Columbia Spirit in 1993) Connecticut Wolves (1993–94) Coral Springs Kicks (1993) Dallas Rockets (1992–94, Indoor: 1991/92, as North Texas Mid-Cities Flyers in 1991/92) Dallas/Fort Worth Toros (1992–94, Indoor: 1991/92–92/93, 95/96, as Dallas Kickers in 1991/92, as Dallas Americans in 1992–1992/93) Dallas Lightning (1993–94, Indoor: 1993/94, 95/96, as Tyler Lightning in 1993, as Texas Lightning in 1993/94–1994) Delaware Wizards (1993–94) Des Moines Menace (1994) Detroit Wheels (1994–95) East Bay Red Riders (1992–93) East Los Angeles Cobras (1993–94) El Paso Patriots (1992–94) Florida Stars (1994) Fort Lauderdale Kicks (1994) Greensboro Dynamo (1993–94, Indoor: 1993/94) Gwinnett County Steamers (1992) Hampton Roads Hurricane (1994) Hawaii Tsunami (1994) Jacksonville Fury (1994–95) Jersey Dragons (1994) Kansas City All-Stars (Indoor: 1996/97) Knoxville Impact (Indoor: 1992/93–95/96) Las Vegas Quicksilver (1994) Lexington Bluegrass Bandits (1994) Lincoln Brigade (1997) (Indoor: 1996, 1997) Long Island Rough Riders (1994) Louisville Thoroughbreds (1994) Lubbock Lazers (Indoor: 1991/92–92/93, as Lubbock Tornado in 1991/92)

Memphis Jackals (1992–94, Indoor: 1991/92, as Memphis Survivors in 1991/92, as Memphis United Express in 1992) Mesquite Kickers (Indoor: 1994/95–96/97) Michigan Madness (1996) Milwaukee Rampage (1994) Minnesota Thunder (1994) Montclair Standard Falcons (1993–94) Myrtle Beach Boyz (1995) Nashville Metros (1992–94, Indoor: 1991/92–93/94) New Mexico Chiles (1994) New Orleans Storm (1993-1997 as Riverboat Gamblers, 1998-1999 as Storm) New York Fever (1994) North Bay Breakers (1992–94) North Jersey Imperials (1994) Ohio Xoggz (1994–96, as Columbus Xoggz in 1994–95) Oklahoma City Slickers (1993-1996, as Oklahoma City Heat in 1996) Oklahoma City Warriors (1992–93, Indoor: 1991/92–92/93) Oklahoma City Warriors (Indoor: 1996/97–97/98, as Oklahoma City Alliance in 1996/97) Omaha Flames (1996–1997, Indoor: 1996–98) Orlando Lions (1992–94, Indoor: 1993/94–95/96) Permian Basin Mirage (Indoor: 1991/92) Philadelphia Freedom (1994, Indoor: 1995/96–96/97, as Pennsylvania Freedom in 1994–1995/96) Raleigh Flyers (1993–94) Reading Rage (Indoor: 1995/96) Reno Rattlers (1994) Richmond Kickers (1993–94, Indoor: 1993/94) Rockford Raptors (1994) St. Louis Knights (1994) San Antonio Pumas (1992–1994, Indoor: 1991/92–92/93, as San Antonio Generals in 1991/92-92/93) San Diego Top Guns (1994) San Fernando Valley Golden Eagles (1993–94) San Francisco United All Blacks (1992–94, as San Francisco All Blacks in 1992) San Francisco Bay Diablos (1993–94) San Jose Hawks (1993) Santa Cruz Surf (1993–94) Shasta Scorchers (1994) Silicon Valley Firebirds (1992–94, as Palo Alto Firebirds in 1992) Sioux City Breeze (1994) South Florida Flamingos (1994) Texas Arsenal (Indoor: 1992/93–93/94, as Texas Stampede in 1992/93) Toledo Twisters (Indoor: 1993/94) Tucson Amigos (1992–94, Indoor: 1991/92–92/93) Tulsa Renegades (Indoor: 1991/92, ) Tulsa Roughnecks (1993–99, Indoor: 1993/94–97/98, as Green County Roughnecks in 1999) Richmond Kickers (1997/98) Washington Mustangs (1994) Wichita Blue (1995–96, 1999, as Wichita Blue Angels in 1994)

Champions

Indoor seasons

The USL began operations in 1986 as the Southwest Indoor Soccer League, a semi-professional indoor league. The league quickly expanded and added an outdoor season in 1989. In 1991, the league renamed itself the United States Interregional Soccer League. By then, the outdoor league overshadowed the indoor league which continued to slowly dwindle in importance. By the 1997–98 season, only five teams remained indoors while the outdoor season had over a hundred teams divided into a three-division structure. This led the league to stop running an indoor league.

In 2010, the USL began to consider relaunching an indoor season. However, it decided instead to take over operations of the Major Indoor Soccer League; beginning indoor operations in 2011. The champions were determined by a single games in 1987, 1988, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1998. The champions were determined by a best of three series in 1998 and a best of five series in 1989, 1990 and 1991 and a home-and-home series in 2012 and 2013.

Season	Winner	Final score	Runner-up
1986/87	Addison Arrows	7–2	Lubbock Lazers
1987/88	Oklahoma City Warriors	3–0	Austin Sockadillos
1988/89	Lubbock Lazers	3 games to 2	Austin Sockadillos
1989/90	Addison Arrows	3 games to 0	Phoenix Hearts
1990/91	Colorado Comets	3 games to 0	Oklahoma City Warriors
1991/92	Oklahoma City Warriors	7–2	Atlanta Magic
1992/93	Atlanta Magic	11–7	Arizona Cotton
1993/94	Atlanta Magic	8–3	Chattanooga Express
1994/95	Atlanta Magic	6–3	Oklahoma City Slickers
1995/96	Baltimore Bays	10–8	Atlanta Magic
1996/97	Baltimore Bays	5–4; 13–10	Tulsa Roughnecks
1997/98	Baltimore Bays	11–4	Tulsa Roughnecks
The USISL ceased operating its own indoor league in 1998. From 2011–2014, the USL operated the MISL.
2011/12	Milwaukee Wave	14–2; 12–10	Baltimore Blast
2012/13	Baltimore Blast	21–12; 8–6	Missouri Comets
2013/14	Missouri Comets	15–8; 4–19; 6–4	Baltimore Blast

Outdoor seasons 1989–2010

In 1989, the Southwest Indoor Soccer League added a summer, outdoor season known as the Southwest Outdoor Soccer League. In 1990, the league dropped both "indoor" and "outdoor" from its name as it ran both a semi-professional indoor and outdoor season. By 1995, the outdoor season had grown to such a size that the USISL, as it was known at the time, split the league into two levels, the aptly named, fully professional Professional League and the semi-professional Premier League. In 1996, the USISL added a third, higher, Select League. This was formed from the strongest teams from both the Professional and Premier League. The Select League, along with the competing A-League, both received official Division II status from FIFA. However, the A-League was in decline while the USISL was expanding. Therefore, in 1997, the A-League ceased operations and merged into the USISL Select League which was renamed the USISL A-League. From that point, the USL's three-level structure remained stable until 2010. Some teams left to start the North American Soccer League and the First and Second Divisions were merged to become the USL Professional Division.

Season	Winner	Final score	Runner-up	Season	Winner	Final score	Runner-up	Season	Winner	Final score	Runner-up
								Semi-professional
								1989	Colorado Comets	3–1	Addison Arrows
								1990	Colorado Comets
								1991	New Mexico Chiles	3–0	Richardson Rockets
								1992	Palo Alto Firebirds	1–0	Tucson Amigos
								1993	Greensboro Dynamo	2–1	Orlando Lions
								1994	Greensboro Dynamo	2–1 (SO)	Minnesota Thunder
				Pro League (Division III)				Premier League (semi-pro)
Division II				1995 Professional	Long Island Rough Riders	2–1	Minnesota Thunder	1995 Premier	Richmond Kickers	3–1	Cocoa Expos
1996 Select	California Jaguars	2–1 (SO)	Richmond Kickers	1996 Professional	Charleston Battery	3–2 (SO)	Charlotte Eagles	1996 Premier	Central Coast Roadrunners	2–1	San Francisco Bay Seals
1997 A-League	Milwaukee Rampage	1–1 (3–0)	Carolina Dynamo	1997 D-3 Pro	Albuquerque Geckos	4–1	Charlotte Eagles	1997 PDSL	Central Coast Roadrunners	2–1	Cocoa Expos
1998 A-League	Rochester Rhinos	3–1	Minnesota Thunder	1998 D-3 Pro	Chicago Stingers	3–2 OT	New Hampshire Phantoms	1998 PDSL	San Gabriel Valley Highlanders	3–2	Jackson Chargers
1999 A-League	Minnesota Thunder	2–1	Rochester Rhinos	1999 D-3 Pro	Western Mass Pioneers	2–1	South Jersey Barons	1999 PDL	Chicago Sockers	3–1	Spokane Shadow
2000 A-League	Rochester Rhinos	3–1	Minnesota Thunder	2000 D-3 Pro	Charlotte Eagles	5–0	New Jersey Stallions	2000 PDL	Chicago Sockers	1–0	Mid-Michigan Bucks
2001 A-League	Rochester Rhinos	2–0	Hershey Wildcats	2001 D-3 Pro	Utah Blitzz	1–0	Greenville Lions	2001 PDL	Westchester Flames	3–1	Calgary Storm
2002 A-League	Milwaukee Rampage	2–1 OT	Richmond Kickers	2002 D-3 Pro	Long Island Rough Riders	2–1	Wilmington Hammerheads	2002 PDL	Cape Cod Crusaders	2–1	Boulder Rapids Reserves
2003 A-League	Charleston Battery	3–0	Minnesota Thunder	2003 Pro Soccer	Wilmington Hammerheads	2–1 OT	Westchester Flames	2003 PDL	Cape Cod Crusaders	2–0	Chicago Fire Reserves
2004 A-League	Montreal Impact	2–0	Seattle Sounders	2004 Pro Soccer	Utah Blitzz	2–2 (5–4 PK)	Charlotte Eagles	2004 PDL	Central Florida Kraze	1–0	Boulder Rapids Reserves
2005 First Division	Seattle Sounders	1–1 (4–3 PK)	Richmond Kickers	2005 Second Division	Charlotte Eagles	2–2 (5–4 PK)	Western Mass Pioneers	2005 PDL	Des Moines Menace	0–0 (6–5 PK)	El Paso Patriots
2006 First Division	Vancouver Whitecaps	3–0	Rochester Raging Rhinos	2006 Second Division	Richmond Kickers	2–1	Charlotte Eagles	2006 PDL	Michigan Bucks	2–1	Laredo Heat
2007 First Division	Seattle Sounders	4–0	Atlanta Silverbacks	2007 Second Division	Harrisburg City Islanders	1–1 (8–7 PK)	Richmond Kickers	2007 PDL	Laredo Heat	0–0 (4–3 PK)	Michigan Bucks
2008 First Division	Vancouver Whitecaps	2–1	Puerto Rico Islanders	2008 Second Division	Cleveland City Stars	2–1	Charlotte Eagles	2008 PDL	Thunder Bay Chill	1–1 (4–1 PK)	Laredo Heat
2009 First Division	Montreal Impact	3–2; 3–1	Vancouver Whitecaps	2009 Second Division	Richmond Kickers	3–1	Charlotte Eagles	2009 PDL	Ventura County Fusion	2–1	Chicago Fire Premier
2010 D2 Pro League	Puerto Rico Islanders	2–0; 1–1	Carolina RailHawks	2010 Second Division	Charleston Battery	2–1	Richmond Kickers	2010 PDL	Portland Timbers U23s	4–1	Thunder Bay Chill

Outdoor seasons 2011–present

United Soccer League (Division III) (USL Pro 2011-14)				Premier Development League (PDL)(Semi-Pro)
Season	Winner	Final score	Runner-up	Season	Winner	Final score	Runner-up
2011 USL Pro	Orlando City	2–2 (3–2 PK)	Harrisburg City Islanders	2011 PDL	Kitsap Pumas	1–0	Laredo Heat
2012 USL Pro	Charleston Battery	1–0	Wilmington Hammerheads	2012 PDL	Forest City London	2–1	Carolina Dynamo
2013 USL Pro	Orlando City	7–4	Charlotte Eagles	2013 PDL	Austin Aztex	3–1	Thunder Bay Chill
2014 USL Pro	Sacramento Republic	2–0	Harrisburg City Islanders	2014 PDL	Michigan Bucks	1–0	Kitsap Pumas
2015 USL	Rochester Rhinos	2–1 (AET)	LA Galaxy II	2015 PDL	K-W United FC	4–3	New York Red Bulls U-23

W-League seasons 1995–2015

For more information, see W-League

Season	Winner	Final score	Runner-up
1995 W-League	Long Island Lady Riders	3–0	Southern California Nitemares
1996 W-League	Maryland Pride	3–0	Dallas Lightning
1997 W-League	Long Island Lady Riders	2–1 (OT)	Chicago Cobras
1998 W-League W-1	Raleigh Wings	4–3	Boston Renegades
1998 W-League W-2	Fort Collins Force	3–1	Hampton Roads Piranhas
1999 W-League W-1	Raleigh Wings	3–2 (OT)	Chicago Cobras
1999 W-League W-2	North Texas FC	5–1	Springfield Sirens
2000 W-League W-1	Chicago Cobras	1–1 (4–2 PSO)	Raleigh Wings
2000 W-League W-2	Springfield Sirens	2–1	Charlotte Lady Eagles
2001 W-League W-1	Boston Renegades	5–1	Vancouver Whitecaps Women
2001 W-League W-2	Charlotte Lady Eagles	3–1	Memphis Mercury
2002 W-League	Boston Renegades	3–0	Charlotte Lady Eagles
2003 W-League	Hampton Roads Piranhas	1–0	Chicago Cobras
2004 W-League	Vancouver Whitecaps Women	0–0 (4–2 PSO)	New Jersey Wildcats
2005 W-League	New Jersey Wildcats	3–0	Ottawa Fury Women
2006 W-League	Vancouver Whitecaps Women	3–0	Ottawa Fury Women
2007 W-League	Washington Freedom	3–1	Atlanta Silverbacks Women
2008 W-League	Pali Blues	2–1	F.C. Indiana
2009 W-League	Pali Blues	2–1	Washington Freedom Reserves
2010 W-League	Buffalo Flash	3–1	Vancouver Whitecaps Women
2011 W-League	Atlanta Silverbacks Women	6–1	Ottawa Fury Women
2012 W-League	Ottawa Fury Women	1–1 (4–3 PSO)	Pali Blues
2013 W-League	Pali Blues	1–0	Laval Comets
2014 W-League	Los Angeles Blues	6–1	Washington Spirit Reserves
2015 W-League	Washington Spirit Reserves	2–1	Colorado Pride
The W-League ceased operations after the 2015 season.

External links

• United Soccer League - (www.uslsoccer.com)
• Premier Development League - (www.uslpdl.com)
• Super Y League - (sylsoccer.com)