Unlike other countries where it’s easy to count 1, 2, 3, and teams promote and relegate, US Soccer has a bunch of independent leagues. Here’s how they work.
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer (MLS) is the top-level professional soccer league in the United States. It began play in 1993 and has grown rapidly in popularity in recent years.
MLS now consists of 29 teams with a 30th expected by the end of 2023. The season typically runs from March to November, and the league features some of the best soccer players in North America, as well as players from around the world.
USL
The United Soccer League (USL) is a second-level professional soccer league in the United States, broken up into three different leagues: USL Championship, League One, and League Two.
The USL Championship is the top level of the USL and features 24 teams from across the United States and Canada. It is known for its high level of play and features many up-and-coming young players, as well as experienced veterans. The season typically runs from March to November and culminates in the USL Championship Final.
USL League One is the third level of the USL and features 12 teams from across the United States. It was founded in 2018 and has since grown in popularity. League One features a mix of independently owned teams and teams that are affiliated with MLS clubs. The season typically runs from March to October and features a mix of young players and experienced veterans.
USL League Two is the fourth level of the USL and features over 70 teams from across the United States and Canada. It was founded in 1995 as the Premier Development League and is known for featuring talented young players who are looking to develop their skills and potentially move up to higher levels of play. The season typically runs from May to August and culminates in the USL League Two Championship.
NISA
The National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) is a third-level professional soccer league in the United States. It was founded in 2017 and features teams from across the country.
NISA is unique in that it allows promotion and relegation, meaning that teams can move up and down between NISA and other leagues based on their performance. The league season typically runs from February to November and features a mix of young players and experienced veterans.
NPSL
The National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) is a fourth-level professional soccer league in the United States. It was founded in 2003 and consists of teams from across the country.
The league features a mix of independently owned teams and teams that are affiliated with other soccer organizations. The NPSL season typically runs from March to August and is known for featuring a mix of talented young players and experienced veterans.
UPSL
The United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) is a semi-professional soccer league in the United States, founded in 2011. The league is known for providing opportunities for talented players who may not have access to higher-level leagues or who are looking to further develop their skills.
The UPSL features over 300 teams from across the United States and is divided into several different regional conferences. The league operates on a promotion and relegation system, which allows teams to move up or down between different tiers of play based on their performance.
The UPSL season typically runs from March to December and features a playoff system culminating in the UPSL National Championship. The league is also known for its emphasis on community involvement, with many teams working closely with local organizations and charities.
The UPSL has seen significant growth in recent years and has become a popular option for players and teams looking to compete at a high level of play. The league is known for its competitive level of play and its commitment to developing players and promoting the sport of soccer in the United States.
MASL
The Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) is a professional indoor soccer league in the United States and Canada. Founded in 2008, the league features teams from across the United States and Mexico and is known for its fast-paced, high-scoring games played in indoor arenas.
The MASL consists of 14 teams and is divided into two conferences: Eastern and Western. The season typically runs from November to April and features a 24-game schedule for each team. The league features a playoff system, culminating in the Ron Newman Cup, named after the legendary indoor soccer coach.
The MASL is known for its unique style of play, which emphasizes high-scoring, fast-paced action. The league allows for free substitutions and features a smaller field of play, which leads to a higher rate of scoring. The league also features some of the top indoor soccer players in the world, including many players who have competed at the highest levels of outdoor soccer.
In addition to its professional league, the MASL also operates a development league, known as the MASL2, which features teams from across the United States and Canada. The MASL2 provides opportunities for young players to develop their skills and potentially move up to the professional level.
NASL
The North American Soccer League (NASL) was a professional soccer league in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984 and was later reformed in 2009. The reboot was intended as a direct competitor to MLS but never fully gained traction.
The original NASL featured teams from across the United States and Canada and was known for its high level of play, with many talented players from around the world. During its original run from 1968 to 1984, the NASL featured several high-profile players, including Pelé, Franz Beckenbauer, and Johan Cruyff.
The rebooted NASL was reformed as a second-level professional soccer league, but it faced financial and organizational challenges that led to the league’s disbandment in 2017. During its reformation, the NASL featured teams from across the United States and Puerto Rico and was known for its competitive level of play and innovative rule changes.
