As United Soccer Leagues starts its third decade of operation, soccer at all levels continues to grow in the U.S., Canada, and Caribbean. The largest organization of elite-level soccer leagues in North America, United Soccer Leagues is dedicated to growing the sport at the grassroots level in every community.  The USL First Division and Second Division (North American men’s professional soccer), the USL Premier Development League (U23 North American men’s amateur), the USL W-League (North American women’s amateur), the USL Super-20 League (U20 North American men’s and women’s amateur) and the USL Super Y-League (North American boy’s and girl’s elite youth amateur) have provided a platform for thousands of players to reach their dreams since 1986.  This vision and commitment to develop a soccer nation by fans, investors, administrators, coaches, and players has created the foundation for the growth of the sport, while presenting affordable, exciting family entertainment in over 100 cities and towns on the continent.  
 

USL FIRST DIVISION

Exceptional competitive soccer lives in the USL First Division, USL’s highest level of professional soccer in the US, Canada, and the Caribbean. The 2007 campaign features a 13-team format playing 28 regular season matches, 14 home and 14 away. The USL First Division schedule is augmented by participation in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, and various exhibitions. The development of stadiums and world-class players from over 35 countries provides affordable family entertainment for over one million fans each year.

 

USL SECOND DIVISION

One level below the USL First Division lives in the USL Second Division, the foundation of professional soccer in the United States. The 2007 campaign features a 10-team format playing a regional schedule consisting of 20 regular season matches, 10 home and 10 away. The USL Second Division schedule is augmented by participation in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, and various exhibitions.  The league is the birthplace of professional players that aspire to reach the highest-levels of the game, while providing affordable family entertainment within their city. 

 

USL PREMIER DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE

The top U23 men’s amateur league in North America lives in the USL Premier Development League (PDL), the development ground for elite players. The 2007 campaign features a 63-team format within four conferences, consisting of 16 regular season matches, 8 home and 8 away. The schedule is augmented by participation in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, and various exhibitions. Players have the ability to compete in the PDL throughout the summer months in a professionalized setting while maintaining their collegiate eligibility. The league is the proving ground for players that aspire to reach the highest-levels of the game, while providing affordable family entertainment within their city.

 

USL W-LEAGUE

Exceptional competitive women’s soccer lives in the USL W-League, USL’s highest level of women’s soccer in the US and Canada. The 2007 campaign features a 35-team format in four conferences playing 12 or 14 regular season matches. The top women’s players throughout the world compete in the USL W-League through the summer months.  In addition to the league featuring international and former professional stars, elite collegiate players have the opportunity to also compete in the league while maintaining their collegiate eligibility.  The league is recognized throughout the world for providing elite competition for women’s players, while providing affordable family entertainment to many fans in each of the team locations. 

 

USL SUPER-20 LEAGUE
The only U20 men’s and women’s North American amateur league lives in the USL Super-20 League. Created in 2006, the league provides the opportunity for the top 17-20 year olds to compete in high-level competition, as well as affords the opportunity to establish a reserve team system for the Premier Development League and W-League teams.  The 2006 campaign features teams competing in four conferences, consisting of 10-14 regular season matches throughout the summer months. 

 

USL SUPER Y-LEAGUE

The future of soccer lives in the USL Super Y-League, a professionalized system that is the first step for developing elite youth soccer players in North America. Affiliated with US Soccer and partnered with US Club Soccer, the league is designed for talented youth players destined for professional or international careers. The league contains the youth academies of USL First Division, USL Second Division, Premier Development League, W-League, and Major League Soccer clubs, as well as many of the established premier youth clubs. Through Olympic Development Program status events such as the North American Finals and National ODP Camps, the nation’s top players are identified for selection to US National Team Programs. The 2006 campaign features over 800 teams within the U13 – U17 boys and girls age groups competing within 10 geographic divisions of the U.S. and Canada.