Is MLS league like Primera division in Spain? Is A-League like Segunda division in Spain? What is the relationship between different leagues in USA? Thank you.
Ok, I am not an American but I have been following the development of US soccer for more than a year. Yes you can compare the MLS with the Primera devision although each club is not really owned by seperate entities, like Real or Barcelona is owned by single owners. Each club in the MLS is owned by one single entity the MLS (or rather it's investors). The A-league is a separate professional league where the clubs is owned by separate entities. There has been talk to make the a-league the second division, just like the secundo divsion in Spain. I believe though that the relegation/promotion system whch we know in Europe and the ownership system are the main obstacles at this moment. But perhaps an American can clarify this much better
Okay, since no one else has stepped in. US Soccer is run by the USSF, the USA equivalent to the British FA. Only, MLS is separate, and USSF doesn't punish MLS players, they just run the national and youth teams, plus the Open Cup which is the USA's version of the FA Cup. MLS is the first division (La Liga, etc). The league signs the contracts and "owns" the players, assigning them to teams via a draft and some other methods. The teams have individual investors, though one guy owns 4 teams at current. They are working to get one owner per team, but not enough investors at the moment. There are 10 teams, two divisons (east and west). 8 teams make the playoffs, then the champion is the winner of the knockout tournament. There is no relegation. Salary cap is just north of 1 million pounds per team, or about 1.7 million dollars. Below MLS you have the United Soccer Leagues, which are regional and not affiliated with MLS, though they'd like to work it out. You can learn more about the United Soccer Leagues (or USL) here. They are basically situated like this: A League - like the US Second division. Decent teams, low money, small crowds, they do develop MLS talent. 19 teams, 4 divisions. USL Pro League- 13 teams, 4 divisions. Baby brother to A-league. USL Premier Developement League (very regional). 51 teams, 8 divisions. Some college teams compete in this league. All MLS and USL teams are eligible for the US Open Cup (as far as I know). MLS teams get a bye in the first couple of rounds. So, usa is basically like this: First division- MLS Second division- A league Third Division- USL Pro League Fourth Division- USL PDL. Also, college teams compete in NCAA leagues, for students only. Hope that answers some questions.