I don’t think I share the same philosophy as Peter Witt, because I’m not in favor of an open system with multiple leagues operating at the same level. For example, I’m against proposals like a new 32-club Division 3 league, and I’m also against parallel top-tier attempts like NISA or similar initiatives. In my view, MLS and USL should remain the main professional league operators at different levels, but with more cooperation—such as a shared senior cup and integrated development and youth competitions. Below that, other operators should focus on building a unified national structure at tiers 5–6 with full, proper seasons rather than fragmented or short formats. That last point is fundamental: without clearer guidance and stronger coordination from USSF and USASA, allowing multiple overlapping leagues at those levels will keep the base unstable and undefined. If the US truly wants to raise its level and compete more consistently with Europe, that structural foundation has also to be stabilized. My vision can be summarized as follow: US Men's (Senior) Soccer Pyramid July-May calendar year Core principle: One national league per tier. Geographic structure (regions/conferences/divisions) are internal subdivisions, not separate leagues. Tier 1 – Major League Soccer (Professional) 1 national league, 2 conferences, 30-36 teams, regular season+playoffs, top competitive level _______________ Note: promotion and relegation between USL PL and USL Championship Tier 2 – USL Premier League (Professional) 1 national league, likely without conferences and playoff, split season, 12 teams Tier 3 – USL Championship (Professional) 1 national league, 2 conferences, 24 clubs, split season, without playoffs ____________ Tier 4 – USL League One (Professional / Semi-pro bridge) 1 national league, 4 regions, 4x12-16clubs=48-64 clubs, 12-16 per region, regular regional season + national playoff (likely a Final 4 style competition) Non-Professional National Structure Note: promotion and relegation between tier 5 and tier 6 leagues. March-November calendar year Not development leagues (part of a separated development system) or short seasons leagues (lower tiers). Tier 5 – National League 1 1 national league, 4 regions, each region with 2 conferences, 4×2×8 clubs=64 clubs Regular phase (conference tournament) -> regional phase -> national phase (Final 4) Could have Spring and Fall tournaments (14 matches+14 matches + playoffs at the end of the season (4-6 matches) Tier 6 – National League 2 1 national league, 4 regions with 2 conferences each and each conference with 2 divisions (localized competition blocks). Regular season (division) -> Conference Phase -> Regional Phase -> National Phase (Final 4) Minimum: 4×2×2×8=128 clubs Tier 7+ – Regional Football Ecosystem Interstate leagues, Regional leagues, Metropolitan leagues
USSF would have to initiate the framework by creating a formal working group including MLS, USL, USASA, and other stakeholders to design a unified national system across senior, development, and youth levels. The objective would be to define a coherent pyramid structure and align economic and sporting incentives so that all levels operate within a single ecosystem rather than league-centric parallel systems. A potential first step in this reformist plan could be the development system. MLS and USL reserve or U23 teams could compete in a shared national development league, creating a controlled environment to test deeper cooperation between league operators. Initially, this common development league would not replace existing structures such as MLS Next Pro or USL League Two. Instead, those competitions could be positioned below it within the development pyramid, with promotion and relegation pathways introduced into the new shared league and creating a us "open development" cup. If successful, this could then expand downward with additional tiers, replacing individual legacy development leagues. Below the national professional development layer (likely two tiers), a national non-professional pyramid should exist, also structured into a limited number of tiers (likely two), with one clearly defined league per tier. These national leagues must have full season calendars. Below that point, the system would transition into regional logic, where leagues are no longer strictly organized within a single national pyramid. At that stage, there would be no formally defined Tier 5 and below in the national hierarchy. Instead, multiple regional leagues would operate in a more open structure, could play shorter seasons, feeding into the national system, without a rigid unified tier designation. If proved successful this operational implementation could be repeated in the youth system.
One interesting item from this article about the Whitecaps situation is that Indianapolis, Sacramento, Phoenix and Las Vegas were all mentioned as potential landing spots for the Caps should they not find an in-market solution. Now, all four of these cities currently have USL Championship teams, and have all been mentioned as potential places for USL Premier teams..... So, IF promotion/relegation is truly the differentiator that some claim it to be, why are these cities pursuing MLS??? Why are potential ownership groups pursuing MLS and not USL? A special committee of MLS owners met to discuss future of the Vancouver Whitecaps, including possibility of relocation, sources tell @PaulTenorio & ILas Vegas the chief option discussedMLS has had discussions w/ a group looking to bring a team to LVhttps://t.co/ylEBJxJiL4— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) April 27, 2026
Pro/rel works could work as a tool to strengthen lower divisions by driving fan interest, ecinomic value, and increase competitiveness. But still should be done in a controlled system (within USL likely between their two main tiers/divisions). Because the biggest reason teams will always prefer joining MLS instead of USL is simple: clubs always want to be in the biggest and most stable league. One smart approach would be for USL not to charge an expansion fee for the proposed top-tier “USL Premier League” at the start. Instead, the first season could include clubs that already meet specific requirements such as stadium standards, financial stability, market size, and fan support. After the system is established, participating in the top division becomes a valuable sporting and financial reward rather than something clubs simply buy into. With this structure, USL could eventually grow into a 36-team system within their two main pro divisions (matching MLS in geographic coverage), including a 12-team Premier League and a 24-team Championship. That would create meaningful competition while still keeping the pyramid manageable and financially controlled. Another important point is the role of Canadian clubs. Canadian MLS teams could eventually move fully into the Canadian Premier League and sell their MLS rights. Maybe thisvwhitecaps crisis could start this process. This would allow MLS to become a completely domestic U.S. league, which could strengthen its identity and simplify league operations. At the same time, if MLS expands to 36 clubs (mantain 34-matches regular season), it could still cover virtually every major American market on its own.
It originally solved the problem of players jumping from the Football League to the Alliance League and back to avoid transfer fees.
I mean, there are obvious reasons: Sacramento: Was offered MLS team, later rescinded. Indianapolis: Mayor explicitly wanted MLS team after backing out of USL stadium deal Las Vegas: Current USL team being kicked out of old, decrepit ballpark, plus it's been a magnet for leagues ever since the Golden Knights joined and gambling was no longer taboo Phoenix: City has tried for ages to get a MLS team. It doesn't help that, while MLS has its own can of worms, the USL is more of a "three kids in a trenchcoat" kind of league. A lot of the teams tend to have connections into construction or real estate firms and want to get deals on land *before* they put the team in place, or if there's already a team, they want to get a stadium in now. The difference is that while most MLS owners are stupid rich but clearly don't want to spend the money because that's just how capitalism works, USL owners are barely rich, so they have to sweet talk their communities into how soccer is truly the way of the future
The USL has a new team in Brooklyn FC, playing out of the Brooklyn Cyclones ballpark. They can't draw flies. The USL also finally revived the New York Cosmos IP. That team can't draw flies, either. Both are in the largest metropolitan area in the country, where there's two MLS teams that have healthy support and, in theory, could at least have one more based on how the greater London area has multiple clubs at various levels. One could counterargue this by insisting it takes time to grow, but how do you grow when you start at 1000 people and dwindle from that?
I understand that stadiums, sports infrastructure, and — most importantly — ownership groups willing to invest are major factors when deciding where to expand. However, USL still does not seem to have a fully coherent long-term structure across its professional pyramid. Some clubs currently in the USL Championship — such as Ozark, Loudoun, Reno, Santa Barbara, or Monterey — feel closer to what would normally be considered Division 3 level rather than true second-division clubs in terms of market scale, infrastructure, and overall project ambition. That is why I think the idea of creating a separate “Premier League” within USL could actually make sense, specially without seeking official Division 1 sanctioning in the U.S. soccer pyramid.
That sorta makes sense. Create a 3 tier system without worrying about divisional status. That way you don't have to worry about not promoting teams because they don't meet specific divisional requirements.
It's not all nonsense. Pro/Rel is more than just a way to solve the problem of to many clubs for one level. Yes it does address that but adds a lot more. Example, this years prem has been more fun because there's been a genuine relegation battle. Another example the NBA is having major issues with tanking. Not really an issue in pro/rel leagues. I am not saying pro/rel solves every problem and leagues without pro/rel aren't legit (I am a ST holder for SDFC FFS) but there is more to it than just a way a way to organize to many teams for a certain level. Although it does do that in a fairer and I feel more beneficial way.
Updated our USL CBA story with some details:- Runs through 2030 with trigger for 2031- 12 month contracts, up from 10- $42,000 minimum compensation (salary + housing)- All players get health insurance- New group licensing & prize moneyhttps://t.co/MoE4L643JR— Margaret Fleming (@mgfleming12) May 1, 2026
Interesting: USL soccer players got a bump in pay at the D2 level and required health insurance to be covered by all teams. The upcoming D1 USL Premier League minimum salary will be set at $67k, same as women’s top pro league NWSL. I think USL-P will have similar💰 structure to NWSL than MLS. https://t.co/iwI2lowUo2— theImperfecttl (@imperfecttl) May 2, 2026
More CBA nuggets: After 609 days of negotiations and 60+ bargaining sessions, USL and USLPA came to an agreement for new CBA.Players in USL Championship will have minimum salary of $42,000 and once USL Premier starts, it will be $67,000 there.John Morissey explains the biggest win for players.… pic.twitter.com/dLqTcsucDi— GOLZ (@golz_tv) May 5, 2026