"MLS is in the advanced planning stage of a lower-division league intended to serve as a link between MLS Next academies and first-team rosters, sources with knowledge of the plan tell The Athletic. The new competition will kick off with the 2022 season." Source- The Athletic. Link- https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...BBAG&usg=AOvVaw21F0esdBelzrCXDBcWIils&cf=1 Quite frankly, it doesn't tell you much more than that. What is this? Are there other sources with more information? I'm mostly interested in finding out what this means for the entirety of the USL leagues.
The Athletic article is the first actual news on this. More will probably come out soon. The article says "While a source with knowledge confirmed that “multiple” MLS2 teams would remain in the USL in 2022, as participation in the new MLS league’s first season will not be mandatory for U.S.-based teams, it’s likely that some will leave the USL after the 2021 season." This is going to be a D3 league. There will be some movement from USL leagues to this one. There are currently 7 or 8 (depending on how you count) MLS2 teams in the Championship down from more than 12 a few years ago. That trend will probably continue. The 4 MLS2 teams in USL-League One may also move.