USL League Two

USL League Two (USL2), formerly the Premier Development League (PDL), is a development soccer league sponsored by United Soccer Leagues in the United States and Canada, forming part of the United States soccer league system. The league featured 72 teams in 2019, split into eleven regional divisions within four conferences. There would be a record of 81 teams in 2020 season. Unofficially, it is considered to be the fourth tier of competition, behind Major League Soccer (Division I), USL Championship (Division II), National Independent Soccer Association and USL League One (Division III) and roughly equal with National Premier Soccer League (unofficial Division IV). USL League Two is headquartered in Tampa, Florida.[1]

USL League Two
Organising bodyUnited Soccer League
Founded1995 (1995)
First season1995
CountryUnited States
Other club(s) fromBermuda
Canada
ConfederationU.S. Soccer
Divisions12
Number of teams85
Level on pyramid4 (unofficial)
Domestic cup(s)U.S. Open Cup
Current championsFlint City Bucks
(2019)
Most championshipsFlint City Bucks (4th title)
TV partnersMycujoo
Websiteuslleaguetwo.com
Current: 2020 USL League Two season
United Soccer League divisions
Championship League One League Two

Flint City Bucks are the current champions having defeated Reading United AC 1–0 in extra time in the 2019 USL League Two Championship game on August 3, 2019.

Competition format

USL2, as of the 2018 season, is divided into 4 conferences (Eastern, Southern, Central, and Western), comprising 11 divisions. The league season runs from May through July, with the playoffs decided through July and August. All teams play a regular season schedule of 14 games, seven home and seven away, within their division. In conferences with two divisions, the division winner and runner-up advance to the conference semifinals, while in conferences with three divisions, the division winners and best second-place finisher advances to the conference semifinals.

Playoffs

The USL2 Playoffs see all regular season division champions advance into the conference semifinals, with both runner-ups in two-division conferences and the lone best runner-up in three-division conferences also advancing to that round. All matches in the USL2 Playoffs are played in single match elimination format, with each conference winner hosting a four-team conference championship weekend. The four conference champions advance to national semifinals and the league Championship, both played at the home of the higher seed.

History

1990s

In 1995 the United States Interregional Soccer League (USISL) changed its name to the United States International Soccer League, and split into two leagues, one professional (the 'Professional League', which ultimately became the USL Second Division) and one amateur (the 'Premier League'). The purpose for the split was to expand into and improve the soccer capabilities of many urban areas throughout the United States and Canada, while offering current college soccer players the opportunity to continue playing during the summer months without losing their college eligibility. The inaugural season of the new USISL Premier League featured 27 teams, and the Richmond Kickers won the first title, beating the Cocoa Expos 3–1 in the championship game.[2] Gabe Jones of the Austin Lone Stars was the league's top scorer and MVP.

The United States International Soccer League changed its name again in 1996, to the United Systems of Independent Soccer Leagues, and before the season, there was substantial movement of teams between the Pro League, the Premier League and the newly created Select League (which would later merge with the A-League, and eventually become the USL First Division). The Premier League grew to 34 teams in its second year, with the Central Coast Roadrunners from San Luis Obispo, California beating the San Francisco Bay Seals in the championship game to take the title.[3] Pasi Kinturi of the Nashville Metros was the league's top scorer and MVP.

Brian Ching was the PDL Rookie of the Year in 1998

The Premier League renamed itself the Premier Development Soccer League (PDSL) in 1997, and the Central Coast Roadrunners repeated as national champions, the first team to do so, beating the Cocoa Expos in the PDSL championship game.[4] Lester Felicia of the Jackson Chargers was the league's MVP, while Rodrigo Costa of the Detroit Dynamite was the leading scorer and the league's Rookie of the Year, tallying 21 goals and 2 assists for 44 points. In 1998 the PDSL took to the field with 33 teams, including four associate members from the Pacific Coast Soccer League who played shortened schedules after their PCSL season was over. In the championship game the San Gabriel Valley Highlanders upset regular season champions Jackson Chargers 3–2, taking the trophy to California for the third straight year. Rodrigo Costa of the Detroit Dynamite was the league MVP, Boniventure Manati of the Jackson Chargers was the league's top scorer, and a young striker by the name of Brian Ching from the Spokane Shadow was named Rookie of the Year.[5]

In 1999 the umbrella USISL changed its name to the United Soccer Leagues, and the Premier Development Soccer League dropped the 'soccer' part of its name and became known as the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League, or PDL. The league took in several teams from the D3Pro league, expanding to 42 teams in six divisions. Expansion franchise Chicago Sockers ultimately won the league, beating Spokane Shadow 3–1 for the title in a tight championship game. Fabio Eidenwein of the Sioux City Breeze was named League MVP and was the top scorer, with 20 goals.[6]

2000s

The PDL expanded by a further eight franchises in 2000, and the Chicago Sockers won their second straight title, beating the Mid-Michigan Bucks in a close 1–0 championship game. The single goal was scored by Rodrigo Costa who, having received a pass from teammate Hamid Mehreioskouei, chipped Bucks goalkeeper Eric Pogue from 18 yards through a crowded penalty area. Fernando Salazar of the Los Angeles-based San Fernando Valley Heroes was the league's MVP, while his teammate Arshak Abyanli took the honors as top goalscorer.[7]

The league grew from 41 to 44 teams in 2001 through the usual mix of relegation from D3Pro, teams folding and new franchises being added. In the semi-finals, the Westchester Flames defeated Sioux Falls Spitfire 5–1 and Calgary Storm defeated Des Moines Menace 2–1; in the final, Westchester defeated Calgary 3–1 to take their first league title.[8] Des Moines and Chicago Fire Reserves dominated the 2002 regular season, but both teams stuttered in the playoffs; the PDL final saw the Cape Cod Crusaders defeating the Boulder Rapids Reserve 2–1 to bring the title to the Northeast for the second year in a row. 2002 also saw the debut of the soon-to-be PDL legend, Tomas Boltnar of Des Moines Menace, who secured an unprecedented triple-crown of PDL MVP, Top Scorer and Rookie of the Year.[9]

The mid-2000s was a period of steady growth and consolidation for the PDL. A TV agreement with Fox Soccer Channel saw the PDL Championship game being broadcast live on national television in North America for the first time, and professional teams began investing in the league by adding U-23 development sides as an addition to their senior rosters. Cape Cod repeated as PDL champs in 2003, beating the Chicago Fire Reserves in the final[10] (and despite the presence of Jürgen Klinsmann playing for Orange County Blue Star), while 2004 saw the title head to Florida for the first time as the Central Florida Kraze overcame perennial bridesmaids Boulder Rapids Reserve.[11]

Des Moines Menace took the PDL Championship trophy back to Iowa in 2005 after beating the El Paso Patriots 6–5 on penalty kicks, following a 0–0 draw in the PDL Championship game.[12][13] 2006 saw the beginning of two seasons of dominance for two teams: the Michigan Bucks and the Laredo Heat. Both teams made the PDL Final in 2006 and 2007, with the Bucks emerging victorious in '06 with a 2–1 win thanks to goals by Kenny Uzoigwe and Ty Shipalane,[14][15] only for Laredo to get their revenge the following year with an epic penalty kicks win after a 0–0 tie in regulation time.

Laredo became the first team to make three consecutive PDL championship games in 2008, but fell at the final hurdle to Thunder Bay Chill, who became the first ever Canadian side to win the PDL following their 4–1 penalty shootout victory.[16] The PDL had grown to 68 teams by 2009, and to reflect their growing reputation, introduced a new scheme called PDL-Pro, whereby certain teams would be allowed to act as professional clubs, paying players, while still adhering to NCAA collegiate eligibility rules, and the USL's own age restriction policy. Ventura County Fusion returned the PDL title to Southern California for the first time in over a decade with a stoppage-time victory over Chicago Fire Premier, and in doing so became the lowest-seeded team to claim the national title.[17]

AC Connecticut
Black Rock FC
Boston Bolts
GPS Portland Phoenix
Seacoast United Phantoms
Western Mass Pioneers
Evergreen FC
FC Bermuda Bascome
Lehigh Valley United
Ocean City Nor'easters
Philadelphia Lone Star FC
Reading United A.C.
West Chester United SC
F.A. Euro
Long Island Rough Riders
Manhattan SC
New York Red Bulls U23
Westchester Flames
AFC Ann Arbor
Cincinnati Dutch Lions
Dayton Dutch Lions
Flint City Bucks
Grand Rapids FC
Louisville City U23
Oakland County FC
South Bend Lions FC
Chicago FC United
Des Moines Menace
FC Manitoba
Green Bay Voyageurs FC
Kaw Valley FC
St. Louis Lions
Thunder Bay Chill
AHFC Royals
Brazos Valley
Corpus Christi FC
Houston FC
Mississippi Brilla
Texas United
Asheville City SC
Charlotte Eagles
Charlotte Independence
Dalton Red Wolves SC
East Atlanta FC
Peachtree City MOBA
SC United Bantams
South Georgia Tormenta FC 2
Southern Soccer Academy Kings
Lionsbridge FC
North Carolina FC U23
North Carolina Fusion U23
Tobacco Road FC
Tri-City Otters
Virginia Beach United
Wake FC
West Virginia Alliance FC
FC Miami City
The Villages SC
Weston FC
Ogden City SC
Park City Red Wolves SC
Calgary Foothills FC
Eastside FC
Lane United FC
Portland Timbers U23
Vancouver TSS FC Rovers
FC Golden State Force
San Francisco City FC
SF Glens FC
Santa Cruz Breakers
Southern California Seahorses
Ventura County Fusion
Locations of USL League Two franchises.

Eastern Conference   Southern Conference   Central Conference   Western Conference

(Not shown: FC Bermuda Bascome)

2010s

The 2010s began with a record, as the Portland Timbers U23s ended the season as national champions, beating Thunder Bay Chill 4–1 in the 2010 PDL Championship game.[18] The Timbers also had the best regular season record, winning all their 16 games, scoring 53 goals and conceding just six along the way. In doing so the Timbers became the first team to post a perfect PDL regular season record since the Jackson Chargers in 1998,[19] the first regular season champion to win the playoffs since the Central Coast Roadrunners in 1996, and the first team in PDL history to go through an entire PDL regular season and playoff campaign without posting a loss or a tie. Portland Timbers U23s striker Brent Richards was named League MVP and Rookie of the Year for his stellar campaign with the national champions. Players from Canadian side Thunder Bay Chill led the majority of the statistical categories, with striker Brandon Swartzendruber leading the league with 15 goals, while his teammate Gustavo Oliveira led the league with 13 assists. Portland Timbers U23s goalkeeper Jake Gleeson enjoyed the best goalkeeping statistics, allowing just five goals in 15 games and earning with a 0.360 GAA average.[20]

Western Conference teams dominated the league in 2011 for the third year in a row, with the Kitsap Pumas ending the season as national champions, beating Laredo Heat 1–0 in the 2011 PDL Championship game. Kitsap, who lost just one game and conceded just ten goals all season, were the second team from the Northwest Division to win the national title in a row, while Laredo were contesting their fourth championship game in six years. Kitsap also were the first PDL-Pro team to win the championship, a milestone for the league. Kitsap's Western Conference rivals Fresno Fuego had the best regular-season record, posting an unbeaten 13–0–3 record. Fresno midfielder Milton Blanco was named League MVP, after leading the league in points (38) and assists (14) and helping his team to the Southwest Division title. Two Michigan Bucks players – Stewart Givens and Mitch Hildebrandt – were given end-of-season awards as Defender of the Year and Goalkeeper of the Year respectively, while their coach Gary Parsons was named Coach of the Year. Jake Keegan of the Westchester Flames was named Rookie of the Year after tallying 16 goals in 16 games to take the league goal-scoring crown. Keegan accounted for 64 percent of Westchester's goals in 2011 and also finished third in the league in points with 34.[21]

The 2012 PDL season would see a resurgence of the Eastern Conference, as the Michigan Bucks would claim the regular season title, with Canadian rivals Forest City London winning their first ever PDL Championship in an East coast contest, defeating Carolina Dynamo 2–1.[22] Canadian clubs would also have another strong season in 2013, with four of eight Canadian clubs finishing in the final eight and two, the Victoria Highlanders and Thunder Bay Chill, advancing to the semi-finals.[23] After a final four finish in 2012, The Chill would repeat their strong season, winning the 2013 regular season title but falling to the Austin Aztex in the Championship final 3–1 in front of a crowd of 4,253 fans, the largest attendance for a final since 2007.[24][25]

In 2014, the Michigan Bucks would claim their second PDL Championship, defeating the Kitsap Pumas 1–0 on August 3, 2014, following a strong regular season campaign with a record of 9–2–3.[26]

With USL Pro re-branding as the United Soccer League in February 2015,[27] the PDL dropped the "USL" descriptor from their name, simply operating as the "Premier Development League".

The 2015 season would see league newcomers, New York Red Bulls U-23, put forth a very strong showing, finishing first in the Mid Atlantic Division and making it all the way to the Championship Final, before falling to the lower-seeded K-W United FC, who emerged from the very competitive Great Lakes Division, fending off perennial contenders and rivals Forest City London and the defending champions Michigan Bucks on their path to the final. United would come away winners 4–3 over the Red Bulls on August 3, 2015 at Starfire Stadium in Tukwila, Washington to claim their first ever Championship and the third for a Canadian club.[28][29]

In 2018, it was announced that the PDL will be renamed as USL League Two in time for the 2019 season.[30]

2020s

The league was forced to cancel the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[31]

Organization

As PDL seasons take place during the summer months, the player pool is drawn mainly from elite college soccer players seeking to continue playing high-level soccer during their summer break, which they can do while still maintaining their college eligibility, as the PDL is not considered a "professional" league.[32]

Formerly, teams such as Laredo Heat, New Orleans Jesters, Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-23, Kitsap Pumas and the Hollywood United Hitmen have been embracing at least partial professionalism through a new program called PDL-Pro, whereby teams can choose to employ players who are paid for their performances,[33] but who still meet the age eligibility criteria. This does not contravene NCAA rules, which state that college players cannot play alongside professionals, but may play against them. What this also means, however, is that PDL-Pro teams cannot have any active NCAA players on their rosters, but may employ NAIA and community college players, ex-NCAA players who have already graduated, or other local players who do not play college soccer at all.

Currently, all PDL teams field amateur, U23 squads.

In addition, PDL squads often also include standout high school and junior club players, as well as former professionals seeking to continue competing at a high level, often having been forced to retire from top flight competition due to age or injury. PDL rules dictate that a maximum of eight players on each team's 26-man roster can be over 23 years old, while at least three players on each team's roster must be 18 or younger.

Increasingly, the PDL is seen as a 'shop window' for professional clubs looking to discover and identify aspiring professional players who may enter the MLS SuperDraft in future years. Many of the players currently playing in Major League Soccer and elsewhere began their careers in the PDL.

In May 2018, the league did not permit Calgary Foothills FC to sign Stephanie Labbé, a goalkeeper for the Canadian women's team, even though the team had offered her a position. The decision was made due to her gender.[34][35] Labbé filed a lawsuit against the league.[36]

Current clubs

The following clubs are current members of USL League Two.[37][38]

Team City/area Stadium Founded Debut season Head coach
Eastern Conference
Northeast Division
Black Rock FC Great Barrington, Massachusetts Hotchkiss Athletic Fields 2013 2018 vacant
Boston Bolts[lower-alpha 1] Boston, Massachusetts Alumni Field 2015 2016 Aidan Byrne
AC Connecticut[lower-alpha 2] Danbury, Connecticut Westside Athletic Complex 2011 2012 Alex Harrison
GPS Portland Phoenix Portland, Maine Memorial Stadium 2009 2010 Josh Thornton
FC Málaga City New York Pleasant Valley, New York FC Málaga City Field 2013 2021
Seacoast United Phantoms[lower-alpha 3] Portsmouth, New Hampshire Amesbury Sports Park 1996 2008 Alistair Bain
Western Mass Pioneers Ludlow, Massachusetts Lusitano Stadium 1998 2010 Federico Molinari
Mid Atlantic Division
Evergreen FC Leesburg, Virginia Evergreen Sportsplex 2015 2016 Ian Bishop
Lehigh Valley United Allentown, Pennsylvania J. Birney Crum Stadium 2009 2015 Andrew Adlard
Ocean City Nor'easters[lower-alpha 4] Ocean City, New Jersey Carey Stadium 1996 2003 Alan McCann
Philadelphia Lone Star FC Philadelphia, Pennsylvania South Philadelphia Athletic Super Site 2001 2020* Fatoma Turay
Reading United AC[lower-alpha 5] Reading, Pennsylvania Gurski Stadium 1996 2004
West Chester United SC West Chester, Pennsylvania Ciccarone Field 1976 2020* Blaise Santangelo
Metropolitan Division
Cedar Stars Rush Teaneck, New Jersey Fairleigh Dickinson University 2018 2019 Anthony Nixon
FA Euro New York Brooklyn, New York Poly Prep Country Day School 2012 2013 Joe Balsamo
Long Island Rough Riders South Huntington, New York Hofstra University Soccer Stadium 1994 2007 Stephen Roche
Manhattan SC New York City, New York Gaelic Park / Randall's Island 1997 2019 Colin Hodge
Morris Elite SC Madison, New Jersey 2016 2021
FC Motown Morristown, New Jersey Ranger Stadium 2012 2021 Šaćir Hot
New Jersey Copa FC Middlesex County, New Jersey 2004 2021
New York Red Bulls U-23 Hanover, New Jersey Red Bull Training Facility 2009 2015 Simon Nee
Real Central New Jersey Ewing, New Jersey Lions Stadium 2020 2021
Westchester Flames New Rochelle, New York City Park Stadium 1999 1999/2005 Edson Buddle
Southern Conference
Deep South Division
Asheville City SC Asheville, North Carolina Memorial Stadium 2016 2020* Mick Giordano
Charlotte Eagles Charlotte, North Carolina Sportsplex at Matthews 1991 2015 Luke Helmuth
Charlotte Independence II Rock Hill, South Carolina Manchester Meadows Soccer Complex 2019 2020 Dave Carton
Dalton Red Wolves SC Dalton, Georgia Lakeshore Park 2018 2019 Saif Alsafeer
East Atlanta FC Atlanta, Georgia Friends Field 2019 2020*
Peachtree City MOBA Peachtree City, Georgia MOBA Soccer Academy 2013 2016 Jim Robbins
SC United Bantams[lower-alpha 6] Columbia, South Carolina SC United Soccer Center at Monticello Road 2012 2012 Lee Morris
Southern Soccer Academy Kings Dallas, Georgia North Paulding High School 2012 2020* Kelham O'Hanlon
Tormenta FC 2[lower-alpha 7] Statesboro, Georgia Eagle Field 2016/2019 2016/2019 Ian Cameron
South Atlantic Division
Lionsbridge FC Newport News, Virginia TowneBank Stadium 2017 2018 Chris Whalley
North Carolina FC U23[lower-alpha 8] Cary, North Carolina WakeMed Soccer Park 2017 2002/2017 Dewan Bader
North Carolina Fusion U23 Greensboro, North Carolina Macpherson Stadium 1993 2003 Tony Falvino
Tobacco Road FC Durham, North Carolina Durham County Stadium 2013 2017 Cedric Burke
Tri-Cities Otters Johnson City, Tennessee Kermit Tipton Stadium 2016 2016 David Strickland
Virginia Beach United FC Virginia Beach, Virginia Virginia Beach Sportsplex 2019 2019 Matt Ellinger
Wake FC Holly Springs, North Carolina Ting Park 2001 2019 Gary Heale
West Virginia Alliance FC[lower-alpha 9] Charleston, West Virginia Schoenbaum Stadium 2003 2003 Daniel Smee
Southeast Division
Daytona Rush SC Daytona Beach, Florida Daytona Stadium 2019 2019 Massimo Morales
Florida Elite SA Jacksonville, Florida Bartram Trail High School 2014 2019 Unknown
FC Miami City Miami, Florida Tropical Park Stadium 2014 2015 Wagneau Eloi
Sarasota Metropolis FC Sarasota, Florida Robert L. Taylor Community Complex 2019 2019 Massimo Marazzina
Tampa Bay Rowdies U-23 Tampa, Florida Al Lang Stadium 2020 2017/2020* Andres Arango
The Villages SC Wildwood, Florida Millennium Park 2016 2016 Anderson DaSilva
Treasure Coast Tritons[lower-alpha 10] Port St. Lucie, Florida South County Regional Stadium 2016 2016 Tom Durkin
Weston FC Pembroke Pines, Florida Broward College Soccer Field 2017 1998 Victor Pastora
Central Conference
Great Lakes Division
AFC Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, Michigan Concordia University Ann Arbor 2014 2016 Eric Rudland
Cincinnati Dutch Lions Highland Heights, Kentucky NKU Soccer Stadium 2013 2014 Paul Nicholson
Dayton Dutch Lions West Carrollton, Ohio DOC Stadium 2009 2010/2015 Dan Griest
Flint City Bucks[lower-alpha 11] Flint, Michigan Atwood Stadium 1995 1996 Gary Parsons
Fort Wayne FC Fort Wayne, Indiana Shields Field 2019 2021 Mike Avery
Grand Rapids FC Grand Rapids, Michigan Houseman Field 2014 2020* Lewis Robinson
Kalamazoo FC Kalamazoo, Michigan Soisson-Rapacz-Clason Field 2015 2021 Shane Lyons
Louisville City U-23 Louisville, Kentucky Lynn Family Stadium 2020 2020* Mario Sanchez
Oakland County FC Clawson, Michigan Clawson Stadium 2015 2020* Darryl Evans
South Bend Lions FC South Bend, Indiana TCU School Field 2019 2020
Toledo Villa FC Toledo, Ohio 2017 2021 Mathius Johnson
Heartland Division
Chicago FC United Chicago, Illinois Loyola Soccer Park 2003 2017 Jamie Smith
Des Moines Menace Des Moines, Iowa Drake Stadium 1994 1994 Mark McKeever
FC Wichita Wichita, Kansas TBA 2013 2021 TBA
Green Bay Voyageurs FC Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin Capital Credit Union Park 2018 2019 Brian Kamler
Iowa Raptors FC Cedar Rapids, Iowa TBD 2020 2021 Nate Grosse
Kaw Valley FC Lawrence, Kansas/Topeka, Kansas Rock Chalk Park/Humner Sports Park 2017 2018 István Urbányi
FC Manitoba[lower-alpha 12] Winnipeg, Manitoba Ralph Cantafio Soccer Complex 2010 2011 Eduardo Badescu
Peoria City Peoria, Illinois Shea Stadium 2020 2020* Tim Regan
St. Louis Lions St. Louis, Missouri Tony Glavin Soccer Complex 2006 2006 Tony Glavin
Mid South Division
AHFC Royals Houston, Texas Campbell Road Sports Park 2017 2018 Josh Gardner
Brazos Valley Cavalry FC Bryan, Texas Nutrabolt Stadium 2017 2017 James Clarkson
Corpus Christi FC Corpus Christi, Texas Dugan Stadium 2017 2018 Sebastian Giraldo
Houston FC Houston, Texas Sorrels Field 2017 2017 Bruce Talbot
Little Rock Rangers Little Rock, Arkansas War Memorial Stadium 2016 2021 Will Montgomery
Mississippi Brilla Clinton, Mississippi Clinton High School 2006 2007 Luke Sanford
Round Rock SC Round Rock, Texas Round Rock Multipurpose Complex 2017 2021 Edgar Palacios
Texas United Grand Prairie, Texas AirHogs Stadium 2017 2017 Arez Ardalani
Western Conference
Mountain Division
Colorado Rush SC Lakewood, Colorado Denver Christian High School 1998 2020*
New Mexico United U23 Albuquerque, New Mexico 2020 2020*
Ogden City SC Ogden, Utah Spence Eccles Ogden Community Sports Complex 2017 2018 Eric Landon
Park City Red Wolves SC Park City, Utah Dozier Field 2018 2019 Scott Mackenzie
Northwest Division
Calgary Foothills FC Calgary, Alberta Foothills Composite High School 1972 2015 Leon Hapgood
Eastside FC Issaquah, Washington Preston Park 1970 2020*
Lane United FC Eugene, Oregon New Civic Stadium 2013 2014
OVF Alliance Albany, Oregon South Albany High School 2014 2021
Portland Timbers U23s Salem, Oregon McCulloch Stadium 2008 2009 Aaron Lewis
Vancouver TSS FC Rovers Burnaby, British Columbia Swangard Stadium 2017 2017 Colin Elmes
Southwest Division
FC Golden State Force Whittier, California Rio Hondo College 2016 2016 Jon Spencer
Project 510 Oakland, California 2020 2021
San Francisco City FC San Francisco, California Kezar Stadium 2001 2016 Paddy Coyne
San Francisco Glens SC San Francisco, California Boxer Stadium 1961 2018 Jimmy Conrad
Santa Cruz Breakers FC Santa Cruz, California Santa Cruz High School 1992 2018 Mike Runeare
Southern California Seahorses La Mirada, California La Mirada High School 2001 2001 Todd Elkins
Ventura County Fusion Ventura, California Ventura College 2006 2007 Rudy Ybarra

On hiatus

Club City Stadium Founded Joined Status Ref
FC Bascome Bermuda Bermuda National Sports Centre 2005 2020* will return in 2022 (opted out due to COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions) [39]
Thunder Bay Chill Thunder Bay, Ontario Fort William Stadium 2000 2000 will return in 2022 [40]

Champions

Season Playoff champions Regular season champions
2020 Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[41]
2019 Flint City Bucks Des Moines Menace
2018 Calgary Foothills FC Des Moines Menace
2017 Charlotte Eagles New York Red Bulls U-23
2016 Michigan Bucks Michigan Bucks
2015 K–W United FC Michigan Bucks
2014 Michigan Bucks Des Moines Menace
2013 Austin Aztex Thunder Bay Chill
2012 Forest City London Michigan Bucks
2011 Kitsap Pumas Fresno Fuego
2010 Portland Timbers U23s Portland Timbers U23s
2009 Ventura County Fusion Reading Rage
2008 Thunder Bay Chill Michigan Bucks
2007 Laredo Heat Hampton Roads Piranhas
2006 Michigan Bucks Carolina Dynamo
2005 Des Moines Menace Orange County Blue Star
2004 Central Florida Kraze Chicago Fire Reserves
2003 Cape Cod Crusaders New Orleans Shell Shockers
2002 Cape Cod Crusaders Des Moines Menace
2001 Westchester Flames Calgary Storm
2000 Chicago Sockers Mid-Michigan Bucks
1999 Chicago Sockers Jackson Chargers
1998 San Gabriel Valley Highlanders Jackson Chargers
1997 Central Coast Roadrunners Spokane Shadow
1996 Central Coast Roadrunners Central Coast Roadrunners
1995 Richmond Kickers San Francisco All-Blacks United

Championships

(Defunct teams in italics)

Playoff championships

USL League Two MVPs

Season Player Club
1995 Gabe Jones Austin Lone Stars
1996 Pasi Kinturi Nashville Metros
1997 Lester Felicia Jackson Chargers
1998 Rodrigo Costa Detroit Dynamite
1999 Fabio Eidelwein Sioux City Breeze
2000 Fernando Salazar San Fernando Valley Heroes
2001 Beau Brown Lafayette Lightning
2002 Tomas Boltnar Des Moines Menace
2003 Tomas Boltnar Des Moines Menace
2004 Ruben Mingo South Jersey Barons
2005 Daniel Frias El Paso Patriots
2006 Frederico Moojen Augusta FireBall
2007 Pablo Campos Fresno Fuego
2008 Junior Garcia Yakima Reds
2009 Aaron Wheeler Reading Rage
2010 Brent Richards Portland Timbers U23s
2011 Milton Blanco Fresno Fuego
2012 Sullivan Silva Thunder Bay Chill
2013 Kris Tyrpak Austin Aztex
2014 Dzenan Catic Michigan Bucks
2015 Anthony Grant Seacoast United Phantoms
2016 Chevaughn Walsh Ocean City Nor'easters
2017 Brian White New York Red Bulls U-23
2018 Ryosuke Kinoshita Des Moines Menace
2019 Deri Corfe Ocean City Nor'easters

Average attendance

Attendance stats are calculated by averaging each team's self-reported home attendances from the historical match archive at United Soccer Leagues (USL), and then averaging this league-wide.

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Notes

  1. Boston Bolts was known as FC Boston until the end of the 2018 season
  2. AC Connecticut was known as CFC Azul until the end of the 2014 season
  3. Seacoast United Phantoms was known as New Hampshire Phantoms until the end of the 2011 season
  4. Ocean City Nor'easters were known as South Jersey Barons until the end of the 2009 season
  5. Reading United AC was known as Reading Rage until the end of the 2009 season
  6. SC United Bantams was known as Palmetto United Bantams until the end of the 2014 season
  7. Tormenta FC 2 shares its history in the PDL with the first team from 2016 through 2018
  8. North Carolina FC U23 has previously been known as Raleigh CASL Elite, Carolina RailHawks U23s, and Cary Clarets while in the PDL
  9. West Virginial Alliance FC was known as West Virginia Chaos until the end of the 2018 season
  10. Treasure Coast Tritons were previously known as South Florida Surf in 2016 and 2017 and North Country United in 2018
  11. Flint City Bucks were known as the Mid-Michigan Bucks from 1996 to 2003 and the Michigan Bucks from 2004 to 2019
  12. FC Manitoba was known as WSA Winnipeg until the end of the 2019 season
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