Welcome to our discussion about Major League Soccer (MLS) and United Soccer League (USL)! MLS and USL are two of the most popular soccer leagues in the United States, but there are some important differences between the two that are worth exploring.
MLS is the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It was founded in 1993 and began its first season in 1996. Today, it consists of 28 teams from across North America, with plans to expand to 30 teams soon. MLS has gained significant popularity in recent years, with a growing fan base and competitive player salaries.
In contrast, USL is a lower division soccer league that operates under MLS. It was established in 2010 and has steadily grown since then. The league consists of three separate divisions: USL Championship, USL League One, and USL League Two. While not as well-known as MLS, USL provides opportunities for players to develop their skills and potentially move up to higher levels of professional soccer.
Understanding the differences between MLS and USL is important for anyone interested in soccer, whether as a fan or a player. For example, knowing the different league structures and team sizes can help fans better appreciate the nuances of each league’s gameplay. And for players considering a career in professional soccer, understanding the different opportunities available in both leagues can be crucial in making informed decisions about their future.
In the following sections, we’ll dive deeper into the key differences between MLS and USL, including team structure, salary caps, and player development programs. So let’s get started!
History of MLS and USL
Major League Soccer (MLS) was founded in 1993 as part of the United States’ bid to host the 1994 FIFA World Cup. The league officially began play in 1996 with ten teams, and since then it has grown to 28 teams across North America. MLS has seen several changes over the years, including expansion teams, new stadiums, and an increase in talent level with the introduction of international players.
United Soccer League (USL) has a more recent history, having been established in 2010 as a result of a merger between two lower division leagues: USL First Division and USL Second Division. Prior to this, both leagues had existed separately for many years. In 2011, USL Pro was formed as the third-tier professional soccer league in the United States, and it later became the USL Championship in 2019. Today, USL consists of three separate divisions: USL Championship, USL League One, and USL League Two.
Over time, both MLS and USL have evolved significantly. MLS has grown in popularity and now boasts some of the highest average attendances of any soccer league in the world. The league has also introduced various initiatives to improve player development and raise the overall level of play, such as the creation of the Generation Adidas program and the implementation of a youth academy system.
Similarly, USL has expanded over the years and has become an important part of the soccer landscape in the United States. It provides opportunities for players who may not be ready or able to compete at the highest levels of professional soccer, and it has helped to develop several notable players who have gone on to successful careers in MLS and other top leagues around the world.
Overall, the histories of MLS and USL are marked by growth and evolution. Both leagues have come a long way since their early days, and they continue to play an important role in the development of soccer in the United States.
Structure of MLS and USL
The structure of Major League Soccer (MLS) and United Soccer League (USL) is quite different. Here’s an overview of the league structures:
MLS:
- 28 teams across North America
- Split into two conferences: Eastern Conference and Western Conference
- Each conference has 14 teams
- Teams play a 34-game regular season schedule, with each team playing every other team at least once
- The top seven teams from each conference make the playoffs, with the top team in each conference receiving a first-round bye
- Playoffs consist of a single-elimination knockout tournament
USL:
- Three separate divisions: USL Championship, USL League One, and USL League Two
- USL Championship has 31 teams, while USL League One has 12 teams and USL League Two has around 80 teams
- USL Championship is further divided into two conferences: Eastern Conference and Western Conference
- Each conference has 16 teams
- Teams play a 34-game regular season schedule, with each team playing every other team at least once
- The top four teams from each conference make the playoffs, with the winner of each conference receiving a first-round bye
- Playoffs consist of a single-elimination knockout tournament
As you can see, MLS has a more centralized league structure with a single top division, while USL is broken up into multiple divisions. Both leagues have conference breakdowns, although MLS has a larger number of teams in each conference. Both leagues also use a playoff format to determine their champions, with MLS allowing more teams into the postseason and USL having a slightly more exclusive playoff field.
Overall, the structures of MLS and USL reflect their differing roles within the soccer pyramid in the United States. MLS is the top tier of professional soccer, while USL provides opportunities for players to develop their skills and potentially move up to higher levels.
Player Salaries
Player salaries in Major League Soccer (MLS) and United Soccer League (USL) are significantly different. Here’s a breakdown of how they compare:
MLS:
- The average player salary in MLS is around $398,725 per year.
- The highest-paid players in the league can earn millions of dollars per year.
- Teams are allowed to have up to three designated players whose salaries do not count against the team’s salary cap.
- In 2021, the MLS salary cap was set at $4.9 million per team, with some exceptions for designated players and homegrown players.
USL:
- The average player salary in USL Championship is much lower, at around $32,000 per year.
- Salaries in USL League One and USL League Two are even lower, with many players earning less than $10,000 per year.
- Teams in USL Championship and USL League One operate under a salary cap of $750,000 per team.
- USL teams are also allowed to sign up to six players who are exempt from the salary cap, although these players are subject to other restrictions on their eligibility and experience.
As you can see, there is a significant gap between player salaries in MLS and USL. The highest-paid players in MLS earn many times more than the average player in USL. This reflects the different levels of competition and revenue generation between the two leagues.
Both MLS and USL have salary caps in place to help maintain competitive balance and prevent teams from simply outspending their rivals. However, the way these caps are structured is different between the two leagues. MLS allows for designated players who are exempt from the salary cap, while USL has exemptions for up to six players who are subject to other eligibility requirements. As a result, MLS teams are able to spend more on top-tier talent, while USL teams must rely more on developing young players and finding value in lower-priced signings.
Fanbase and Attendance
Major League Soccer (MLS) and United Soccer League (USL) both have loyal fanbases, but there are some notable differences in terms of attendance figures, geographic reach, and fan culture. Here’s a closer look:
MLS:
- The average attendance for MLS games in 2019 was around 21,300 fans per game.
- Some of the league’s most popular teams include Atlanta United, Seattle Sounders, and Los Angeles FC.
- MLS has a strong presence in major urban centers across North America, including cities like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Toronto, and Vancouver.
- MLS fans tend to be younger and more diverse than fans of other sports leagues, and many teams have developed unique fan cultures that emphasize supporter groups, tifos, and other forms of fan-driven pageantry.
USL:
- The average attendance for USL Championship games in 2019 was around 4,800 fans per game, although this figure varies widely depending on the specific team and market.
- USL has a more regionalized fanbase than MLS, with many teams drawing support from smaller cities and towns across the United States and Canada.
- Some of the most popular USL teams include Louisville City FC, Phoenix Rising FC, and Sacramento Republic FC.
- While USL also has its fair share of passionate supporters, the fan culture tends to be less developed than in MLS. This is partly due to the smaller size of many USL markets and the fact that many teams are relatively new.
Overall, while MLS boasts higher average attendance figures and a more widespread geographic reach than USL, both leagues have their own unique strengths when it comes to fanbase and attendance. MLS has a youthful and diverse fanbase that is often associated with dynamic supporter groups and intense rivalries, while USL has a more localized and community-driven ethos that emphasizes the importance of grassroots soccer and developing talent at the grassroots level.
Competition Level
The competition level in Major League Soccer (MLS) and United Soccer League (USL) is different, with MLS generally considered to feature a higher level of play. Here’s a closer look:
MLS:
- MLS features some of the best soccer players from around the world, including international stars like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thierry Henry, and David Beckham.
- The league has implemented various initiatives to raise the overall skill level of its players, including the introduction of youth development programs and the signing of high-profile designated players.
- While MLS still lags behind top-tier leagues in Europe like the English Premier League, Spanish La Liga, and German Bundesliga in terms of overall quality, it has made significant strides in recent years and is now considered one of the best leagues in the Americas.
USL:
- While USL also features talented players, the overall skill level is lower than that of MLS.
- Many USL players are young and developing their skills, or they may not have been able to secure a spot on an MLS roster due to roster restrictions or other factors.
- USL is generally considered to be a second-tier professional soccer league, below MLS but above lower-level leagues like the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) and the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL).
In terms of playing styles, both MLS and USL feature a mix of strategies and tactics. However, MLS is generally seen as more dynamic and attacking-minded, with an emphasis on speed and athleticism. USL tends to be more physical and defensive-oriented, with a focus on set pieces and counterattacks.
Overall, while MLS and USL offer different levels of competition, both leagues provide opportunities for players to develop their skills and compete at a high level of professional soccer in North America.
Broadcast and Media Exposure
Broadcast and media exposure for Major League Soccer (MLS) and United Soccer League (USL) has grown significantly in recent years, although there are still some differences between the two leagues. Here’s a closer look:
MLS:
- MLS games are broadcast on several major television networks in the United States, including ESPN, Fox Sports, and Univision.
- In addition to traditional TV broadcasts, many MLS games are also available to stream live through a variety of services, including ESPN+, Fox Sports Go, and MLS Live.
- MLS has made significant strides in terms of national and international media exposure in recent years, with more coverage from major sports outlets like ESPN and Sports Illustrated.
- The league has also secured several high-profile sponsorships and advertising deals, including partnerships with Adidas, Target, and Coca-Cola.
USL:
- USL games are generally not as widely broadcast as MLS games, although some games are shown on ESPN+ and local television stations.
- Streaming options for USL games are limited, with most games only available to watch live through the league’s official website.
- USL has less national and international media exposure compared to MLS, although the league has received some attention from outlets like Forbes and FourFourTwo.
- Sponsorship and advertising opportunities in USL tend to be more localized, with teams often partnering with regional businesses and organizations.
Overall, while MLS has greater availability of games on television and streaming platforms, as well as higher national and international media exposure, both MLS and USL offer opportunities for sponsors and advertisers to reach passionate soccer fans across North America. As both leagues continue to grow and expand their reach, we can expect to see even more opportunities arising for brands and media companies to get involved.
Youth Development and Academies
Youth development and academy programs are an important part of both Major League Soccer (MLS) and United Soccer League (USL). Here’s a closer look:
MLS:
- MLS has implemented several initiatives to improve youth development over the years, including the creation of youth academies and player development programs.
- The league operates a single-entity system, which means that all MLS teams are owned by the league itself rather than individual owners. As a result, there is more centralized control over youth development programs.
- Each MLS team is required to operate a youth academy, which provides training and development opportunities for young players.
- MLS academies compete in a separate league called the MLS Next, which features teams from both MLS and other youth soccer organizations.
USL:
- USL also places a strong emphasis on youth development and has several programs in place to help young players develop their skills.
- Unlike MLS, USL operates under a franchise model, which means that each team is owned by an individual or group of investors. This can make it more challenging to implement centralized youth development programs.
- Many USL teams have started their own youth academies, although not all teams have them.
- USL academies compete in separate leagues and tournaments.
Overall, while both MLS and USL are committed to developing young talent, there are some differences between the two leagues in terms of how they approach youth development. MLS has a more centralized system with mandatory youth academies for all teams, while USL operates under a franchise model that puts more responsibility on individual clubs. However, both leagues offer opportunities for young players to hone their skills and potentially move up through the ranks to become professional soccer players.
Future Outlook
The future outlook for both Major League Soccer (MLS) and United Soccer League (USL) is generally positive, with both leagues poised for continued growth and expansion. Here’s a closer look:
MLS:
- MLS has grown significantly since its inception in 1996, with the league now featuring 28 teams across North America.
- The league has announced plans to expand to 30 teams in the coming years, with new franchises set to launch in cities like Austin and Charlotte.
- In addition to expansion, MLS is also investing heavily in youth development programs and has implemented several initiatives designed to improve player quality and raise the overall level of play in the league.
- With interest in soccer growing rapidly in the United States, MLS has an opportunity to become one of the world’s top soccer leagues in the coming decades.
USL:
- USL has also experienced significant growth in recent years, with the league expanding from a single division to three separate divisions and over 120 teams.
- The league has announced plans to launch a fourth division, called USL League Three, which will provide additional opportunities for young players to develop their skills.
- USL has also been investing in infrastructure, with many teams building new stadiums and training facilities to further enhance the fan and player experience.
- As the profile of soccer continues to grow in North America, USL has a chance to establish itself as a key player in the development of young talent and the promotion of professional soccer at all levels.
Overall, the expansion and growth of both MLS and USL bodes well for the future of American soccer. With more opportunities for young players to develop their skills and more teams providing high-quality soccer at different levels, there is potential for the United States to become a major player on the global soccer stage. As these leagues continue to evolve and adapt to changing circumstances, we can expect to see even more exciting developments in the years ahead.
Conclusion
In summary, Major League Soccer (MLS) and United Soccer League (USL) are two professional soccer leagues in North America with some significant differences. Here are the main points:
- MLS features a higher level of competition and generally higher player salaries than USL.
- USL has more of a regionalized fanbase and tends to draw support from smaller cities and towns across the United States and Canada.
- Both leagues offer opportunities for young players to develop their skills through youth development programs and academies.
- MLS has expanded rapidly in recent years and is planning to add two more teams in the coming years, while USL has grown from a single division to three separate divisions and over 120 teams.
- The future outlook for both leagues is positive, with continued growth and expansion expected.
It’s important to consider these differences when following American soccer, as they can impact everything from the caliber of play on the field to the availability of games on television and streaming platforms. Whether you’re a fan of MLS, USL, or both, understanding these differences can help you better appreciate the unique strengths and challenges of each league and enjoy the beautiful game in all its many forms.