TAMPA, Fla. – Shaping the future of the game in the U.S., the United Soccer League (USL) – the largest Division II league in the world and longest standing member of the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) – today announces plans to launch a third-division men’s professional league, uniting passionate fans in new markets with the thrill of a proven professional soccer experience. The new league will begin play in 2019.

The USL’s sophisticated and established model will entertain new markets and fans with an unforgettable professional soccer experience while cultivating the increasing demand for the sport – targeting communities ranging in population from 150,000 to one million. More than 75 million people in these U.S. markets do not have access to a local professional soccer club. The new third-division league will also create exciting opportunities to showcase homegrown talent alongside experienced players from across the globe.

The league will focus on launching new third-division clubs in markets that possess strong local ownership groups, populations with broad-based diversity, a vibrant millennial and strong family base, established corporate support, and stadiums to properly showcase the sport for fans, partners and the public.

“We are in a unique position to lead the sport’s next phase of growth with a proven and exciting competition model, the same which has made the USL the top Division II league in North America,” said CEO Alec Papadakis. “With elite competition and strong ownership groups providing unrivaled fan experiences, the USL will continue shaping the future of professional soccer through a third-division league, cultivating and bonding local supporters through the ‘beautiful game’ for generations to come.”