A look inside the largest Division II league in the world.

The United Soccer League has become one of the fastest growing divisions in recent memory, and is continuing to evolve the nature of the American soccer landscape. With its current incarnation beginning in 2010, the 2017 USL season now features 30 clubs from around the country.

A major step in this growth was seen earlier this year, with US Soccer granting the league Division II status. The addition of MLS reserve sides after an agreement between the two organizations in 2013 has been a significant factor as well.

Overseeing this tremendous growth is league president Jake Edwards, taking on his current role with USL in 2015. After a playing career in England spanning over a decade, Edwards has displayed a strong ability in a short period of time to be able to help drive a lower division forward into the future.

USL has proven to be a place for marquee names as well, with talent like Didier Drogba (Phoenix Rising FC) and Joe Cole (Tampa Bay Rowdies) plying their trade in the division. With solid infrastructure in place, the league is certainly primed to continue to change the face of the game in the United States.

Playing For 90 had a chance to sit down with Jake Edwards to discuss the start of the 2017 campaign and what can be expected ahead.