Following expansion trips to the Southeast and Midwest, United Soccer League's Division III Vice President Steven Short spoke to The Telegraph's Bob Williams about the importance of a regional model, which will help reduce travel costs for clubs and fans while also providing an opportunity for local rivalries to flourish.

"We are trying to limit expenses as much as possible for teams, and travel costs are a massive line item for any pro sports team," Short told The Telegraph.

"We will try to keep teams to a bus-type transport, where you can travel the night before and then travel home instead of flying 20 players and staff hundreds or thousands of miles that will cost thousands and thousands of dollars."