LAS VEGAS – The past week in the USL has been unprecedented in the league’s history in terms of introductions of new clubs, and the announcement of the return of a major market to the league’s roster.

The official unveiling of Birmingham, Alabama on Tuesday, followed by that of Las Vegas on Friday brought two strong new ownership groups and cities into the USL over the next two seasons. Add in Wednesday’s news that Austin would again be part of the league at a new soccer-specific home in 2019, and it was a busy week for the league’s officials.

At Friday’s introduction of Las Vegas as the final addition to the league for the 2018 season, we looked back at a remarkable week with USL President Jake Edwards.

Q: This has been an unprecedented week for the USL in terms of announcements of new arrivals. With the introduction of Birmingham and Las Vegas, and the reintroduction of Austin, what does this mean for the league overall?

Jake Edwards: I think it’s a huge statement of intent of the ambition of the league. The fact that we are now bringing in some tremendous markets, both in terms of a strategic point of view in terms of building regional rivalries, and quality ownership groups with the wherewithal and the commitment to build soccer-specific stadium, and the political and fan support to be able to do so in those communities. We’re thrilled to welcome back Austin after our hiatus there, now with a solid plan to build a stadium and showcase the sport properly for the fans down in Austin.

Birmingham, for us, is a tremendous addition. From a regional point of view, there are some great natural rivalries, and Birmingham has long been a hotbed for the fans of the sport. Then of course here with our announcement today in Las Vegas, building out our presence on the west coast with two USL clubs in the state of Nevada. Las Vegas is a tremendously exciting city for us to finally bring professional soccer to, for them to have a team of their own. We’re very excited.

Q: Birmingham began the week by becoming the first club to be introduced for the 2019 season. The grassroots support there has been phenomenal, how pleased are you to see a city the league has been interested in for a while now officially part of the USL?

Edwards: It’s all about timing, and as that grassroots momentum has built over the last few years with the local fans of the sport like Morgan Copes and his partners that helped build the Magic City Brigade, that helped build the Birmingham Hammers, that helped build that grassroots soccer culture in the region, it’s tremendously important work, and they’ve done a great job over the last few years to do that.

Again, it’s about timing, it’s about getting all the pieces in place, and with the ownership group with Lee Styslinger III, Jeff Logan and James Outland coming behind it with a strong plan, and the support of the Mayor and the city there to build a great stadium for this team, the timing was now. It’s a market we’ve kept our eye on for a long time, but I think they won’t know what has hit them when this soccer juggernaut comes to town. They’re going to be a great addition to the USL.