USL Second Division
Encyclopedia
The United Soccer Leagues Second Division (commonly referred to as USL-2) was a professional men's soccer league in the United States
, part of the United Soccer Leagues (USL)
league pyramid
. It was at the third tier of soccer in the United States
, behind Major League Soccer
(top division) and the USL First Division
(second division), and one step up from the USL Premier Development League
and the other leagues at Level 4.
The USL Second Division dissolved following the 2010 season to make way for USL Pro
, which will combine the existing USL First and Second divisions and will begin play in 2011.
-sanctioned Division 3 league, while the amateur league, (the 'Premier League'), was given Division 4 status and would later go on to become the USL Premier Development League
. The first champions of the new USISL Pro League were the Long Island Rough Riders
, who beat Minnesota Thunder
2-1 in the championship game.
In 1996, the USISL established a new USISL Select League
. The strongest USISL Pro League teams joined this new league, which was given Division 2 status alongside the existing A-League
, while the remainder of the teams (plus expansion teams) remained at Division 3 level. Charleston Battery
became the league's second champions in this year, beating the Charlotte Eagles
in a penalty shootout in the 1996 USISL Pro League championship game.
In 1997 the league changed its name to the USISL D-3 Pro League to further distinguish itself from the A-League, and then in 1999 the umbrella USISL changed its name to the United Soccer Leagues (USL), and as such the Pro League officially became known as the USL D3 Pro League. In 2003 the name was changed again to the USL Pro Select League, but during the season had to be changed to the USL Pro Soccer League for to legal reasons. In 2005 the league took its current name as the USL Second Division, which it has retained ever since.
For 2011, USL has announced that the two divisions of USL professional play, the First Division and Second Division, would merge into a single USL Pro
division. As of September 2010, it is not clear if this new division will seek sanctioning for Division II status from the United States Soccer Federation
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, part of the United Soccer Leagues (USL)
United Soccer Leagues
The United Soccer Leagues is the organizer of several soccer leagues with teams in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. It includes men's and women's leagues, both professional and amateur. Leagues currently organized are the USL Pro, the USL Premier Development League, the W-League, and...
league pyramid
American Soccer Pyramid
The United States soccer pyramid is a term used in soccer to describe the structure of the league system in the United States. The country's governing body for the sport, the United States Soccer Federation , oversees the system but does not operate any of its component leagues—with one temporary...
. It was at the third tier of soccer in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, behind Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
(top division) and the USL First Division
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
(second division), and one step up from the USL Premier Development League
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
and the other leagues at Level 4.
The USL Second Division dissolved following the 2010 season to make way for USL Pro
USL Pro
The USL Professional Division, commonly known as USL Pro , is a professional men's soccer league in the United States that began its inaugural season in 2011....
, which will combine the existing USL First and Second divisions and will begin play in 2011.
History
In 1995 the United States Interregional Soccer League (USISL), the de-facto second tier of American soccer at the time, changed its name to the United States International Soccer League, and split into two leagues, one professional and one amateur. The professional league, initially called the USISL Pro League, was a FIFAFIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
-sanctioned Division 3 league, while the amateur league, (the 'Premier League'), was given Division 4 status and would later go on to become the USL Premier Development League
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
. The first champions of the new USISL Pro League were the Long Island Rough Riders
Long Island Rough Riders
Long Island Rough Riders is an American soccer team based in South Huntington, New York, United States. Founded in 1994, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its...
, who beat Minnesota Thunder
Minnesota Thunder
Minnesota Thunder was an American professional soccer team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Founded in 1990, the team played in the USL First Division , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009. The team played its home games at the National Sports Center in nearby...
2-1 in the championship game.
In 1996, the USISL established a new USISL Select League
USISL Select League
The USISL Select League was a professional men's soccer league which featured teams from the United States, which existed for just one year in 1996...
. The strongest USISL Pro League teams joined this new league, which was given Division 2 status alongside the existing A-League
A-League (1995–2004)
The A-League was a professional men's soccer league which featured teams from both the United States and Canada. The A-League emerged out of the restructured American Professional Soccer League in 1995 and operated until 2004, after which it was re-branded the USL First Division...
, while the remainder of the teams (plus expansion teams) remained at Division 3 level. Charleston Battery
Charleston Battery
Charleston Battery is an American professional soccer team based in Charleston, South Carolina, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
became the league's second champions in this year, beating the Charlotte Eagles
Charlotte Eagles
Charlotte Eagles is an American professional soccer team based in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1991, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
in a penalty shootout in the 1996 USISL Pro League championship game.
In 1997 the league changed its name to the USISL D-3 Pro League to further distinguish itself from the A-League, and then in 1999 the umbrella USISL changed its name to the United Soccer Leagues (USL), and as such the Pro League officially became known as the USL D3 Pro League. In 2003 the name was changed again to the USL Pro Select League, but during the season had to be changed to the USL Pro Soccer League for to legal reasons. In 2005 the league took its current name as the USL Second Division, which it has retained ever since.
For 2011, USL has announced that the two divisions of USL professional play, the First Division and Second Division, would merge into a single USL Pro
USL Pro
The USL Professional Division, commonly known as USL Pro , is a professional men's soccer league in the United States that began its inaugural season in 2011....
division. As of September 2010, it is not clear if this new division will seek sanctioning for Division II status from the United States Soccer Federation
United States Soccer Federation
The United States Soccer Federation is the official governing body of the sport of soccer in the United States. Its headquarters are located in Chicago, Illinois. It is a member of FIFA and is responsible for governing amateur and professional soccer, including the men's, women's, youth, futsal...
.
Complete list of current and former member clubs
A total of 102 clubs have competed in USL-2.Past champions
- 1995: Long Island Rough RidersLong Island Rough RidersLong Island Rough Riders is an American soccer team based in South Huntington, New York, United States. Founded in 1994, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its...
2-1 Minnesota ThunderMinnesota ThunderMinnesota Thunder was an American professional soccer team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Founded in 1990, the team played in the USL First Division , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009. The team played its home games at the National Sports Center in nearby... - 1996: Charleston BatteryCharleston BatteryCharleston Battery is an American professional soccer team based in Charleston, South Carolina, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
3-2 (SO) Charlotte EaglesCharlotte EaglesCharlotte Eagles is an American professional soccer team based in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1991, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid.... - 1997: Albuquerque Geckos 4-1 Charlotte EaglesCharlotte EaglesCharlotte Eagles is an American professional soccer team based in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1991, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
- 1998: Chicago Stingers 3-2 (OT) New Hampshire PhantomsNew Hampshire PhantomsNew Hampshire Phantoms is an American soccer team based in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, United States. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home...
- 1999: Western Mass PioneersWestern Mass PioneersWestern Mass Pioneers is an American soccer team based in Ludlow, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1998, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home games...
2-1 South Jersey Barons - 2000: Charlotte EaglesCharlotte EaglesCharlotte Eagles is an American professional soccer team based in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1991, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
5-0 New Jersey StallionsNew Jersey StallionsThe New Jersey Stallions were an American soccer team, founded in 1996, which competed in various divisions of the United Soccer Leagues until 2004, after which the team left the league and the franchise was terminated.... - 2001: Utah BlitzzUtah BlitzzUtah Blitzz was a professional soccer team in the USL Second Division. It withdrew following the 2004 season, after winning the championship.-Year-by-year:...
1-0 Greenville LionsGreenville LionsGreenville Lions were an American soccer team, founded in 2001, and was a member of the United Soccer Leagues D-3 Pro League and Premier Development League , the third and fourth tiers of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2003, when the team left the league and the franchise was terminated.The... - 2002: Long Island Rough RidersLong Island Rough RidersLong Island Rough Riders is an American soccer team based in South Huntington, New York, United States. Founded in 1994, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its...
2-1 Wilmington HammerheadsWilmington HammerheadsWilmington Hammerheads is an American professional soccer team based in Wilmington, North Carolina. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid.... - 2003: Wilmington HammerheadsWilmington HammerheadsWilmington Hammerheads is an American professional soccer team based in Wilmington, North Carolina. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
2-1 (2OT) Westchester FlamesWestchester FlamesWestchester Flames is an American soccer team based in New Rochelle, New York, United States. Founded in 1999, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home games... - 2004: Utah BlitzzUtah BlitzzUtah Blitzz was a professional soccer team in the USL Second Division. It withdrew following the 2004 season, after winning the championship.-Year-by-year:...
2-2 (5-4 PK) Charlotte EaglesCharlotte EaglesCharlotte Eagles is an American professional soccer team based in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1991, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid.... - 20052005 USL Second Division-League standings: GP W L D GF GA Pts Western Mass Pioneers 20 13 3 4 41 22 43 Charlotte Eagles 20 13 5 2 44 20 41 Harrisburg City Islanders 20 12 3 5 43 24 41...
: Charlotte EaglesCharlotte EaglesCharlotte Eagles is an American professional soccer team based in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1991, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
2-2 (5-4 PK) Western Mass PioneersWestern Mass PioneersWestern Mass Pioneers is an American soccer team based in Ludlow, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1998, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home games... - 2006: Richmond KickersRichmond KickersThe Richmond Kickers are an American professional soccer club based in Richmond, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid...
2-1 Charlotte EaglesCharlotte EaglesCharlotte Eagles is an American professional soccer team based in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1991, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid.... - 2007: Harrisburg City IslandersHarrisburg City IslandersHarrisburg City Islanders is an American professional soccer team based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 2004, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
1-1 (8-7 PK) Richmond KickersRichmond KickersThe Richmond Kickers are an American professional soccer club based in Richmond, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid... - 2008: Cleveland City StarsCleveland City StarsCleveland City Stars was an American professional soccer team based in Cleveland, Ohio, United States. Founded in 2006, the team played in the USL First Division , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid until 2009...
2-1 Charlotte EaglesCharlotte EaglesCharlotte Eagles is an American professional soccer team based in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1991, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid.... - 2009: Richmond KickersRichmond KickersThe Richmond Kickers are an American professional soccer club based in Richmond, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid...
3-1 Charlotte EaglesCharlotte EaglesCharlotte Eagles is an American professional soccer team based in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1991, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid.... - 2010: Charleston BatteryCharleston BatteryCharleston Battery is an American professional soccer team based in Charleston, South Carolina, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
2-1 Richmond KickersRichmond KickersThe Richmond Kickers are an American professional soccer club based in Richmond, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid...
Championships by Team
- 2: Charleston Battery (1996, 2010); Charlotte Eagles (2000, 2005); Long Island Rough Riders (1995, 2002); Utah Blitzz (2001, 2004); Richmond Kickers (2006, 2009)
- 1: Albuquerque Geckos (1997); Chicago Stingers (1998); Cleveland City Stars (2008); Harrisburg City Islanders (2007); Western Mass Pioneers (1999); Wilmington Hammerheads (2003)