USL League One is a professional
soccer league in the United States that operates as the third tier of the
American soccer pyramid. Here's a look at its history and the evolution of its
clubs:Founding and Early Years Establishment: The
United Soccer League (USL), which also operates the Division II USL
Championship, announced the launch of a new third division, USL League One, in
2017. The inaugural season took place in the spring of 2019. Purpose: The league was created to
bring professional soccer to communities with a population between 150,000 and
one million that lacked a professional club.
It focused on markets with strong local ownership, a diverse population, and a
vibrant fanbase. First Season (2019): The inaugural season featured 10
teams. Several of the founding members had previously played in other leagues,
including the USL Championship or USL League Two. These included the Richmond
Kickers and Charlotte Independence, who moved from the USL Championship, and
South Georgia Tormenta FC, who moved from USL League Two. Inaugural
Champions: North Texas SC won both the regular season title (Players'
Shield) and the first-ever USL League One Final in 2019. Evolution and Expansion
Growth: Since its first season, the league has expanded and changed,
with new teams joining and others leaving. USL League One has focused on
launching new clubs that are built to be stable and sustainable. MLS Reserve
Teams: In the early years, the league included several reserve teams for
Major League Soccer (MLS) franchises, such as Fort Lauderdale CF (Inter Miami
CF II), New England Revolution II, North Texas SC (FC Dallas), and Toronto FC
II. However, these teams departed after the 2021 season to join the newly
formed MLS Next Pro, which became a dedicated league for MLS reserve squads. Club
Movement: The history of USL League One includes clubs that have moved
between leagues. Some, like Lexington SC and North Carolina FC, have moved up
to the USL Championship, while others have moved down to USL League Two or, in
some cases, folded. Notable Clubs and Achievements Union Omaha: A prominent club in the league's
history, Union Omaha has won the USL League One championship multiple times and
holds the record for the most regular season titles (Players' Shields). South
Georgia Tormenta FC: One of the founding members of the league, Tormenta FC
won the USL League One Final in 2022. Greenville Triumph SC: A
successful and consistent team, Greenville Triumph SC won the 2020 championship
(awarded based on points per game due to the COVID-19 pandemic) and has made
multiple appearances in the final. Richmond Kickers: The Kickers have a
long history in American soccer, having played in various leagues before
joining USL League One. They are one of the most established clubs in the third
division. USL League One continues to grow and develop, with new expansion
teams announced regularly, bringing professional soccer to more cities across
the United States.
