More than 'card tricks & quizzes'? Inside Henderson's Ajax form

NXGN 2025: Football's 50 best teenage wonderkids

The day Man Utd fans stopped football 

NXGN 2025: England's top 20 teenage wonderkids

NXGN 2025: Football's 25 best women's wonderkids

Editors' Picks

Wrexham sale fears raised as Rob & Ryan edge closer to fulfilling EPL dream

Newcastle chairman demands club keep 'favourite player' Isak

How much does Lamine Yamal earn per week at Barcelona?

Mbappe admits he's 'trying' to avoid Zidane

SPL chief assures Neymar he 'wasn't a disappointment' at Al-Hilal

Fernandes urged to leave Man Utd for a team than can 'win trophies'

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>USL plans to introduce promotion and relegation</li><li>System tied to advent of recently announced Division 1 league</li><li>Would mimic model ubiquitous in Euopean soccer</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n">Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Promotion-relegation coming to American soccer as USL owners vote to approve European model

The USL will introduce a promotion-relegation model that mimics European soccer, with league owners voting via supermajority to approve the model, <a href="https://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/1334700" target="_blank">the league announced Wednesday morning</a>.The historic motion comes a month after the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/set-their-own-course-of-destiny-usl-s-plans-to-launch-a-division-one-league-presents-both-opportunity-uncertainty-for-club-owners/bltaa79ec4ff3af69f2" target="_blank">USL announced plans to start a Division One league</a> that will be on the same level as Major League Soccer - although the league insists that it is not a direct competitor to the more-established setup. The USL will become the first professional sports league in the U.S. to adopt the global model, creating an interconnected three-tiered men’s professional soccer system in which teams earn promotion to a higher division or face relegation to a lower division based on their performance during the season.The vote was not unanimous.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Promotion-relegation has long been a fixture within the American soccer dialogue. There was talk of implementing a system as early as 2023, but fears about financial hardships to do with being sent down a division delayed discussions.Those concerns have now been quelled, it seems, with pro-rel to come concurrently with a three tiered system. The league said that the USL’s professional men’s soccer structure will consist of three divisions:USL Division One (newly launched), USL Championship (Division Two) and USL League One (Division Three).Teams will earn promotion or face relegation based on their season performance, "ensuring a dynamic and competitive landscape where ambition is rewarded."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Paul McDonough, president and chief soccer officer of the USL outlined the reasons for a change in system"Promotion and relegation transforms the competitive landscape of American soccer," he said. “With the 2026 World Cup and other major international events approaching, we have a unique opportunity to build on that momentum and create a sustainable future for the sport in the U.S."Fans and stakeholders have been clear - they want something different. They’re drawn to the intensity of high-stakes competition, where more matches have real consequences - just like we see in European leagues. This shift challenges the status quo and brings a level of excitement and relevance that can elevate the game across the country.”

WHAT PAUL MCDONOUGH SAID

The league will operate under the same system for the next few years, but a significant change is around the corner. There is yet to be a confirmed year for the advent of the Division One league, but a 2028 target date has been set.

WHAT NEXT FOR THE USL?

Promotion-relegation coming to American soccer as USL owners vote to approve European model | Goal.com

The USL votes to introduce promotion and relegation alongside pending Division One league, with a targeted 2028 start date