United Soccer Leagues started in 1986 as the Southwest Indoor Soccer League, and has since grown into the largest professional league ever in the United States, comprising over 140 teams in both indoor, outdoor, amateur and women’s leagues. USL originally started in 1986 playing only indoor soccer, but added an outdoor season starting in 1989. Since then, the outdoor league has grown rapidly to become the primary grass-roots league operating at the minor league level. In 1997, USL absorbed the A-League teams, creating a new USSF sanctioned Division 2 league (now called “USL First Division”) of 24 teams, as well as a USSF sanctioned 3rd division (now called “USL Second Division”), and the Premier Development League (an amateur circuit, informally the “4th division”). These comprise over 100 teams. The Women’s league (W-League), the Super 20 League and the Super Y-League (Youth) expanded the USL into a wide territory. USL has flourished, with nationwide presence and the stronger teams drawing in excess of 4,000 fans. Many thanks to eRic Vormelker (netminder@sbcglobal.net) and Mark Hlavenka for researching much of the 1989-1995 data. Some of the earliest material was provided by Kevin Raymond Mitzel (kevin@npsl.com).
Outdoor scoring system (1989-1995): 6 points for a win, 4 points for a shootout win, 2 points for a shootout loss, 0 points for a regulation loss, 1 point for each goal scored up to 3 per game.
Indoor scoring system (1986-present): 4 points for a win, 3 points for a shootout win, 1 point for a shootout loss, 0 points for a regulation loss.
Outdoor scoring system (1996-1998): 3 points for a regulation win, 1 point for a shootout win, 0 points for a shootout loss, 0 points for a regulation loss.
Outdoor scoring system (1999): 4 points for a regulation win, 2 points for a shootout win, 1 point for a shootout loss, 0 points for a regulation loss.
Outdoor scoring system (2000-2002): 4 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, 0 points for a loss + 1 bonus point when scoring three or more goals in a game.
Outdoor scoring system (2003-present): 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, 0 points.
Current Division 1 standings | Current Division 2 Standings | Current PDL standings
(a name="2011"> 2011
USL PRO LEAGUE (Division 3)
USL-Pro was formed by a merger of USL Division 1 and Division 2, receiving
the USSF Division 3 sanction enjoyed by the former USL Division 2. All six
USL D-2 teams joined, along with the USL D-1’s Austin Aztex (who became
Orlando City), D-1’s expansion FC New York, and the NASL’s Rochester Rhinos.
The Wilmington Hammerheads returned from hiatus, and Barracuda United
(of Antigua) and Los Angeles joined as expansion clubs. Puerto Rico,
Sevilla FC and River Plate Puerto Rico joined from the Puerto Rico League
(while continuing to play in that circuit), and Dayton was promoted
from the PDL. Before the season, Puerto Rico, Sevilla and River Plate
left the league.
GP W L D GF GA Pts
American Division
Orlando City 24 15 3 6 36 16 51
Wilmington Hammerheads 24 14 7 3 42 30 45
Richmond Kickers 24 12 7 5 35 21 41
Charleston Battery 24 10 9 5 24 25 35
Charlotte Eagles 24 9 9 6 32 29 33
Antigua Barracuda 24 9 13 2 32 32 29
National Division
Rochester Rhinos 24 12 8 4 31 23 40
Harrisburg City Islanders 24 10 7 7 37 30 37
Los Angeles Blues 24 8 7 9 34 29 33
Pittsburgh Riverhounds 24 7 11 6 23 32 27
F. C. New York 24 6 11 7 27 37 25
Dayton Dutch Lions 24 2 16 6 21 54 12
Divisional Semifinals: Orlando City defeated Charleston 301 (AET)
Richmond defeated Wilmington 0-0 (5-4-PK)
Rochester defeated Pittsburgh 4-0
Harrisburg City defeated los Angeles 3-2
Divisional Finals: Orlando City defeated Richmond 3-0
Harrisburg City defeated Rochester 2-1
CHAMPIONSHIP: Orlando City defeated Harrisburg City 2-2 (3-2-PK)
PREMIER DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE
Before the season, Akron, Fredericksburg, Hamilton, FC Jax, Los Angeles,
North Sound, Rio Grande Valley, River City and Winnipeg were added.
Real Maryland was relegated from USL Division 2.
GP W L D GF GA Pts
Eastern Conference
Northeast Division
MPS Portland Phoenix 16 8 3 5 24 11 29
New Hampshire Phantoms 16 7 6 3 25 20 24
Western Mass Pioneers 16 6 5 5 18 20 23
Ottawa Fury 16 4 7 5 22 31 17
Vermont Voltage 16 3 7 6 12 21 15
South Atlantic Division
Carolina Dynamo 16 11 4 1 20 13 31
North Virginia Royals 16 10 5 1 20 13 31
Real Maryland Monarchs 16 8 6 2 29 20 26
West Virginia Chaos 16 7 5 4 32 23 25
Virginia Beach Piranhas 16 3 10 3 13 32 12
Fredericksburg Hotspur 16 2 11 3 10 39 9
Southern Conference
Mid-South Division
Laredo Heat 16 11 3 2 35 13 35
Chivas El Paso Patriots 16 10 3 3 24 22 33
Baton Rouge Capitals 16 8 7 1 26 20 25
New Orleans Jesters 16 7 7 2 23 27 23
West Texas United Sockers 16 5 11 0 20 35 15
Rio Grande Valley Grandes 16 3 11 2 19 29 11
Southeastern Division
Mississippi Bulls 16 12 2 2 39 14 38
Central Florida Kraze 16 11 3 2 34 23 35
Bradenton Academics 16 8 6 2 34 27 26
Jax Destroyers 16 3 9 4 22 37 13
Nashville Metros 16 3 10 3 15 31 12
Ft. Lauderdale Shulz Academy16 2 11 3 17 30 9
Central Conference
Great Lakes Division
Michigan Bucks 16 12 2 2 38 9 38
Chicago Fire Premier 16 11 3 2 28 10 35
Forest City London 16 9 5 2 32 23 29
Indiana Invaders 16 6 7 3 25 26 21
Akron Summit Assault 16 5 8 3 23 28 18
Hamilton Rage 16 5 8 3 20 27 18
Toronto Lynx 16 5 9 2 15 25 17
Cincinnati Kings 16 2 7 7 23 33 13
River City Rovers 16 2 8 6 16 37 12
Heartland Division
Thunder Bay Chill 16 12 2 2 31 9 38
Des Moines Menace 16 12 0 4 41 20 36
Real Colorado Foxes 16 11 2 3 49 23 36
Kansas City Brass 16 4 8 4 28 36 16
St. Louis Lions 16 4 7 5 25 24 13
WSA Winnipeg 16 3 12 1 15 44 10
Springfield Demize 16 1 12 3 12 45 6
Western Conference
Northwest Division
Kitsap Pumas 16 12 1 3 42 9 35
Victoria Highlanders 16 9 4 3 29 16 30
Vancouver Whitecaps Resid. 16 8 5 3 24 21 27
Portland Timbers U23’s 16 6 6 4 34 21 22
Abbotsford Mariners 16 6 7 3 22 25 21
North Sound Sea Wolves 16 4 8 4 20 34 16
Washington Crossfire 16 3 8 5 22 39 14
Tacoma Tide 16 1 10 5 21 49 8
Southwest Division
Fresno Fuego 16 13 3 0 43 15 42
Ventury County Fusion 16 10 6 0 38 10 36
Orange County Blue Stars 16 9 5 2 45 31 29
South. California Seahorses 16 8 5 3 22 24 27
BYU Cougars 16 4 8 4 15 21 16
Los Angeles Blues 23 16 4 10 2 17 37 14
Ogden Outlaws 16 2 10 4 18 36 10
Los Angeles Misioneros 16 1 13 2 16 40 5
Conference Quarterfinals: New Hampshire defeated MPS Portland 1-0
Jersey defeated Reading 1-0
Carolina Dynamo defeated Northern Virginia 1-0
Chicago defeated London 3-0
Conference Semifinals: Mississippi defeated Chivas 3-0
Laredo defeated Central Florida 1-0
Long Island defeated New Hampshire 3-1
Jersey defeated Carolina 2-1
Fresno defeated Victoria 3-1
Kitsap defeated Ventura County 1-0
Michigan defeated Des Moines 3-2
Thunder Bay defeated Chicago 1-0
Conference Finals: Laredo defeated Mississippi 2-2 (7-6-PK)
Long Island defeated Jersey 3-2
Kitsap defeated Fresno 1-0
Thunder Bay defeated Michigan 2-1
Semifinals: Laredo defeated Long Island 4-1
Kitsap defeated Thunder Bay 3-1
FINAL: Kitsap defeated Laredo 1-0
2010(/a)
USL FIRST DIVISION (USA Div. 2)
Due to disagreements with the nascient NASL II, both leagues were
Ordered by the USSF to have their teams play in the USSF sponsored
D2-Pro League in 2010, while they work our
their differences for Team allotment between the two Division 2 leagues for 2011.
USL SECOND DIVISION (USA Div. 3)
Before the season, Charleston was relegated from USL Division 1.
GP W L D GF GA Pts
Charleston Battery 20 11 4 5 35 26 38
Richmond Kickers 20 9 5 6 25 20 33
Pittsburgh Riverhounds 20 7 5 8 27 20 29
Charlotte Eagles 20 5 8 7 23 30 22
Harrisburg City Islanders 20 4 9 7 21 30 19
Real Maryland Monarchs 20 3 8 9 16 22 18
Semi-Final: Richmond defeated Pittsburgh 2-0
FINAL: Charleston defeated Richmond 2-1
After the season, the USL Second Division was renamed USL-Pro.
Real Maryland was relegated to the USL-PDL.
PREMIER DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE (USA "Div. 4")
Before the season, Bermuda and Western Mass were relegated from Division 2.
Vermont returned from hiatus. Reading became Reading United. Seattle became
the Washington Crossfire. Central Jersey, Dayton, Ft. Lauderdale, and
Portland were added.
GP W L D GF GA Pts
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Northeast Division
Ottawa Fury 16 11 2 3 33 10 36
Portland Phoenix 16 10 2 4 37 14 34
Albany BWP Highlanders 16 10 4 2 32 21 32
Long Island Rough Riders 16 8 4 4 25 20 28
Vermont Voltage 16 5 7 4 22 31 19
Western Mass Pioneers 16 4 6 6 17 20 18
New Hampshire Phantoms 16 3 9 4 10 23 13
Brooklyn Knights 16 3 12 1 24 42 10
Westchester Flames 16 1 9 6 13 32 9
Mid-Atlantic Division
Reading United 16 10 2 4 40 14 34
Newark ironbound Express 16 10 3 3 29 12 33
Central Jersey Spartans 16 8 5 3 31 23 27
Carolina Dynamo 16 7 5 4 30 23 25
Northern Virginia Royals 16 6 6 4 24 28 22
Ocean City Nor’easters 16 5 6 5 23 25 20
West Virginia Chaos 16 6 9 1 21 26 19
Hampton Roads Piranhas 16 4 7 5 18 31 17
New Jersey Rangers 16 5 11 0 18 37 15
Bermuda Hogges 16 4 11 1 9 25 13
SOUTHERN CONFERENCE
Southeast Division
Mississippi Brilla 14 11 0 3 41 14 36
Baton Rouge Capitals 14 9 2 3 30 15 30
Atlanta Blackhawks 14 6 4 4 27 31 22
Central Florida Kraze 14 6 5 3 22 17 21
New Orleans Jesters 14 6 6 2 30 22 20
Bradenton Academics 14 5 5 4 19 15 19
Nashville Metros 14 1 10 3 8 34 6
Ft. Lauderdale Schulz Acad. 14 0 12 2 5 34 2
Mid-South Division
Laredo Heat 16 9 5 2 36 19 29
Houston Leones 16 7 5 4 24 20 25
DFW Tornadoes 16 7 5 4 23 19 25
West texas United Sockers 16 6 7 3 20 24 21
Chivas El Paso Patriots 16 6 6 4 18 21 19*
Rio Grande Valley Bravos 16 3 10 3 12 30 9*
* - deducted 3 pts for league violations.
CENTRAL CONFERENCE
Great Lakes Division
Michigan Bucks 16 11 3 2 43 14 35
Forest City London 16 10 1 5 42 14 35
Dayton Dutch Lions 16 8 3 5 20 12 29
Chicago Fire Premier 16 9 5 2 28 12 29
Indiana Invaders 16 8 7 1 23 25 25
Cincinnati Kings 16 6 6 4 31 28 22
Toronto Lynx 16 4 11 1 15 37 13
Kalamazoo Outrage 16 3 13 0 17 55 9
Cleveland Internationals 16 2 12 2 15 41 8
Heartland Division
Thunder Bay Chill 16 12 2 2 40 12 38
Rochester Thunder 16 10 3 3 22 10 33
Real Colorado Foxes 16 7 3 6 26 18 27
Des Moines Menace 16 6 3 7 30 23 25
St. Louis Lions 16 5 7 4 23 21 19
Springfield Demize 16 1 12 3 10 37 6
Kansas City Brass 16 1 12 3 14 44 6
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Southwest Division
Ventura County Fusion 16 11 4 1 35 12 34
Hollywood United Hitmen 16 10 3 3 41 20 33
Orange County Blue Star 16 9 3 4 42 24 31
Fresno Fuego 16 8 4 4 42 33 28
Southern Calif. Seahorses 16 6 7 3 25 28 21
Los Angeles Azul Legends 16 5 8 3 27 33 18
Lancaster Rattlers 16 3 8 5 27 51 14
BYU Cougars 16 4 10 2 17 27 14
Ogden Outlaws 16 2 11 3 22 50 9
Northwest Division
Portland Timbers U23’s 16 16 0 0 53 6 48
Kitsap Pumas 16 12 2 2 38 14 38
Tacoma Tide 16 9 4 3 33 20 30
Victoria Highlanders 16 7 6 3 27 24 24
Washington Crossfire 16 6 8 2 35 31 20
Vancouver Whitecaps Residcy.16 4 9 3 27 37 15
Abbotsford Mariners 16 4 11 1 25 44 13
Yakima Reds 16 4 12 0 18 42 12
Spokane Spiders 16 2 12 2 26 64 8
Conference Semifinals: Portland defeated Hollywood 2-1
Kitsap defeated Ventura County 1-1 (5-3 PK)
Ottawa defeated Newark 2-0
Reading defeated Portland 2-1
Thunder Bay defeated Forest City 1-0
Michigan defeated Rochester 2-0
Baton Rouge defeated Laredo 1-1 (6-5 PK)
Houston defeated Mississippi 2-2 (6-5 PK)
Conference Finals: Portland defeated Kitsap 2-1
Reading defeated Ottawa 3-2
Thunder Bay defeated Michigan 2-1
Baton Rouge defeated Houston 2-1
Semi-finals: Portland defeated Reading 2-1
Thunder Bay defeated Baton Rouge 2-1
Third Place Match: Baton Rouge defeated Reading 2-2 (4-2 PK)
CHAMPIONSHIP: Portland defeated Thunder Bay 4-1
After the season, Dayton was promoted to the USL-Pro league.
Hollywood United left for the NPSL. Rio Grande Valley left for the
Southern Premier Soccer League. Albany, Atlanta, Cleveland,
DFW Toenados, Houston, Kalamazoo, Lancaster, Rochester, Spokane
and Yakima folded.
2009(/a)
USL FIRST DIVISION (USA Div. 2)
Before the season, Cleveland was promoted from Division 2.
Austin was added.
GP W L D GF GA Pts
Portland Timbers 30 16 4 10 45 19 58
Carolina Railhawks 30 16 7 7 43 19 55
Puerto Rico Islanders 30 15 7 8 44 31 53
Charleston Battery 30 14 5 11 33 21 53
Montreal Impact 30 12 11 7 32 31 43
Rochester Rhinos 30 11 9 10 34 32 43
Vancouver Whitecaps 30 11 10 9 42 36 42
Minnesota Thunder 30 7 13 10 39 44 31
Miami F. C. Blues 30 8 17 5 26 52 29
Austin Aztex (-2) 30 5 17 8 28 51 21
Cleveland City Stars 30 4 19 7 22 52 19
Quarterfinals Vancouver defeated Carolina 1-0, 0-0
Puerto Rico defeated Rochester 1-2, 4-1
Montreal defeated Charleston 2-0, 2-1
Semi-Finals: Vancouver defeated Portland 2-1, 3-3
Montreal defeated Puerto Rico 2-1, 2-1
FINAL: Montreal defeated Vancouver 3-2, 3-1.
After the season, Charleston was relegated to Division 2.
Minnesota left to join the NASL II, but folded. Cleveland
folded. Carolina, Miami (minus their nickname), Minnesota,
Montreal, and Vancouver left to form the NASL II. Subsequently,
Rochester, Atlanta (returning from hiatus) and the new expansion
A. C. St. Louis followed suit. Division 1 expects to add
F. C. New York for 2011.
USL SECOND DIVISION (USA Div. 3)
GP W L D GF GA Pts
Wilmington Hammerheads 20 12 5 3 42 24 39
Richmond Kickers 20 11 3 6 39 18 39
Harrisburg City Islanders 20 9 7 4 31 23 31
Charlotte Eagles 20 8 5 7 40 28 31
Real Maryland Monarchs 20 8 10 2 22 31 26
Crystal Palace Baltimore 20 6 9 5 16 20 23
Western Mass. Pioneers 20 6 9 5 21 34 23
Pittsburgh Riverhounds 20 6 10 4 18 27 22
Bermuda Hogges 20 4 12 4 19 43 16
Quarterfinals: Charlotte defeated Real Maryland 3-1
Semi-Finals: Charlotte defeated Wilmington 1-0
Richmond defeated Harrisburg 1-0
FINAL: Richmond defeated Charlotte 3-1
After the season, Western Mass and Bermuda were relegated to the PDL.
Wilmington went on hiatus. Crystal Palace left for the new NASL, and
(for 2010) the USSF D2Pro League.
PREMIER DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE (USA "Div. 4")
Before the season, Cary became the Clarets. Atlanta, Forest City
London, Hollywood, Kitsap, Portland, Real Colorado, Rio Grand Valley,
Rochester, Victoria and West Texas United were added. Seattle
joined from the PCSL.
GP W L D GF GA Pts
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Northeast Division
Ottawa Fury 16 12 0 4 48 8 40
Long Island Rough Riders 16 12 2 2 32 10 38
Ocean City Barons 16 9 4 3 31 15 30
Brooklyn Knights 16 7 6 3 25 20 24
Newark Ironbound Express 16 6 8 2 38 41 20
Rhode Island Stingrays 16 4 9 3 23 41 15
Westchester Flames 16 3 8 5 16 36 14
New Hampshire Phantoms 16 3 9 4 20 32 13
New Jersey Barons 16 2 12 2 14 44 8
Mid-Atlantic Division
Reading Rage 16 13 1 2 58 17 41
Carolina Dynamo 16 10 4 2 38 19 32
Cary Clarets 16 9 4 3 28 16 30
Hampton Roads Piranhas 16 8 5 3 23 21 27
West Virginia Chaos 16 5 6 3 23 37 18
Fredericksburg Gunners 16 3 10 3 14 35 12
North Virginia Royals 16 2 10 4 18 35 10
Virginia Legacy 16 1 9 6 14 36 9
SOUTHERN CONFERENCE
Southeast Division
Mississippi Brilla 16 9 1 6 30 12 33
Bradenton Academics 16 9 2 5 32 14 32
New Orleans Jesters 16 5 0 11 24 13 26
Panama City Pirates 16 6 5 5 23 21 23
Baton Rouge Capitals 16 4 8 4 25 26 16
Central Florida Kraze 16 4 9 3 18 31 15
Nashville Metros 16 2 7 7 16 36 13
Atlanta Blackhawks 16 3 10 3 16 31 12
Mid-South Division
Laredo Heat 16 7 1 8 29 18 29
West Texas United Sockers 16 8 5 3 25 19 27
Austin Aztex U23s 16 7 4 5 32 27 26
El Paso Patriots 16 8 6 2 27 22 26
Rio Grande Valley Bravos 16 6 5 5 32 28 23
DFW Tornados 16 5 7 4 29 33 19
Houston Leones 16 0 13 3 10 37 3
CENTRAL CONFERENCE
Great Lakes Division
Kalamazoo Outrage 16 11 2 3 32 17 36
Chicago Fire Premier 16 10 1 5 33 12 35
Forest City London 16 8 3 5 27 16 29
Michigan Bucks 16 8 5 3 26 22 27
Indiana Invaders 16 5 7 4 24 25 19
Cleveland Internationals 16 5 9 2 23 26 17
Fort Wayne Fever 16 5 9 2 15 26 17
Cincinnati Kings 16 4 9 3 17 31 15
Toronto Lynx 16 2 13 1 18 40 7
Heartland Division
Des Moines Menace 16 11 1 4 35 13 37
Thunder Bay Chill 16 8 3 5 27 16 29
Real Colorado Foxes 16 8 5 3 28 19 27
St. Louis Lions 16 6 4 6 29 25 24
Rochester Thunder 16 5 9 2 21 25 17
Kansas City Brass 16 4 9 3 28 37 15
Springfield Demize 16 2 13 1 10 43 7
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Southwest Division
Hollywood United Hitmen 16 10 3 3 38 17 33
Los Angeles Legends 16 9 3 4 34 15 31
Ventura County Fusion 16 7 2 7 26 21 28
BYU Cougars 16 7 5 4 21 22 25
Fresno Fuego 16 6 6 4 30 28 22
Southern Calif. Seahorses 16 4 4 8 25 22 20
Lancaster Rattlers 16 5 7 4 33 38 19
Orange County Blue Star 16 5 7 4 20 25 19
Odgen Outlaws 16 4 11 1 24 39 13
Bakersfield Brigade 16 2 11 3 14 38 9
Northwest Division
Kitsap Pumas 16 12 1 3 40 13 39
Portland Timbers U23 16 11 3 2 43 20 35
Seattle Wolves 16 10 3 3 29 18 33
Cascade Surge 16 7 6 3 29 26 24
Victoria Highlanders 16 6 6 4 37 25 22
Vancouver WhitecapsResidency16 6 7 3 26 22 21
Tacoma Tide 16 5 7 4 34 40 19
Abbottsford Mariners 16 4 10 2 28 36 14
Yakima Reds 16 3 11 2 22 49 11
Spokane Spiders 16 3 13 0 12 51 9
Divisional First Round: Chicago defeated Forest City 1-0
Ocean City defeated Long Island 2-0
Real Colorado defeated Thunder Bay 109
Cary defeated Carolina 3-1
West Texas defeated Austin 2-1
Bradenton defeated New Orleans 1-0
Seattle defeated Portland 3-2
Ventura County defeated Los Angeles 2-1
Divisional Finals: Chicago defeated Kalamazoo 2-1
Ocean City defeated Ottawa 2-1
Des Moines defeated Real Colorado 2-1
Cary defeated Reading 2-1
Laredo defeated West Texas 1-0
Bradenton defeated Mississippi 3-2
Kitsap defeated Seattle 2-0
Ventura County defeated Hollywood 3-1
Conference Finals: Chicago defeated Ocean City 3-0
Cary defeated Des Moines 1-0
Bradenton defeated Laredo 3-1
Ventura County defeated Kitsap 2-1
Semi-Finals: Chicago defeated Cary 2-1
Ventura County defeated Bradenton 6-1
CHAMPIONSHIP: Ventura County defeated Chicago 2-1
After the season, Austin, Bakersfield, Cary, Cascade, Fort Wayne,
Fredericksburg, Rhode Island and Virginia folded.