The United States soccer league system consists of three leagues, each with a number of regional divisions.
The league structure in the United States is radically different from that used in almost all the rest of the world, but like most other sports league systems in the United states, in one key respect. There is no effective system of promotion and relegation between any two levels of the league. Major League Soccer has a fixed number of franchises (currently 12), with no promotion possible from the USL First Division, which is run by a completely separate entity. The USL First and Second Divisions are both run by the United Soccer Leagues, but there is no system of relegation. A promotion system has been established, but has largely been unused. Several franchises have voluntarily dropped from the First Division to the Second.
Current System
For each division, its name and number of teams is given:
See Also
Last updated: 08-03-2005 08:24:54
