USL Championship news

Source: Ted Lasso star on verge of signing pro contract

Cristo Fernandez, who played Dani Rojas in the hit Apple TV series Ted Lasso, appeared in a preseason friendly for USL Championship side El Paso Locomotive on Saturday, a club source confirmed. They are expected to make a decision on a professional contract early this week. Fernandez, who appeared in the first three seasons of the show, played youth soccer in Mexico until he was 15.

Sacramento Republic sign MLS veteran Memo Rodriguez

USL Championship side Sacramento Republic have signed former Houston Dynamo and Sporting Kansas City midfielder Memo Rodriguez, sources told GOAL. The Texan midfielder will pen a two year deal with the USL giants, who finished second in the Western Conference last season. It continues a busy winter for Sacramento, following the signing of Canada's Mark-Anthony Kaye earlier this week.

Inside MLS 3.0: GMs, CSOs on what comes next - and what must change

GOAL spoke to GMs and chief soccer officers across MLS about the league’s 3.0 vision: the calendar change is progress, but executives say the next steps must come faster.

USL reveals name, competition format of Division 1 league

The United Soccer League revealed the name of its new Division One setup Tuesday morning, announcing that it will be called "USL Premier", with a targeted start date of 2028. The new top division, which was first revealed nearly 12 months ago, will sit atop a three-tiered structure that also includes the pre-existing USL Championship and USL League One.

NCFC’s shutdown for D1 move sparks questions over human cost

GOAL spoke to a number of former NCFC players, who outlined the harsh realities of a volatile league after being made redundant four days before a playoff game

Riverhounds claim first USL Championship title against FC Tulsa

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds claimed their first USL Championship title on Saturday, defeating FC Tulsa 5-3 on penalties after a tense 0-0 draw through regulation and extra time at ONEOK Field. Both teams were locked in defensively throughout, with each goalkeeper producing key saves to send the final to a shootout.

'Prove everyone wrong' - How Rodrigo Lopez became USL's GOAT

The Mexican-American playmaker survived injury, contract issues, and free agency across 13 clubs, and is finally ready to walk away from the game

How Texoma's 'self-relegation' could change USL ownership forever

Texoma FC rejects the idea of “self-relegation,” yet their drop to USL League Two and surprise second club have pushed them into an unexpected multi-club future.

USL's North Carolina FC announce they will not play in 2026

USL Championship side North Carolina FC announced Tuesday that they will not compete in the 2026 season. The club will release all players, after the playoffs, allowing them to sign elsewhere for 2026 and beyond. As part of the move, North Carolina said their focus will shift toward preparing an application for USL’s new Division One league, set to launch in 2028.

Brian McBride, MLS All-Star-Homegrown Game

U.S. icon McBride appointed GM of USL's Brooklyn Football Club

Brooklyn Football Club announced the appointment of U.S. soccer icon Brian McBride as General Manager, marking a significant milestone as the club builds toward its USL Championship debut in 2026. McBride will oversee all sporting operations for both the men's and women's teams, from roster construction, staffing, and performance analytics to long-term player development.

Atletico Dallas uses street soccer to show USL, MLS can coexist

The USL club insist that they can coexist with their MLS neighbor - they just need to take a different approach to the sport

USL receives 'strategic investment' from BellTower Partners

The USL has added an investor with significant capital as it aims to compete with MLS with a first division of its own starting in 2028. BellTower Partners, a private investment firm run by ex-Carlyle Group CEO Kewsong Lee, has purchased a minority equity stake in the North American soccer league. Lee reportedly has a net worth of $28 billion.

'The league is changing' - Robust transfer market propels USL

More robust scouting networks and sophisticated talent identification has allowed USL to grow exponentially

At a Crossroads: College soccer facing an existential crisis

With the landscape rapidly changing, the college game is facing an existential crisis as it embarks on a pivotal season

USL Championship's Detroit City reveal stadium plans

Renderings of the stadium showcase a modern 15,000-seat venue for the USL Championship team

How AC Boise launched a USL club steeped in Basque pride

With a deep Basque connection, AC Boise - set to kick off in 2026 - are on pace to break USL records for season ticket deposits

Betting spotlight

Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid predictions: Goals to flow at Camp Nou

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USL temp check: Charleston surges, Colorado slides

GOAL takes a look at some of the emerging storylines around the USL Championship at the halfway point of the season

How Rhode Island, USL 'cornered the market' in authenticity

The founder of Rhode Island FC and part owner of Ipswich has built a fine portfolio and proved that smart, sustainable growth works

Why Annapolis Blues are proof USL League Two can blossom

The semi-pro Blues, largely owned by locals, are one of the best-attended franchises in lower league soccer

Rhode Island's Smith watches from stadium roof after ejection

The Rhode Island FC head coach was forced to an unusual vantage point atop the stadium after receiving two yellow cards in his side’s 4-1 win

'Soccer culture is alive' - Five friends, one bus, U.S. Open Cup

GOAL Convo: CLUBELEVEN’s co-founder discusses "Soccer Odyssey," traveling to watch U.S. Open Cup matches and spotlighting American soccer

'Championship culture' - Dallas' Quill on MLS Cup aspirations

GOAL Convo: Quill moved from USL to MLS and installed a 'championship' mentality after Dallas' poor 2024 campaign

Scouting Wynder: Can USMNT defender make mark at Benfica?

The young defender has been compared to Virgil van Dijk, but to get anywhere near that level, he'll have to become Benfica's next star first

McAuley credits MLS Next Pro for improvement in American soccer

The former Sheffield Wednesday boss shared his perspectives on various topics including promotion-relegation and youth soccer

By deferring calendar change, MLS slams brakes on momentum

The League risks missing out on rising energy around the game in North America by pausing shift to fall-to-spring calendar

Hearts of Pine stun USL Championship side Hartford Athletic

The first-ever professional soccer team from Maine beat the USL Championship side against all odds in the U.S. Open Cup

USL club has deep Roots in a city other teams have abandoned

With the exodus of other professional teams, the Oakland Roots stand strong in representing the historic sporting city

USL owners embrace opportunity as Pro-Rel becomes reality

Decision-makers for USL clubs believe that a European model could breathe new life into American soccer

San Antonio FC fans paint player tunnel as yearly tradition

The San Antonio FC season ticket holders transform the player’s walk out-tunnel at Toyota Field into a vibrant canvas every season

Oakland Roots set USL Championship attendance record

The USL Championship side made history in sold-out home opener, setting single-game attendance record

Frequently asked questions

: Columbus Crew, Cruz Azul, Leon, and Inter Miami are the most successful sides in the Leagues Cup, having won one title each.
: As of 2024, there are 45 teams in the Leagues Cup, from both the MLS and the Liga MX. They are divided into 15 groups of three teams each. The inaugural edition in 2019, in contrast, featured just 16 teams.
: Andre Blake, Jack Elliott, Jacob Glesnes, Kai Wagner, and Mikael Uhre – all of them players of Philadelphia Union – share the record for most appearances in Leagues Cup, making 14 appearances each.
: Gabonese forward Denis Bouanga is the all-time topscorer in Leagues Cup history, scoring 12 goals in 10 games for Los Angeles FC. Lionel Messi is close in second place with 10 goals.
: Tijuana goalkeeper Jesus Corona is the oldest player to ever feature in a Leagues Cup game. Corona was 43 years and 191 days old when he played against Vancouver Whitecaps in August 2024.
: Axel Kei is the youngest player to feature in Leagues Cup. Kei was just 14 years and 267 days when he achieved the feat during Real Salt Lake City's 2-1 loss against Atlas Guadalajara in 2022.
: Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Andre-Pierre Gignac, and Hector Herrera are among the most famous players to have featured in the Leagues Cup.
: Caleb Porter, Tata Martino, Phil Neville, Martin Demichelis, and Fernando Gago are among the most famous managers in Leagues Cup history.

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