The Football Association has announced a significant change to the domestic football calendar, revealing that the 2026 FA Community Shield will be moved away from Wembley Stadium. Due to scheduling conflicts with pre-planned summer concerts, the annual season opener between the Premier League champions and FA Cup winners will take place at Principality Stadium in Wales.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk addressed the club's defensive woes as Crystal Palace twice came from behind to beat the Reds and lift the Community Shield on Sunday. Van Dijk admitted there have been problems in the backline that need to be resolved and urged his colleagues to regain last season's defensive form, where the champions conceded 41 league goals.
Virgil van Dijk was furious as Wembley’s air of solemnity was broken on Sunday as a small group of Crystal Palace supporters disrupted a minute’s silence for Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, ahead of the Community Shield. The two brothers tragically lost their lives in a car accident in Spain last month, and both sets of players had gathered at the centre circle to honour their memory.
Orlando City and Louisville City share the record for the most USL Championship titles, each winning the championship two times. Orlando City won in 2011 and 2013, while Louisville City won in 2017 and 2018.
How many teams are in the USL?
The 2024 season of USL will see 24 teams compete for the league. When the league was founded in 2011 as USL Pro, only 12 teams contested. That number rose to 14 in 2014, 24 in 2015, 30 in 2017, 36 in 2019, and now back at 24.
Who has made the most USL appearances ever?
Jamaican midfielder Kenardo Forbes is the player with the most appearances in USL history, having featured in 303 games.
Who is the all-time top scorer of the USL?
With 105 goals (and counting) in 249 games, Jamaican forward Dane Kelly is USL's leading goalscorer of all-time.
Who is the youngest player ever in the USL and how old was he?
Axel Kei, a centre-forward, holds the record as the youngest-ever player in USL Championship history. He made his debut in 2021 at the remarkable age of 13 years and 282 days.
Which famous players have played in the USL?
Jamie Vardy, Gareth Bale, James Maddison, John Stones, and Darren Bent are some of the most iconic players to have played in the Championship.
Which famous managers have managed in the USL?
Alen Marcina, Mark Briggs, Trevor James, and Noah Delgado are among the most popular coaches in USL history.
What is the biggest stadium in the USL?
Protective Stadium, which is where Birmingham Legion FC play their home games, is the biggest stadium in the USL with a capacity of 47,000.
Who is the most expensive player in the history of the USL?
Fanendo Ali is the most expensive player in USL history, being bought for $1 million (allocation money) by FC Cincinnati in a trade with Portland Timbers.