It finally happened. The United Soccer League (USL) recently voted on the issue of promotion and relegation, and the result was clear: In the near future, the owners agreed that this system will be joining their league and the United States in the near future. 

This decision by the USL has been one that many fans have deemed necessary if the league wants to keep up with MLS and the growing interest of soccer in bigger markets. But this move, just like any other, has a bit of risk involved, not only for the USL but for the future of the sport in this country. 

In 2027, when the USL launches their new top division, U.S. Soccer will then have two division one leagues at the top of their soccer pyramid. This competition between leagues could be healthy, but it could also result in both USL and MLS fighting furiously due to infinite ambition but limited resources and people who are interested enough in soccer to attend matches. 

To learn more, I reached out to Riley James, Golz TV’s USL expert, to find out what this vote actually means for the future and what fans should expect. 

“This vote means the USL is strutting into the future with a shiny pro/rel system. The repercussions? Pure excitement and openness—teams will fight harder, fans will cheer louder later into the season, and the U.S. soccer pyramid will finally look less like a flat pancake and more like a glorious, tiered wedding cake to celebrate the marrying of American soccer with the rest of the world,” said Riley. “The real question is what MLS is going to do. We know that their system is closed off and billionaires pay all kinds of money to get their team in a league that rewards mediocrity with so many teams making the playoffs. The USL is opening the door for the United States to be taken seriously on the world stage, and it’s perfect timing with Mauricio Pochettino leading the national team.”

Major League Soccer (MLS), the current powerhouse of professional soccer in this country, might be the only institution that isn’t excited by this development. For the first time in years, it feels like their grip on the soccer space is, in some way, starting to slip away.

“Who wouldn’t sweat a little when, call it what it is, a peer does something like this?” Riley said regarding MLS and their possible reaction to the USL’s decision. “The USL’s out here living its best life while MLS sticks to its roots. As for U.S. Soccer? They shouldn’t be worried—they should be popping champagne! Two Division I leagues with different flavors? That’s a win for fans, players, and their bank accounts.”

This promotion and relegation system will most likely come in 2027, which means that the USL has time to prepare and iron out any possible challenges that will come their way. No matter how you slice it, however, things are going to get more exciting than ever for the USL and its teams.