USL First Division
From Free net encyclopedia
- For information about the original A-League that ran from 1990-96: see A-League Soccer.
Image:USL First Division.gif The United Soccer Leagues First Division is a professional men's soccer league in North America. It is the second division of soccer in the United States league pyramid behind Major League Soccer, and is effectively the top division in Canada. It is managed by the United Soccer Leagues (USL). It was known as the A-League until 2004.
Unlike most other nations, there is currently no system of promotion and relegation in American soccer; it has repeatedly been suggested to introduce it, but many feel that such a system is contrary to the way Americans think about sports and, more importantly, it is not currently practical given the financial state of American soccer.
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History
In 1996, the United Systems of Independent Soccer Leagues established the new Select League consisting of its strongest teams from its professional FIFA Division 3 sanctioned Pro League and its amateur Premier League in hopes of gaining FIFA Division 2 sanctioning. The next season, the Select League and the independent Division 2 A-League merged to form a new A-League under the USISL umbrella. In 1999 the umbrella USISL changed its name to the United Soccer Leagues and in 2005 the league took its current name as the USL First Division.
Expansion and contraction
In 1998, the A-League consisted of 28 teams. By 2006, only 12 remained in the USL First Division. For the most part, the teams that left dropped down to lower classifications, such as the USL Second Division and Premier Development League, to rid themselves of the high costs of travel and player payrolls.
There is some speculation that several First Division clubs are waiting for the top-tier Major League Soccer to expand, in hopes that they will move up. Rochester, Toronto, and 2006 newcomers Miami are among those franchises believed to be awaiting developments.
The First Division does not have the promotion/relegation system common in most countries' football pyramids. The costs of moving to a higher division are usually not recouped with higher attendance at the First Division level.
On January 26, 2006, the USL announced that it was expanding USL First Division in 2007 to include a new team in Cary, North Carolina. The Cary franchise will host an exhibition schedule in 2006 before beginning a full league schedule in 2007. Possible new teams for the 2007 campaign may include teams in the cities of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Syracuse, New York and teams like River Plate Puerto Rico.
2006 teams
- Atlanta Silverbacks
- Charleston Battery
- Miami FC
- Minnesota Thunder
- Montreal Impact
- Portland Timbers
- Puerto Rico Islanders
- Rochester Raging Rhinos
- Seattle Sounders
- Toronto Lynx
- Vancouver Whitecaps
- Virginia Beach Mariners
Announced 2007 expansion team
- Cary, North Carolina (as yet unnamed)
Possible 2007 expansion (not yet confirmed)
- Fort Lauderdale
- Syracuse
- River Plate PR
Complete team list
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1996 USISL Select League
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Past champions/ Top Goalscorer
| Season | Winner | Score | Runner-up | Top Goalscorer | Team | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 USL D-1 | Seattle Sounders | 1-1 (PK) | Richmond Kickers | Jason Jordan | Vancouver Whitecaps | 17 |
| 2004 A-League | Montreal Impact | 2-0 | Seattle Sounders | Alan Gordon and Dante Washington | Portland Timbers and Virginia Beach Mariners | 17 |
| 2003 A-League | Charleston Battery | 3-0 | Minnesota Thunder | Thiago Martins | Pittsburgh Riverhounds | 22 |
| 2002 A-League | Milwaukee Rampage | 2-1 (2OT) | Richmond Kickers | ? | ? | ? |
| 2001 A-League | Rochester Raging Rhinos | 2-0 | Hershey Wildcats | ? | ? | ? |
| 2000 A-League | Rochester Raging Rhinos | 3-1 | Minnesota Thunder | ? | ? | ? |
| 1999 A-League | Minnesota Thunder | 2-1 | Rochester Raging Rhinos | ? | ? | ? |
| 1998 A-League | Rochester Raging Rhinos | 3-1 | Minnesota Thunder | ? | ? | ? |
| 1997 A-League | Milwaukee Rampage | 1-1 (SO) | Carolina Dynamo | ? | ? | ? |
1996 USISL Select League
- 1996: California Jaguars 2-1 (SO) Richmond Kickers
League average attendance
- Regular season/playoffs
- 2005: 4,527/12,498
- 2004: 3,879/9,402
- 2003: 3,335/9,672
- 2002: 3,034/8,902
- 2001: 2,954/9,193
- 2000: 2,684/7,562
- 1999: 2,374/5,309
- 1998: 2,531/6,091
- 1997: 2,690/5,092