A major shift in club soccer was announced in which the USL decided to implement promotion and relegation in three tiers beginning in 2028. Currently the USL has the Championship as their top tier with League One as their lower flight but that will change in a few years with the creation of a Division One tier as their “Premier” League. What remains to be seen is which teams will form that top flight, and which will remain or shift to either the proposed second (Championship) or third (League One) tier. For the 2025 season, both the Championship and League One will have an in-season tournament called the Jagermeister Cup as a test run between tiers.
USL League Two–which is a short season amateur regional division consisting of amateur, college, and overage players–at this time will not be involved. Currently in the local area, the Oakland Roots, Sacramento Republic, and Monterey Bay play in the Championship and with the first two cities in the past being mentioned as potential MLS expansion market they could be involved in a future division one.
What remains to be seen is their schedule on the calendar but an alignment with the other international leagues a fall to spring format would put them on par with the rest of the world. Currently the USL and MLS run a spring to fall schedule with games starting in February/March and ending in October.
(Photo Gallery: (1) Pro/Rel for USA Banner, Gold Cup Final 7/26/2017 – Nap Badillo/FootySF (2) and (3) Sacramento Republic of the USL Championship against Loudoun United 4/27/2024 – Nap Badillo/3pointsport)
