Lower Divisions Preview – Part I: USL Pro

Part I - USL Pro     ||     Part II - MLS Reserves     ||     Part III - NASL 

The third tier of American soccer kicks off its third season since the ownership split that led to the second division NASL being formed, and is flying into the campaign on the wave of heightened national publicity courtesy of its new developmental partnership with Major League Soccer. The league will see the launch of two new teams on opposite sides of the nation and a schedule incorporating the 15 MLS Reserve League teams while the other four clubs have opted to individually affiliate with USL Pro sides and loan players.

The two new clubs, bringing the league field to 13, will kick things off right away, featuring prominently in the slow trickle of a start to the league schedule. Newcomers Phoenix FC Wolves travelled to Fullerton to take on the Los Angeles Blues in the league opener Saturday night, falling 2-0, and will return home to host fellow expansion side VSI Tampa Bay FC the following Saturday at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium. Tampa Bay then heads to LA for a Tuesday night contest before several other teams begin the season in earnest the third week of the league schedule.