TAMPA, Fla. – We are pleased to announce that the USL Players Association and USL League One have formally reached an agreement on a Return to Play for the 2020 season. Both sides are now preparing to start League play on July 18.
Spotlight
USL League One Announces Revised Format for 2020 Season
TAMPA, Fla. – USL League One announced on Thursday a revised regular season and playoff structure for the 2020 season has been approved by the league’s Board of Governors. The new format for the league’s second season will see each of League One’s teams play 20 games across 15 weeks in the regular season to determine the sides that will meet in the 2020 League One Final.
The revised schedule will see each team in League One face 10 teams during the regular season, with one opponent omitted from each club’s schedule to help limit air travel. Each team will play its assigned regional rival four times – twice home and twice away – and seven other clubs in a home-and-home series. The final two games of the season will be made up of one home and one away game against two more clubs, creating a 20-game slate.
| Team | Regional Rival | Omitted Opponent |
| Chattanooga Red Wolves SC | South Georgia Tormenta FC | FC Tucson |
| Fort Lauderdale CF | Orlando City B | Union Omaha |
| Forward Madison FC | Union Omaha | Orlando City B |
| Greenville Triumph SC | Richmond Kickers | New England Revolution II |
| New England Revolution II | Toronto FC II | Greenville Triumph SC |
| North Texas SC | FC Tucson | Richmond Kickers |
| Union Omaha | Forward Madison FC | Fort Lauderdale CF |
| Orlando City B | Fort Lauderdale CF | Forward Madison FC |
| Richmond Kickers | Greenville Triumph SC | North Texas SC |
| South Georgia Tormenta FC | Chattanooga Red Wolves SC | Toronto FC II |
| Toronto FC II | New England Revolution II | South Georgia Tormenta FC |
| FC Tucson | North Texas SC | Chattanooga Red Wolves SC |
The regular season will be played over a single-table format, with the schedule set to kick off on Saturday, July 18 and conclude on Saturday, October 24th. The top two teams in the final regular season standings will then meet the week of October 31st in the 2020 League One Final.
All league activities for the duration of the 2020 season will be coordinated in compliance with both local health authorities protocols and those previously published by the USL, which were created in consultation with medical and infectious disease experts along with required government approvals.
Additionally, League One’s Board of Governors approved a motion that will allow five substitutes to be used for the remainder of the 2020 season. Matchday squads will remain at 18 players, with clubs mandated to provide 23-man provisional squad lists at least 48 hours prior to kickoff, as per league rules.
The number of substitutes represents an increase from the three substitutions rule that had been in place. However, to avoid disruption to the game, each team will only have three opportunities to make all of its allotted five substitutions.
Substitutions may also be made at halftime without counting against a club’s three in-game opportunities. The decision is in line with the temporary law amendment made by the International Football Association Board in May.
Every game of the 2020 League One season will be broadcast on ESPN+. Announcements regarding Home Openers for each club and the full 2020 schedule will be announced in the coming days.
USL League One Health & Wellness Protocols
All USL Players and Staff to Undergo Mandatory Training Through Partnership with Institute for Sport and Social Justice
TAMPA, Fla. – The United Soccer League announced on Thursday a partnership with The Institute for Sport and Social Justice which will see The Institute provide league-wide training and education for all staff and players.
Additionally, the USL announced it would be working together with the USL Players Association and both the Championship and League One Board of Governors in order to institute increased sanctions for players and coaches found to have used foul and abusive language.
For more than three decades, The Institute has been delivering cutting-edge training services to collegiate and professional sport organizations and has specialized in responding to the needs of groups such as the USL. In that time, The Institute has demonstrated organizational capacity to execute large training agreements. Its trainers have extensive experience working to address myriad social issues, including diversity and inclusion, in sport.
The Institute holds current partnerships with the National Football League, Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, Major League Soccer and NASCAR, as well as ESPN. Comprised of a diverse group of former athletes who have an insider’s understanding of sport culture, The Institute’s trainers bring with them extensive experience to provide the most impactful strategies to address social issues.
Through highly interactive facilitated lectures – which are also available virtually – participants are engaged in a meaningful discussion with practical outcomes. Additionally, the trainings open dialogue regarding participant leadership on diversity and inclusion issues such as: power and privilege, the workplace impact of unconscious bias, the power of language and symbolism, intersectionality, allyship, among others.
USL, USL Black Players Alliance Announces Partnerships with Activote, Civic Alliance
TAMPA, Fla. – The United Soccer League and USL Black Players Alliance announced today the creation of partnerships with Activote and the Civic Alliance aimed toward increasing voter awareness and participation in upcoming national, state and local elections.
The Civic Alliance is a non-partisan business coalition which aims to strengthen America’s democracy by supporting safe, healthy and trusted election. The group includes more than 225 companies – including the National Football League, Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer among many others – that employ more than 3.5 million people and a reach of 100s of millions of consumers annually. Founded by the CAA Foundation and Democracy Works, the Civic Alliance’s goal is for voter turnout to surpass 80 percent of eligible voters by 2028.
Activote serves as an online app that has been shown to increase voter participation by 40 percent, providing details on elections, candidate details and electoral races that are easily accessible and up to date with accurate information. The app – which does not share personal information – helps voters decide which candidates’ views align most closely to theirs and provides a reminder for each election to allow people to make their plan on how to vote.
The partnerships between United Soccer League and USL Black Players Alliance with the two organizations follows the previous announcement that the USL would recognize Election Day as a company holiday for its employees.
Three MLS Teams Withdraw from USL Competitions
TAMPA, Fla. – The United Soccer League announced today that Philadelphia Union II, Portland Timbers 2 and Orlando City B have withdrawn themselves from all Championship and League One competitions.
“We want to thank all three teams for their participation in recent years,” said USL President Jake Edwards. “We wish them nothing but success going forward.”
Full alignment for the 2021 Championship and League One season will be announced in the coming weeks as both leagues begin preparations for the new campaign.
USL HQ Announces Partnership with PUMA
TAMPA, Fla. – The United Soccer League announced today a new partnership with global sports company PUMA, which will bring its innovative and unique style to the USL league office in a new three-year agreement.
Additionally, PUMA will become the national partner for the new USL Academy League, which will launch next spring with more than 50 clubs across 25 states in the U.S. and provide elite youth talent from across the USL landscape an additional opportunity to compete at a high level.
“We are honored to share this opportunity with PUMA,” said USL Chief Executive Officer Alec Papadakis. “With the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon we are entering one of the most exciting phases in the history of North American soccer and are thrilled to align with a brand like PUMA who shares our vision for what the future of our sport in the country could look like.”
Since the launch of the PUMA King in 1966 – the first iconic boot in soccer’s modern history – PUMA has earned its place among the world’s leading soccer brands. It currently holds partnerships with the Premier League’s Manchester City and Newcastle United, the Bundesliga’s Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Mönchengladbach, Serie A’s AC Milan and Ligue 1’s Olympique de Marseille.
This past year, PUMA partnered with the Championship’s New Mexico United as it re-entered the United States professional market, providing the second-year club with jersey and apparel designs that matched United’s play on the field as it reached the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2020 USL Championship Playoffs. In addition to New Mexico United, PUMA has also finalized a deal to become the official apparel partner of Oakland Roots Sports Club, which will be making its USL Championship debut in 2021.
Through this partnership with USL, PUMA also will be able to create unique on-site activations at the USL Championship’s major events, including the USL Championship Final and the USL Mid-Year Meetings and Winter Summit.
United Soccer League Launches Inaugural Supporter Survey
TAMPA, Fla. – The United Soccer League announced on Wednesday the launch of its inaugural Supporter Survey, which will offer fans of clubs across the country and the world their chance to offer feedback and insight to league and club executives as the organization starts 2021.
The Supporter Survey will be available online and through both the official USL App and official Championship and League One Club Apps. The survey will cover topics including matchday experience, watching the USL, and asks fans for their opinions on key topics as it relates to their fandom and relationship with both their favorite club and the league.
“We are very excited to hear from fans of all our clubs in the next two months,” said USL Vice President of Digital Solutions, Adam Satz. “Our fans and their passion are the lifeblood of the league and our clubs. We view this initiative as an opportunity to open an inclusive dialogue to ensure we are best serving those who make what we do possible while collectively working to continue to establish USL clubs as pillars of community enrichment.”
Fans can participate in the survey, which should take around eight minutes to complete, through this online portal. All eligible participants* that complete the survey will be entered to win one of three Prize Packs, with the choice of an XBOX Series S and FIFA 21 Bundle, a Playstation 5 Digital Edition and FIFA 21 Bundle, or a $400 American Express Gift Card available for the winners.
The Supporter Survey will run from Wednesday, January 6 to Saturday, March 6. The official USL App and official Championship and League One club Apps can be downloaded through both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Marketplace.
*Must be a U.S. resident and at least 18 years old to be eligible to win. See full Terms and Conditions for details.
Powers, FC Tucson Targeting Growth After Patience in ‘Middle of Marathon’
TUCSON, Ariz. – As she assumed the role of President at FC Tucson – which while entering its 10th season overall and second in USL League One had somewhat slipped from the radar of local sports fans over time – there was a challenge awaiting Amanda Powers as she looked to draw the spotlight back to the club.
In an unimaginable 12 months that threw up even greater challenges to overcome, however, the early discussions she had with USL leaders upon becoming League One’s first female club President before the COVID-19 pandemic still resonate strongly as the year comes to a close.
“When I took this position on, I had the opportunity to come and visit everybody at [USL] HQ and my colleagues and I had a moment to speak with Alec Papadakis,” said Powers recently. “Alec said – and this was in January, February – ‘Amanda, the only advice I’m going to give you is to be patient. You’re going to make some mistakes, but be patient,’ and I think overall that was the greatest lesson that I learned this year.
“During a time where you felt like you were running sprints in the midst of a marathon – and we’re still in the middle of this marathon – you have to really pace yourself spiritually, physically, emotionally over the achiever, competitor in you.”
And make no mistake, Powers wants to compete, and wants to win. That applies not only to the field as the club looks to retool its roster after a sixth-place finish in League One this past season but to Tucson’s community, where the club is aiming to be a central part of rebuilding the city and region’s economy while providing an outlet that fans can rally around as it enters its second decade.
In order to accomplish that, much of the first year of Powers’ tenure in Tucson was used to try and shape the ethos of the club, and the internal mechanisms and systems that will allow it to thrive long-term. Some of that work was accomplished as League One lay dormant between the expected start of the season in March and FC Tucson’s opening game in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on July 25.
Since the season ended the work has continued as Powers aims to replicate the success that was achieved at first New Mexico United – where she served as Chief Operating Officer in addition to being one of the club’s co-founders – and more recently FC Tulsa – where she acted as a consultant during the club’s rebrand and relaunch late last year – in bringing FC Tucson front and center in its city.
“There were a lot of systems and processes that we needed to put into place this year,” said Powers. “We did a lot of that, and then of course the season came along, and we got right down to business and put that stuff on hold. Since the season’s ended we have dug in. We did four days of full-day, off-site strategic planning and messaging. We’re basically coming out of that with some pretty clear goals.”
The fact that FC Tucson and its League One counterparts were able to complete an abbreviated 2020 season certainly helped push the club back into the public eye locally. Powers estimates the club was talked about locally more than it had been in several years as it – along with other League One and Championship clubs – provided sporting action after other seasons were cancelled.
Powers gives credit to the league’s owners, her fellow executives – especially those that sat with her on the League One COVID Task Force – and the league’s leadership in bringing the league back to play safely.
“I really felt like the league was being bullish in attempting to move forward with the season when you saw the XFL, minor league baseball, minor league hockey, every other sport shut down, we were being bullish and saying, ‘let’s move forward, this is our opportunity as a league to maybe quite literally be the only game in town,’” said Powers. “We tried to take advantage of that, and first and foremost I want to give the league credit for doing that, putting the task forces together and allowing it to be an inverted structure from the [clubs] up, not the league dictating what needed to happen.
“[USL VP of Operations] Brett [Luy] and [Former USL Associate General Counsel] Lauren [Mehta] and [USL General Counsel] Garrison [Mason] on our task force and [League One Sr. Vice President] Steven [Short] and [USL Executive Vice President] Court [Jeske] all listened to what was happening in our respective markets and really synthesized all the information to steer us in the right direction. … I want to give a shout-out to [USL President] Jake Edwards on that as well. He certainly managed that from an organizational standpoint. I think the league really showed its agility, its innovation and its ability to turn the keys over to the clubs.”
The aim now for Powers is to build on that momentum, and there is good news coming down the line. For one, Tucson has struck a deal with a new kit supplier for the 2021 season and the club is in the process of building strategic partnerships that will be unveiled in the new year. FC Tucson’s staff is also set to grow, with not only front office additions in corporate development and ticketing, but also Academy staff ahead of the launch of the USL Academy League next spring.
Those new arrivals should also take some of the pressure off Powers herself, who in a scaled-down staff of five was tasked at various points during the spring and summer with being a social media manager, communications coordinator, merchandise manager and bookkeeper as well as President.
The new hires will arrive at a club that now has a clear vision of the road ahead.
“Once the season went on hiatus, we huddled together as a leadership team to define what our ethos was. If we weren’t going to be playing soccer, who were we?” said Powers. “We just checked in on that at the end of this season to see how much of that has changed, and who do we want to be, and who do we want to become in the new year when it’s going to be a rebuilding year for so many people, economically, spiritually, physically, socially?
“I firmly believe if we know who we are as a club, and we have mechanisms and systems and a culture that reminds us of that every single day, then we can design strategies, teams, plans that empower all of our workforce to go out and kick butt every day and try to innovate.”
After a year where patience was a virtue, Powers is ready to lead a growing staff – and FC Tucson – to a successful future.
Red Wolves’ Future Brightens as Stadium Progresses
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Having navigated a season as complex as the second in USL League One proved, it’s understandable that there were mixed emotions upon reflection for those that experienced it from the inside.
For Chattanooga Red Wolves President and General Manager Sean McDaniel, the contrast between what the club was able to bring to its city and fans with the opening of CHI Memorial Stadium and the work that had to be done behind the scenes to ensure the campaign ran smoothly was stark.
“I have to put [this season] into two categories,” said McDaniel recently. “The first category would be that I was glad that the Chattanooga Red Wolves were able to do something in our city for fans to be excited about. We’re still in the throes of COVID, so being able to play professional soccer here in Chattanooga in a new venue, it gave people hope. Hope for what lies ahead, hope that things will be better again someday, and so while it was a shortened season it was valuable to breathe life into the city.
“The second category, however, is that it was very challenging to say the least. Testing the players, keeping fans safe and segregated at the game, making sure we followed all of the rules that had to be followed for safety, particularly as we travelled. It really was an expensive year for us because of the burdens of managing COVID.”
In the big picture, however, the Red Wolves’ future has continued to take shape in the six weeks that have passed since the end of the season. While the club had to work against the clock to ensure a successful opening of CHI Memorial Stadium after the decision was made by the League One Board of Governors to play a reduced 2020 season – including the installation of the turf field and the main stands that welcomed fans this summer – much will be new when the 2021 campaign begins.
By then, the new 200-person executive suite complete with full-service food and beverage will be complete, as will eight sky suites, floodlights and a new videoboard that will add to the atmosphere and fan-friendly environment at Red Wolves home games.
“What’s really great to see today is those elements that were always going to come as the stadium comes to life now happening,” said McDaniel. “The way that the site plan lays out, the pieces are coming and the infrastructure to do so is happening as we speak, and the landscape as it looks today will look far different and better in less than a year. … That’s a credit to [Red Wolves Owner] Bob Martino and his vision and his investment in making this happen.”
Also underway is construction on the broader development, where ground has been broken and framework for the residential components has been put into place. The mixed-use complex – which will include residential, business and recreational spaces – is the key to the long-term future of the Red Wolves and its impact on the community, including the Red Wolves’ Academy.
With a similar development under construction by fellow League One club South Georgia Tormenta FC, McDaniel believes the future of League One’s expansion is going to see similar development projects form the foundation for the long-term success of the league.
“They need stadiums, they need proper places to play, and the whole real estate component to it is clearly the direction that professional soccer is moving,” said McDaniel. “I’m proud the Red Wolves are leading the way there.”
After Tuesday’s announcement of Central Valley Fuego FC to join League One in the 2022 season, the drive to move the league as a whole closer in line to the footprint of the Championship’s 30-plus clubs is now the main priority for both the league and its Board of Governors. Expanding regional footprints and reducing travel cost is a priority as the league continues to grow.
McDaniel, though, believes that the potential maturation of League One could come far more quickly than it did for the Championship, which this year celebrated its 10th season. It’s a view shared by USL leadership – USL VP of Communications & Public Relations Ryan Madden told the Fresno Bee’s Marek Warszaweki “It’s entirely possible that League One will double in size between now and the 2026 World Cup,” upon the introduction of Fuego FC.
As League One prepares for its third season, the light at the end of the tunnel for the Red Wolves and other clubs is growing brighter both for the opportunity to welcome packed venues once again, and to see the league’s continued rise.
“We are in our infancy,” said McDaniel. “I love the direction the league is moving in, the market size, the ownership groups, I think it’s important that we continue building beyond just having good soccer on Saturdays.
“I think the USL is growing the footprint of League One well, and quicker than they were able to achieve in the Championship. They were able to take what they did so well in the Championship and now apply it to League One, so I think we’ll see a much quicker rise in the success of League One because the USL has historical data to be able to do that.”