United Soccer Leagues (1986-Present)

Background

Alright. Full disclosure: I used to work in the United Soccer Leagues and even with that credential, I’ve still been wrestling for years with the question of how to elegantly organize the insane web of league names, mergers, re-brandings, divisional accreditations and pro/amateur designations that have characterized the leagues’ 35-odd years of existence. I’ve decided there is no good solution.

I’ve settled on the following rule of thumb and format.  I realize not all soccer nerds will find this satisfactory.  But I’ve decided to track the franchises by league name which parallels the organization of the rest of the FWiL site. This also means that many clubs appear in multiple league tables below, both because the USL re-brands its league so often and because USL clubs frequently self-relegate or promote themselves across the various leagues based on their financial resources.

I’ve added extra columns to the typical FWiL tables here to indicate how a club entered or exited each league to help make sense of it all.

Finally, there were several leagues that operated independently of the USL during the late 1980’s and early 1990’s that ultimately merged or otherwise fed clubs into USL leagues.  I’ve treated the following leagues separately and you can find their pages at the following links:

• American Soccer League (1988-1989)
• American Professional Soccer League/original A-League (1990-1996)
• Canadian Soccer League (1987-1992)
• Western Soccer Alliance/Western Soccer League (1985-1989)

Let me have it in the comments if you don’t like it…

USISL Select League (1996)

[etable]

Franchise, Years Active, A-League Champions, Arrived, Departed

California Jaguars, 1996, 1996, Joined from USISL Pro League, Joined USISL A-League

Cape Cod Crusaders, 1996, None, Joined from USISL Pro League, Joined D3 Pro League

Carolina Dynamo, 1996, None, Were Greensboro Dynamo/Joined from USISL Pro League, Joined USISL A-League

Chicago Stingers, 1996, None, Joined from USISL Pro League, Joined D3 Pro League

Connecticut Wolves, 1996, None, Joined from USISL Pro League, Joined USISL A-League

Delaware Wizards, 1996, None, Joined from USISL Pro League, Joined D3 Pro League

El Paso Patriots, 1996, None, Joined from USISL Pro League, Joined USISL A-League

Hampton Roads Mariners, 1996, None, Joined from USISL Pro League, Joined USISL A-League (1998)

Long Island Rough Riders, 1996, None, Joined from USISL Pro League, Joined USISL A-League

Milwaukee Rampage, 1996, None, Joined from USISL Pro League, Joined USISL A-League

Minnesota Thunder, 1996, None, Joined from USISL Pro League, Joined USISL A-League

New Mexico Chiles, 1996, None, Joined from USISL Pro League, Folded

New Orleans Riverboat Gamblers, 1996, None, Joined from USISL Pro League, Joined USISL A-League

New York/New Jersey Stallions, 1996, None, Expansion Team, Became New Jersey Stallions/Joined D3 Pro League

Ohio Xoggz, 1996, None, Joined from USISL Pro League, Folded

Raleigh Flyers, 1996, None, Joined from USISL Pro League, Joined USISL A-League

Reno Rattlers, 1996, None, Joined from USISL Pro League, Joined D3 Pro League

Richmond Kickers, 1996, None, Joined from USISL Premier League, Joined USISL A-League

Sacramento Scorpions, 1996, None, Expansion Team, Joined D3 Pro League

South Carolina Shamrocks, 1996, None, Expansion Team, Joined D3 Pro League

Tampa Bay Cyclones, 1996, None, Joined from USISL Pro League, Became Jacksonville Cyclones/Joined USISL A-League

[/etable]

USISL/USL A-League Franchises (1997-2004)

[etable]

Franchise, Years Active, A-League Champions, Arrived, Departed

Albuquerque Geckos, 1998, None, Elevated from D3 Pro League, Moved to Sacramento (Geckos)

Atlanta Ruckus, 1997-1998, None, Admitted from A-League 1997, Became Atlanta Silverbacks 1999

Atlanta Silverbacks, 1999-2004, None, Formerly Atlanta Ruckus, Joined USL First Division

Bay Area Seals, 2000, None, Were San Francisco Bay Seals, Folded

Boston Bulldogs, 1999-2000, None, Were Worcester Wildfire, Dropped to D3 Pro League

Calgary Mustangs, 2004, None, ?, Folded

Calgary Storm, 2002-2003, None, Elevated from Premier Development League, Became Team Calgary

California Jaguars, 1997-1998, None, Joined from USISL Select League, Dropped to D3 Pro League

Carolina Dynamo, 1997, None, Joined from USISL Select League, Dropped to D3 Pro League (1999)

Charleston Battery, 1997-2004, 2003, Joined from USISL Pro League, Joined USL First Division

Charlotte Eagles, 2001-2003, None, Elevated from D3 Pro League, Dropped to USL Pro Soccer League

Cincinnati Riverhawks, 1998-2003, None, Elevated from Premier Development League, Folded

Colorado Foxes, 1997, None, Admitted from A-League 1997, Moved to San Diego (Flash)

Connecticut Wolves, 1997-2001, None, Joined from USISL Select League, Dropped to D3 Pro League

El Paso Patriots, 1997-2003, None, Joined from USISL Select League, Dropped to Premier Development League

Hampton Roads Mariners, 1998-2000 & 2002, None, Joined from USISL Select League (1996), Became Virginia Beach Mariners

Hershey Wildcats, 1997-2001, None, Expansion Team, Folded

Indiana Blast, 1999-2003, None, Elevated from D3 Pro League, Dropped to Premier Development League

Jacksonville Cyclones, 1997-1999, None, Joined from USISL Select League, Folded

Lehigh Valley Steam, 1999, None, Expansion Team, Folded

Long Island Rough Riders, 1997-2001, None, Joined from USISL Select League, Dropped to D3 Pro League

Maryland Mania, 1999, None, Expansion Team, Folded

Milwaukee Rampage, 1997-2002, 1997-2002, Joined from USISL Select League, Folded

Milwaukee Wave United, 2003-2004, None, Expansion Team, Folded

Minnesota Thunder, 1997-2004, 1999, Joined from USISL Select League, Joined USL First Division

Montreal Impact, 1997-2004, 2004, Admitted from A-League 1997, Joined USL First Division

Nashville Metros, 1997-1998 & 2001, None, Joined from USISL Premier League, Dropped to Premier Development League

New Orleans Riverboat Gamblers, 1997, None, Joined from USISL Select League, Became New Orleans Storm

New Orleans Storm, 1998-1999, None, Were New Orleans Riverboat Gamblers, Folded

Orange County Waves, 2000, None, Were Orange County Zodiac, Folded

Orange County Zodiac, 1997-1999, None, Expansion Team, Became Orange County Waves

Orlando Sundogs, 1997, None, Expansion Team, Folded

Pittsburgh Riverhounds, 1999-2003, None, Expansion Team, Dropped to USL Pro Soccer League

Portland Timbers, 2001-2004, None, Expansion Team, Joined USL First Division

Puerto Rico Islanders, 2004, None, Expansion Team , Joined USL First Division

Raleigh Capital Express, 1999-2000, None, Were Raleigh Flyers, Folded

Raleigh Flyers, 1997-1998, None, Joined from USISL Select League, Became Raleigh Capital Express

Richmond Kickers, 1997-2004, None, Joined from USISL Select League, Joined USL First Division

Rochester Raging Rhinos, 1997-2004, 1998-2000-2001, Admitted from A-League, Joined USL First Division

Sacramento Geckos, 1999, None, Were Albuquerque Geckos, Became Team Sacramento

San Diego Flash, 1998-2001, None, Moved from Colorado (Foxes), Folded

San Francisco Bay Seals, 1998-1999, None, Elevated from D3 Pro League, Became Bay Area Seals

Seattle Sounders, 1997-2004, None, Admitted from A-League, Joined USL First Division

Staten Island Vipers, 1998-1999, None, Expansion Team, Folded

Syracuse Salty Dogs, 2003-2004, None, Expansion Team, Folded

Team Calgary, 2003, None, Were Calgary Storm, Folded/Became Calgary Mustangs (?)

Team Sacramento, 1999, None, Were Sacramento Geckos, Folded

Tennessee Rhythm, 1999-2000, None, Depends who you ask¹USL media guides alternately refer to the Tennessee Rhythm as a new franchise or a continuation of the original Nashville Metros franchise, Became Nashville Metros

Toronto Lynx, 1997-2004, None, Expansion Team, Joined USL First Division

U.S. Pro 40, 1998-2000, None, Expansion Team, Folded

Vancouver 86ers, 1997-2000, None, Admitted from A-League, Became Vancouver Whitecaps

Virginia Beach Mariners, 2003-2004, None, Were Hampton Beach Mariners, Joined USL First Division

Worcester Wildfire, 1997-1998, None, Joined from USISL Pro League, Moved to Boston (Bulldogs)

[/etable]

USL First Division

[etable]

Franchise, Years Active, USL First Division Champions, Arrived, Departed

Atlanta Silverbacks, 2005-2008, None, Joined from USL A-League, Departed for NASL (2011)

Austin Aztex, 2009, None, Expansion Team, Joined USSF Division 2 Professional League

California Victory, 2007, None, Expansion Team, Folded

Carolina Railhawks, 2007-2009, None, Expansion Team, Joined USSF Division 2 Professional League

Charleston Battery, 2005-2009, None, Joined from USL A-League, Dropped to USL Second Division

Cleveland City Stars, 2009, None, Elevated from USL Second Division, Folded

Miami FC, 2006-2009, None, Expansion Team, Joined USSF Division 2 Professional League

Minnesota Thunder, 2005-2009, None, Joined from USL A-League, Folded

Montreal Impact, 2005-2009, 2009, Joined from USL A-League, Joined USSF Division 2 Professional League

Portland Timbers, 2005-2009, None, Joined from USL A-League, Joined USSF Division 2 Professional League

Puerto Rico Islanders, 2005-2009, None, Joined from USL A-League, Joined USSF Division 2 Professional League

Richmond Kickers, 2005, None, Joined from USL A-League, Dropped to USL Second Division

Rochester Raging Rhinos, 2005-2007, None, Joined from USL A-League, Became Rochester Rhinos

Rochester Rhinos, 2008-2009, None, Were Rochester Raging Rhinos, Joined USSF Division 2 Professional League

Seattle Sounders, 2005-2008, 2005-2007, Joined from USL A-League, Replace by MLS Expansion Team

Toronto Lynx, 2005-2006, None, Joined from USL A-League, Dropped to Premier Development League

Vancouver Whitecaps, 2005-2009, 2006-2008, Joined from USL A-League, Joined USSF Division 2 Professional League

Virginia Beach Mariners, 2005-2006, None, Joined from USL A-League, Folded

[/etable]

USSF Division 2 Professional League (2010)

USISL/USL D3 Pro League Franchises (1997-2002)

[etable]

Franchise, Years Active, D3 Pro League Champions, Arrived, Departed

Albuquerque Geckos, 1997, 1997, Expansion Team, Elevated to USISL A-League

Boston Bulldogs, 2001, None, Joined from USL A-League, Folded

Chicago Stingers, 1997-1998, 1998, Joined from USISL Select League, Became Chicago Shockers/Dropped to Premier Development League

Chico Rooks, 1997-2001, None, Joined from USISL Pro League, Dropped to Premier Development League

Cleveland Caps, 1997-1998, , Expansion Team, Folded

Connecticut Wolves, 2002, None, Joined from USL A-League, Folded

Indiana Blast, 1997-1998, , Expansion Team, Elevated to USISL A-League

Long Island Rough Riders, 2002, 2002, Joined from USL A-League, Joined USL Pro Soccer League

New Jersey Stallions, 1997-2002, None, Joined USL Pro Soccer League

Rockford Raptors,

Sacramento Scorpions, 1997, None, Joined from USISL Select League, Folded

San Fernando Valley Golden Eagles, 1997-1998, None, Joined from USISL Pro League, Unclear

San Francisco Bay Seals, 1997, None, Joined from USISL Premier League, Elevated to USISL A-League

South Carolina Shamrocks, 1997-1999, None, Joined from USISL Select League, Folded

Utah Blitzz, 2000-2002, 2001, Expansion Team, Joined USL Pro Soccer League

[/etable]

USL Pro (2011-2014)

United Soccer League (2015-Present)

##