The United Soccer League will be playing Division 2 soccer starting with the upcoming 2017 after it was granted D2 status by the U.S. Soccer Federation.
The decision by USSF comes as the league continues to grow in size. The league will welcome the Ottawa Fury FC, Reno 1868 FC and the Tampa Bay Rowdies to play in March for the 2017 season.
“The USL is honored to receive provisional U.S. Soccer Federation Division 2 status, which provides further validation about our League’s financial sustainability, national footprint, ownership quality, stadium infrastructure and player development,” said Alec Papadakis, the USL Chief Executive Officer. “Our teams have invested more than $100 million into stadium development in the last year to enhance the experience for the 1.5 million passionate fans that attended games in 2016, the 1,000-plus players and nearly 100 coaches that have positioned our League as a highly sophisticated competition model that cultivates strong regional rivalries.”
San Antonio FC will return to D2 after spending their first season in Division 3.
