- The USL is now ranked second the MLS in US
- Former English Premier League players, Joe Cole and Carlton Cole ply their trade in the division
- Henry Kalungi features for Charlton Independence in the USL
Starting next season, the United Soccer League (USL) will provisionally be Division II by status thanks to the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) Board of Directors that granted.
The league, in which Ugandan defender Henry Kalungi plies his trade with Charlotte Independence submitted its application and supporting documentation for entry into the division early last year.
The decision by USSF supports the USL’s vision to become one of the most globally recognized second division professional soccer leagues.
“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.
U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati said the status, though provisional was granted after an exhaustive process in the best interest of the sport in US.
After an exhaustive process working with both leagues, in the best interest of the sport the U.S. Soccer Board of Directors has decided to grant provisional Division II status to the USL. U.S. Soccer will create an internal working group that will work with the league to set a pathway to meet the full requirements for Division II and allow for the larger goal of creating a sustainable future. We look forward to another productive year for professional soccer in this country.
The elevation, which puts the USL just behind the Major League Soccer, has delighted Kalungi who says it was long overdue and proves how competitive the league is.
“It’s a delight as this doesn’t only prove how competitive the league is and has always been but also increase its popularity,” Kalungi, voted as the best defensive player at Charlotte Independence told Kawowo Sports. “This will even make the league a better attraction to top quality players from Europe like before,” he added.
The USL is already home to former Westham United and Chelsea attacker Joe Cole who plays for Tampa Bay Rowdies as well as Carlton Cole who plays as a forward for Sacramento Republic.
Uganda Cranes’ midfielder, Mike Azira who is on the national team roaster for AFCON 2017 in Gabon previously played in the division with Charleston Battery.
