USL Votes to Implement Promotion and Relegation
A Historic First for American Soccer & what it means for Republic FC.
In a groundbreaking decision, United Soccer League (USL) club owners voted on Wednesday to introduce a promotion and relegation system, marking the first time a professional sports league in the United States has adopted the globally recognized model. This move comes as USL continues to solidify itself as an independent force in American soccer, separate from Major League Soccer (MLS).
The decision follows last month’s announcement of USL’s new Division One men’s professional league, set to launch in 2027. With this addition, USL will create a three-tiered system, including:
• USL Division One (D1): The newly formed top-tier league operating at the highest professional level under U.S. Soccer’s sanctioning.
• USL Championship (D2): The current second division, which features strong, established clubs.
• USL League One (D3): The third division, home to growing clubs and expansion teams.
Promotion and relegation will connect these leagues, allowing clubs to move up or down based on their performance on the field. This represents a dramatic shift in the structure of American professional soccer, where closed leagues have traditionally dominated.
A System Aligned with the Global Game
Promotion and relegation is the foundation of club soccer worldwide. In countries like England, Spain, Germany, Brazil, and Argentina, leagues operate in an open system where teams must earn their place at the top. In the United States, however, professional sports—including MLS—have been built around a franchise model with fixed memberships.
USL CEO Alec Papadakis called the decision “a new chapter in American soccer.”
“This is a significant milestone for the USL and highlights our shared vision with our team ownership to build a league that not only provides top-tier competition but also champions community engagement,” Papadakis said. “Now, just as it is in the global game, more communities in America can aspire to compete at the highest level of soccer. It’s time.”
USL President Paul McDonough reinforced the importance of this shift, emphasizing the excitement that a promotion/relegation model brings to competition.
“Fans and stakeholders have been clear—they want something different,” McDonough said. “They’re drawn to the intensity of high-stakes competition, where more matches have real consequences—just like we see in European leagues. This shift challenges the status quo and brings a level of excitement and relevance that can elevate the game across the country.”
What This Means for Sacramento Republic FC
For Sacramento Republic FC, one of the most stable and successful clubs in the USL Championship, this new structure is expected to bring major changes—but not necessarily right away.
It is widely expected that Republic FC will be an immediate member of the new USL Division One when it launches in 2027, meaning promotion and relegation may not impact the club in the short term. However, in the long run, the introduction of an open system could reshape the landscape of lower-division soccer in the U.S., with clubs vying for spots at the highest level based on merit rather than financial backing alone.
For a club like Sacramento, which has consistently been among the strongest teams in the second division, this shift presents new challenges and opportunities. If Republic FC continues to operate at a high level, it will have a place in Division One for the foreseeable future. But if the team struggles, relegation could become a reality—something American soccer clubs have never had to consider before.
On the flip side, the new system also ensures that ambitious lower-division teams can fight their way up, bringing a fresh level of competition and unpredictability to the league. For Republic FC, this means new rivals could emerge in Division One as clubs rise through the ranks, changing the competitive dynamic over time.
U.S. Soccer’s Response and What Comes Next
U.S. Soccer, the governing body for the sport in the country, has expressed support for USL’s decision.
“The continued investment into the game reflects the strength of the United States as a soccer country, which will only accelerate as we build toward hosting the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, and bid for the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup,” U.S. Soccer said in a statement. “We welcome innovation and growth to the landscape of American soccer, and we look forward to learning more.”
While the details of promotion and relegation—such as how many teams will move up or down each year—are still being finalized, the framework is set. This is an unprecedented moment in American sports, as no major professional league in the country has ever adopted this model.
A Step Toward a More Competitive Soccer Pyramid
The implementation of promotion and relegation is, at its core, a shift toward a more competitive and fair system in American soccer. While USL’s move does not directly challenge MLS, it does provide an alternative path for clubs that do not want to buy into a closed system.
For independent clubs, this is the right move. No longer will teams be forced to rely solely on financial backing to reach the highest level—now, their performance on the field will determine their fate. It is a model that rewards ambition, strengthens lower-division clubs, and aligns U.S. soccer with the rest of the world.
While challenges remain—such as financial sustainability for lower-division clubs and the potential growing pains of implementing the system—USL’s decision represents a bold step forward.
For clubs like Sacramento Republic FC, the road ahead is both promising and unpredictable. One thing is certain: the days of second-division soccer being a dead end are over.