USL League One
Overview
USL League One (USL1) is a professional men’s soccer league in the United States, operating as the third tier of the American soccer pyramid. It launched in 2019 and is operated by the United Soccer League, alongside USL Championship (Division II) and USL Super League (women’s Division I). As of the 2026 season, 17 teams compete across 32 regular-season games followed by playoffs.
The league primarily targets small-to-mid-sized markets (roughly 150K–1M population) that previously lacked professional soccer access. huntsville-city-fc is among its member clubs.
Structure
- Division: Third tier of American professional men’s soccer
- Founded: 2019
- Teams (2026): 17 active clubs
- Format: 32 regular-season games + playoffs
- Geographic footprint: Nationwide, smaller-market focus
Player Pathway
USL League One sits below USL Championship (Division II) and above USL League Two (semi-professional). Beginning with the 2027 season, USL will implement promotion and relegation across its interconnected Division I (USL Super League), Division II (Championship), and Division III (League One) tiers — the first U.S. professional sports league to do so.
Current Trajectory
Growing through the 2025-26 restructuring that will introduce pro/rel and a new Division I designation. The league’s connection to youth soccer is primarily through the USL Academy pipeline (separate from USL League One club academies), and some clubs operate affiliated USL Academy teams providing a developmental pathway.
Notes
- huntsville-city-fc competes in USL League One.
- Not a youth league; referenced here because professional clubs in USL League One typically operate youth academies or affiliate programs that interface with the youth soccer ecosystem.