November 5 – The USL has announced the full line for its 10-team USL League One, a third tier professional league licensed by the US Soccer Federation. FC Dallas, who have a team in the MLS, will be a founding member for the league’s inaugural season in 2019.
FC Dallas is owned and operated by the Hunt Sports Group playing at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. The League One side will play there as well though has said it will play in other stadia locally.
“We are delighted to have FC Dallas join the USL,” said USL CEO Alec Papadakis. “For decades, the Hunt family has been at the forefront of growing the game in the United States, and now, they are embracing a tremendous opportunity to strengthen their club and the Dallas-Fort Worth region by launching a team in USL League One.”
The USL League One regular season kicks off March 29 and concludes October 6. The 2019 USL League One Playoffs will consist of four teams and begin the weekend of October 11 with the final on October 19. The FC Dallas-operated franchise will be League One’s 10th and final founding member for the 2019 season.
FC Dallas will face South Georgia Tormenta FC (Statesboro, Georgia), FC Tucson (Tucson, Arizona), Greenville Triumph SC (Greenville, South Carolina), Madison Pro Soccer (Madison, Wisconsin), Toronto FC II (Toronto, Ontario), Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (Chattanooga, Tennessee), Orlando City B (Orlando, Florida), the Richmond Kickers (Richmond, Virginia) and Lansing Ignite FC (Lansing, Michigan).
“USL League One offers an outstanding opportunity for our younger players to compete against quality opponents,” said FC Dallas President Dan Hunt. “Having a second professional team will allow us to create a culture throughout the organization that will help us succeed at every level.”
NISA names three
The USL will have a rival in the third tier league marketplace with the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) also planning to start play in 2019 with a 12-team division – though the USSF has still to sanction the league.
So far Philadelphia, Connecticut and Charlotte have been announced as locations which FC 1904 in San Diego are expected to be joining.
NISA’s league model differs from that of the USL in that it will run its season in line with the European August to May season with a winter break. It also differs from other US leagues in that it will not be a closed franchise league.
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