USL FIRST DIVISION
The USL's highest level of professional soccer in the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico is the First Division. The USL First Division is home to current stars of the game from over 35 countries. Formerly called the A-League since its beginning founding in 1995 there are now 12 teams in the First Division.
They are the:
Atlanta Silverbacks Puerto Rico Islanders
Charleston Battery Rochester Raging Rhinos
Miami FC Seattle Sounders
Minnesota Thunder Toronto Lynx
Montreal Impact Vancouver Whitecaps
Portland Timbers Virginia Beach Mariners
Teams play a 28-game regular season schedule in which all teams will play each other home and away once.
W-LEAGUE
The W-League, the nation’s first national soccer league for women is known as the best grounds for developing women’s soccer in North America. The W-League also gives the nation's best college players the opportunity to play alongside established international players while maintaining their collegiate eligibility. This has been the focus since the foundation of the league. In working with collegiate soccer, the W-League looks to enhance the abilities of young females’ and open doors for future professionals.
The W-League also gives colleges an additional resource for identifying and recruiting talented players. With higher level women’s soccer still maturing college programs can create relationships with W-League teams and can from the networking opportunities and player promotion past the college years. The league currently has 38 teams nationally.
They are the:
SUPER Y-LEAGUE
In 1999 the Super Y-League was formed to develop the top percentage of youth soccer players throughout the United States. The Super Y-League brings together the best possible players within each city to compete against teams of similar talent within their region in a home and away format. The USL is positioning the Super Y-League to be the most competitive youth league in the United States.
The SYL is geared towards the elite level player between the ages of 14 and 19. Rules allow for expanded roster sizes, no recruiting restrictions and the club pass system. The SYL is a week in - week out league. A heavy importance is focused on home and away series, for competitive reasons. The League wants to promote quality play rather than overplay. An extended league format is a better alternative for these players because it does not overload their play. The number of quality matches without overloading a player is the most important aspect to player development.
In August of 2002, the Super Y-League was officially granted ODP status by the United States Olympic Committee and U.S. Soccer. The designation of these ODP programs will further advance the opportunities for elite players that aspire to compete at the international level.
Super Y-League (SYL) teams now have an opportunity to contend in a national cup competition with US Club Soccer (USCS).
There are over 100 clubs involved nationally in the Super “Y” League.
SYL 2005 Season Club Directory
