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USSF Division 2: What USL D3 potentially means for the NASL

By Jordan Jacobsen

Oct 16, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; General view of soccer balls on the field prior to a game between the Philadelphia Union and the Orlando City FC at Talen Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; General view of soccer balls on the field prior to a game between the Philadelphia Union and the Orlando City FC at Talen Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 15, 2016; Blaine, MN, USA; A NASL soccer ball against Minnesota United at National Sports Center. Sporting Kansas City defeated Minnesota United 2-1 in extra time. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 15, 2016; Blaine, MN, USA; A NASL soccer ball against Minnesota United at National Sports Center. Sporting Kansas City defeated Minnesota United 2-1 in extra time. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

Provisional Status

With the USL moving into the D2 ranking on the USSF soccer pyramid, the more lenient third division is currently vacant. Division 3 is the lowest level of professional soccer in the US, but also allows for the use of smaller facilities as well as teams in smaller cities. Just this month USL announced its intention to place a new league in that D3 vacancy. Despite the provisional Division 2 league status they currently hold, USL plans to have a league from the D2 level all the way down to the USL PDL, which currently sits in Division 4.

Provisional status was given to USL because ten of the league’s 30 teams didn’t meet D2 criteria. The league was given until 2018 to meet those requirements. Stadium size is an obvious reason for a handful of reserve sides, but moving to the parent home stadium would be a simple fix. USL has also said it has no intention of losing any independent teams to D3. Plans are in place so that all will be compliant for the 2018 season and moving forward.

Having another option at the third division level will allow for the MLS reserve sides to potentially move back down. This would take away the cost cutting benefits from regional play. The third division could also act as an incubator for teams looking to become professional, or D2 sides who are looking to overcome short-term hardships, like the Austin Aztex or Fort Lauderdale Strikers. It also places additional pressure on NASL and their attempt to comply with USSF via expansion.

Aug 27, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Carolina Railhawks midfielder Austin da Luz (6) and New York Cosmos defender Jimmy Mulligan (28) battle for the ball during the second half at James M. Shuart Stadium. New York Cosmos won 6-1. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 27, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Carolina Railhawks midfielder Austin da Luz (6) and New York Cosmos defender Jimmy Mulligan (28) battle for the ball during the second half at James M. Shuart Stadium. New York Cosmos won 6-1. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

Head to Head

Not only will the NASL and USL be competing for markets, but they will continue to compete for players. A new league in D3 will increase the demand for domestic players. Both leagues have started to count Canadian players as domestic in terms of roster rules. Those same Canadians will have the chance to now return to Canada and play professionally. USL D2 and D3, along with the NASL and CPL will create hundreds of roster spots for professional American and Canadian players, but that increase will also raise the cost of players throughout those levels.

Actual player salaries between the leagues are hard to come across. Either way, the movement of players between the USL and NASL is impossible to ignore. Added leagues at the professional level will only amplify that movement. Outside of “name” players who play in both leagues and the top first team players, it’s safe to assume that reserves and rotational players in both leagues make close to the same salary.

Feb 24, 2016; Tucson, AZ, USA; Columbus Crew SC forward Kei Kamara (23) dribbles the ball against Swope Park Rangers midfielder Jimmy Mulligan (74) during the first half at Kino North Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2016; Tucson, AZ, USA; Columbus Crew SC forward Kei Kamara (23) dribbles the ball against Swope Park Rangers midfielder Jimmy Mulligan (74) during the first half at Kino North Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports /

New York Cosmos midfielder Jimmy Mulligan signed with the Cosmos in 2014, but would only make six appearances over the next two seasons. In 2016 he was loaned to Swope Park Rangers of USL, where he would start in 16 of 18 matches before being recalled by the Cosmos to start 12 games as the team finished out the season. Mulligan stood out in D3 with regular playing time, which led to him getting regular time in D2. Rotational players will have a similar chance. Either stay on the bench in D2 or start in D3. This will drive of up the price for those players as D2 sides look for good depth and D3 sides look for competitive pieces.

Seems like a win-win for the players, but teams will need to be financially viable in order to survive and compete long-term. Having ways to cut costs will be vital moving forward, including in salaries, travel, and team operations.

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