GOAL US writers debate the impact of promotion and relegation in America after the USL made a landmark decision
The American soccer landscape might just be changing. Promotion-relegation has been something of a disdainful phrase in the U.S. for some time, dismissed by some as being too European, too different. It won't work here, it's been claimed. USL is challenging that notion in full, and announced earlier this week that it will officially introduce promotion-relegation in its top three divisions starting in 2028.
What to make of all of this? Does the USL have the clout to make an immediate splash? In all likelihood, nothing changes right now. But this is a long-term proposition, and coincides with USL introducing a Division One league. MLS will certainly be watching, and there is every chance that some top talents – domestic and, eventually, abroad – find themselves playing in a different league.
Either way, there's room for both excitement and debate. Whether it works or not, this feels like a moment, another step in the evolution of soccer in America. GOAL US writers break down what it all means in the latest edition of… The Rondo.
Is the USL move to Pro-Rel a good idea?
Tom Hindle: Absolutely. The USL had to do something different, if only to separate itself from MLS and establish a unique spot in the American soccer ecosystem. This may have been an obvious move, but it's also the right one. Theoretically, you bring on the Euro snobs into the fold, add a bit of jeopardy, and raise the level of play for years to come. A lot remains TBD, yet there is legitimate reason for excitement. Bring it on.
Ryan Tolmich: Sure, largely because it could settle some debates one way or the other. There are many, clearly including those in charge of the USL, that believe that Pro-Rel could take the American game to new heights. And there are many skeptics who believe that it's an impossibility for American soccer. For years, the debate has raged on without anyone giving it a legitimate shot. Worst case, this will be a lesson about the possibilities and impossibilities of this particular system in this particular country.
Alex Labidou: In theory, yes, it is a good thing just because it's worth seeing how the experiment goes. This has been a debate for decades in North America and almost every leading soccer country has the same system. The problem that should worry some is relevance. The beauty of Pro-Rel abroad is every few years a storied team such as Leeds, St. Etienne – title-winners- suffer the drop. It's hard to see the same level of emotion if Loudoun United FC gets relegated, especially considering the growing fan bases of USL and American soccer as a whole. It is a decision that screams of the desire of USL to be relevant in an increasingly crowded soccer space in North America, but its one the league needed to make. Give USL credit for being bold – we'll all be watching to see how this goes.
AdvertisementImagnWill the move have any impact on MLS?
TH: Not sure MLS has to be overtly concerned yet. That's not the USL's intention, so the league says. It has always insisted that it operates in a separate sphere to MLS, and that's probably true – at least, for now. But if eyes get on this thing, and people start to care within the first couple years, then MLS might be sweating a little, at some point. Not one to worry about, but worth keeping an eye on.
RT: Probably not. MLS is just so many laps ahead of USL in every conceivable metric that it's hard to imagine this impacting them. With or without Pro-Rel, fans flock to see stars and brands, and those are all in MLS – at least today. As long as MLS is perceived to be the best version of soccer we have in America, then this won't matter much at all to the league, or it's bottom line.
AL: It doesn't necessarily hurt MLS, but it does put the league in crosshairs. MLS continues to search for TV ratings and to be a part of the larger sports conversation – and if USL generates significant interest by instituting Pro-Rel, it could be a missed opportunity for MLS. That said, where MLS has the benefit is presence and stars. It's hard for an average American sports fan to care about El Paso Locomotive FC potentially getting relegated when they can tune in and watch Inter Miami or LAFC or the face of MLS (could it be Christian Pulisic or Weston McKennie by 2028?) MLS has entrenched fanbases that are going to be hard to compete with.
USLWho stands to benefit the most from the decision?
TH: The obvious answer is the players. There are now more opportunities for footballers to make it in America, going from the depths of lower league football right up to the top level. This can only be a good thing – even if it's a few years before we see it all materialize. By simple math, the more people you can get involved, the more talent you can develop. Want to be competitive on a global scale? Bring in players, coaches and staff who can support that mission. The level will only go up here. A word, too, for the fans, who will have more content to consume. Clubs get this right, and a fan in, say, Greenville, might have something to be properly excited about. Welcome to football romanticism, lads.
RT: The big-market teams that have been left out of the MLS sphere. There are so many well-run, ambitious USL clubs, and they will now have a place to funnel that ambition. Those clubs will clearly rise, lifting their profile in the process. This whole thing, in many ways, is a test of ambition and spending power, and it's now up to those teams to show how far they can take it.
AL: USL, but not entirely sure how strong the benefit will be unless the league attracts big stars. USL had to do something to make itself more relevant and it is no coincidence it made both its Division One and Pro-Rel announcements the year before the 2026 World Cup. It screams "We're here, too!" But will it gain the traction? Too soon to tell.
Getty ImagesBig picture, will anyone really care?
TH: If they don't immediately, then they really should. There are certain moments in sports that can shift the landscape entirely. This one feels like one of those. Sure, Pro-Rel in MLS would be more seismic, and probably attract more immediate attention. But this is a really important starting point for something that could be massive within a few years. Pay attention now, and be right later.
RT: Outside of the diehards, probably not. Perception is reality and unless the USL can truly threaten MLS on and off the field, the USL will generally be seen as a league for locals soccer die-hards. That's OK, by the way, because there is a space for that – in the same way there's a space for plenty of other sports in this country. As long as the USL continues to cater to local fanbases, it'll be just fine, particularly if they can continue to convince those fans to come out to the stadium and support a potential rise through the ranks.
AL: This is a tough one. Passionate soccer fans will be intrigued because there will be interest to see if it fails or succeeds. But America soccer fandom is both star-driven and locale-driven. So it's difficult to see a casual soccer fan picking USL over MLS just because of Pro-Rel, assuming the latter league is still pulling in notable stars. It's analogous, in some ways, to the barnstorming baseball team Savannah Bananas. Yes, they sell out games. Yes, their showmanship is incredible. Yes, they promote fun. But can anyone name a single player on the team? Or care about the team's record? Does anyone watch the Bananas on TV? Unless there are further plans, this all feels a bit gimmicky at the moment – the USL has more work to do to make this move a success.
