<p>The United Soccer League, or USL, renewed its media rights contract with ESPN for an additional year. First reported by World Soccer Talk, the agreement will extend the partnership through the upcoming 2023 season. </p>



<p>In the agreement, ESPN will carry all <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/usl-championship-tv-schedule/">USL Championship</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/usl-league-one-tv-schedule/">USL League One</a> games on ESPN+. The mammoth sports media company is also set to air select USL matches on their television networks as well. This would presumably be the more important matchups throughout the campaign.</p>



<h5>Plenty of changes have occurred in the historic USL</h5>


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<h4>Watch all USL Championship and League One games</h4>
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<p>Founded in 1986, the USL was initially formed as an indoor soccer league. Three years later, the organization added a traditional outdoor soccer league to their operation. Name changes, team expansions, and mergers have filled the history books of the competition in recent decades. It’s safe to say that the USL has gone through a plethora of changes over the last 37 years.</p>



<p>However, one of the biggest modifications of the league was becoming the official second and third divisions in the United States. U.S. Soccer granted the move in 2017. USL Championship now sits directly behind <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/mls-tv-schedule/">Major League Soccer</a> in the pyramid of divisions in the nation. USL also created a third division, called USL League One, during the same year as well.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Your <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WSTPodcast?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WSTPodcast</a> returns. On this week&apos;s show, <a href="https://twitter.com/kkfla737?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kkfla737</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/thegaffer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@thegaffer</a> discuss:<br><br>✅ How MLS &amp; FOX are battling each other for commentators<br>✅ Thoughts on USMNT &amp; MLS commentator hires<br>✅ Where USL&apos;s next TV deal may go<br>✅ Should Ligue 1 stay or leave beIN?<a href="https://t.co/FdxCMMdj9D">https://t.co/FdxCMMdj9D</a></p>— World Soccer Talk (@worldsoccertalk) <a href="https://twitter.com/worldsoccertalk/status/1613253903683932160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h5>San Antonio set to defend USL title next month on ESPN+</h5>



<p>The USL Championship now consists of 24 teams in two different conferences. San Antonio FC are the current reigning champions of the league, having beaten Louisville City FC in the title match back in November. Cities that have teams in this division are typically bigger cities in the U.S. that do not have an MLS team. The upcoming Championship season is set to start on March 11th.</p>



<p>World Soccer Talk reached out to USL for comment. However, a USL spokesperson says that the league is not able to provide comment at this time.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Icon Sportswire</em></p>


USL renews ESPN+ deal plus TV for 2023 season

ESPN has extended their media rights deal with the USL through the 2023 season with all USL Championship and USL League One games on ESPN+.

<p>Manchester United beat Charlton Athletic 3-0 at Old Trafford on Tuesday night to advance to the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/league-cup-tv-schedule/">Carabao Cup</a> semifinal. Goals from Antony and Marcus Rashford (two) propelled the Red Devils passed a lackluster Charlton club. The victory was the team’s eighth-consecutive win in all competitions.</p>



<p>Ten Hag made eight changes to the team that last played Everton in the FA Cup. Tom Heaten was given the starting goalkeeper spot for his first appearance of the season. 17-year-old midfield prospect Kobbie Mainoo also made his senior debut for the club as well. The England youth international has recorded two goals and two assists in 11 U-23 league matches during the current campaign.</p>



<p>Antony opened the scoring for United in the 21st minute of the match. The $100 million winger curled a beautiful shot into the corner of the net from just outside of the box. It was fairly similar to the stunner he scored against <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/the-history-of-manchester-united-vs-manchester-city-gary-james-interview-video-20130406-CMS-52551.html">Manchester City</a> earlier in the season.</p>



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<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">ANTONY WITH A BEAUTY FOR MANCHESTER UNITED! 😱 <a href="https://t.co/qYq0bGACp1">pic.twitter.com/qYq0bGACp1</a></p>— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNFC/status/1612908697382158336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 10, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>Defender Diogo Dalot had to be substituted in the first half, but it did not appear to be a serious injury. In fact, the fullback even made the ‘little’ sign with his thumb and forefinger when ten Hag approached him. Aaron Wan-Bissaka replaced the Portugal international in the match.</p>



<h2>Second half subs propel United to Carabao Cup semifinal</h2>



<p>Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Marcus Rashford entered the fray in the 60th minute after Charlton enjoyed a decent spell with the ball. The subs seemed to put <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-united-tv-schedule/">United</a> back on top on the pitch. Facundo Pellistri also made his way into the match as well. The Uruguayan would mark his United senior debut with an assist just six minutes later.</p>



<p>Pellistri found Rashford in the middle of the box and the England international wasn’t going to miss from there in his current form. Rashford neatly placed the ball passed the Charlton goalkeeper for his sixth goal in consecutive games. He would not be done just yet.</p>



<h5>Rashford can’t stop scoring</h5>



<p>Rashford scored again in added time. The brace gives the forward <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNFC/status/1612932290396520454" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">seven goals in the six matches</a> since the World Cup ended. United will now have to play Newcastle, Nottingham Forest/Wolves, or Southampton/Manchester City in the semifinals.</p>



<p>However, the Red Devils face their toughest test in quite some time when they face crosstown rivals City on Saturday in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a>. </p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / PA Images</em></p>


Rashford on fire as United reaches Carabao Cup semifinal

Marcus Rashford's late brace provided the comfort Manchester United wanted to get into the Carabao Cup semifinal.

<div id="attachment_545" style="width: 385px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><div><figure class="external-image"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-545" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-545" src="http://epltalk.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/7/files/2009/04/saints.jpg" alt="St Mary&apos;s Stadium will host League One football next season" width="375" height="238"></figure></div><p id="caption-attachment-545" class="wp-caption-text">St Mary&apos;s Stadium will host League One football next season</p></div>
<p>Sheffield Wednesday, QPR, Manchester City, Wimbledon (aka MK Dons), Leeds, Oldham, Nottingham Forest, Swindon, Leicester, Barnsley, Bradford. Soon to be joined by another two and probably three in Charlton, Southampton and Norwich. All these clubs have tasted the sweet nectar of life in the Premier League only to later sup at the workaday bitterness of League One. In Bradford’s case, even League Two.</p>
<p>If Norwich go down, as seems likely, that’s 14 teams who have played against the best and slipped to the third tier of English football in the last 17 years. In a game full of startling statistics, that seems pretty mind-boggling. It might hearten fans of Saints and Addicks that a decent portion of those teams have at least made it back to the Championship. Indeed, this time last year Leicester were belly-up and now they are like a horny young salmon, leaping back upstream to play with the bigger boys and girls once more.</p>
<p>In a sense, this shows the outstanding strength in depth of the English leagues. Unlikely teams including Bradford, Swindon, Hull, Stoke, Wigan and Reading all made huge strides in the last decade and a half to reach the top of the mountain. Yet it does not take much to find yourself back at base camp in double-quick time.</p>
<p>It can be put down to poor money management. It can be blamed on carelessness and poor decision-making. But the shocking thing this year is that two clubs who have often been held up as excellent examples of how a medium-sized club should be managed are either already down or simply waiting for the trap door to open.</p>
<p>When Sheffield Wednesday, Man City, QPR, Leicester and Leeds fell into League One, the structure at the clubs was poor and all of them had dealt inadequately with the money the EPL gave them. But Charlton and Norwich do not seem to fall into this category. Charlton have cleverly developed a fanbase from all over Kent and steadily improved a stadium that was derelict 20 years ago. Norwich had more than their fair share of problems in the boardroom in the 90s, but they have a city dedicated to the team, a real sense of community and Delia Smith providing heart and soul as well.</p>
<p>For those two clubs, the short term might be unpalatable, but the feeling is that the long term might be rosy. They are sensible clubs. If they cut costs, appoint the right managers and keep expectations sensible, they could return a stronger unit, like Leicester appear to be doing.</p>
<p>Southampton, though, could be a different story. Not so long ago they had a new stadium, Gordon Strachan had taken them to the Cup Final and they were the latest in a long line of clubs hoping to break into the top six of the EPL. Now the money is gone. The stadium is not being filled. The stars of their youth system have almost all been sold in an effort to balance the books. Rumours of a takeover notwithstanding, it seems likely that Andrew Surman and Adam Lallana will now have to be sold as well.</p>
<p>Around this time of year a lot of pundits make long faces and say it’s a shame for this team or that team to go down. They are saying it about Newcastle now, but is it a shame when clubs the size of Southampton are relegated to League One? Would we prefer to see the smaller clubs, like Doncaster or Blackpool, get relegated, to keep the status quo?</p>
<p>I don’t think so. I think it’s a healthy situation that big clubs occasionally taste life in the bottom half of the Football League. It’s good for football that so-called small teams like Peterborough can play at Championship level.</p>
<p>With dreams of winning the Premier League unrealistic for fans of all clubs except perhaps five – six at a push – the dream has perhaps been downshifted to glory in the Championship and a chance to merely get in the ring with the big boys.</p>
<p>The difference this season compared to others is that three clubs who have all played at the top level within the last four years are (probably) heading down. Not only should that be a lesson to clubs currently happy in the Premier League, it should be a warning. There are at least half-a-dozen Premier League clubs who could be facing the same crisis as Southampton in three or four years time.</p>


Southampton and Charlton's Demise Is Nothing New

Southampton and Charlton's Demise Is Nothing New - World Soccer Talk

<p>The playoffs are almost done and only two more teams will be vying for promotion to League One, Rochdale and Stockport. What is known after today&nbsp;are what teams will be leaving and coming into the Championship for next season. Gaining promotion to the EPL along with the riches and glory are West Bromwich Albion as Champions, Stoke City in second place and Hull City winners of the CCC Playoff Final yesterday against Bristol City. Hull have now gotten rid of the “biggest city to never have a top flight team” tag. Coming up from League One are Swansea City as League One Champs, Nottingham Forest( or as I affectionately call them Notts Florist)&nbsp;in second and today Doncaster Rovers secured thier place in the Championship by beating Leeds United 1-0 in the League One Playoff Final. For Doncaster they were playing in the Blue Square Premier only 5 years ago so this is quite a rise for them.</p>
<p>Coming down from the EPL are my beloved Derby County, Birmingham City, and Reading. All three teams now have two years of 11 million dollars worth of parachute payments to help regroup and get promoted once more.In there last year of parachute payments&nbsp; after relegation from the EPL last season&nbsp;are Charlton and Sheffield United and Watford.&nbsp;Going down into&nbsp;League One are Colchester, Scunthorpe, and Leicester City.</p>
<p>With the Championship being wide open and the transfer window not open yet its almost impossible to predict who will go up and will go down but as the summer evolves I will try to do just that and I am sure be proved spectacularly wrong.</p>


Welcome and Goodbye to the Championship

Welcome and Goodbye to the Championship - World Soccer Talk

Latest news from League One. Find out about all the news related to League One on worldsoccertalk.com

ALL POSTS TAGGED "League One - Page 4"

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USL renews ESPN+ deal plus TV for 2023 season

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Rashford on fire as United reaches Carabao Cup semifinal

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Southampton and Charlton's Demise Is Nothing New

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Welcome and Goodbye to the Championship