<p>Legendary Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho has officially joined the ownership group of an American soccer club. The move, however, does not involve a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/mls-tv-schedule/">Major League Soccer</a> team. Instead, the 44-year-old icon is investing in UCL League One side Greenville Triumph SC. The division is the third-highest professional men’s soccer league in the United States.</p>



<p>The South Carolinian club was originally founded in 2018 and began play the subsequent season. Local entrepreneur and politician Joe Erwin has been the team’s primary owner since this timeframe. Nevertheless, multiple investors have since entered the fray, now including Ronaldinho.</p>



<p>The ownership group announced in 2021 that they were creating a professional women’s team as well. Greenville Liberty SC began featuring in the USL W League in 2022. This is the fourth-tiered women’s division in the nation. In the new deal, Ronaldinho also joins the ownership group of the women’s club.</p>



<h2>Midfielder is one of the most decorated soccer stars of his generation</h2>



<p>Ronaldinho is widely regarded as one of the best soccer players of all time. The Brazilian playmaker collected a host of trophies during his career. This includes back-to-back <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/la-liga-tv-schedule/">LaLiga</a> triumphs with <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/barcelona-tv-schedule/">Barcelona</a> as well as the 2005/06 UEFA <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/champions-league-tv-schedule/">Champions League</a> title.</p>



<p>After departing the Spanish giants, Ronaldinho helped guide <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/ac-milan-tv-schedule/">AC Milan</a> to the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/serie-a-tv-schedule/">Serie A</a> championship in 2011. After a 10-year stay in Europe, the superstar traveled back to his homeland to finish out his playing career. He currently remains the only player to have ever won a World Cup, a Copa América, a Confederations Cup, a Champions League, a Copa Libertadores, and a Ballon d’Or.</p>



<p>“We are honored to welcome Ronaldinho into the Triumph family,” <a href="https://www.greenvilletriumph.com/news/2024/10/09/brazilian-soccer-legend-ronaldinho-joins-ownership-group-of-greenville-triumph-and-liberty/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stated</a> Erwin. “His influence in the sport is unmatched, and his presence within our ownership group speaks volumes about the direction we are heading as a club. Ronaldinho’s involvement will not only elevate our club’s profile but also inspire our players, fans, and the entire Upstate community.”</p>



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<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Brazilian soccer legend Ronaldinho joins Greenville Triumph ownership group" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/E7ckKsk8DT0?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<h2>Brazilian proclaims excitement in helping to grow the sport</h2>



<p>Ronaldinho specifically pointed to Greenville’s youth setup as a main reason for his attraction to the organization. “The emphasis the Greenville Triumph and Liberty place on youth play through the boys and girls youth academy teams, and the level of competitive excellence of the Triumph professional team and Liberty pre-professional team is impressive,” said Ronaldinho. </p>



<p>“For me and our group, this is an opportunity to support soccer’s growth at all ages and levels, and to be part of a community that values international presence and a unique blend of cultures.”</p>



<p>The superstar was seemingly brought into the fray at Greenville due to his connections with business partner Wallace Cheves. The fellow investor is also now a member of the organization’s ownership group as well.</p>



<p>Outside of the business connections, a partnership between Greenville and Ronaldinho may seem a bit surprising. After all, several high-profile celebrities, including David Beckham, Will Ferrell, and Reese Witherspoon, all currently own pieces of top MLS teams.</p>



<p>Nevertheless, Ronaldinho’s involvement in Greenville will likely now inspire thousands of young soccer players in the area. The global superstar brings a plethora of international experience and attention to the 57th-most popular metro area in the United States.</p>



<p><em>Photo: Imago</em></p>

Ronaldinho joins ownership of USL League One club Greenville

Legendary Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho has officially joined the ownership group of American soccer club Greenville Triumph.

<p>The USL season started this past weekend, with games in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/usl-championship-tv-schedule/">USL Championship</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/usl-league-one-tv-schedule/">League One</a> joining the professional soccer landscape in the United States. However, the return of these leagues and the MLS clubs that play at NFL stadiums brought back the all-too-familiar reminder that too many soccer games are ruined by football lines. The distracting nature is not just a bad look for the sport. It becomes a major hindrance to watch these leagues because of how they play out on TV.</p>



<p>Soccer has simple lines painted on the field: Two end lines, two touchlines, a halfway line with a circle, and a penalty box. By comparison, American football has cross-field lines every five yards, hash marks, center-field logos, and endzone usually painted with large words and images emblazoned across. </p>



<p>It is a stark contrast between American football and soccer. </p>



<p>Yet, League One sides in the United States often play on these fields at venues they share with American football teams. For example, the Greenville Triumph defeated Spokane Velocity 3-1 at Paladin Stadium. Paladin Stadium traditionally hosts the Furman Paladins, an NCAA Division I FCS Football team that uses turf likely because it is cheaper. The challenge that the Greenville Triumph faces is common among USL League One teams. Turf is cheaper, and the traditional venue hosts will have one turf field for all the tenants. That is why Greenville’s win over Spokane Velocity had the issue of American football lines across the pitch.</p>



<p>Clubs and competitions argue that sharing fields with American football teams at the college level saves money. That is true; the cost of facilities is a major battle USL faces. That is why so many teams, including the top ones, often play at baseball or college football stadiums. </p>



<h2>American football lines on soccer fields hurt the quality of the product</h2>



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<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">USL&apos;s 2024 season is underway, but the optics could be better for games on ESPN+. Stadiums are practically empty, pitches are covered with football lines, &amp; one of the artificial fields looks more gray than green.<br><br>The viewing experience needs to be more appealing for streaming. <a href="https://t.co/p0kpWxs2C3">pic.twitter.com/p0kpWxs2C3</a></p>— World Soccer Talk (@worldsoccertalk) <a href="https://twitter.com/worldsoccertalk/status/1766625258373627912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2024</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>However, saving money on fields has repercussions on the experience for fans. Often, these lines are so distracting that it is hard for fans to understand what is happening truly. For instance, soccer fields are wider than American football fields. Therefore, the sidelines for soccer extend into the out-of-bounds. As American football is the primary sport for most stadiums, those out-of-bounds lines are broad and white. In other words, they pop out on the screen. By comparison, the soccer field lines are thin and yellow, taking a back seat to American football.</p>



<p>It makes the product of the USL Championship and League One drop. The play on the field is of high quality, and the games in both divisions show that the players have the ability. Yet, having them play on fields with American football lines gives the sport a varsity field. High school soccer does this, and it should not be common for a professional league in the United States. </p>



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<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">"MLS has come a long way since [<a href="https://twitter.com/worldsoccertalk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@worldsoccertalk</a>] first wrote about poor looking shared pitches in 2013. But fans of clubs in shared stadiums still have a right to worry about visible gridiron lines and beefy football players clomping on turf." <a href="https://t.co/rkgGuDCKCI">https://t.co/rkgGuDCKCI</a> <a href="https://t.co/F8GJgPaLA2">pic.twitter.com/F8GJgPaLA2</a></p>— Empty Seats Galore (@EmptySeatsPics) <a href="https://twitter.com/EmptySeatsPics/status/1231656104834338817?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 23, 2020</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h2>The difference between those without American football</h2>



<p>Not every team uses American football venues to play games in the USL Championship or League One. Detroit City FC, for example, has one of the best atmospheres in American soccer. Despite having a smaller capacity than many American football venues, Keyworth Stadium appears soccer-specific when fans <a href="https://go.web.plus.espn.com/mwebq" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">watch on TV</a>. That may add to the look and professional feel Detroit City provides. </p>



<p><em>PHOTOS: IMAGO</em></p>

American football lines have no business on pro soccer fields

Optics and image take a hit with soccer in the USL as teams use fields donned in American football lines and logos.

destacadas

<p>As of 2024, ninety-four men’s soccer teams in the United States are designated as professional. That spans Major League Soccer, the USL Championship, MLS Next Pro, NISA, and USL League One. Granted, it does not include all of MLS Next Pro, because many teams in that division are reserves. While 94 professional men’s teams are encouraging, it’s tiny compared to how many people live in the United States.</p>



<p>For instance, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/author/derekreese/">Derek Reese</a> compiled the data that lists how many clubs there are based on the population of the United States. He found that there is one club for every 3.5 million people. His research shows how few teams the USA has in comparison to the populations of other Western countries:</p>



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<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Let&apos;s compare our men&apos;s pro club ecosystem against, for example, the nations that have won a World Cup.<br><br>When it comes to getting the pro game in front of our population, we are woefully behind. We have just one professional men&apos;s club for every 3.5 million people in the US. <a href="https://t.co/Et0MraB0VZ">pic.twitter.com/Et0MraB0VZ</a></p>— Derek Reese (@DR928) <a href="https://twitter.com/DR928/status/1761070474404987086?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 23, 2024</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>For example, eight countries have won the World Cup. Each of them has a far lower people-per-club ratio. In other words, there are more clubs per person, which allows more academies, opportunities, and places for fans to show their support. Having more clubs in the United States would afford those opportunities.</p>



<h2>Comparing professional clubs in the United States to others</h2>



<p>If other countries that have success internationally followed the same trend as the United States, the outlook of professional clubs in the area vastly changes. Take Uruguay, for example. There is one professional club in Uruguay for every 114,809 people. To be fair, Uruguay is far smaller than the United States in both population and size. If Uruguay had the same ratio as the United States, there would be one professional club. </p>



<p>That is an extreme case, as Uruguay is by far the smallest nation to win the World Cup, and it has not won since 1950. England has not won a World Cup since 1966, but few would deny how potent England is as a soccer nation. There are a massive 164 professional and semi-professional soccer clubs in England. That leads to one club for every 344,734 people in England. </p>



<p>If England were to follow the same ratio as the United States, there would be 19 clubs in total. That equates to roughly one or two clubs per major city in England. Yet, if there is one thing that stories like Luton Town, Leicester City, Brighton and Hove Albion and other clubs from ‘smaller’ cities say, it is that clubs often take advantage of the opportunity. Many of the players in England’s squad did not come through the top academies in England. Jude Bellingham was in the Birmingham City Academy. Harry Maguire came up through Sheffield United. Ollie Watkins is a product of Exeter City, which is currently in League One. The fact remains that having so many clubs gave these players the chance, and they took it. </p>



<p><a href="https://twitter.com/DR928/status/1761070479912087746" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Reese summed it up himself</a> when presenting the data. Smaller communities in the United States deserve clubs of their own.</p>



<h2>Limitations to setting up new clubs</h2>



<p>Certainly, there is a major challenge in simply creating new teams. They are expensive, and it is hard to grow a fandom when there are established clubs in the area. For example, someone in New York may be less inclined to watch one of the many local teams in the area when New York City FC is more established. Likewise, there are formatting concerns preventing more professional clubs.</p>



<p>The <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/explained-why-mls-doesnt-have-promotion-relegation-20231015-WST-461932.html">lack of promotion and relegation</a>, a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/will-mls-ever-start-relegation-of-teams-20231202-WST-474166.html">much-discussed topic</a> here at World Soccer Talk, prevents the possibility of professional clubs truly growing. The Indy Eleven, for example, can only max out its success at the USL Championship. Fans outside of Indianapolis may look to clubs like the Chicago Fire, St. Louis CITY or FC Cincinnati. Those MLS teams are at the top, and they are all within a three-hour drive from Indianapolis. The closed systems in US soccer that are all nationwide have hampered national growth. </p>



<p>Finally, there is one major thing soccer in the United States must contend with that other countries do not. There are many more sports, both professionally and from a grassroots level, in the United States. Football, baseball, basketball and even ice hockey are popular sports in the United States. Soccer continues to grow in popularity, but it will always have to contend with other sports for fans’ eyes and interaction.</p>



<p><em>PHOTOS: IMAGO</em></p>

How the number of pro soccer teams in the USA compares to abroad

There are 94 teams in the United States that have designation as professional clubs in 2024 or in the near future.

featured

<p>In an interview with World Soccer Talk, one of the top USL executives shared that he’s excited about the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/what-usls-media-deal-with-cbs-sports-means-for-us-soccer-20231107-WST-467798.html">major broadcasting agreement between USL and CBS Sports</a>.</p>



<p>The new arrangement will see 100 total matches from USL divisions air live on CBS Sports Platforms. Both the USL Championship (D2) and League One (D3) are set to be featured. The women’s Super League has yet to have broadcast details announced.</p>



<p>The CBS deal includes 20+ games each season on CBS Sports Network. The Championship final and other select games will air on the main over-the-air CBS Television Network, with simulcasts on Paramount+. And 75 games will stream live on the CBS Sports Golazo! Network. Golazo! is available at no cost via Pluto TV, CBSSports.com, and other platforms (as well as being built into Paramount+).</p>



<h2>USL, CBS Sports partnership huge for the league</h2>



<p>Speaking to World Soccer Talk, USL Senior Vice President of the USL Championship Jeremy Alumbaugh said, “It’s huge. I didn’t realize how big of a deal it was until the day it got announced and friends, inside and outside of soccer, started hitting me up.</p>



<p>“As a young kid growing up, a number of the massive sporting events I watched were on CBS. For USL to have them as our home, and more importantly to have them as a partner, they are in this with us, that’s a big, big thing for us to move forward. And we’re really excited about this partnership and this deal.”</p>



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<h2>Sporting JAX on the First Coast</h2>



<p>Alumbaugh shared the remarks at the recent <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/soccerwarz-in-jacksonville-sporting-jax-joins-the-fight-20231213-WST-476878.html">unveiling of Sporting JAX</a>, which will be the first time that American <em>professional</em> men’s and women’s teams will share the same branding.</p>



<p>Other men’s clubs have fielded women’s teams using the same brand – examples include Detroit City FC and the Seattle Sounders. But the women’s teams were fielded in amateur leagues, not professional. There are examples of women’s pro teams sharing colors and <em>similar</em> branding with their men’s counterparts – Houston, Louisville, North Carolina, and Orlando come to mind. But they all use different team names and logos. </p>



<p>This is a novel case of American soccer conforming to what is standard practice in much of the world. Clubs such as FC Barcelona, River Plate, Manchester United, PSG, Bayern Munich, América, and many more field both professional men’s and women’s sides under the same banner. But until now, it has been unheard of in the American game.</p>



<p>“We’re the only one [league] that has the pathway on both sides, for the men and the women. I think every community is different, every club is gonna be different” said Alumbaugh. “But when it makes sense, as it does here, I think it just proves our point that we’re a landing spot that has that opportunity where a young boy or girl can go through the pathway and end up at the pro level. And we’re the only place that has that, and that makes us unique and special.”</p>



<p><em>Quotes have been edited for clarity</em>.</p>

USL excited about major CBS Sports TV rights deal

USL is entering a new era with a CBS Sports deal that coincides with tremendous growth across the United Soccer League organization.

USL excited about major CBS Sports TV rights deal - World Soccer Talk

<p>USL has announced an addition to its competitive calendar starting in 2024. A new, <a href="https://www.uslleagueone.com/news_article/show/1294025" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">in-season cup competition</a> featuring <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/usl-league-one-tv-schedule/">USL League One</a> clubs will kick off next Spring. </p>



<p>The unnamed cup competition is very similar in overall structure to the 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup. That competition, which has since been shelved in its previous form, also featured only the twelve teams within its league and was played within the confines of the regular season calendar. </p>



<p>The new USL cup will, at first, feature the twelve teams split into three groups of four. Teams will play a double-round robin against their group opponents, plus two games against clubs from other groups for a total of eight group games. Four teams will then advance to a knockout round. But there are a few wrinkles that make this USL competition different from other similar tournaments.</p>



<p>The groups for the inaugural version of the tournament are as follows:</p>



<p><strong>East</strong>:<br>Charlotte Independence<br>Greenville Triumph SC<br>Richmond Kickers<br>South Georgia Tormenta FC<br><br><strong>Central:<br></strong>Chattanooga Red Wolves SC<br>One Knoxville SC<br>Lexington SC<br>Forward Madison FC<br><br><strong>West</strong>:<br>Central Valley Fuego FC<br>Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC<br>Union Omaha<br>Spokane Velocity FC</p>



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<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="MLS&apos; plan to rule all of US pro soccer" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OE2T5_q3fJU?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<h2>USL League One cup competition changes the game – literally </h2>



<p>In the group stage, similar to the MLS/Liga MX Leagues Cup held this year, there will be no tie games in the traditional sense.</p>



<p>Games tied after 90 minutes will go straight to a penalty shootout, with the winning team getting two points and the loser getting 1 in the standings. Regulation wins will be worth 3 points. This 3-2-1 point system is also used by some European hockey leagues.</p>



<p>The three group winners will advance to the knockout round, but even that is a little different. In the event of a tie in the table on points, the first tiebreaker will be <em>goals scored</em>, and not goal difference as is traditional. This is intended to produce more attacking, more entertaining, play. </p>



<p>Most interestingly, the final team that goes on to the knockout phase will not be the best second-place group finisher. It will be the non-group winner that scores the most goals – regardless of their point total.</p>



<h4>Built to evolve</h4>



<p>The tournament itself is great. It will add more games for fans and players for the involved clubs. With most lower-division pro teams only getting one or two U.S. Open Cup games each year, it’s a valuable addition to the soccer calendar.</p>



<p>However, the future plans might be the most interesting thing of all.</p>



<p>The league notes that “Over the next few years, the USL aims to grow the cup competition, including the integration of other leagues and the exploration of additional innovations geared toward the fan experience.”</p>



<p>League One president Lee O’Neill added “Our ambition is to include clubs from other leagues in the future. There are so many strong clubs across our country and our region, and we believe this competition can be a catalyst to bring many of them together to grow the game and create a unique and amazing experience for players and fans everywhere.”</p>



<p>You’d have to assume that USL Championship (division two) clubs will be added to the mix in the future. Maybe even a few USL League Two (amateur) sides too.</p>



<p>But the official USL release didn’t specifically mention the leagues in their own ecosystem. They just noted <em>“other leagues”</em>.</p>



<p>The USA does not have an equivalent of England’s League Cup or FA Trophy. Should USL extend an olive branch to independent clubs in MLS NEXT Pro, NISA, and perhaps amateur leagues like the NPSL or USPL, it would be a fantastic thing for the lower division game in the US. </p>



<h4>USL Cup set for 2024</h4>



<p>The winner of the tournament will earn prize money and a new trophy as well. Matches will be staged on dedicated cup match days during the season. </p>



<p>The name and logo for this new competition will be unveiled in the coming weeks. The tournament will start on April 27th, 2024, with the group stage running through the weekend of August 31. The final will be played on September 28/29 as the lone League One match of that weekend.</p>

New USL cup competition adds to US soccer calendar

There's a new cup in town. USL League One is launching an in-season cup competition starting in 2024 feature the league's 12 teams.

New USL cup competition adds to US soccer calendar - World Soccer Talk


<p>The United Soccer Leagues – operators of the United States’ only men’s second division (<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/usl-championship-tv-schedule/">USL Championship</a>) and one of its three third division leagues (<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/usl-league-one-tv-schedule/">USL League One</a>) – are on pace for record-breaking crowd numbers in 2023. Attendance is up in both USL circuits as the season winds down. </p>



<p>Coming off COVID which dramatically affected sports across the board, things are looking up for the two leagues. Compared to the 2021 season, average crowds in the Championship are up 42%, while League One has seen a 33% bump. </p>



<p>Average attendance figures stand at 5,552 for the Championship, and 2,313 for League One. These might not seem that impressive on the surface. But this bests the average attendance numbers of many clubs in notable second tiers such as Spain, Italy, and France. And USL outfits have to do it without the potential of promotion that lower division clubs in other countries enjoy.</p>



<p>The USL Championship crossed the 2 million fan threshold in Detroit this week. This is the earliest point in a season the league has ever reached that total turnout number. </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">The <a href="https://twitter.com/USLChampionship?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USLChampionship</a> two millionth fan is our very own John Sarge!<br><br>John represents all 2 million fans which makes the USL such a special atmosphere, this is the fastest the league has ever reached the 2,000,000 mark in a season! <a href="https://t.co/mhcezYGPjT">pic.twitter.com/mhcezYGPjT</a></p>— Detroit City FC (@DetroitCityFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/DetroitCityFC/status/1707171323716251804?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 27, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>“We’re extremely proud to have hosted over two million fans at USL Championship matches so far this season,” said USL Championship President Jeremy Alumbaugh. “Credit&nbsp;goes&nbsp;to the fans, of course, and&nbsp;to our clubs for&nbsp;developing relationships within their communities and creating authentic soccer experiences at their venues. With the race to the playoffs heating up, we look forward to welcoming more fans and supporters to&nbsp;experience the exciting games remaining in the regular season.”&nbsp;</p>



<h2>On pace for a record-setting season of USL attendance </h2>



<p>The league projects that over 2.2 million fans will eventually come through the gates this year in the Championship. This would be a record figure. Similarly, a total of over 400,000 fans is expected to be the final number in League One. This would also be a high mark for that division.</p>



<p>Any time things are on an upward trend, it’s a positive moment for the game in America. As much of the hype in the domestic competition this year has focused on MLS expansion and Lionel Messi, perhaps even more vital is the continued growth and stabilization of the lower divisions. And the turnstile reports from USL are no doubt encouraging news.  </p>



<p><em>Photo: Imago</em></p>


USL attendance grows in 2023, and could break record

Both the USL Championship and USL League One are on pace for record-setting attendance figures as the 2023 season winds down.

USL attendance grows in 2023, and could break record - World Soccer Talk


<p>Between the <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>, there will be 620 live matches during the 2023 season, all of which are available on ESPN and its platforms. Note that this does <em>not</em> mean ESPN, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/channels/espn2-soccer-schedule/">ESPN2</a> or ABC. Instead, the vast majority of these games are available on <a href="https://go.web.plus.espn.com/mWebq" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESPN+</a>, the paid streaming platform from ESPN. However, ESPN is going to air an impressive total of nine USL games on ESPN2 this season.</p>



<p>This is the eighth season ESPN has coverage of the second and third tiers of soccer in the United States. In the past, select games went on certain channels, with the majority on streaming platforms. This year is consistent with that trend.</p>



<p>In the 2023 campaign, there will be nine games broadcast on ESPN2 from USL Championship and League One. Granted, the only League One game airing on ESPN2 is the USL League One Championship Game on Nov. 5.</p>



<p>Still, that leaves eight games from the USL Championship airing on ESPN2. That does include the USL Championship title game a week after the USL League One title decider on Nov. 12. </p>



<p>The seven regular season games on ESPN2 are as follows:</p>



<ul><li>May 13 —&nbsp;Louisville City FC vs. Miami FC.</li><li>July 1 —&nbsp;Phoenix Rising FC vs. Memphis 901 FC.</li><li>July 15 —&nbsp;Monterey Bay F.C. vs. Oakland Roots SC.</li><li>July 19 —&nbsp;Detroit City FC vs. Louisville City SC.</li><li>Aug. 9 —&nbsp;Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC vs. FC Tulsa.</li><li>Aug. 16 —&nbsp;San Antonio FC vs. Rio Grande Valley FC.</li><li>Aug. 19 —&nbsp;San Diego Loyal SC vs. New Mexico United.</li></ul>



<h2>ESPN deal could help USL Championship and League One grow</h2>



<p>USL trailed Major League Soccer in terms of popularity. That is not necessarily a surprise, as MLS is the top division, and USL Championship and League One are second and third, respectively. </p>


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<td width="30%"><a href="https://go.web.plus.espn.com/mWebq" target="blank" rel="noopener"><div><figure class="image"><img src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20230303_WST_422059_ESPNPlus.webp&amp;width=500&amp;height=310" alt="ESPN Plus"></figure></div></a></td>
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<h4>USL on ESPN+</h4>
<p>Includes: Bundesliga, LaLiga, USL Championship &amp; more</p>
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<td><a class="button" href="https://go.web.plus.espn.com/mWebq" target="blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: white;"><strong>Watch now</strong></span></a></td>
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<p>With <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/06/14/mls-signs-10-year-deal-with-apple-tv-in-global-deal/">Apple and Major League Soccer striking a deal</a> that puts the league <em>almost </em>exclusively on streaming, some of the more casual fans may not be watching <a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=wst_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l35s4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MLS Season Pass</a>. Those that tuned in to MLS games when they aired on ESPN’s or FOX’s channels could avoid the $14.99 monthly subscription to watch MLS. </p>



<p>However, those same fans may already have <a href="https://go.web.plus.espn.com/mWebq" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESPN+</a> to watch various soccer leagues in Europe or other sports domestically. Therefore, ESPN+ airing every game in these two leagues could be a chance for soccer fans to get more interested. There is a variety of teams across the country competing. And, users only have to pay $9.99 per month to watch most games. Additionally, they get access to a significantly higher quantity of content than what MLS Season Pass offers.</p>


Every single game in the USL Championship and League One is available via ESPN networks, with select games even airing on ESPN2

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