The expansion of the Major League Soccer continues and this Monday, the league of the United States and Canada, officially announced, the creation of a new professional league, which seeks the projection of new talents and teams within both countries, starting in 2022, in which this league will see the light with a total of 20 MLS ‘affiliate’ teams and with the possibility that new owners and clubs can join it independently.
Through a statement, MLS confirmed the creation of the new American professional league, which will seek to be professionally registered in US Soccer and that it would serve as ‘second division’ for MLS and as ‘third’ within professional soccer in the United States, only below the USL.
“The creation of this new league will provide an integral step in the player’s journey towards professionalism., accelerating the development of elite talent by providing a highly competitive environment for rising stars to compete alongside established professional players, ”the statement read.
A new league to complete the player pathway from @MLSNEXT to MLS.
Coming in 2022.
– Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 21, 2021
The new MLS professional league will feature a total of 20 teams, currently in MLS, plus the pool of potential independent investment teams., who would make their presentation in the inaugural season of 2022, four years after the World Cup in which the United States, Mexico and Canada will serve as hosts.
“We are excited to launch a new league to complete the professional journey between our academies and top MLS teams.. In addition to providing more opportunities for players of MLS caliber, the new league will develop a diverse talent pool of coaches, umpires and front office executives, while also attracting fans who previously could not support a local club in his hometown, ”said Mark Abbott, MLS president and deputy commissioner.
They seek youth development
The new professional league of the MLS will work hand in hand with MLS Next, to act as a bridge so that young players can reach the highest category of American football, as most of the league’s academies will be able to have activity in the new league, which will see the light of day next year.
For its part, the creation of the new MLS professional league seeks to connect with fans across the country and that they do not have teams in their cities, as the new league is expected to open the market in places where MLS has not reached, with the opening of new independent clubs.
New league details
The new professional league promoted by Major League Soccer will have a format similar to that of the highest category, since the regular season will begin in March, to make way for the playoffs to be played during the fall and the grand finale at the end of December. Similarly, the MLS announced that throughout this year more details will be revealed, the teams participating in the inaugural season, as well as the official name and logo.