[ad_1]
The MLS officially announced the launch of a new professional league on Monday. The long-rumored league is basically a bit of a middle ground between the old Reserve League and the current line-up, with the so-called MLS2 teams that start teams in the USL Championship and the USL League. Although the MLS did not state what sanction the new league wants, previous reports have suggested that they are Division 3, the same as USL-L1.
In its announcement, MLS seems to envision this league as the path between the MLS NEXT Academy League, launched last year, and the first teams. The league plans to start playing in 2022 with a team operated by 20 MLS along with some independent teams.
In addition to providing more opportunities for MLS-caliber players, the new league will develop the diverse talent of coaches, referees and office managers and will also attract fans who were previously unable to support the local club, MLS president and vice president in their hometown. Commissioner Mark Abbott said in a league statement.
Report in The Athletic said the MLS will allow its teams to continue to place their teams in the USL at least until 2023 and possibly beyond. Sounders have previously announced plans to hold the Tacoma Defians at the USL Championship for the time being, but the source described the situation recently. Assuming MLS doesn’t limit participation, the Sounders could kick teams in both the new league and the USL championship to create an even longer bridge from the academy to the first team. In fact, Defiance rarely has room on its list for unsigned Academy players, and a lower-level team could offer more advanced opportunities, especially given that the Sounders have not placed U19 on the MLS NEXT team.
[ad_2]
picture credit