The USL Second Division (commonly referred to as USL-2) was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, operated by United Soccer Leagues (USL). It was at the third tier of soccer in the United States, behind Major League Soccer (top tier) and the USL First Division (second tier), and one step up from the USL Premier Development League and other leagues in the fourth tier.
History In 1995 the United States Interregional Soccer League (USISL), the de facto second tier of American soccer at the time, changed its name to the United States International Soccer League, and split into two leagues, one professional and one amateur. The professional league, initially called the USISL Pro League, was a FIFA-sanctioned Division 3 league, while the amateur league, (the 'Premier League'), was given Division 4 status and would later go on to become the USL Premier Development League. The first champions of the new USISL Pro League were the Long Island Rough Riders, who beat Minnesota Thunder 2–1 in the championship game.The Year in American Soccer, 1995
In 1996, the USISL established a new USISL Select League. The strongest USISL Pro League teams joined this new league, which was given Division 2 status alongside the existing A-League, while the remainder of the teams (plus expansion teams) remained at Division 3 level. Charleston Battery became the league's second champions in this year, beating the Charlotte Eagles in a penalty shootout in the 1996 USISL Pro League championship game.The Year in American Soccer, 1996
In 1997 the league changed its name to the USISL D-3 Pro League to further distinguish itself from the A-League, and then in 1999 the umbrella USISL changed its name to the United Soccer Leagues (USL), and as such the Pro League officially became known as the USL D3 Pro League. In 2003 the name was changed again to the USL Pro Select League, but during the season had to be changed to the USL Pro Soccer League for to legal reasons. In 2005 the league took its final name as the USL Second Division.
The USL Second Division dissolved following the 2010 season to make way for USL Pro, which combined the existing USL First and Second divisions and began play in 2011.
Teams
Timeline
Past champions Season Champion Score Runner-upUSISL Pro League1995 Long Island Rough Riders2–1Minnesota Thunder1996 Charleston Battery3–2 (SO)Charlotte EaglesUSISL D-3 Pro League1997 Albuquerque Geckos 4–1 Charlotte Eagles1998 Chicago Stingers 3–2 (OT) New Hampshire PhantomsUSL D3 Pro League1999 Western Mass Pioneers2–1South Jersey Barons2000 Charlotte Eagles5–0New Jersey Stallions2001 Utah Blitzz1–0Greenville Lions2002 Long Island Rough Riders2–1Wilmington HammerheadsUSL Pro Select League (USL Pro Soccer League)2003 Wilmington Hammerheads2–1 (2OT)Westchester Flames2004 Utah Blitzz2–2 Charlotte EaglesUSL Second Division2005 Charlotte Eagles2–2 Western Mass Pioneers2006 Richmond Kickers 2–1 Charlotte Eagles2007 Harrisburg City Islanders 1–1 Richmond Kickers2008 Cleveland City Stars 2–1 Charlotte Eagles2009 Richmond Kickers 3–1 Charlotte Eagles2010Charleston Battery 2–1 Richmond Kickers
Championships by team ClubWinnerSeasons wonLong Island Rough Riders21995, 2002Charleston Battery21996, 2010Charlotte Eagles22000, 2005Utah Blitzz22001, 2004Richmond Kickers22006, 2009Albuquerque Geckos11997Chicago Stingers11998Western Mass Pioneers11999Wilmington Hammerheads12003Harrisburg City Islanders12007Cleveland City Stars12008
References