USL League Two
| USL League Two | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Sport | |
| Tipo | Club |
| Federazione | USASA |
| Paese |  Stati Uniti Canada
|
| Organizzatore | United Soccer Leagues |
| Cadenza | annuale |
| Apertura | maggio |
| Chiusura | agosto |
| Partecipanti | 128 squadre (2024) |
| Formula | Stagione regolare più play-off |
| Sito Internet | Sito Ufficiale |
| Storia | |
| Fondazione | 1995 |
| Detentore |  Seacost United Phantoms
|
| Record vittorie |  Flint City Bucks (4)
|
La USL League Two (USL2), precedentemente nota come Premier Development League (PDL), è una lega calcistica maschile che opera negli Stati Uniti e nel Canada, e in passato anche nelle Bermuda. Fondata nel 1995, viene organizzata dalla USL. Nel 2024 la lega è composta da 128 partecipanti.
La USL League Two può essere considerata come uno dei più importanti campionati dilettantistici degli USA. Infatti è uno dei due tornei di livello nazionale affiliati alla USASA, l'organo della federazione preposto al calcio dilettantistico.[1]
Formula del torneo
[modifica | modifica wikitesto]Nonostante vari cambi di formula, la USL League Two segue lo schema classico dei vari campionati nordamericani: una prima fase di stagione regolare e una fase finale di playoff per decretare il vincitore finale. Non sono previste promozioni o retrocessioni.
Al 2022 la USL League Two è divisa in 4 Conference (Eastern, Central, Southern e Western), suddivise a loro volta in Division: 4 per la Eastern e la Central, 5 per la Southern e 3 per la Western per un totale di 16 Division.
La stagione regolare USL League Two si svolge durante l'estate da inizio maggio a metà luglio. Ogni squadra gioca un programma di 14 partite contro i rispettivi avversari di Division, sette in casa e sette in trasferta. Nelle Conference con tre Division, ogni vincitore di Division, più la seconda squadra con il miglior piazzamento nella Conference, avanza ai playoff nelle semifinali della Conference. Nelle Conference con due Division, le prime due squadre di ciascuna Division avanzano alle semifinali di Conference.[2]
In base al regolamento della lega, ciascuna squadra può avere in rosa un massimo di 26 giocatori, di cui massimo 8 che abbiano più di 23 anni e almeno 3 che ne abbiano meno di 18. Vista questa vocazione allo sviluppo di giovani giocatori, spesso la USL PDL è il trampolino di lancio per quei giocatori che vogliono sbarcare nel professionismo.[3]
Storia
[modifica | modifica wikitesto]Il campionato nacque nel 1995, quando la lega USISL decise di creare due distinti campionati: il primo a carattere semiprofessionistico denominato Professional League, il secondo dilettantistico chiamato Premier League. Nel 1997 il torneo cambiò nome in Premier Development Soccer League, per poi semplificarlo nel 1999 in Premier Development League (PDL). Dal 2019 assume la denominazione di USL League Two.[4]
Squadre partecipanti nel 2024
[modifica | modifica wikitesto]| Club | Città | Stato | Conference | Division |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AC Connecticut | Hartford | Connecticut | Eastern | Northeast |
| AC Houston Sur | South Houston | Texas | Southern | Lone Star |
| Academica SC | Turlock | California | Western | NorCal |
| AFC Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor | Michigan | Central | Great Lakes |
| AHFC Royals | Houston | Texas | Southern | Lone Star |
| Albany Rush | Albany | New York | Eastern | Northeast |
| Albion SC Colorado | Lafayette | Colorado | Western | Mountain |
| Almaden FC | Almaden Valley | California | Western | NorCal |
| AMSG FC | Huntington Beach | California | Western | Southwest |
| Arizona Arsenal SC | Mesa | Arizona | Western | Southwest |
| Asheville City SC | Asheville | North Carolina | Southern | South Central |
| Athens United | Athens | Georgia | Southern | South Central |
| Ballard FC | Seattle | Washington | Western | Northwest |
| Bavarian United SC | Milwaukee | Wisconsin | Central | Deep North |
| Birmingham Legion 2 | Birmingham | Alabama | Southern | South Central |
| Black Rock FC | Manchester | Vermont | Eastern | Northeast |
| Blue Goose SC | Shreveport | Louisiana | Southern | Mid South |
| Boston Bolts | Newton | Massachusetts | Eastern | Northeast |
| Boston City FC | Revere | Massachusetts | Eastern | Northeast |
| Brave SC | Summerfield | Florida | Southern | Southeast |
| Brevard SC | Melbourne | Florida | Southern | Southeast |
| Brooke House FC | Maitland | Florida | Southern | Southeast |
| Capital FC Atletico | Salem | Oregon | Western | Northwest |
| Capo FC | San Juan Capistrano | California | Western | Southwest |
| Cedar Stars Rush | Teaneck | New Jersey | Eastern | Metropolitan |
| Charlotte Eagles | Charlotte | North Carolina | Eastern | South Atlantic |
| Charlotte Independence II | Rock Hill | South Carolina | Eastern | South Atlantic |
| Charlottesville Blues | Charlottesville | Virginia | Eastern | Chesapeake |
| Chicago City SC | Chicago | Illinois | Central | Heartland |
| Chicago Dutch Lions FC | Lisle | Illinois | Central | Heartland |
| Christos FC | Baltimora | Maryland | Eastern | Chesapeake |
| Cleveland Force SC | Cleveland | Ohio | Central | Valley |
| Coachella FC | Coachella | California | Western | Southwest |
| Colorado International Soccer Academy | Aurora | Colorado | Western | Mountain |
| Corpus Christi FC | Corpus Christi | Texas | Southern | Lone Star |
| Davis Legacy SC | Davis | California | Western | NorCal |
| Dayton Dutch Lions | West Carrollton | Ohio | Central | Valley |
| Des Moines Menace | Des Moines | Iowa | Central | Heartland |
| Dothan United SC | Dothan | Alabama | Southern | South Central |
| East Atlanta FC | Atlanta | Georgia | Southern | South Central |
| FC Buffalo | Buffalo | New York | Central | Valley |
| FC Motown | Morristown | New Jersey | Eastern | Metropolitan |
| FC Olympia | Olympia | Washington | Western | Northwest |
| FC Tucson | Tucson | Arizona | Western | Southwest |
| Flatirons Rush SC | Arvada | Colorado | Western | Mountain |
| Flint City Bucks | Flint | Michigan | Central | Great Lakes |
| Florida Elite SA | Saint Johns | Florida | Southern | Southeast |
| Fort Wayne FC | Fort Wayne | Indiana | Central | Valley |
| Hattiesburg FC | Hattiesburg | Mississippi | Southern | Mid South |
| Hill Country Lobos | Kyle | Texas | Soithern | Lone Star |
| Houston FC | Houston | Texas | Southern | Lone Star |
| Hudson Valley Hammers | Newburgh | New York | Eastern | Metropolitan |
| Inter Gainesville | Gainesville | Florida | Southern | Southeast |
| Ironbound SC | Newark | New Jersey | Eastern | Metropolitan |
| Kalamazoo FC | Kalamazoo | Michigan | Central | Great Lakes |
| Kings Hammer SC | Cincinnati | Ohio | Central | Valley |
| Lane United FC | Eugene | Oregon | Western | Northwest |
| Lansing City Football | Lansing | Michigan | Central | Great Lakes |
| Lehigh Valley United | Bethlehem | Pennsylvania | Eastern | Mid Atlantic |
| Lionsbridge FC | Newport News | Virginia | Eastern | Chesapeake |
| Little Rock Rangers | Little Rock | Arkansas | Southern | Mid South |
| Long Island Rough Riders | Hempstead | New York | Eastern | Metropolitan |
| Louisiana Krewe FC | Lafayette | Louisiana | Southern | Mid South |
| Marin Legends FC | Marin County | California | Western | NorCal |
| Miami AC | Miami | Florida | Southern | South Florida |
| Michiana Lions | South Bend | Indiana | Central | Great Lakes |
| Midlakes United | Bellevue | Washington | Western | Northwest |
| Midwest United FC | Grand Rapids | Michigan | Central | Great Lakes |
| Minneapolis City SC | Minneapolis | Minnesota | Central | Deep North |
| Mississippi Brilla | Clinton | Mississippi | Southern | Mid South |
| Monterey Bay FC 2 | Salinas | California | Western | NorCal |
| Morris Elite SC | Livingston | New Jersey | Eastern | Metropolitan |
| New Jersey Copa FC | Metuchen | New Jersey | Eastern | Metropolitan |
| New Mexico United U23 | Albuquerque | New Mexico | Western | Mountain |
| NONA FC | Orlando | Florida | Southern | Southeast |
| North Carolina Fusion | Greensboro | North Carolina | Eastern | South Atlantic |
| Northern Virginia FC | Leesburg | Virginia | Eastern | Chesapeake |
| Oakland County FC | Clawson | Michigan | Central | Great Lakes |
| Ocean City Nor'easters | Ocean City | New Jersey | Eastern | Mid Atlantic |
| Patuxent Football Athletics | Patuxent | Maryland | Eastern | Chesapeake |
| Peoria City | Peoria | Illinois | Central | Heartland |
| Philadelphia Lone Star FC | Filadelfia | Pennsylvania | Eastern | Mid Atlantic |
| Project 510 | Oakland | California | Western | NorCal |
| Reading United AC | Reading | Pennsylvania | Eastern | Mid Atlantic |
| Real Central New Jersey | West Windsor | New Jersey | Eastern | Mid Atlantic |
| River Light FC | Aurora | Illinois | Central | Heartland |
| RKC Soccer Club | Racine e Kenosha | Wisconsin | Central | Deep North |
| Rochester FC | Rochester | Minnesota | Central | Deep North |
| Saint Charles FC | Saint Charles | Missouri | Central | Heartland |
| Saint Croix SC | Stillwater | Minnesota | Central | Deep North |
| Salem City | Cary | North Carolina | Eastern | South Atlantic |
| Salt City FC | Herriman | Utah | Western | Mountain |
| San Francisco City FC | San Francisco | California | Western | NorCal |
| San Francisco Glens SC | San Francisco | California | Western | NorCal |
| Sarasota Paradise | Sarasota | Florida | Southern | South Florida |
| Seacost United Phantoms | Epping | New Hampshire | Eastern | Northeast |
| South Carolina United | Columbia | South Carolina | Southern | South Central |
| Southern California Eagles | La Mirada | California | Western | Southwest |
| Southern Soccer Academy Kings | Dallas | Georgia | Southern | South Central |
| Staten Island Athletic SC | Staten Island | New York | Eastern | Metropolitan |
| Sueño FC | Joilet | Illinois | Central | Heartland |
| Swan City SC | Lakeland | Florida | Southern | Southeast |
| Tacoma Stars FC | Tacoma | Washington | Western | Northwest |
| Tampa Bay United SC | Tampa | Florida | Southern | Southeast |
| Tennessee SC | Franklin | Tennessee | Southern | South Central |
| Thunder Bay Chill | Thunder Bay | Ontario | Central | Deep North |
| Tobacco Road | Durham | North Carolina | Eastern | South Atlantic |
| Toledo Villa | Toledo | Ohio | Central | Valley |
| Union FC Macomb | Macomb | Michigan | Central | Great Lakes |
| United PDX | Portland | Oregon | Western | Northwest |
| Utah Avalanche | Midvale | Utah | Western | Mountain |
| Utah United | Utah County | Utah | Western | Mountain |
| Ventura County Fusion | Ventura | California | Western | Southwest |
| Vermont Green FC | Burlington | Vermont | Eastern | Northeast |
| Virginia Beach United FC | Virginia Beach | Virginia | Eastern | Chesapeake |
| Virginia Marauders FC | Winchester | Virginia | Eastern | Chesapeake |
| Wake FC | Holly Springs | North Carolina | Eastern | South Atlantic |
| West Chester United SC | West Chester | Pennsylvania | Eastern | Mid Atlantic |
| West Virginia United | Dunbar | West Virginia | Eastern | South Atlantic |
| Westchester Flames | New Rochelle | New York | Eastern | Metropolitan |
| Western Mass Pioneers | Ludlow | Massachusetts | Eastern | Northeast |
| Weston FC | Weston | Florida | Southern | South Florida |
Albo d'oro
[modifica | modifica wikitesto]| Stagione | Campione | Risultato | Finalista | Vincitore regular season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USISL Premier League 1995 |  Richmond Kickers
|
3 - 1 | Cocoa Expos |  San Francisco All-Blacks
|
| USISL Premier League 1996 |  Central Coast Roadrunners
|
2 - 1 | Cocoa Expos | Central Coast Roadrunners
|
| USL Premier Development Soccer League 1997 | Central Coast Roadrunners
|
2 - 1 | Cocoa Expos |  Spokane Shadow
|
| USL Premier Development Soccer League 1998 |  San Gabriel Valley Highlanders
|
3 - 2 | Jackson Chargers |  Jackson Chargers
|
| USL Premier Development League 1999 | Chicago Sockers
|
3 - 1 | Spokane Shadow | Jackson Chargers
|
| USL Premier Development League 2000 | Chicago Sockers
|
1 - 0 | Michigan Bucks |  Westchester Flames
|
| USL Premier Development League 2001 | Westchester Flames
|
3 - 1 | Calgary Storm |  Calgary Storm
|
| USL Premier Development League 2002 |  Cape Cod Crusaders
|
2 - 1 | Colorado Rapids Reserves |  Des Moines Menace
|
| USL Premier Development League 2003 | Cape Cod Crusaders
|
2 - 0 | Chicago Fire Res. |  New Orleans Shell Shockers
|
| USL Premier Development League 2004 |  Central Florida Kraze
|
1 - 0 | Colorado Rapids Reserves |  Chicago Fire Res.
|
| USL Premier Development League 2005 | Des Moines Menace
|
0 - 0 (6 - 5) d.c.r. | El Paso Patriots |  OC Blue Star
|
| USL Premier Development League 2006 | _con_croce_dell=2527Ordine_di_Cristo.png){kind=small} Michigan Bucks
|
2 - 1 | Laredo Heat |  Carolina Dynamo
|
| USL Premier Development League 2007 |  Laredo Heat
|
0 - 0 (4 - 3) d.c.r. | Michigan Bucks |  Hampton Roads Piranhas
|
| USL Premier Development League 2008 | Thunder Bay Chill
|
1 - 1 (4 - 1 d.c.r.) | Laredo Heat | Michigan Bucks
|
| USL Premier Development League 2009 |  Ventura C.F.
|
2 - 1 | Chicago Fire Res. |  Reading Rage
|
| USL Premier Development League 2010 |  Portland Timbers U-23
|
4 - 1 | Thunder Bay Chill | Portland Timbers U-23
|
| USL Premier Development League 2011 |  Kitsap Pumas
|
1 - 0 | Laredo Heat |  C.V. Fuego
|
| USL Premier Development League 2012 |  Forest City London
|
2 - 1 | Carolina Dynamo | Michigan Bucks
|
| USL Premier Development League 2013 |  Austin Aztex
|
3 - 1 | Thunder Bay Chill | Thunder Bay Chill
|
| USL Premier Development League 2014 | Michigan Bucks
|
1 - 0 | Kitsap Pumas | Des Moines Menace
|
| USL Premier Development League 2015 | .svg){kind=small} K-W United
|
4 - 3 | N.Y. Red Bulls U23 | Michigan Bucks
|
| USL Premier Development League 2016 | Michigan Bucks
|
3 - 2 | Calgary Foothills | Michigan Bucks
|
| USL Premier Development League 2017 |  Charlotte Eagles
|
2 - 1 | Thunder Bay Chill |  N.Y. Red Bulls U23
|
| USL Premier Development League 2018 |  Calgary Foothills
|
4 - 2 | Reading United AC | Des Moines Menace
|
| USL League Two 2019 | Flint City Bucks
|
1 - 0 (d.t.s.) | Reading United AC | Des Moines Menace
|
| USL League Two 2020 | Stagione annullata[5] | |||
| USL League Two 2021 | Des Moines Menace
|
1 - 0 | North Carolina Fusion | Des Moines Menace
|
| USL League Two 2022 | Ventura C.F.
|
2 - 1 | L.I. Rough Riders |  Lionsbridge
|
| USL League Two 2023 |  Ballard
|
2 - 1 | Lionsbridge |  Chicago City
|
| USL League Two 2024 | Seacost United Phantoms
|
3 - 2 (d.t.s.) |  Peoria City
|
Seacost United Phantoms
|
Campionati
[modifica | modifica wikitesto]| Squadra | Titoli | Anno |
|---|---|---|
| Flint City Bucks[6]
|
4
|
2006, 2014, 2016, 2019 |
| Central Coast Roadrunners
|
2
|
1996, 1997 |
| Chicago Sockers
|
2
|
1999, 2000 |
| Cape Cod Crusaders
|
2
|
2002, 2003 |
| Des Moines Menace
|
2
|
2005, 2021 |
| Ventura C.F.
|
2
|
2009, 2022 |
| Richmond Kickers
|
1
|
1995 |
| San Gabriel Valley Highlanders
|
1
|
1998 |
| Westchester Flames
|
1
|
2001 |
| Central Florida Kraze
|
1
|
2004 |
| Laredo Heat
|
1
|
2007 |
| Thunder Bay Chill
|
1
|
2008 |
| Portland Timbers U-23
|
1
|
2010 |
| Kitsap Pumas
|
1
|
2011 |
| Forest City London
|
1
|
2012 |
| Austin Aztex
|
1
|
2013 |
| K-W United
|
1
|
2015 |
| Charlotte Eagles
|
1
|
2017 |
| Calgary Foothills
|
1
|
2018 |
| Ballard
|
1
|
2023 |
| Seacost United Phantoms
|
1
|
2024 |
|}
Vittorie regular season
[modifica | modifica wikitesto]| Squadra | Titoli | Anno |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines Menace
|
5
|
2002, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2021 |
| Flint City Bucks[6]
|
4
|
2008, 2012, 2015, 2016 |
| Jackson Chargers
|
2
|
1998, 1999 |
| San Francisco All-Blacks
|
1
|
1995 |
| Central Coast Roadrunners
|
1
|
1996 |
| Spokane Shadow
|
1
|
1997 |
| Westchester Flames
|
1
|
2000 |
| Calgary Storm
|
1
|
2001 |
| New Orleans Shell Shockers
|
1
|
2003 |
| Chicago Fire Res.
|
1
|
2004 |
| OC Blue Star
|
1
|
2005 |
| Carolina Dynamo
|
1
|
2006 |
| Hampton Roads Piranhas
|
1
|
2007 |
| Reading Rage
|
1
|
2009 |
| Portland Timbers U-23
|
1
|
2010 |
| C.V. Fuego
|
1
|
2011 |
| Thunder Bay Chill
|
1
|
2013 |
| N.Y. Red Bulls U23
|
1
|
2017 |
| Lionsbridge
|
1
|
2022 |
| Chicago City
|
1
|
2023 |
| Seacost United Phantoms
|
1
|
2024 |
Note
[modifica | modifica wikitesto]- ^ (EN) About USASA, su usadultsoccer.com. URL consultato il 29 ottobre 2016.
- ^ About, su uslleaguetwo.com.
- ^ (EN) Path2Pro, su uslpdl.com. URL consultato il 29 ottobre 2016 (archiviato dall'url originale il 14 ottobre 2016).
- ^ (EN) USL unveils new structure: one central brand, three leagues, evolving for the future, su uslsoccer.com, 28 settembre 2018. URL consultato il 21 ottobre 2018.
- ^ (EN) United Soccer League provides update on 2020 seasons, su uslsoccer.com, 30 aprile 2020. URL consultato l'11 maggio 2020.
- ^ a b titoli vinti come Michigan Bucks
Voci correlate
[modifica | modifica wikitesto]Altri progetti
[modifica | modifica wikitesto]
Wikimedia Commons contiene immagini o altri file su United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League
Collegamenti esterni
[modifica | modifica wikitesto]- (EN) Sito ufficiale, su uslpdl.com. URL consultato il 10 aprile 2015 (archiviato dall'url originale il 7 settembre 2014).
