The USL has plans to introduce promotion and relegation in 2028. Athletic Club Boise is moving up in 2027, joining the USL Championship after one season in USL League One. AC Boise set a USL League One record with more than 6,000 season ticket sales before its first match and has sold out every home game. It will add 3,000 seats to its stadium and also start construction on a training facility.
Paul Kennedy
Paul Kennedy edited Soccer America for 41 years (1985-2026). He began writing for SA in 1974. He started writing for France Football in 1978 and has served on in Ballon d'Or jury since 2007.
Posted inSoccer America Daily
Americans Abroad: Competition fierce for Cardoso in Atlético midfield
Playing time has been scarce for Johnny Cardoso to start the new season at Atlético Madrid. He had played a big role during Atlético’s run in the 2026 UEFA Champions League semifinals, the furthest an American had played since Christian Pulisic won the 2021 Champions League with Chelsea, but he did not get off the bench in its 2-1 […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily
BALLON D’OR: Lionel Messi and Rose Lavelle are nominated for 2026 awards
Messi, winner of a record eight Ballon d’Or trophies, faces stiff competition from one of the deepest fields in history. Lavelle was nominated for the first time since 2019 when she finished eighth. She led Gotham FC to its second NWSL title in 2025. Lavelle’s U.S. teammate Lily Yohannes is among the nominees for the Women’s Young Talent of the Year.
Posted inSoccer America Daily
USL: Players ratify Championship CBA
The agreement, which also covers the start of USL Premier, offers increases in minimum base compensation starting at $42,000 for players in the USL Championship. Offering health insurance is now required, and, significantly, the cost will no longer be included in the minimum compensation
Posted inSoccer America Daily
UNDER-20 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP: USA drops opener to Italy
The USA’s struggles in its opening game at the Under-20 Women’s World Cup continued when it fell to Italy 2-1 in their opening game of the 2026 tournament hosted by Poland. Italy, which had gone winless in its two previous tournament appearances in 2004 and 2012, came from behind to defeat an American team featuring seven NWSL pros in the starting lineup. The loss marked the marked the fourth time in the last six Under-20 World Cups the USA has fallen in its opener.
Posted inSoccer America Daily
AMERICANS ABROAD: Aidan Morris’ first Championship goal (in 78 games) set up on platter by Seb
It took 78 games, but Aidan Morris finally scored his first goal for Middlesbrough in the Championship. And it was set up by buddy Sebastian Berhalter on a platter in Boro’s 1-1 tie at Burnley. “USA! USA!” could be heard from visiting fans at Turf Moor.
Posted inSoccer America Daily
U.S. OPEN CUP: All MLS teams will enter formatted tournaments
For the first time since 2023, all eligible MLS teams — 27 U.S. teams — will enter the 2027 U.S. Open Cup. The 96-team competition will begin in April with the first round and conclude with the final scheduled for Dec. 15. The tournament’s final five rounds will all take place after Labor Day to accommodate MLS’s change in season.
Posted inSoccer America Daily
MLS DEADLINE DAY: Damion Downs moves to St. Louis
St. Louis City, one of MLS’s 2026 surprises, has acquired 22-year-old USMNT forward Damion Downs on loan from Southampton through the 2027 Sprint season. THE USMNT vet will attempt to resurrect his career after going scoreless in his last 23 league games. City SC also acquired 26-year-old Brazilian striker Rafael Navarro from the Colorado Rapids via a Cash for Player trade for a team record $12 million fee, plus an additional $250,000 in conditional compensation.
Posted inSoccer America Daily
AMERICANS ABROAD: Albert gets first Dortmund start, Wiley scores golazo
Mathis Albert, 17, earned rave reviews after starting in Borussia Dortmund’s 5-0 win in the first round of the German Cup. The game was played in special circumstances. A crowd of 45,917 fans at Hamburg’s Volksparkstadion watched BVB crush Hamburg Eimsbütteler Ballspiel Club.
Posted inSoccer America Daily
DEADLINE DAY: Luca Bombino and Jack McGlynn sign with Stoke City
The Americans came from MLS teams in combined deals of $11.5 million on Deadline Day. The Potters gave Bombino from San Diego FC his first Championship appearance Tuesday night when they beat Norwich City 1-0 for their first three points of the season after three losses.