MLS league structure?

[devildog683]

Could someone please tell me the different levels of MLS? I have heard there are different skill leagues and you can work your way up from a league that is basically pick-up soccer (you dont get paid) all they way up to the pros. ALso any links to these team sites/tryout info would be great! Thanks!

[JC4579]

MLS is the top league followed by the USL first, then second division follwed by the development league.

[ChloroPhil]

If you are referring to a promotion/relegation system, then I'm sorry to disappoint, but the MLS (as all American sports) doesn't have that. However, there is a soccer pyramid. The MLS is the top flight league. There is a soccer promotion/relegation system below MLS (in the minor league), in the United Soccer Leagues (USL). The USL has been around much longer than MLS and have two divisions. Then there are a bunch of leagues below that that you should check out. The best figure I found is in the link below. This should explain the American Soccer Pyramid.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_soccer_pyramid

[FrederickS]

The American soccer pyramid is more like baseball than European soccer. If you're an aspiring baseball player, you will have to succeed in various minor league levels to get to the majors. There's really no relegation/promotion in America. MLS is a standalone league where owners have to pay a franchise fee ($30 million or so) to the league to join. When you form a club, you're in the top-flight league as long as you can operate the club.

USL-1 and USL-2 are the second and third level leagues. You get paid for playing, though most have to have a second job in the offseason to live. Even some MLS players have to have a job during the offseason because wages are pretty low.

Soccer leagues like the National Premier Soccer League and the Pacific Coast Soccer League are semi-pro leagues.

The USL Premier Development League is probably the best league to show your talent to prospective MLS, USL-1 and USL-2 and get paid. It's an amateur league where many college players participate without relinquishing their college eligibility status. Of course, the top 3 leagues and others around the world scout the matches for talent.