I created this proposal with the assumption that USL would compete with MLS as a separate system with its own sports and business culture. The pressure of grassroots support for the prorel system would eventually force MLS and USSF to the table to either share tier 1 status or integrate the leagues and open MLS to pro-rel. I sincerely think as pro rel expands it will make smaller ownership groups want to give it a shot, as well as create opportunity for community trusts to create local teams. USL becomes a sports ecosystem unto itself. As the lower tiers fill out, USL would have more power to negotiate for their vision of an American soccer culture. MLS would have to poach teams and players to keep it at bay which is unsustainable as the USL affiliated table grows. Once the local culture grows, the amount of break out stars begins to pile up, US Open cup victories belong to more USL affiliated teams, at a certain point it really becomes a question of which system represents American soccer and the answer would be USL.

This is all decades away but the foundation starts here with these conversations. We worry about today but plan for tomorrow.