Professional & Semi-Professional Soccer Pyramid (2025–2028)
The pro/semi-pro soccer pyramid is a tiered system that organizes the sport from the highest professional leagues down to grassroots amateur play. At the top sits Major League Soccer (MLS), followed by a network of professional, semi-professional, and elite amateur leagues that provide opportunities for clubs and players across the country.
A major change is coming with the United Soccer League (USL) introducing a promotion and relegation system across its professional tiers starting in the 2027–28 season. This new structure will allow clubs to move up or down divisions based on performance, bringing the U.S. soccer landscape closer to the global model and opening new pathways for ambitious teams and communities.
On this page, you’ll find a clear breakdown of the current and upcoming structure of the U.S. soccer pyramid, with explanations of each tier and what these changes mean for the future of the game in America.
Understanding the American Soccer Pyramid
The pyramid is a visual representation of how the sport is organized in the United States, from the grassroots (at the bottom) to the professional level (at the top). Each layer of the pyramid reflects a different tier of competition, opportunity, and ambition for clubs, players, and communities across the country. Let’s take it from the top!
Top Tier: Major League Soccer (MLS)
At the summit of the pyramid is Major League Soccer (MLS), the highest level of professional soccer in the United States.
For the 2025 season, MLS features 30 teams; 27 based in the United States and 3 in Canada. The league is divided into two conferences, Eastern and Western, each with 15 teams. The most recent expansion club, San Diego FC, joins the league this year, marking MLS’s 30th season and aligning the number of teams with its anniversary milestone.
Each club plays a 34-match regular season, split evenly between home and away games. Teams primarily face conference opponents, with a handful of inter-conference matches each year. At the end of the regular season, the top nine teams from each conference advance to the playoffs, culminating in the race for the MLS Cup, the league’s championship trophy.
MLS operates as a closed league, meaning there is no promotion or relegation-teams do not move up or down based on their results. The league is known for its large, passionate fan bases, state-of-the-art stadiums, and ability to attract both top domestic talent and international stars. In addition to competing for the MLS Cup, teams also participate in domestic tournaments like the U.S. Open Cup and international competitions such as the CONCACAF Champions Cup and Leagues Cup.
As MLS continues to expand and evolve, it remains the primary destination for elite soccer talent in North America and the most visible platform for the sport in the region.
Western Conference
Austin FC
Colorado Rapids
FC Dallas
Houston Dynamo FC
LA Galaxy
Los Angeles FC
Minnesota United FC
Portland Timbers
Real Salt Lake
San Diego FC
San Jose Earthquakes
Seattle Sounders FC
Sporting Kansas City
St. Louis CITY SC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Eastern Conference
Atlanta United FC
Charlotte FC
Chicago Fire FC
FC Cincinnati
Columbus Crew
D.C. United
Inter Miami CF
CF Montréal
Nashville SC
New England Revolution
New York City FC
New York Red Bulls
Orlando City SC
Philadelphia Union
Toronto FC
Professional Progression: The United Soccer League (USL)
Just beneath MLS, sits the United Soccer League (USL) which is transforming the professional landscape with a new, interconnected structure. (Yup you guessed it) promotion/relegation.
Starting in the 2027–28 season, the USL will introduce a three-tier professional system:
- USL Division One
- USL Championship
- USL League One
For the first time in U.S. professional sports, these divisions will use promotion and relegation, allowing clubs to move up or down based on their on-field performance. This system rewards ambition and achievement, giving clubs from all markets a chance to rise.
It is important to note: the MLS is one of the only top-flight professional soccer leagues in the world that does not use promotion and relegation, operating instead as a closed franchise system. While a few smaller or less-established leagues globally also lack promotion and relegation, MLS is unique among major leagues for this structure. Nearly all other top-tier leagues worldwide use promotion and relegation as a core part of their competition format. This is in part why the USL announcement has shaken the sport here in the U.S.
Third Tier: MLS Next Pro and NISA
MLS Next Pro
Launched in 2022 by Major League Soccer (MLS); it serves as the official third tier in the U.S. soccer league system and acts as a bridge between MLS youth academies (MLS NEXT) and MLS first teams. The league is designed to develop young players, coaches, and staff, and features mostly reserve teams from MLS clubs, along with a small but growing number of independent clubs. MLS Next Pro is known for its innovative rules and focus on player development and community engagement.
As of 2025, the league includes 29 teams (27 MLS-affiliated and 2 independent clubs) and continues to expand into new markets.
National Independent Soccer Association (NISA)
NISA is at the third tier of the U.S. soccer pyramid. Founded in 2017 and beginning play in 2019, NISA is known for its independent club model and aims to provide an open, merit-based system with aspirations for future promotion and relegation. The league features clubs from across the country and is committed to providing opportunities for independent ownership and community-based soccer. NISA operates separately from the MLS and USL systems and is recognized for its inclusive approach and support for club autonomy. As of 2025, NISA features 9 clubs.
Semi-Professional and Elite Amateur Leagues
Just below the professional ranks, the pyramid expands to include national semi-professional and elite amateur leagues.
Leagues such as USL League Two, NPSL, UPSL, and NISA Nation serve as vital bridges for college players, aspiring professionals, and dedicated amateurs.
These leagues provide high-level competition and development, but do not have promotion or relegation with the professional tiers.
Teams such as NJ United AC fall in this category.
(We are a proud partner of NJ United.)
Regional and State Leagues/Grassroots and Local Soccer
Regional & State Leagues
Further down the pyramid, regional and state leagues offer competitive soccer for adults and foster the sport’s growth at the community level. These leagues, often sanctioned by the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA), provide structured play and opportunities for players who want to continue their soccer journey locally, whether competitively or recreationally.
Grassroots and Local Soccer
At the base of the pyramid are local and city leagues, where soccer’s community spirit truly thrives. These grassroots leagues are the foundation of American soccer, welcoming players of all ages and skill levels. They are essential for fostering a lifelong love of the game and connecting communities through sport.
Youth Soccer Pyramid
Want to take a look at the youth soccer pyramid and the layers of competition? We’ve got you.
