A New North

Per a press release from North Carolina FC last Sunday, the club will be joining the USL League One beginning in the 2021 season. USL League One is considered to be the third tier division men’s soccer league in the United States. 

For the past three seasons the club competed in the USL Championship, which is the second tier division of American’s men’s soccer. 

The club said that the move down is a strategic one that will provide the “largest youth-to-professional soccer organization in the United States the opportunity to enhance its youth development pathway.” First-team minutes for younger players will increase, as well as there being more of an emphasis on, and money being directed towards scouting and recruitment. 

Although finances were not listed as a reason for the decision, it’s hard to believe that the lost money from the pandemic did not have a large impact on the move. The 2020 USL Championship season was derailed by the pandemic, including the title match being cancelled after there was an outbreak on the Tampa Bay Rowdies. 

Per a report from The Athletic, USL League One clubs paid just under $100,000 in dues, compared to $225,000 in dues in the USL Championship. 

The North Carolina Courage, who are affiliated with NCFC and share an owner in Stephen Malik, will not be affected by NCFC’s division change. In fact, the Courage actually raised $250,000 in equity following last week’s NWSL Draft and is actively looking to expand their team ownership. 

While the move could be disappointing to NCFC supporters, it could help the development of North Carolina soccer as a whole, as the Courage have been one of the NWSL’s best teams and Charlotte FC is planning to launch in 2022 in the MLS. The UNC women’s soccer team continues to be successful as well, and had three players selected in the NWSL Draft. 

The USL has 11 other teams, with the Richmond Kickers and Greenville Triumph being the two clubs closest to NCFC.