 USSF Division I soccer clubs of the United States and Canada (2024). | |
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| Sport | Soccer |
| Promotion and relegation | No |
| National system | |
| Federation | United States Soccer Federation |
| Confederation | CONCACAF |
| Top division |
|
| Second division | USL Championship (men) |
| Cup competition |
|
| Soccer in the United States | |
The United States soccer league system is a series of professional and amateur soccer leagues based, in whole or in part, in the United States. Sometimes called the American soccer pyramid, teams and leagues are not linked by the system of promotion and relegation typical in soccer elsewhere. Instead, the United States Soccer Federation (USSF or U.S. Soccer) defines professional leagues in three levels, called divisions, with all other leagues sanctioned by the USSF not having an official designated level or division.
For practical and historical reasons, some teams from Bermuda, Canada, and Puerto Rico (considered a separate country by FIFA) can also compete in these leagues. However, these teams are not eligible for the U.S. Open Cup and cannot represent the United States in the CONCACAF Champions Cup because they are not affiliated with U.S. Soccer.