Major USL Shake-Up: Memphis 901 FC, Northern Colorado, & Central Valley Fuego Exit the League

[@danielcervantes334]

While I’m glad my hometown Santa Barbara is finally getting a professional soccer team, just sad to see another city and fans lose theirs.

[@JGS138]

Sad about CV Fuego but I’m hoping that doesn’t mean the team is folding, the central valley needs to keep a team.

[@Sergio-ik4ix]

Word is Modesto is getting a USL team

[@storyinsport9110]

I dont want a league where teams go to die. Maybe start by ending the pro rel talks. Pro rel is great for bankruptcy to teams.

[@Dweller415]

Sacramento Republic plays in the Central Valley.

[@JGS138]

@@Dweller415no one in the Fresno area is driving all the way to Sacramento just to watch a “Central Valley” team play

[@rochesterjohnny7555]

the end of Memphis 101 reminds me of what happened in Rochester, I used to go to every game even the Open Cup games in the middle of the week

[@DavesGameChannel]

New Mexico fan here. Very sorry to see Memphis go.

[@spainishheron]

soccer has a long way to go. Imagine a team disolving cause of a stadium. So sad. I agree that one day USL will be more stable but it still has a long road ahead

[@wadeflores6978]

It’s just USL that has a long way to go. MLS is stable and thriving in the states and Canada

[@davidday2373]

@@spainishheron No fans, no teams. Simple.

[@AKUNJIG]

Some of us here in Atlanta are saddened about loss of the Memphis 901.

[@bigjoeofthe707]

Central Valley never had sold out games. They played in a college soccer stadium that seated 1K and never touched that number. Always in the hundreds. The worst attendance ever

[@gruncletim]

Memphis has been playing their matches in Autozone Park, which is a baseball stadium. I am not a fan of baseball stadiums for soccer matches. I don't like the layouts, but I suppose it is better than nothing. However, there isn't any other decent location for a soccer match for a significant number of fans. They have a nice field out at the Mike Rose Complex, but it only seats 2500 fans. They also have the Liberty Bowl, but it is narrow with the playing area being the minimum allowed, and the corners of the playing area would be up against the concrete walls in the corners. I remember when Memphis had a team in the old NASL, and they had to play their matches in that tight space.

[@FAITHandLOGIC]

Sad to see Memphis go but I'm not surprised. When they didnt get their stadium deal, I knew the clock was ticking.

[@SuperJNG18]

I keep hoping we’ll go a season without a team leaving the Championship. Alas. Brooklyn FC can’t start playing soon enough…

[@Nine06Mirage]

Don't be too hopeful. If another stadium proposal fails, this will happen again.

[@SuperJNG18]

@@Nine06Mirageand the BFC men’s team isn’t playing until 2026. Rats. At least the women’s team has been doing great!

[@PAAKWAMEPAA]

Usl must adopt revenue sharing amongst all their shareholders, teams compete on the field but in essence they are partners

[@Nine06Mirage]

The USL ecosystem has been stable, despite the hits and misses and departures of MLS clubs. Central Valley Fuego was a hot mess from the start, in my opinion - thanks, FO! Speaking of the FO, they should've gotten together with the players and informed them of JJ's tactics and methods prior to his hiring. Had Atlanta United done the same thing with Gabriel Heinze - who players openly spoke out against because of his training methods - they would've avoided a PR nightmare also. As far as 901 FC goes, the City of Memphis spoke: GRIZZLIES OVER 901 FC! Maybe 901 FC will return someday IF they can find an investor who can foot the bill for the property and stadium. Northern Colorado has also been a hot mess, thanks to their FO. I wouldn't be surprised if they dropped to NPSL or UPSL.

[@wadeflores6978]

What departure of MLS clubs? Over the last 15 years that league has been growing pretty steadily.

[@WhereverUAre972]

@@wadeflores6978 Maybe OP is alluding to FC Cincinnati, the Cascadia clubs, and MLS reserve teams?

[@wesleyamancio3686]

Npsl is pretty good

[@wadeflores6978]

@@wesleyamancio3686 lmao ok

[@vamoscruceros]

The mistake was awarding teams to groups thst didn't have their own stadium. It's worked out in a few cases (Louisville, Detroit) but it's been a consistent issue for the teams that have failed - and technically Fresno has failed twice, even if one of those became Monterey Bay.

[@boi_mayor]

Very worried as an Indy Eleven fan watching this happen.

[@WhereverUAre972]

@@boi_mayor - Is the Mayor there still pushing for MLS? Last I heard, he was and is also actively blocking Eleven Park because the site where it would be built was a cemetery. MLS isn't going to revisit expansion until after the 2026 World Cup. If MLS decides to add another expansion spot, it's likely going to Vegas. Vegas and San Diego have always been on Don Garber's radar.

[@randomstufffromachristian2287]

Dawg, I loved Memphis 901 I'm heartbroken

[@andiiramii2775]

I still miss Reno 😢 I’m still hoping for an IE team here in Cali tho

[@fbnfranco]

As a CV Fuego fan this is crushing news. We are a bad team but we did had some very promising young pieces to look forward too and now it’s all zilch. Losing a USL team TWICE just killed my morale for USL in the valley. My only hope is Bakersfield getting a USL team again in the future but even then it’ll probably end up in the same situation like it did previously.

[@9ine7even3hree]

They should make their teams sign to every big social media site

[@BadgerOff32]

As an Englishman, the very idea of "finding another league" to play in just sounds bonkers to me! If an English team got expelled or just decided to 'leave' the Championship or League 1, literally the only option that would be available to them would be starting all over again from scratch in a local regional league at the bottom of the football pyramid. No team wants that! It's a shame this is happening though. I watch quite a bit of USL because the games are streamed live on KZbin for free (and I'll watch any old football if it's free lol) and it's not actually a bad level of football. Seems like the league and the fans are a lot more fun and authentic that the corporate, soulless MLS. Hope the USL gets more support.

[@bigjoeofthe707]

And than Garland, TX is announced to get a team. I don’t know about that. It’s right the with Texoma and Anderson Valley. Like can they support a pro club?

[@donaldharris3037]

Living in Memphis all my life never knew Memphis had a soccer team

[@Thechad201]

This is painful. Ugh. Thanks for the video ❤⚽️

[@Afro-Cinematic]

Man I loved Memphis

[@owenthornhill9671]

Struggling in championship drop down, Struggling in league 1 drop down.

[@wesleyamancio3686]

Relegation between usl leagues

[@DavidYanz]

Hey I really like these videos you make around the USL. I was wondering if you could make one in how Hartford athletic rose to making a comeback in the leauge and almost made playoffs after there recent bad season and start to this season

[@aflyer]

The CV Fuego never advertises . No promotion effort = no awareness = no fans.

[@LordZontar]

This is not unusual when a sports league is establishing itself. You're going to get a lot of franchises folding or moving through that period. Chicago and Green Bay are the only surviving founding franchises of the NFL from 1920 and not many fans are aware of just how long that league was on life-support until network TV and the merger with the AFL really made it big. Up until then it was the college game that was big, not the NFL.

[@bigjoeofthe707]

Word is for Memphis they even tried to get the city to pay for the new stadium

[@PCSPounder]

Even? Or only? Louisville’s Lynn Family Stadium isn’t exactly a “spare no expense” structure (it’s mostly metal). If the Memphis ownership couldn’t afford to build half that, why did USL sell… …oh, wait. Good old USL. While the Northern Colorado ownership dished all the sour grapes about their situation, and deserve less sympathy than some might offer, it’s not like their response & accusations weren’t lifted from previous events. Frankly, USL needs to somehow seriously lower franchise fees for League One AND do better ownership vetting. Having USLC with more regionality than USL-1 is rather maddening, especially out west where that’s a serious necessity. It’d be a shame to end up punting on Boise and Eugene because the league couldn’t reduce travel needs.

[@prrnrngr]

USL Championship to the Inland Empire please ... I know we have Redlands, but it would be great to have a Championship level club in Rancho or Riverside....

[@Yano5151]

Apparently most people were unaware of the news of 901 FC. Only a few FO staff, at most. Makes it seem that the news was most likely leaked from Santa Barbara’s side.

[@afklife3090]

More of a USL1 fan here for union Omaha… however, I have heard rumors regarding CVF ownership possibly trying to push players to not join the players association or union busting… combine that with the Jermaine jones situation and it’s a dumpster fire. Nothing against northern Colorado players, but their ownership is giving me Dan Snyder vibes from the NFL so he needed to go. That’s the last thing either usl league needed. Memphis was great, but I’m actually not too concerned. USL1 is adding 5 teams this year… so that’s +2 net considering Lexington is moving up. Moreover this doesn’t even include any expansion sides for USLC ready to start playing next season. Because of this, yes, USL is having a hiccup but this is only better in the long term.

[@MYcoloradoplateau]

Also, N. Colorado's owner declared bankruptcy over Future Legends Stadium in Windsor. I feel the whole Stadium issue was out of their control due to the delays they experienced in year 1. Also, being from Colorado I wonder if they should have located themselves closer to or in Ft. Collins.

[@freeisalwaysme]

Yes they should have been in ft Collins

[@fsshue8657]

USL probably grew too fast… Ownership groups and their plans aren’t being properly vetted. I can see some smaller clubs moving to Next Pro simply because it’s cheaper and has a larger geographic footprint. Also I see new ownership groups taking over operations at existing MLS2 clubs while the MLS club controls development and rosters (see Ventura County and The Town FC)… I feel a lot of people can run the operations of a club (ticket sales, advertising) but have no idea how to develop players. Santa Barbara in USLC is a lot better for travel than League One. Lancaster, Boise and Eugene better start out strong at the start if they hope to survive.

[@ba1996]

USL quietly grows. There are always going to be stupid owners and failures in a growing enterprise. Even McDonalds closes restaurants. In sport - facilities are always going to be number 1 issue. You gotta have a place to train and to play. Baseball stadiums are ok. They work for deep pockets NYCFC and City group, they work for New Mexico United, Tampa Rowdies, Forward Madison, Charleston Battery, USL1 Champ - Owls of Omaha. The key in all this is - having a home - selling tickets - and - having a product on the pitch, you cannot have #3 without #1 and #2. Doesn't have to be glamourous - or soccer specific doesn't have to be pretty - does have to have butts in seats - unless ownership is OK with writing checks for capital calls and/or drawdowns. FC Dallas literally plays in a Frisco Independent School District High School Football stadium.

[@SRTV580]

USLC teams shouldn't be selling like that, but its whatever when USL1/2 teams go bust.

[@theCranesUS]

Gotta recoup money on the way out. Only asset left is the league slot

[@jamind7680]

I wouldn’t be surprised if Indy Eleven is gone next year or two. Situation in Indy is complicated with what happened with stadium and Mayor/City/MLS. Rumor is Owner no longer committed to team given stadium no longer happening and more importantly the development around stadium. I think MLS in Indy is a long shot but unfortunately for IXI damage has been done. MLS Indy won’t involve them. Also not sure how stadium development in Fort Wayne impacts IXI if FWFC has aspirations for USLC.

[@PAAKWAMEPAA]

Interesting news

[@derekboothe1462]

I can’t wait for Ozark united fc to start

[@FManAngryAmerican]

Doesn't Tim Howard own a part of the Memphis 901?

[@Nine06Mirage]

It's very likely that he sold whatever shares he had of 901 FC before moving to the Houston Dynamo ownership group.

[@exeterjedi6730]

I never understand the business model in USLC and USL1. Are the teams even breaking even.

[@al99795]

Most, if not all teams, depend on owners who are in it for the love of the game. If they had to pay transfer fees to acquire players the league would break apart, which is why everyone is signed on a free

[@SizzurpFoo]

Usl needs better promotion

[@Drizno]

The moment Rio Grand Valley toros left the usl I stopped caring about this league🙁

[@mathewperring]

I think we need promotion relegation so teams can just find their natural limit based on resources. Have amateur and semi pro teams. Let teams play at a local field or a small stadium. If teams are good enough they go up, if they can't support a team at the higher level then they should just end up where they should be, but still surviving with no expectation they have to have a fully professional setup.

[@BallparkHunter]

The problem with the USL Championship is that many people look at it as the minor leagues, especially when you play at a minor league ballpark. It is easier said than done to build a soccer-specific venue.

[@wadeflores6978]

….it is a minor league, its division 2

[@BallparkHunter]

@ thanks for proving the perception of the league. 😕

[@wadeflores6978]

@@BallparkHunter bro this is a second division and third division league, just accept it and enjoy watching it. There is no hope for this league to become division 1.

[@BallparkHunter]

@@wadeflores6978 That is what folks in these cities should do, enjoy your soccer club regardless of what division they are in. Having an MLS team is not the only viable option, but in regards to CV Fuego, seems like it was doomed no matter what league.

[@wadeflores6978]

@ look man, I agree. I support my local USL one team (Spokane) and I travel all the way across the state to support my MLS club also(I am a season ticket holder for both teams). I personally do not give a crap that the Velocity are a division 3 team, my wife also enjoys these games more because they are local and not as loud as Sounders games…and we don’t have to travel 8 hours round trip. If people don’t want to support a local team because it’s a minor league then they are never gonna be fans of us soccer, imo those people are not the target audience and I personally don’t want them as fans. Anecdotally, my barber watched soccer very minimally. I gave him tickets to the home opener of the velocity game. Him and his family became hooked, they bought a season ticket package at the game. Point being, just getting someone who is casual in these markets to go to a game is who should be the target. Euro snobs will never want to watch US soccer

[@chasemartins3359]

can’t take a league seriously that has a rotating door of clubs even tho theirs no promotion or relegation.

[@BroadwayJoe99]

Welcome to the wonderful world of minor-league sports.

[@BroadwayJoe99]

FWIW, aside from the departure of the MLS reserve teams, the USL has been remarkably stable for the last decade or so, unlike in years past when multiple teams would either suspend operations or fold outright at the conclusion of the season - if not doing so mid-season. It sucks to see Memphis 901 go away, but again teams folding is nothing new, and Santa Barbara Sky will carry on in their stead from 2026 on. If Fuego intends to stay in operation, they'd slot in nicely in the NPSL's Golden Gate Conference, though if NCH chooses to move from USL, their only real option would be the UPSL.

[@poppajodice]

Union Omaha won USL One a second time….future new stadium, previous wins against MLS teams….any moving up to USL championship?

[@kristylewellen6606]

I remember when the stadium was announced that they called it a championship stadium, so its a possibility. Kinda hoping for it if I'm being honest though that wont be until 2026.

[@theaquariancontrarian3316]

Its Memphis bro in the heart of the south. Most southerners down like soccer.

[@WhereverUAre972]

It's not that. See: Atlanta United. Fact is: Memphis 901 FC wanted the City of Memphis to pay for their stadium. The citizens of Memphis, TN said NO. They'd rather put taxpayer funds towards the Memphis Grizzlies than 901 FC.

[@SammyHamawi]

J margharita has scored many goals for the curacao mnt.

[@jayh3283]

This is why I hate the minor league structures because it’s does not allow clubs to operate as a true sports club. They are just playing a support role to the college sports system that feeds into the major leagues that only selects a small few within the player pool. It’s why I consider owning a minor league club a waste of money. You are throwing millions at a club within a league the soccer federation couldn’t give two f**** about.

[@CoachSeanUT]

Memphis is just moving operations to Santa Barbara and starting again in 2026... they aren't leaving the USL, just on hiatus... the other 2 needed to find money and didn't do a good job. Sucks, but gives opportunity to others to fill the gaps

[@davidday2373]

Dont be stupid, its not as if Santa Barbara is taking the team form Memphis.

[@wadeflores6978]

What a mess. And USL says they are gonna have pro/rel lmao.

[@HappyCentaur-jm9lm]

Last I checked, the topic of pro/rel was brought up amongst USL owners, but that's as far as that conversation went. I suppose MLS throughout its history was a squeaky clean league free from debauchery? LMAO.

[@wadeflores6978]

@ I mean MLS has never talked about pro/rel, they have a minor retraction in the early 2000’s and ever since then it’s been steady growth. They are out pacing USL my 10,000 miles in terms of revenue, fan bases, and quality of play. If USL wants to introduce a system that a minority of fans care about…then by all means do it. See how it goes, it’s still not going to matter when your league is only division 2 and 3 :)

[@JoseGonzalez-sl1oy]

😮

[@jjjjjjj6137]

Need Promotion relegation... also would help for USL League 1 had more teams and was more regional Imo. I'd assume its hard to support a 3rd division team when you have high travel cost. If they could make USL 1 a more regionalized league such as USL 2 it would help reduce cost and probably help with sustaining teams... sad with Memphis though that should be a prime market

[@wesleyamancio3686]

Upsl have relegation

[@beaglelover338]

Not my team

[@siglo2764]

the league system in americais messed up you compete allseason win the most games in the regular season and you are not champions for example louisville and new mexico then you have to go through play offs that is plain stupid finish 7 in regular season win threeplay off games and your are league champions thats just pure bullshit

[@WhereverUAre972]

The playoff format has been a part of American sports for many, many years. To the rest of the world, the format is BS. To the average American sports fan, that gives them more reasons to.... spend money by purchasing playoff tickets, food, etc. Welcome to America, by the way!

[@carlosadriangaitan4963]

Are you surprised. You watch the teams okay and they don’t put 2 passes together. They are impossible to watch. These coaches are all awful.

[@FAITHandLOGIC]

This is the reality of minor league sports. You're going to see more turnover.

[@Matt_Larrick_29]

This is why I have no respect for the USL

[@MYcoloradoplateau]

Looking at the NISA table, N. Colorado would slot right into the western conference. My money is on that. I'll still support them. In the mean time, GO Switchbacks!

[@davidday2373]

Why don't you people, supposed fans of soccer, support COLLEGE SOCCER??

[@HappyCentaur-jm9lm]

I'll give you a reason... Because the college I went to doesn't have a soccer program.

[@davidday2373]

@HappyCentaur-jm9lm You think you can only be a fan of school that you attend?? Millions of sports fans follow college Football & Basketball programs that they never attended.

[@Mrunder946]

Didn’t know so many people care about USL lol

[@HappyCentaur-jm9lm]

You must be one of those silly, little kiddos who are MLS junkies that crap on USL or any other non-MLS league in this country. God bless, America, though. Here, Division I can see Division II as a competitor and not an equal considering both leagues are, after all, soccer leagues.

[@Mrunder946]

@ nope . I gamble on sports and bet on a lot of USL games because it’s on espn +