USL targets creation of Division 1 sanctioned league to rival MLS
February 14 – The United Soccer League (USL) has announced that they will compete with Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2027 by launching their own Division 1 sanctioned league.
Federations
MLS and NWSL clubs tune up for season at Coachella Valley Invitational
February 13 – For the next three weeks, the fairgrounds at Coachella Valley in Southern California will host the best of Major League Soccer (MLS) and National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) as the two leagues use friendly matches to shake the rust out of the legs.
2025 Lamar Hunt kicks-off with giant killers lying in wait. Come on Laguna
February 10 – The oldest knockout competition in the USA kicks off with a 32-game First Round between March 18 and 20 made up exclusively of Professional versus Amateur contests.
MLS catches a cold over Open Cup fever
February 3 – In 2024, Major League Soccer (MLS) caused uproar in the US community as the league announced that all of its teams would not participate in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup due to fixture congestion. After negotiations in December 2023, MLS allowed eight clubs to compete along with nine MLS-affiliated MLS Next Pro teams.
WeatherTech Canada warms to Canadian Premier League deal
January 31 – The Canadian Premier League has signed a multi-year deal with WeatherTech Canada, which will see the company become its Official Automotive Accessories Partner.
NWSL rubberstamps Denver as league’s 16th franchise
January 31 – The NWSL in the US has officially named Denver, Colorado, as the league’s 16th franchise. Denver will begin play in the 2026 season.
US third-tier league NISA plans new season start in April
January 28 – US third-tier professional league, the national Independent Soccer Association (NISA), that operates under a provisional license issued by the US Soccer Federation (USSF) , has said it is targeting a return to play in April 2025 with a championship match in October.
Greenland to meet with Concacaf in first steps to international football recognition
January 23 – Greenland’s Football Association will send a delegation to the United States next month to begin talks on joining Concacaf, hoping it will boost national pride at a time of global attention.
Wilfried Zaha leaves Galatasaray for the MLS and Charlotte FC
January 23 – Major League Soccer (MLS) has often been accused of being a retirement league as aging stars come stateside for one last payday. Does the signing of Wilfried Zaha by Charlotte FC confirm or rebuff that perception?
Alyssa Naeher crowns stellar career with US player of year award
January 22 – For only the second time in 40 years, a goalkeeper has been voted the 2024 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year. Alyssa Naeher follows in the steps of the great Hope Solo, who took home the award in 2009.
USMNT open 2025 with win over Venezuela as Poch makes it four out of five
January 21 – The United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) played the first of two international friendlies this month beating Venezuela 3-1 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Sixth Street hire England’s Kay Cossington to lead Bay Collective’s multi-club proposition
January 20 – Sixth Street, the global investment firm and lead backer of Bay FC in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), has announced that Kay Cossington, will join the company as Head of Global Women’s Football and CEO of Bay Collective, a groundbreaking multi-club organisation dedicated to advancing women’s football. Bay Collective is set to officially launch later in 2025.
Panama president Manuel Arias banned for 6 months for ‘fat-shaming’ star striker
January 16 – Panama FA president Manuel Arias has been banned for six months by the FIFA Ethics committee for fat-shaming comments he made in an interview about the country’s star women’s striker Marta Cox after Panama were knocked out of the group stage of the Concacaf W Gold Cup last March.
MLS opens up to new transfer system that allows ‘real’ money player trading
January 15 – It has taken some time for Major League Soccer (MLS) to catch up with the world game, however, on the back of announcing the league would move to the international calendar in 2026 comes the news that the league will implement new internal cash transfer market for the 2025 season.
