USL unveils structure and teams for League One debut in US in 2019
November 2 – USL League One – a third tier professional league in the US – will make its entrance with 10 teams playing a March to October season in 2019.
Concacaf
Relevant and LaLiga launch fan petition to bring Girona vs Barca league match to Miami
November 1 – The much-publicised overseas La Liga game between Girona and Barcelona, which FIFA have insisted cannot go ahead in Miami in January, has taken another twist with US fans being asked to sign a petition in favour of the ground-breaking fixture.
Reggae Girlz win hearts and minds with Nottingham carnival of football
October 29 – Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz attracted the biggest crowd for a women’s game in Europe at the weekend with 3,914 watching the World Cup qualifiers play Nottingham Forest Ladies at The City Ground.
US Club Soccer launches Players First grassroots licensing system
October 22 – Amateur club organisation US Club Soccer, which has more than 4,000 members across the US, has launched a club certification system based on its Players First philosophy.
NISA announces Philadelphia as second team location as it prepares for 2019 debut
October 22 – The National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) has announced Philadelphia as the second city to have a team in the third tier league when it kicks off play in 2019. While the location in the City of Brotherly Love has been announced, the club’s home venue, ownership and team name is still to be released.
Mexico mourns loss of women’s football pioneer Marbella Ibarra
October 19 – Mexican football is mourning the loss of one the pioneers of the women’s game in the country following the murder of Marbella Ibarra.
New US pro-league NISA shakes off the covers with first team announcement
October 17 – The US will likely have more than one third tier league in 2019 with the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) announcing that Connecticut will have team, though the club’s specific location, ownership and team name will be revealed in the coming weeks.
US and Canada secure France 2019 slots, Mexico crash as Panama and Jamaica battle on
October 15 – The US and Canada will contest the final of the 2018 Concacaf Women’s Championship this Wednesday. Both teams qualify for the France 2019 Women’s World Cup. The final automatic slot for France 2019 will go to either Panama or Jamaica.
Panama dump Mexico out of France 2019 contention, Jamaica and Costa Rica still in hunt
October 11 – Panama broke Mexican hearts with a 2-0 win in the Concacaf Women’s Championship, dashing Mexico’s hopes of qualifying for a third consecutive women’s World Cup. The United States hammered Trinidad and Tobago, consolidating their position of supremacy in the region.
Stadium issues force Penn FC out of USL, but club granted 2020 slot for third tier
October 10 – The USL, operator of the second tier of US professional soccer and soon to launch a professional third tier, has granted USL side Penn FC a spot in League 1 for the 2020 season. The club will go dark for the 2019 season and not compete in the USL.
MLS expansion hopefuls Tampa Bay Rowdies sold to MLB’s Tampa Bay Rays
October 3 – One of the best-known club names in US football, the Tampa Bay Rowdies, who boasted English legend Rodney Marsh and Brazil’s Mirandinha on their roster in the late 1970s, have been sold to the Tampa Bay Rays Major League Baseball team.
New Canadian Premier League secures Macron kit deal for 2019 kick-off
October 2 – The Canadian Premier League (CPL), which is scheduled to kick off its inaugural season in 2019, has signed a long-term deal with Italian apparel company Macron.
Concacaf plot route to Soldier Feld for 2019 Gold Cup final
September 28 – Chicago’s Soldier Field will be the venue for the final of the 2019 Gold Cup on July 7. The tournament, the blue riband national team competition in the Concacaf region, will be played in 15 venues across 13 cities in the US.
USL unveils new structure as it rebrands its three leagues for 2019
September 27 – The United Soccer League (USL), the fast growing organiser of the second and third tiers of US professional football, has unveiled a new organisational structure and corporate rebranding of its top three leagues. The rejig also brings its PDL development league more identifiably under the USL corporate imprint.
Orlando to host 2019 MLS All-Star game; Campeones Cup kicks off tonight in Toronto
September 19 – Major League Soccer has named Orlando as the host for the 2019 MLS All-Star Game played between a selection of the league’s top players and an international club.