USL Championship Returns

USL Championship Returns

The USL Championship returns on July 11. The league’s board of governors voted and approved the return of play for the 2020 season.

The board was not able to create a competition format, potential schedule, or broadcast detail. However, they are hopeful to make them concrete within the next few weeks.

Return to play will be regulated by local health and safety regulations. USL Players’ Association has been in regular contact with the league to talk about safety and wellness protocols. But nothing has been finalized as of yet.

USL Championship was paused after the first week of play and one midweek competition. The Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Birmingham Legion FC and Hartford Athletic were the only teams not able to start their 2020 season.

USL League One had not started their season before the pandemic. There has been no news on if they will have a season this year.

USL League Two announced early on April 30 that they would cancel this year’s season and hope to return for 2021.

However, the National Independent Soccer Association will return. The schedule includes two conference regionalized competition in August and a single location tournament in October.

Can Small Soccer Clubs Continue After the Pandemic?

Hopefully, USL Championship’s return can find a balance of play and revenue. Their major income is fan attendance. So if local health regulations don’t permit fans, the league will be struggling this year.