The United Soccer League (USL) is gearing up to compete directly with Major League Soccer (MLS) in the coming years, with a strategic investment from BellTower Partners, a firm founded by former Carlyle Group CEO Kewsong Lee. The USL's plan includes launching a new men's league with first-division sanctioning from U.S. Soccer, making it the second such league in the country alongside MLS.
As part of this move, Kewsong Lee will join the USL board as vice chair, working alongside USL CEO Alec Papadakis and Chairman Rob. The USL has announced it will become the first sports league in the U.S. to institute promotion and relegation between its men's divisions, a common feature in most soccer leagues worldwide, but not yet adopted by MLS. The USL plans to implement promotion and relegation in 2028.
The USL operates several leagues, including the second-tier USL Championship, third-tier League One, and pre-professional League Two. It also runs the Super League (Gainbridge Super League), a Division 1-sanctioned women's league that began its second season in August 2024.
The investment from BellTower Partners is intended to support the launch of the USL's Division 1 men's competition and the implementation of promotion and relegation. While the exact size of the investment, the equity stake acquired by BellTower, and the USL's current valuation remain undisclosed, this move signals a significant step toward the USL's ambition to elevate its position in American professional soccer.
The USL's new Division One league will expand access to top-tier competition, elevate the quality of play, and bring professional soccer to more communities nationwide. The club-centric model of the USL gives teams greater autonomy and flexibility, fostering sustainable growth. The new Men’s Division One league will prioritize deep community ties, supporting player and club progression across all levels, and ensuring high collective standards for play, operations, and fan engagement.
The USL is the first and only soccer organization to offer a comprehensive youth-to-professional pathway for both men and women under one ecosystem. The new Division One league will complete the men’s three-tier professional system, providing a seamless pathway for clubs and players to compete at the highest level.
The USL's efforts align with the growing momentum of soccer in the U.S., fueled by rising participation, increased media exposure, and upcoming global events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. The USL's new men's Division One league aims to provide more opportunities for players, teams, front office staff, and communities, strengthen competition and player development, align more closely with the global structure of the sport, and grow the game.
Kewsong Lee, the former CEO of The Carlyle Group, brings a wealth of experience to the USL. Prior to his role at Carlyle, Lee was a partner and a member of the Executive Management Group at Warburg Pincus for 21 years. He currently serves as the Chair of Ascot Group Limited, Chair of Patricof Co, Chair of the Lincoln Center Theater Board of Directors, and Vice Chair of the Partnership for New York City.
The United Soccer League (USL) is the largest and fastest-growing pre-professional and professional soccer organization in the country. USL League One is a Division 3 professional men's soccer league in the United States that had its inaugural season in 2019. As of 2025, the league has 14 teams. USL League Two provides a platform for emerging pre-professional and college players to showcase their talent.
