Tag: USL Championship

Indianapolis mayor pursues MLS expansion, leaving Indy Eleven with uncertain future

Mayor Jim Hogsett is courting MLS, and Indy Eleven of the USL may end up as collateral damage

Thursday marked 11 years to the day that USL Championship club Indy Eleven unveiled its badge in a ceremony in downtown Indianapolis.

It may also go down as one of the darkest days in club history.

The Eleven got a double dose of bad news. First, the Keystone Group — a real estate development firm owned by Indy Eleven owner Ersal Ozdemir — went public with an accusation that Mayor Joe Hogsett’s administration was going to “walk away” from a $1.5 billion mixed-use project known as Eleven Park.

Just hours later, Hogsett announced that he took a trip to New York City to meet with MLS commissioner Don Garber “to discuss the prospects of Indianapolis pursuing a Major League Soccer club.”

Hogsett then declared that he would be “leading an effort to file an [MLS expansion] application,” adding that he had already taken steps towards passing the municipal hurdles involved in bringing another professional team to the city.

In other words, the Eleven and USL were left hanging, all for the mere possibility of an MLS club coming to town.

Hogsett didn’t take any questions on Thursday, but in quotes published by local radio station WIBC, he made clear that the city intends to only build one soccer stadium, and its eyes are entirely on MLS.

“We are not building two soccer stadiums. We are just going to build one,” Hogsett said. “Where that goes is largely dependent on what MLS is going to expect.”

Ground was broken on the 20-acre Eleven Park project in May 2023, with Hogsett among the Indianapolis dignitaries to thrust a ceremonial shovel into soil on the site. The entire development was set to be anchored by a 20,000-seat stadium for the Eleven.

Now, however, the mayor’s administration maintains there was no actual deal in place, despite Hogsett referring to that groundbreaking as “a pivotal moment” for the city in remarks made at the event.

Pro Soccer Wire reached out to the USL for a statement on the matter, but at the time of publication had not received a reply.

While the city of Indianapolis appears to be pushing all of its chips in on the bet of an MLS expansion bid, the league’s interest in the Indiana capital seems far more mild.

ESPN obtained a statement that read, in its entirety, “It was exciting to hear Mayor Hogsett’s vision for a new soccer-specific stadium in Indianapolis.”

“I don’t think sitting here today that we have any plan in the near future to go beyond 30 teams,” Garber told ESPN shortly after confirming a 30th MLS side for San Diego last year. Las Vegas and Phoenix have also been mooted as expansion candidates, though MLS has no stated window for when decisions on that front could be made.

MLS, USL co-existence difficult

The situation in Indianapolis calls to mind what transpired in San Diego last May, when MLS announced plans to launch a 30th team in the city despite the presence of USL Championship side San Diego Loyal.

The Loyal were defiant at first, but by August announced that it would fold over a lack of a stadium solution. San Diego FC has not begun play in MLS, but the USL Championship’s 2024 season still kicked off without the Loyal.

MLS and USL have had a difficult time existing in the same market. The only current USL Championship side playing in a city with an MLS team is Miami FC, while Loudoun United and Orange County SC play well out in the suburbs of markets that house MLS sides.

The closest thing to coexistence is in Charlotte, N.C., home to MLS’s Charlotte FC and the Charlotte Independence of USL League One. Notably, the Independence chose to self-relegate after the 2021 season, just as MLS came to Charlotte.

Indy Eleven’s situation isn’t exactly the same; San Diego was a tenant at aging, undersized Torero Stadium, while work on the Eleven Park project is underway. However, without city support, the end result could well be the same.

The USL Championship version of the Eleven wouldn’t be the only potential casualty. The club has announced plans to move its USL W League side — one that won a championship in 2023 — to the USL Super League, but only upon the completion of Eleven Park.

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Oakland Roots sign former MLS and USMNT striker Dom Dwyer

The longtime MLS striker has moved to the USL Championship

Oakland Roots has announced the signing of longtime MLS forward Dom Dwyer on a deal through the end of the 2024 season.

Dwyer, 33, joins the USL Championship side after spending 11 seasons in MLS with Sporting KC, Orlando City, Toronto FC, and most recently Atlanta United.

The England-born striker amassed 85 goals and 19 assists in 231 regular season appearances in MLS, including a career-best 22-goal campaign with Sporting KC in 2014.

“Adding a player to the mix with the pedigree of Dom is going to be a huge boost to the team and the locker room,” said Oakland Roots head coach Noah Delgado. “He comes to Oakland with experience at some of the highest levels of the game and gives us another dangerous goal scoring threat.”

After gaining his citizenship, Dwyer earned four caps with the U.S. men’s national team in 2017. The forward scored two goals in the 2017 Gold Cup as the USMNT won the tournament.

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Kimbrough, 13, makes historic debut for Sacramento Republic

At 13 years, 7 months, and 13 days, Kimbrough entered Sunday’s game against Las Vegas

Da’vian Kimbrough made a historic pro debut for the Sacramento Republic on Sunday, becoming the youngest professional soccer player to play in a competitive match in the United States.

At age 13 years, 7 months, and 13 days, Kimbrough came on as an 87th-minute substitution in the Republic’s 2-0 win over the Las Vegas Lights in a USL Championship match.

In case you didn’t want to do the math, that means Kimbrough was born in 2010.

Kimbrough broke the record previously held by Máximo Carizzo, who debuted for New York City FC 2 in MLS NEXT Pro last year at age 14 years, 4 months, and 26 days.

In August, Kimbrough signed for the Republic out of the club’s academy, making him the youngest professional athlete in American team sports history.

Republic coach Mark Briggs said after the game that even in his brief cameo, Kimbrough showed some glimpses of why he is so highly rated.

“We’ve got to continue to drive our local talent, continue to develop our local talent, and Da’vian is obviously a special one that we’re fortunate to have for a long time,” Briggs said. “And I think you saw in glimpses today the ability the kid has. He’s a special talent and we look forward to developing him.”

Kimbrough admitted that he was feeling some nerves before his history-making appearance, but as soon as he was on the field he felt much more at ease.

“I was a bit nervous at first before I got subbed on,” he said. “But once I got on the field, at the end of the day it’s just soccer. So I was just doing what I love.”

He added: “My main goal when I got in was to touch the ball a little bit, pass, move. Hopefully next time I can score.”

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U.S. youth star Osundina joins Feyenoord from Orange County SC

The 19-year-old joins the Dutch powerhouse from the USL Championship side

U.S. youth international forward Korede Osundina has completed a transfer to Dutch champion Feyenoord from Orange County SC.

ESPN reported that Feyenoord paid $215,000 for Osundina, with that fee potentially rising to more than $1 million if incentives are met. The 19-year-old will be loaned to Dutch second-tier side Dordrecht for the 2023-24 season.

“I’m beyond thrilled to move to Feyenoord and continue my career in the Netherlands,” Osundina said in a club release. “OCSC gave me the opportunity to play professional soccer and develop me, with a clear path to playing in Europe that I couldn’t have found elsewhere. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every moment of my time in Irvine, and want to thank everyone at the club for their incredible support.”

Over two seasons with the USL Championship club, Osundina made 37 appearances. He’s scored four goals in the current campaign.

Osundina’s transfer is the first between OCSC and Feyenoord, after the two clubs announced a strategic partnership in February of this year.

“Since our partnership with OCSC began, it became clear to me that the club offers a clear pathway to Europe for emerging talents in the USA,” said Mark Rijul, head of global football at Feyenoord.

“OCSC has a very good technical infrastructure, highly competitive environment and a long-term vision that develops players like Korede for the next level. With this move, we believe Korede can take the next steps in his career, and we are thrilled to help him with that at Feyenoord.”

Osundina, an Illinois native, has been capped by the U.S. at the U-17 and U-19 levels.

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USL Championship side San Diego Loyal will fold after 2023 season

The USL franchise was under threat after MLS awarded San Diego an expansion team for the 2025 season

The San Diego Loyal will cease operations after the 2023 USL Championship season, the club has announced.

In a statement, USL said that the decision was made because a “viable near- and long-term stadium solution in the market did not materialize.” The club has been playing at Torero Stadium on the campus of the University of San Diego.

“I’ve come to the conclusion that this will be the last season for San Diego Loyal,” the club’s owner Andrew Vassiliadis said in a video posted on X (formerly Twitter).

“For those of you who got to know me, spent some time talking to me, you know how much this hurts for me to say. I love our city, I was born and raised here, and I will always be loyal to San Diego.

“I don’t see myself taking this project anywhere else, and I refuse to put an inferior product in front of you.”

The long-term viability of the Loyal was put into doubt this May, when MLS awarded San Diego an expansion franchise that will begin play in 2025.

At the time, Vassiliadis issued a statement declaring his intent to continue on, concluding: “Our plan is simple. We aren’t going anywhere.”

Vassiliadis started the franchise in 2020 alongside co-owner and U.S. soccer legend Landon Donovan, who served as the team’s head coach for three seasons. After the 2022 season, Donovan stepped down as coach and took a role as executive VP of soccer operations.

The USL said the Loyal’s franchise rights will be transfered to a new ownership group.

“Having a modern, commercially viable stadium solution is vital to our clubs’ long-term success and is a pillar of the USL’s growth strategy,” said USL Deputy CEO Justin Papadakis. “Despite collectively pursuing multiple potential options with SD Loyal’s leadership in the San Diego area, an appropriate stadium solution has not materialized.”

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Kimbrough, 13, makes American soccer history after signing with Sacramento

Da’vian Kimbrough is a name to remember

The youth movement in U.S. soccer is not slowing down.

Da’vian Kimbrough, aged 13 years, 5 months and 13 days, signed with Sacramento Republic of the USL Championship on Tuesday, making him the youngest person to agree to a professional contract in this country’s soccer history.

The previous record holder is believed to be Maximo Carrizo, who signed a professional deal with NYCFC on his 14th birthday in 2022. It is believed that Kimbrough is the youngest player to sign a contract in any major U.S. team sport.

“Da’vian’s journey with Republic FC is just beginning. He is a remarkable talent who has committed to his dream of becoming an elite player, from competing with players in older age groups and thriving at top competitions, to stepping on to the first team training grounds,” Sacramento general manager Todd Dunivant said in a press release. “We are honored that the Kimbrough family and Da’vian have chosen Republic FC to support his professional pathway, and we look forward to taking the next steps together.”

According to the club, Kimbrough has trained with the first team in the past, and will be placed on a “mixed training regimen” that will see him work with both the Republic senior squad as well as academy teams. Sacramento has also crafted a plan with an education partner to allow Kimbrough to continue with school while he takes these first steps as a professional player.

Kimbrough has yet to appear for a U.S. youth national team, though he did participate in a U.S. Soccer youth national team identification camp in October 2022. The clock may be ticking already, as Kimbrough is eligible for both the U.S. and Mexico.

Per Sacramento, Kimbrough boosted his profile at the Bassevelde U13 Cup, a notable Belgian youth event featuring Under-13 sides from traditional European powers like Benfica and Juventus. Kimbrough, playing as a guest for the New York Red Bulls, ended up as the tournament’s MVP after scoring six goals.

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Louisville City defender Wynder completes record transfer to Benfica

The 18-year-old is the first USL player to be sold for a seven-figure fee

Louisville City defender Josh Wynder has completed a record-breaking transfer to Portuguese giants Benfica.

Wynder will join Benfica on a deal worth a reported $1.2 million plus add-ons, the first seven-figure sale of a player from the USL.

Pro Soccer Wire reported in March that the teenager would join the Portuguese champions after his 18th birthday in May, with Monaco and Red Bull Salzburg also interested in the U.S. youth international.

Wynder is coming off a solid performance at the U-20 World Cup, where he started four of the team’s five games despite being one of the youngest members of the squad.

“I’m very grateful to Louisville City for everything the club has done for me,” Wynder told the club’s website. “It’s a dream come true to sign with Benfica, and I can’t wait to get started there. Although my career’s taking me overseas, I’ll always be proud of where I’m from and represent Louisville to the best of my ability.”

Wynder, a Louisville native, signed his first professional deal with his hometown club in 2021 and has gone on to make 45 total appearances, scoring two goals.

The teenager also received his first senior USMNT call-up for April’s friendly against Mexico.

“This is a proud moment for Louisville City, our youth academy and our community,” said coach Danny Cruz. “We are going to miss seeing Josh in the locker room each day, but I could not be more proud of the path that he is on in his career. The type of person he is continues to stand out to me, and we look forward to watching him reach new heights to also become the best player he can be.”

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U.S. Open Cup shock as Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Birmingham Legion both stun MLS foes

What’s better than one cupset? Two cupsets!

Wednesday night’s U.S. Open Cup fixtures couldn’t have gone better for the USL Championship, or for upset-loving neutrals.

The last two remaining lower-division teams in the tournament both defeated MLS opposition. First, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds shocked the Columbus Crew 1-0 at Highmark Stadium. Just an hour later, Birmingham Legion matched that scoreline in eliminating 10-man Charlotte FC.

That makes it three Open Cup tournaments in a row where at least two lower-division teams have advanced to the quarterfinal round. St. Louis FC and New Mexico United made that run in 2019, while last year Union Omaha of USL League One went to the quarterfinals. Sacramento Republic FC went even further, going to the final before falling to Orlando City. The Open Cup wasn’t held in 2020 or 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

In Pittsburgh, the Riverhounds showed the organization that has long been their hallmark under veteran coach Bob Lilley. The home side held a heavily rotated Crew side to just seven shot attempts in 90 minutes, despite the visitors holding 75% of the possession and completing over 700 passes on the night.

Despite those stats, the Riverhounds had the better chances throughout, and only needed to make one count. USL Championship Golden Boot leader Albert Dikwa was unsurprisingly the man for the job, sprinting in alone to fire past Evan Bush after a midfield turnover from the Crew.

Pittsburgh would see substitute Edward Kizza sent off deep into stoppage time, but still managed to keep Columbus at bay for what is the deepest run in their Open Cup history.

Down in Alabama, the scoreline was the same, but the path to it was a bit different. A Birmingham side starting eight players with MLS experience spent the first half largely pinned back by Charlotte, only for the visitors to lose center back Adilson Malanda to a second yellow card early in the second half.

From there, the Legion sensed their opportunity, changing their posture and making Charlotte work hard to hold them off on a hot night. That helped set up their goal, with Charlotte not recovering quickly enough to prevent Prosper Kasim from isolating Derrick Jones before pinging a low shot into the bottom corner.

The rewards for the the final two non-MLS teams left in the tournament are a bit different. Birmingham will be a popular pick to keep their run going, as they host a quarterfinal match against a stumbling Inter Miami side that managed to beat Nashville SC on Tuesday. Pittsburgh, on the other hand, has a far more daunting pairing, as they will head to Ohio to take on high-flying FC Cincinnati.

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Source: Josh Wynder completes $1.5m Benfica transfer

The 17-year-old has completed a transfer to Portuguese giants Benfica

Louisville City defender Josh Wynder has completed a transfer to Benfica, a source in Portugal tells Pro Soccer Wire.

The highly rated 17-year-old will make the move to Europe this summer. All medicals have been conducted and Wynder’s contract has been signed with the Portuguese club.

The transfer is worth $1.5 million plus potential add-ons, making it the largest in USL history. The previous record was Kobi Henry’s move to Reims from Orange County SC for a reported $700,000.

Pro Soccer Wire reported last week that Benfica fended off offers from Monaco and Red Bull Salzburg to land Wynder, one of the top prospects in the United States youth national team setup.

Wynder already has 32 career appearances in the USL Championship, despite not turning 18 until May.

Last season, Wynder started 21 games for Louisville City as well as appearing in five games for the United States U-19s. His breakout season saw him nominated for the 2022 U.S. Soccer Young Male Player of the Year.

Going into the weekend, Benfica has an incredible 22-2-1 record in the Primeira Liga, sitting eight points clear atop the table. Last week, they thoroughly dismantled Belgian outfit Club Brugge to advance to the quarterfinals of the Champions League.

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Orlando City avoids Sacramento Republic cupset to take 2022 U.S. Open Cup

Midnight struck for Sacramento’s Cinderella story, as Orlando won their first-ever trophy

Orlando City, it’s time to go get a trophy case for Exploria Stadium.

Orlando won the 2022 U.S. Open Cup final Wednesday night, as a quick-fire double from Facundo Torres and a late strike from Benji Michel gave the Lions a 3-0 win over an upstart Sacramento Republic FC side.

Fittingly for a cup final that played out amid accusations of spying, the atmosphere was tense. Hard challenges from both teams were frequent, while ESPN’s broadcast reported that coaches Mark Briggs and Oscar Pareja were exchanging words along the touchline.

In front of goal, however, there was little to report. Orlando’s Ercan Kara didn’t react fast enough in a scramble to tuck a great chance away, while Maalique Foster’s long-range effort for Sacramento flew a yard wide soon thereafter.

The second half carried on in that vein, with the Republic successfully slowing play down and frustrating an MLS opponent, just as they had against Sporting Kansas City, the LA Galaxy, and the San Jose Earthquakes on their path to the final. The first non-MLS club to make an Open Cup final since 2008 were dictating the terms, even as Orlando had most of the possession.

In the 75th minute, though, a disaster for Sacramento, and for neutrals everywhere. A giveaway deep in the Republic half from defender Dan Casey was blocked by Orlando forward Iván Angulo, and Michel—a game-changing substitute brought in just minutes earlier by Pareja—adroitly passed back for the Uruguayan international Torres to fizz a shot into the top corner.

Sacramento had not trailed at any point in the competition, and seemed rattled at the deficit. Minutes later, things went from bad to worse: a ball over the top drew goalkeeper Matt Vitiello, but Michel beat him to it. Michel nodded it over Vitiello, only to be wiped out from behind by Casey. Referee Ramy Touchan will rarely have as easy a penalty to call, and Torres suddenly had himself a brace after making no mistake from the spot.

Sacramento went direct trying to come up with one more miracle, but the goal came at the other end, as Michel raced onto a through ball, drew Vitiello to an angle, and then slipped a finish past him and into the bottom corner.

Watch the goals that gave Orlando the Open Cup

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