USL League One 2025 Expansion Updates: August

The class of 2025 continues to make progress. Here's the latest on expansions.

On a fairly regular basis, we’ve been checking in on the status of the 2025 season, currently shaping up to see the largest expansion in league history. Since last update, we’ve seen more progress on confirmed sides, and have some additions to our list of expansions to keep an eye on.

For each side, we will be reviewing the fundamentals and the progress of each benchmark: stadium, ticketing, branding, communication, staff and recruitment, and supporters groups.

On Track to Join USL League One in 2025

These sides have been announced as joining in 2025, or appear to have all the pieces in place to make such an announcement. They have met enough key benchmarks to indicate a successful entry to the league.

AV Alta FC

The Lancaster, CA based side will play at Lancaster Municipal Stadium. Construction officially breaks ground on August 17th to convert the former baseball stadium into a 5,300-capacity soccer-specific stadium, a project expected to finish in time for the 2025 season.

The club has been taking season ticket deposits since May, selling over 1,100 on the first day alone. They will convert deposits to seat selections in September. Full branding was also released in May, and the club promises the first kit will be revealed in September.

The club’s staff has also been active in communication on social media, media releases and an email newsletter. They also beefed up their technical staff with the additions of Brian Kleiban as Head Coach, Zaki Tahari as Sporting Director and former Central Valley Fuego VP Nehemias Blanco as General Manager. The latter seems to be shaking every hand in town while building a positive relationship with the community ahead of the inaugural season.

A strong support group culture seems to have taken root as well, with The 661 SG popping up at community events to literally drum up hype.

FC Naples

The southwest Florida side is set to play at the already-completed 5,000 capacity Paradise Coast Sports Complex on the outskirts of Naples. They’ve sold well over 1,000 season ticket deposits, which are set to convert to to seats “closer to the end of 2024.”

The club revealed full branding on June 15th, but has not yet set a release date for a kit, which we do know will be from Hummel. Meanwhile, the staff has been busy with communicating news and teasers on social media, media releases and in email newsletters.

They’re also concentrating on hiring technical staff, starting with head coach and sporting director Matt Poland, announced on July 17th. The coach joined FC Naples from Chicago House AC, and previously led Naples United FC after a playing and coaching career in Finland and Sweden.

Barra 239 is a supporters group that has popped up, making appearances at team events, such as the brand and crest reveal in June.

Portland Hearts of Pine

In late June, local media revealed some more details of Hearts’ situation at Fitzpatrick Stadium, including the fact that the club will have non-exclusive use of the facility for up to ten years rent free. In exchange, the club will be spending at least $1 million on renovations and improvements before March 2025. According to team President Kevin Schohl, the number will realistically be north of $1.5 million.

Also according to the Portland Press Herald report, improvements will include “new artificial playing surface, enhanced lighting, construction of two locker rooms, and essential improvements to the dilapidated press box” as well as seating improvements.

One note of interest is the question of permanent field lines for other sports, such as football and lacrosse given the non-exclusive use.

On the ticketing front, the club has sold over 2,500 of the 4,500 allotment of season ticket deposits. Full pricing will start at $220, and selection will be available “closer to the end of 2024.”

The club announced full branding back in April, with steady merchandise sales to fans all over the country since. There is currently no word on a kit release, but like the other expansion sides, we’d expect that after the 2024 USL League One season ends.

The team shared its intention to announce coaching and technical staff in August.

In the meantime, readers pointed out in the comments of a previous story that the Dirigo Union supporters group is apparently 500 members strong, and is building a presence around Portland and on the web as the 2025 season approaches. The group appears well organized, with a board of directors, merchandise and some chants ready to go.

Texoma FC

Last week, the Sherman, TX based side announced an agreement with a Florida based company called Sports Facilities Companies (SFC) to “refine the recommended sports assets being considered for the Texoma Community.” Notably, this includes a 7,000 capacity soccer specific stadium, along with an outdoor field complex for practice and youth academies. It’s a very early step in the process, but indicates progress. In the meantime, the team will debut at the 6,500 capacity Bearcat Stadium.

The team started collecting season ticket deposits in April, and will convert to ticket packages starting at $120 starting August 12th. Full branding has also been out since December, and the Hummel branded home kit is set to for release in September.

The club’s staff has been busy communicating updates and teasers on social media, media releases and an email newsletter. We previously found out the club had collected one of the more high profile celebrity ownership groups in the league, including (American) Football’s Gronkowski family, MLB pitcher Matt Barnes, backed by De Anna Guerreiro of Legends Advocates, an investment house focusing on professional athletes.

They also made a splash with the hiring of English former footballer Adrian Forbes as Sporting Director. Forbes previously served as Head of Coaching and Player Development at Luton Town FC, and has playing experience at Norwich City, Luton Town, and Swansea City, among others. Finally, they teased the announcement of a manager “soon,” something that is probably closer now that they have secured a Sporting Director, and are already holding professional combines.

The only thing we have not heard for Texoma FC is the presence of a supporters group. If you know anything about the development of one, please leave a comment or DM us on Instagram or X.

Santa Barbara Sky FC

In June, the coastal California-based club dropped confirmation of a multi-year agreement to play home matches at University of California Santa Barbara’s Harder Stadium. This represents an upgrade from the previously announced football stadium at Santa Barbara City College, as they’ll only be sharing with UCSB’s storied soccer programs, rather than a football team.

The club continues to sell season ticket deposits, and on July 24th, announced they had sold over 1,000. Branding has been fully released since 2022, and the team store was finally restocked. Basic kits from Puma were also released back in 2022, but there has been no update since. Like with the other 2025 sides, we’d expect one later this year.

Communication has been more limited than other expansion sides, but has included a lot of Instagram teaser videos lately. At least we know there’s activity this year, after last year’s false start.

There has been no word on the hiring of technical staff, and the front office still appears to be a team of two - founder Peter Moore, and COO Sheralyn Baltes. The latter appears to be handling communications. We await word of more staff as we get closer towards the end of the 2024 season.

Finally, we have not seen any supporter group activity for Santa Barbara Sky FC. If anyone knows of any, please comment or DM us on social media!

Westchester SC

The Mount Vernon, NY based side will play at the city’s Memorial Field, a 4,000 capacity stadium that recently underwent a $40 million renovation project. Season ticket deposits went on sale in June, and like other expansion sides, should convert to seat selections sometime later this year.

The club also released full branding in June, and on July 18th, announced the primary kit sponsor will be Northwell Health. There is no exact date set for a kit reveal, but owner Mitch Baruchowitz tells us “soon.”

The club has been active on social media, media releases and email, sharing relevant information, as well as embarking on a local engagement campaign, with billboards and community events.

They also brought in high profile investor Tyrod Taylor, quarterback for the New York Jets. On the technical side, Simon Baines will be sporting director, and as of July 18th, the team stated they expect to “announce the hiring of its first head coach soon.” Baruchowitz followed up confirming this, and mentioned a scouting hire “from the Manchester United universe.”

In the meantime, the team made a splash with the hiring of former United States Women’s National Team defender Sara Whalen to an unspecified position. Baruchowitz clarified her role will be in team and community development. Her background in sports psychology will be used for “optimizing team performance and player development” once the team is in place.

Finally, we have not seen any supporter group activity for Westchester SC. If anyone knows of any, please comment or DM us on social media!

USL Eugene

In April 2024, USL League One announced a new project “USL Eugene.” The project is led by the same group behind current USL League Two side Lane United FC.

The side will play at an expanded Civic Park, a 3,500 capacity facility upon completion. The upgrades are in progress, and set to finish by November.

The new USL League One side will go through a complete rebrand from Lane United FC, as explained by managing director Dave Galas to Josh Duder of One League Under the C on a recent episode. This is a plan that has been under consideration since at least 2020. The re-branding is in progress, and no ticketing info has been released yet. However, there’s plenty of time for both.

With the club busy over the last few months with stadium upgrades and completing the USL League Two season, communication has been limited. However, under the USL Eugene social media handle, they continue to state their intention to field a side in 2025, reiterating this on July 26th.

Staffing for the professional side is also unknown at this time, but we expect an accelerated timeline of updates starting this month as the ownership transitions from USL League Two to USL League One. Currently, Lane United has its own coaching staff led by John Galas, and there’s a strong possibility some would transition with the club.

Lane United FC also comes with its own supporters group, the Red Aces. We’d expect support to carry over to the professional side, whatever they end up being called.

Corpus Christi FC

In the works since 2020, the south Texas USL League Two side confirmed that discussions on joining the league are ongoing, and if everything goes to plan, there will be an announcement in October. In addition, a 5,000 capacity soccer specific stadium broke ground in December, and is due for completion by November.

USL League One President Lee O’Neill alluded to another expansion announcement when we spoke to him in Richmond last month, and again at a recent press conference, but did not elaborate. O’Neill did make a public visit to Corpus Christi on April 12th.

In the last two months, we noted that CCFC quietly ramped up hiring, which appears to be in anticipation of a jump to the professional ranks. The company information in the now expired job descriptions included the not-so-subtle text “inaugural season as a professional team in March 2025.” However, we have not seen any hiring announcements since those listings closed.

2026 And Beyond

These sides have announced intentions to join the league, but are not officially announced by the league and/or are not far enough on key benchmarks to confidently indicate 2025 as their entry to the league.

Fort Wayne FC

Fort Wayne remains high on our list for 2026 expansion after multiple club insiders spoke to the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette in late May.

Co-owner (and former USMNT and professional star) DaMarcus Beasley said that a potential jump to the professional ranks is a “daily” conversation at FWFC, and the team continues to build out the infrastructure and community engagement to support such a jump.

A developer with BND Commercial, a company we previously mentioned as connected to a stadium proposal just east of the city in Allen County, also spoke to the Journal Gazette. BND’s Todd Ramsey said the development will be a 5,000 capacity stadium, and would be offered to FWFC to use.

We’re expecting an official announcement this month that the stadium construction has been green-lit, and the club will be looking to turn professional in 2026.

Sarasota Paradise

The southwest Florida side just completed a successful USL League Two season, and we’ve seen club President Marcus Walfridson mention professional plans several times over the last year or so in the media and very recently on social media. Walfridson confirmed to us on July 25th that USL League One fans should keep an eye on Sarasota Paradise for a 2026 entry.

The club is owned and operated by Walfridson’s Audigr Group, which makes no secret about its aim to start a professional soccer team. They also recently welcomed the investment of the Papanicholas family, owner of construction firm Nicholas & Associates. The company specializes in athletic construction projects, something sure to come in handy while the club searches for a league-approved stadium situation. Sarasota Paradise currently plays at Sarasota High School’s Charlie Cleland Stadium, which does not meet league standards.

The big advantage of fielding a USL League Two side is that branding, a fan base and staff infrastructure is already in place. Just need that stadium.

Real Central NJ

Reliable sources indicated several months ago that this project is very much alive, although the key foundations are still coming together. Currently in USL League Two, the club plays at Ben Cohen Field on the campus of Rider University in Lawrenceville, but would likely pursue a new complex somewhere in Mercer County ahead of a jump to USL League One. While the project is active and progressing, it is still in the early stages, indicating a jump in 2026 at the very earliest.

Wilmington

Local media caught up with the group behind USL Wilmington back in April, and we’ve seen no update since. While the renovation plans for Legion Stadium are approved and ready to go, the group confirmed that a last minute pullout of an investor put the project on hold. The group is seeking new investors, and have put all options on the table, from USL League One and USL Championship to MLS Next Pro. 2026 remains the earliest we’d see pro soccer in Wilmington.

Inter New Hampshire

Last month, the social media handle registered to USL to New Hampshire suddenly changed to Inter New Hampshire, and released branding. However, the club stated it was joining UPSL for the 2025 season, which was unexpected given that the group behind the club was known to be courting both USL and MLS Next Pro.

We’re told this is part of a two-year plan to bring USL League One to Manchester. Keep an eye out for 2027.

Fort Myers

After the city passed on a proposal linked to MLS Next Pro to take over City of Palms Park, they turned to another from the USL. In June, local media reported that representatives from USL were still negotiating with the city on a $40 million bond. As part of the proposal, USL would refurbish the stadium, and develop multifamily housing, hotels, retail and offices in the area. There is no word on which USL league they have in mind, or on any ownership group.

The timetable of this one is still looking like 2026 at the soonest.

Lancaster FC

In a previous update, a reader submitted a tip about Lancaster FC’s intentions to field a USL League One side, supposedly by 2025. The text is still there on the club’s website.

Screen grab from lancasterfc.com

They do already have branding in place for the USL-A infrastructure, operating as Lancaster FC, Red Rose City. The team also has access to a newly renovated Clipper Magazine Stadium, which recently had its turf replaced for easier conversion between baseball and other events.

However at this time, there is no official word on a 2025 project moving forward.

FC Tucson

When the USL League Two side self-relegated out of USL League One following the 2022 season, they indicated a desire to eventually return. As of right now, it does not appear that the club has solved the issues that led to the self-relegation, including stadium improvements and increased investment. We reached out to owner Jon Pearlman, but have not been able to coordinate any information yet.

Reno

News broke last month of a group trying to build a 6,500 capacity stadium in Reno with the intentions of attracting USL League One expansion. The group, For Our Fans Foundation, intended to privately fund a stadium for lease to a new USL League One side. However, the plan ran into neighborhood opposition last week, and was voted down by the Washoe County Open Space & Regional Parks Commission. With the amount of funding said to be available by the group (upwards of $40 million), we don’t think we’ve heard the last of this project.

That’s now two groups trying to lure USL League One to Reno after the demise of USL Championship side Reno 1868. Another group has been working to transition NISA Nation side Battleborn FC to the professional ranks, with USL League One mentioned as an option. Last year, the group got the green light for a 5,000 capacity stadium in north Reno, but the project has not started.

Have a tip? Want to discuss any of these projects? Reach out via email: leagueoneupdater@gmail.com, or DM me on Twitter or Instagram.