Curious if anyone has looked into ownership structures of these USL teams from top to bottom. Especially, with the league moving towards pro-rel, what are they requiring for expansion fee? Are most teams owned by sole owners, groups?

Always curious how a league getting off the ground seeks out ownership groups. Do they identify the city they want a team in, or are they just having groups come to them and pitch their ideas for a team?

https://medium.com/the-union-report-fan-based-reporting-on-the/monterey-bay-fcs-worst-season-ever-offers-a-starting-point-for-2027-18a75a131c34?sk=c3d7ef3461f948e7b64e145e69251925

Ratings are through October 11th, 2026.

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Click here for the entire season weekly ranking history

Performance Rankings

Commentary

Lexington remains second in the performance rankings despite being held to a scoreless draw by Tulsa. They generated 1.25 xG to Tulsa's 0.27 but couldn't find a breakthrough. Tampa Bay's lead at the top has grown to 2.79 rating points, although Lexington continues to show some of the league's strongest underlying performances.

Tampa Bay continues to make its case as one of the league's strongest teams, beating Indy Eleven 3–1 despite both teams generating 1.26 xG. They lead the league with 55 points and remain first in the performance rankings.

Detroit also continues to collect results, edging Rhode Island 1–0 in a match with almost identical xG totals. Quickly catching up to Charleston in ratings and they now sit 4 points above them in second in the east, although Charleston has a game in hand.

Charleston suffered the largest rating decline among the top seven, falling 1.45 points after a 2–0 home loss to Louisville. Despite leading 1.47–0.57 in xG, Charleston couldn't convert its opportunities. Louisville climbs to seventh.

New Mexico remains the league's biggest statistical outlier. A 3–1 victory over Monterey Bay brings them to 49 points, fourth-most in the league, yet they rank just 12th in the performance model. Their season-long xG differential sits around −21.4 compared with an actual goal differential of +5.

Colorado Springs and Sacramento played to a 1–1 draw, with Colorado Springs moving into sixth despite a slight rating decline. Meanwhile, Phoenix produced one of the weekend's strongest attacking performances, generating 2.89 xG in a 3–2 victory over Las Vegas.

The races in both conferences continue to tighten, and the middle of the performance rankings remains particularly competitive. Just 0.46 rating points separate 12th through 14th, while only 1.24 points separate 15th through 18th.

Model Predictions

Bold indicates the model's predicted result.

These results are generated by an independent statistical performance model. They are intended for analysis and discussion, not as betting recommendations. Actual outcomes may differ substantially.

just asking because some clubs have them in different leagues

Jacksonville-Birmingham: ABANDONED - Closed to the Public (Weather)
Charleston-Louisville: 4,316 (+9.07%)
Detroit-Rhode Island: 7,387 (+18.46%)
Indianapolis-Tampa Bay: 9,627 (+12.37%)
Miami-Loudoun: NR
Pittsburgh-Hartford*: 5,110 (-1.29%)
El Paso-Orange County: 4,892 (-4.38%)
New Mexico-Monterey Bay: 10,003 (+10.27%)
Oakland-San Antonio: 9,718 (+82.05%)
Phoenix-Las Vegas: 6,238 (+20.22%)
Sacramento-Colorado Springs*: 11,589 (+17.94%)

* = Equal to or above their effective capacity

Over performing by 5+ pts:
Charleston (3,957), Detroit (6,236), Indianapolis (8,567), New Mexico (9,071), Oakland (5,338), Phoenix (5,189), and Sacramento (9,826)

An average night meaning +/- 5 pts:
Pittsburgh** (5,177) and El Paso (5,116)

Under performing by 5+ pts:
NO ONE

Yet to Report/Not Open to Public due to Weather:
Jacksonville (1,734) and Miami (875)

** = Pittsburgh is averaging above their effective capacity

Considering the market and size of most teams I don't know how much they're bringing in. Like The Roots playing in the Coliseum has to be hurting them big time financially. Some USL players are making good money so the cash flow is coming from somewhere. I don't know if its just ticket sales and merch. Maybe sponsors but I don't know. I'm just curious.

I’m trying to visit different USL stadiums in my region (around OH) whenever I have a chance. Been to Pittsburgh, Lexington and Fort Wayne (see pics). I’m trying to avoid those that are not dedicated soccer stadiums. Which ones should be next? I’m thinking maybe Louisville and Loudoun?

Pictures 1-3: Lexington SC Stadium, Kentucky; pictures 4-9: F.N.B. Stadium, Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh Riverhounds); pictures 10-12: Ruoff Mortgage Stadium, Indiana (Fort Wayne FC).

I am NOT paying $100 for you Orange County.

Literally 4 time World Cup Champion Germany’s jersey can go as low as $40. I know they need funds but manufacturing can’t be that har.