Over the last dozen years, the USL Championship has added new clubs in all but one season. Expansion has been a constant, allowing the league to stabilize itself and attract advertisers and media partners.
With few exceptions, the relationship between the USL and its expansion teams was simple: you pay a fee, you join the league, and that’s that. Now, change is coming. The USL has voted to establish a first-division men’s tier and introduce promotion and relegation, meaning that the future is far more malleable – especially for organizations about to enter the fray.
Atletico Dallas, set for a 2027 launch, is in the midst of that transition. What constitutes success for the club’s project, and how are their plans changing? In conversation with Backheeled, Matt Valentine – Dallas’ chairman and founder – addressed how his expansion organization is leading the way in a fluid landscape.
“It’s requiring us to have a bigger stadium”
Expansion clubs aren’t mere bystanders as the USL continues to pursue bold reforms. The men’s leagues currently boast of 38 professional clubs, but 42 organizations received votes on pro-rel.
