“MLS Should Buy USL” – USMNT Legend Alexi Lalas Demands ‘Bold’ Move Before 2026 FIFA World Cup

The American soccer scene has been attracting eyeballs lately on the back of a series of wise moves. From the US winning hosting rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to Inter Miami signing Lionel Messi, the beautiful game is indeed flourishing on this side of the Atlantic. Now, former USMNT star Alexi Lalas has called for Major League Soccer to further enhance the country’s soccer league system before the 2026 World Cup. Lalas envisions the MLS and the United Soccer League (USL) coming under one ‘tent.’

Three years after its founding in 2010, the USL partnered with MLS. This led to the USL’s expansion and subsequent sanctioning as the tier two of the US soccer league system. However, Alexi Lalas does not want the MLS and USL to be partners anymore.

Alexi Lalas calls for MLS’ acquisition of USL

USMNT and MLS veteran Alexi Lalas has often been vocal about the cause of soccer development in the United States. Eyeing the sport’s enhancement, Lalas took to X with a bold take. “Do big and bold things leading up to the 2026 World Cup. MLS should buy USL,” wrote Lalas in his tweet. The veteran added that this strategic acquisition could bring America’s professional outdoor soccer under one roof. The USMNT legend’s opinion indeed holds value, considering the MLS’s expansion plans.

The MLS already announced it will incorporate San Diego FC in the 2025 season, expanding to 30 teams. However, the demand to expand to a 36-team league is already hovering. Besides, the cities of Las Vegas and Phoenix do not feature a team in the MLS. Whereas, the USL features a Las Vegas Lights FC and a Phoenix Rising FC. If the MLS and the USL were to merge, the former lacking participation from Vegas and Phoenix would become a story of the past. Moreover, the MLS-USL merger could potentially even solve the promotion/relegation conundrum in US soccer.

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Would the merger create a scenario where a team would fear the drop?

Every other popular soccer league has been following the promotion/relegation system. US soccer leagues are the only outlier. The USL authorities have mulled adopting this pro/rel system. To implement this, however, a league must go through sufficient expansion. The MLS could remarkably expand if it acquired the USL. Then, the league system can be divided into two or three tiers. Eventually, the worst of MLS’s first tier will drop down the pyramid, and the best of the lower tier will get an upping.

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The US is already on the right track to enhance soccer before the dawn of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The region will host the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup as well. Now, adopting this gold standard of soccer league systems will surely help the beautiful game thrive in the US. Considering these possibilities, it is safe to say Alexi Lalas has made quite a reasonable call. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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