MLS to launch reserves league beginning play in 2021, sources say

Six years after the last one folded, Major League Soccer is again launching a reserves league. Though the new reserves league will lead many MLS sides to pull their second teams out of the USL’s Championship and League One competitions, sources indicate that MLS teams will be allowed to keep USL affiliates if they so desire. Multiple sources named Real Salt Lake, New York Red Bulls, FC Dallas and D.C. United as four clubs which still desire to field second-teams in the USL This won’t be MLS’s first go at starting a reserve league. When speaking with The Athletic about Minnesota United’s new academy approach, Manny Lagos said the team would forgo any USL affiliation and play in a reserves league “as soon as possible.” However, it’s the teams which have formed partnerships with independent clubs that may see an even greater reward. If granted third-division status, the new MLS reserves league would be the third competition with that designation, joining USL League One and the National Independent Soccer Association.