To aid in the development of its young players, the United Soccer League has established a sporting initiative that allows the host team to add two players to its matchday squad.
The USL Sporting Committee passed an exception to the 18-man roster regulation in order to encourage and recognize clubs that invest in developing young players. This 18-man game-day roster exception is only applicable to the home team during the regular season, and its goal is to allow the home team, regardless of professional or amateur status, the chance to contribute invaluable experience to the development of its young players.
“These two roster spots will allow for further development of youth players by providing the uncompromised opportunity to play them in a competitive match and ultimately increase their value,” said Oliver Wyss, USL Head of Global Football Development & Sporting Director.
As per the regulation, the home team can have a maximum of 20 players on the gameday roster who meet one or more of the following requirements on matchday:
The home club may recruit up to two (2) players who were 17 years of age or younger when they signed their Standard Player Agreement (SPA) for a player or players; or
Regardless of the player’s age at the time the Academy Agreement is signed, the home club may recruit up to two(2) players for a player or players.
This program, which has been in place since the start of the professional seasons for the USL men’s league in 2024, further demonstrates the USL’s dedication to helping young players develop in a secure, professional setting.
USL Academy contracts were first introduced in 2013, and since then, Academy products at USL clubs have been able to sign, train, and play with professional senior teams without it compromising their eligibility to play college soccer. Aedan Stanley, the current Indy Eleven defender, was a USL Academy signee for Saint Louis FC before attending Duke University. Other recent success stories of this program include players who have moved abroad to Europe, like Joshua Wynder of Louisville City FC (S.L. Benfica) and Jose Gallegos of San Antonio FC (Sønderjyske Fodbold).
