US Soccer and MLS Win Half-Billion Dollar Battle | OneFootball

When it comes to soccer in the U.S., it’s not just about the grass on the field, there’s a whole lot of deals, business interests, and sometimes, legal battles happening off the pitch. And the latest drama just wrapped up: US Soccer and Major League Soccer (MLS) came out on top in a case that involved a whopping $500 million. Who didn’t win? The now-defunct North American Soccer League (NASL), which tried to convince the courts they’d been sabotaged.

After six years in court, a federal jury in New York wasn’t buying the NASL’s story. The league claimed that US Soccer, in cahoots with MLS, had conspired to push it out, refusing to recognize it as a second-division league. The verdict? A unanimous decision that had US Soccer and MLS celebrating like they’d just won the championship.

First off, it's important to know that the U.S. soccer division system is different from what you’d see in places like Europe or South America. No automatic promotion or relegation here; US Soccer decides who’s in and where they play. MLS is the only first-division league. The NASL, back when it was still up and running, was recognized as Division II, but lost that status in 2018, which marked the beginning of the end for them.

The NASL wasn’t having any of that demotion and decided to go on the offensive, accusing US Soccer of teaming up with MLS to shut them out of the market. According to them, this was a clear attempt at monopolizing the sport. But US Soccer fired back, saying the decision was made based on solid criteria: number of teams, stadium sizes, and other infrastructure requirements. In the end, the jury sided with the federation.

Clark Hunt, one of MLS’s founders and owner of the Kansas City Chiefs, was a key witness in the trial. His testimony carried a lot of weight and helped seal the favorable verdict for the league.

In my view, this ruling isn’t just a legal win, it’s a symbolic one. It sends a pretty clear message: soccer in the U.S. has its gatekeepers, and if you want to play, you better follow the rules. The NASL couldn’t meet the standards, and instead of adjusting, they blamed everyone else for their downfall.

That doesn’t mean the current system is perfect. Not having promotion and relegation definitely limits the competitive edge that makes soccer so thrilling in other countries. But the reality is, MLS has been putting serious money and effort into making the sport matter in a country where football, baseball, and basketball dominate the spotlight.

On the flip side, it's tough not to feel a bit of sympathy for the NASL. They were trying to be an alternative, a promise of diversity in American soccer. But promises don’t win championships, and they sure don’t win lawsuits. The league couldn’t attract enough teams, didn’t have strong enough infrastructure, and simply didn’t have the stamina to compete.

As for US Soccer, they came out stronger. The jury’s decision solidifies their role as the sport’s regulator and gives them free rein to keep shaping the future of soccer in this country. MLS also got a boost. Not only did they shake off a major accusation, but they reaffirmed their place at the top of the U.S. soccer pyramid.

Well, life goes on. If you’re a soccer fan in the U.S., you’re probably already rooting for an MLS team. Most of the NASL players and teams had already jumped ship or folded by the time this decision came down, so it won’t really change much on the field. But it’s good to know that the sport is growing and that the behind-the-scenes fights are getting settled.

The future of soccer in the U.S. is still being built, and the win for US Soccer and MLS shows they’ve got a clear vision of where they want to go. If you're a purist who dreams of promotion and relegation, you might be disappointed. But if you want to see the sport grow and gain traction, maybe it’s time to accept that the American model has its own merits.