This is Part 3 of the series on the United Soccer Leagues. In this article we'll take a look at the USL-1 teams that left to form the new North American Soccer League, NASL, as discussed in Part 2 of the series, The First Division. While the NASL is not part of the USL, I feel it is necessary to provide an overview to compliment the reader's undestanding of the USL and becuase the USL-1 and NASL make up the USSF Division II and will compete against each other in 2010.
In November of 2009, owners of several of the United Soccer League's First Division teams announced the formation of a new league - the North American Soccer League or NASL. Concerned over the state of the USL, recent changes in league ownership and other league management issues, owners from Atlanta, Carolina, Montreal, Miami, Minnesota and St. Louis formed the new league with a vision of raising the overall quality of the game to meet the demands of the supporters. In an open letter to supporters, NASL officials stated:
"It is a clear fact that soccer continues its explosion in North America with record levels of youth participation and growing interest, all while professional teams are building successful traditions in every region of the continent. The owners of the NASL recognize this opportunity and have come together for the good of the game."
In February 2010, US Soccer announced an agreement between the United States Soccer Federation, USSF, United Soccer Leagues, and North American Soccer League to form a Division 2 professional league comprised of the nine NASL teams and three USL-1 teams. US Soccer will oversee the league in 2010 and continue to work with both leagues on longer term sustainability. The new league will consist of two six-team conferences - the USL Conference and the NASL conference. The USL Conference will consist of the three USL-1 teams Austin, Portland and Puerto Rico with Minnesota, Rochester and Tampa Bay of the NASL. The NASL Conference will consist of teams from Baltimore, Carolina, Miami, Montreal, St. Louis and Vancouver.
| Team | Logo | City | Stadium | Colors | Head Coach |
| A.C. St. Louis |  |
St. Louis, MO | Anheuser-Busch Center | Green, White, Yellow | Claude Anelka |
| Carolina Railhawks |  |
Cary, NC | WakeMed Soccer Park | Orange, Blue, White | Martin Renne |
| Crystal Palace Baltimore |  |
Baltimore, MD | UMBC Stadium | White, Red, Blue | Jim Cherneski, Pete Medd |
| Miami F.C. |  |
Miami, FL | Lockhart Stadium | Blue, Orange, White | Victor Pastora |
| Montreal Impact |  |
Montreal, QC | Saputo Stadium | Blue, White, Black | Marc Dos Santos |
| NSC Minnesota Stars |  |
Blaine, MN | NSC Stadium | Blue, Gold | Manny Lagos |
| Rochester Rhinos |  |
Rochester, NY | Marina Auto Stadium | Black, White, Gold | Bob Lilley |
| Tampa Bay Rowdies |  |
Tampa Bay, FL | George M. Steinbrenner Field | Green, Gold | Paul Dalglish |
| Vancouver Whitecaps |  |
Vancouver, BC | BC Place Stadium | Blue, White | Teitur Thordarson |
Part 4 of this series will take a look at the United Soccer Leagues second division, USL-2. The Dayton Dutch Lions will compete in the Premier Development League, PDL, for the 2010 season. Part 5 of the series will provide an introduction to the PDL.
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