The United Soccer League (USL) implemented an exciting in-season tournament in 2024 with the creation of the Jägermeister Cup. Next season, the tourney will be even bigger and the stakes will be higher.
Originally played only by USL League One teams, the 2025 edition also features USL Championship clubs. This will showcase the depth of the USL as a whole, while also giving smaller clubs a chance to shine.
On the international level, this concept is nothing new. Tournaments take place between different domestic divisions all over the world, but this has never been done in the United States in quite this way. With promotion and relegation being a hotter topic than ever before, this could help fuel the discussion even more.
That’s what makes this all so exciting. Think of March Madness, for example. Sure, the team cutting down the nets in April gets the glory, but it’s the small-conference Cinderellas that pull off an upset who really live in our hearts.
While this is a well-known example of David vs.Goliath in sports, fans were given an even better one on the pitch last month. The NCAA men’s and women’s soccer tournaments share a similar postseason model to March Madness. Upsets happen here and there, but this past season’s edition was truly special.
The University of Vermont has an enrollment of less than 15,000 students. Sitting in the America East Conference, the Catamounts had never held the claim of ‘best in the land’ in a team sport. That was until 2024. Right as the year came to a close, the unseeded bandits in green and gold stormed their way to the national championship match, winning it in overtime.
The school they defeated, Marshall University, isn’t exactly a powerhouse either. This goes to show that, no matter the level, American soccer is and should be competitive. The sport allows athletes who may have been overlooked to shine, and can enable their team to punch above their weight.
Now, back to what this all means for the USL. The organization has explored and even held a vote on adopting promotion and relegation in the past. Obviously, there are pros and cons on both sides. There can be inherent financial risk for club owners, who could see revenue take a drop upon relegation. However, it does provide consequences for underperforming clubs, while creating a massive incentive for lower-league clubs looking to ascend.
Another neat feature of the expanded Jägermeister Cup is the group setup. The combined 38 clubs (24 Championship and 14 League One) will be divided into six groups. Best of all, the groups were determined geographically, which will lean on existing regional rivalries, and also create new ones. Clubs like Charlotte Independence and Greenville Triumph SC will have a shot at Championship squads North Carolina FC and Charleston Battery for a claim to the Carolinas. The Tampa Bay Rowdies, Miami FC and Naples FC will duke it out for South Florida, and so on.
Adding to the excitement, fan-centric features have been added, including penalty shootouts in the group stage and other offense-first modifications. It’s all coming together to create what’s sure to be an exciting tournament.
Ultimately, the 2025 Jägermeister Cup will add another layer of intrigue to the USL season. Upsets may happen or they may not. What matters is that these teams will have the chance to take on each other. If American soccer ever were to truly consider promotion and relegation, this contest could help provide insight to what that might look like.
Another thing to keep an eye on is how the teams handle balance. Everyone would love to win the Cup, but those aspirations could impede a team’s regular season efforts. There’s certainly a balancing act that goes into the approach. Fans will likely see just how important the competition is to each team and whether that affects their place in the table.
The action begins with the group stage on April 26 and will take place over the course of three months. From there, the six group winners and two wildcards will advance to knockout rounds. The tournament will culminate with the final on the weekend of October 11. One can only guess what will happen, so make sure to tune into the USL Jägermeister Cup this season.
