League One team to play at Fort Lauderdale Stadium permanently
MIAMI, Fla. (October 9, 2019) – Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami today announced it will launch a USL League One team adding depth to its development structure ahead of its Major League Soccer debut in 2020.
League One will serve as the 3rd division professional team that bridges the gap between the First Team and the Academy.
“We are proud to close this deal and join a competitive league where our youth players can compete against quality opponents,” said Paul McDonough, the sporting director for Inter Miami CF. “USL League One will provide more opportunities for players from South Florida as well as elite international prospects.”
Inter Miami’s MLS, League One and Academy teams will train together at the 64-acre Fort Lauderdale soccer community currently being renovated to feature a 50,000 square-foot training complex with seven fields, in addition to the 18,000-capacity stadium.
Both MLS and League One teams will play home matches in the stadium until the Club’s Miami stadium is complete. Full schedules, rosters, ticketing information as well as the official name and brand will be announced at a later date.
The USL (United Soccer League) is comprised of three leagues bringing high-level competitive soccer to more than 100 markets in the U.S. and Canada, with USL Championship, USL League One and USL League Two.
FC Dallas, Orlando City SC and Toronto FC are other MLS clubs who field teams in the 10-team League One, which is currently wrapping up its first season. It will expand to include three more teams next year, including Inter Miami, Union Omaha SC and the New England Revolution who also announced their team today.
“We’re thrilled to have Inter Miami CF join League One,” said USL Senior Vice President Steven Short. “It’s exciting to watch our league as it continues to grow in both size and intensity and we’re already looking forward to our second year of competition. We know that this club will be a tremendous addition.”
