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We Are uNITeDWe Are uNITeD soccerWe Are uNITeD soccer leAGue

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Welcome to a new dawn in North American soccerusl rIsING

The rising tide of soccer across North America is unstoppable. Never before has the time been more right for the USL to rise to the occasion and be recognized as the new-generation professional league it has become.

This season, the league features 24 clubs, a number that has doubled since 2011. Additionally, the 2015 season features the debuts of 13 new clubs - seven of which will be owned and operated by MLS clubs - in Austin, Charlotte, Colorado Springs, Louisville, Montreal (Impact), New York (Red Bulls), Portland (Timbers), Saint Louis, Salt Lake City (RSL), Seattle (Sounders FC), Toronto (FC), Tulsa, and Vancouver (Whitecaps FC).

The world’s game will become the No. 1 sport in North America, in time.

NoW Is our TIme. soccer Is rIsING, AND so Is The usl.

We Are uNITeDWe Are uNITeD soccerWe Are uNITeD soccer leAGue

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We Are uNITeDThe USL has established a professional soccer league built on three foundational pillars:

UNITED ACRoSS NoRTh AMERICA, we create a valuable, sustainable league property including substantial clubs with innovative ownership, strong and consistent sales and increasing asset value;

UNITED AS FANS, we develop passionate fans that are committed to their clubs in a way that creates a consistent attendance of chant leading, scarf swirling, drum beating tribal followers;

UNITED AS TALENT, we aspire to the highest level in soccer talent in all aspects of the soccer business, including players, coaches, referees, field staff, office staff, and partners;

WE ARE UNITED in building the next generation sports league that spans from the grassroots to the top tier, nurturing the fastest growing sport in North America. our game lives within the hearts of the players, supporters and the communities who value the importance of having strong clubs that increase local pride and contribute to the local economy. WE ARE UNITED in leading the growth of new businesses, new human talent, and a broad foundation of success all the way from local matches in towns across North America to the World Cup.

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The USL is growing and fast. As we continue to pioneer a pathway into the future game across North America, we recognized that it was time to reevaluate how we looked. Starting with our league logo, we have overhauled our identity to step forward as a league brand that is fit for our partners, our clubs and their fans as the dawn of a new era rises for the USL.

The USL mark is the central pillar in a new design philosophy for our league. Inspired by the geometry of the field, its design cues are more akin to a 21st century startup than those of a monolithic sports league.

The simple shapes of the USL lettering appear as a stencil and hint at its flexible use. The new logo is not a corporate logo: it is a tribal mark, something to be taken to the heart of each club’s community, personalized and worn with pride. This new design system will be explored and developed by our clubs and their fans from this season and beyond.

A NeW looKMore than a logo.......A TrIBAl mArK

FC

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The leAGueStructureThe 2015 USL season features 24 teams aligned within two conferences (Eastern and Western) of 12 teams each. The top six teams from each conference will advance to the single-leg elimination playoffs.

Match ScheduleThe USL league office prepares the league schedule each season in coordination with league clubs as the league seeks to create a schedule that balances competition while maximizes the opportunity for home team revenue generation. The season calendar spans from March to october and features 28 matches (14 home and 14 away). In addition to regular season play, U.S.-based clubs will participate in the Lamar hunt U.S. open Cup.

GovernanceAll USL clubs adhere to the rules and regulations set forth by FIFA, U.S. Soccer and USL. All USL league regulations and guidelines are outlined within the USL operations Manual which is provided to each club prior to the season.

Board of GovernorsThe USL league management is guided by the USL Board of Governors. The Board of Governors provides team owners with the opportunity to participate in league management. Each club appoints one Governor (owner or highest-ranking senior executive) and three USL executives will also serve as Governors.

CommitteesThe USL maintains advisory committees tasked with making formal recommendations to the Board of Governors. Each committee will appoint a liaison from the USL staff to assist and support. Topics of focus for league committees include Strategic Advisory, Competition, Technical, Commercial and Broadcast initiatives.

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Western Conference

Eastern Conference

usl cluBs IN 2015

FC MONTREALTORONTO FC II

ROCHESTER RHINOS

PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDSRICHMOND KICKERS

CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE

WILMINGTON HAMMERHEADS FC

CHARLESTON BATTERY

HARRISBURG CITY ISLANDERSNEW YORK RED BULLS II

LOUISVILLE CITY FCSAINT LOUIS FC

TULSA ROUGHNECKS FCOKC ENERGY FC

AUSTIN AZTEX

COLORADO SPRINGSSWITCHBACKS FCREAL MONARCHS SLC

ARIZONA UNITED SC

LA GALAXY IIORANGE COUNTY BLUES FC

SACRAMENTO REPUBLIC FC

PORTLAND TIMBERS 2

SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC 2

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC 2

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soccer sPecIFIc sTADIumsBy the end of the decade, the goal remains for all USL clubs to compete within soccer specific stadiums in which the clubs have greater, if not total control of all stadium assets and inventory.

Charleston BatteryBlackbaud Stadium

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FCSand Creek Stadium

Rochester RhinosSahlen’s Stadium

Toronto FC IIOntario Soccer Centre

Charlotte IndependenceRamblewood Stadium

Real Monarchs SLCRio Tinto Stadium

Seattle Sounders FC 2StarFire Stadium

Pittsburgh RiverhoundsHighmark Stadium

Sacramento Republic FCBonney Field

Portland Timbers 2 (T2)Merlo Field

Saint Louis FCWorld Wide Technology Soccer Park

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hoK PArTNershIPUSL has partnered with world-renowned architecture firm hoK to lead the league’s stadium development, design and standards initiatives supporting the league’s strategic initiative to house all USL clubs in soccer-specific stadiums across North America by the end of the decade.

hoK will apply its venue design expertise to guide soccer-specific stadium development for expansion clubs and the renovation of current USL stadiums to increase capacities and amenities. hoK will also consult to the league and its clubs on maximizing venue revenue, developing ancillary programming and creating operational efficiencies.

Avaya Stadium, San Jose, CAopened 2015

“The groundbreaking partnership with hoK provides the league and its clubs a tremendous partner with extensive stadium design and development experience at the highest level. A critical part of our strategic growth plan is to have all USL clubs as owners or primary tenants of soccer-specific stadiums by 2020. Not only will these new and upgraded stadiums add value to the league and each club ownership group, they will establish a permanent base for the clubs within their local communities. These venues will serve as cultural hubs and bring fans together in support of the clubs while offering state-of-the-art amenities and an unparalleled game-day experience.”

- Jake Edwards, USL President

Designing the soccer experience of tomorrow

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MLS CLUBS CURRENTLy OWNING AND OPERATING USL CLUBS

2015 AFFILIATIONS

mls PArTNershIP

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YouTuBeAs the official Broadcast Partner of all USL live matches, YouTube is the home to more than 350 USL matches throughout the season. All USL clubs stream their matches through the platform providing fans with in-depth access at no cost.

Providing fans with matches worldwide

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Providing a path to profitability is the goal for USL and its clubs. The USL franchise financial model has been designed to provide team owners with a path to achieving profitability through cost containment methods.

USL clubs have at their disposal a multitude of revenue-generating opportunities. When combined with proactive USL marketing programs and corporate partnership recruitment efforts targeted at providing direct support to the teams in terms of expense reduction, the opportunity for revenue generation grows exponentially.

INTERNATIoNAL ExhIBITIoN MATChES

TICKETING

MERChANDISING

TEAM ToURS

KIT SPoNSoRShIP

YoUTh ACADEMY

PLAYER MoVEMENT

STADIUM NAMING RIGhTS

PARKING / CoNCESSIoNS

CAMPS / CLINICS

CoRPoRATE PARTNERShIPS

LoCAL RADIo & TV

GeNerATING reVeNue

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Operational SupportAll USL clubs receive support from a team of veteran and seasoned executives supported by communications, creative services, new media, finance, marketing, player registration, and operations departments.

Meetings & SeminarsIn order to promote best practices sharing, conduct league business meetings and provide valuable informative and educational session for USL clubs, USL organizes the Annual General Meeting as well as operations and business summits throughout the calendar year.

Franchise TrainingAll USL clubs are provided the opportunity to attend USL Franchise Training. The multi-day program provides an orientation into the system while cultivating an environment focused on revenue generation and efficient operations. Following the event, ongoing efforts continue throughout the calendar year based on new trends and topics of interest.

Marketing ServicesAll USL clubs receive unique team-branded marketing resource manual featuring materials adaptable to individual team use from team merchandise to promotional items.

Player RegistrationThe USL maintains an internal registrar whom coordinates professional player registration that adheres to all USSF, CSA and FIFA registration procedures and NCAA regulations.

CommunicationsEach member of USL receives dedicated support from the league office in the form of media relations, social media, statistics, publications, broadcasting, and photography in addition to other vital support elements. The dedicated support team tirelessly promotes the activities and successes of USL club on and off the pitch.

New MediaEach USL club is supported by the league’s digital media department which focuses on new media trends and consumption including social media and video production best practices. The focus of the department remains to increase fan engagement across multiple platforms and markets.

OfficiatingAll league officials are assigned in conjunction with the U.S. Soccer Federation and the Professional Referee organization (PRo). The organization focuses on increasing the quality of U.S. and Canadian professional league officiating while producing officials who will represent the United States and Canada in FIFA compeitions.

AffiliationUSL has direct affiliations with the U.S. Soccer Federation and the Canadian Soccer Association.

Club GrowthUSL clubs may benefit from the structured developmental system in support of USL. Featuring player development and identification platforms including the USL Academy (U10 to U20) and the PDL (U23), the proven system continues to drive the path to professional soccer for players at all levels.

ResourcesAs members of USL, all teams receive league-produced resource manuals focused on operations, best practices, ticket sales and marketing. Regularly supplemented with new materials, the support manuals provide USL teams with unparalleled resources for the betterment of their operation.

Minimum StandardsEnforcement of quality control and minimum standards of all teams ensure the consistency and integrity of the league regardless of the market of operation.

PremIum cluB serVIces

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ArIZoNA uNITeD sc

AusTIN AZTeX

Ownership:Arizona Soccer Club, LLCStadium:Scottsdale StadiumCapacity:12,000Market Data:MSA Population: 4,489,109DMA Ranking: 11 (1,834,360 TV homes)

Ownership:ATx Soccer, LLCStadium:house ParkCapacity:6,000Market Data:MSA Population: 1,943,299DMA Ranking: 39 (729,300 TV homes)

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chArlesToNBATTerY

chArloTTeINDePeNDeNce

Ownership:Charleston Battery, LLCStadium:Blackbaud StadiumCapacity:5,100Market Data:MSA Population: 727,689DMA Ranking: 95 (323,440 TV homes)

Ownership:Queens Soccer Club, LLCStadium:Ramblewood Soccer Stadium / Memorial StadiumCapacity:4,700 / 20,000Market Data:MSA Population: 2,380,314DMA Ranking: 24 (1,154,040 TV homes)

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Ownership:Ragain Sports, LLCStadium:Sand Creek StadiumCapacity:3,500Market Data:MSA Population: 686,908DMA Ranking: 89 (348,020 TV homes)

Ownership:Montreal ImpactStadium:Stade Saputo / Stade Claude RobillardCapacity:20,801 / 9,500Market Data:MSA Population: 4,027,100DMA Ranking: 2 (3,824,221 TV homes)

Fc moNTreAl 2colorADo sPrINGssWITchBAcKs Fc

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hArrIsBurG cITY IslANDers

lA GAlAXY IIOwnership:harrisburg Capitals Soccer, Inc.Stadium:Skyline Sports Complex Capacity:4,000Market Data:MSA Population: 560,849DMA Ranking: 45 (704,160 TV homes)

Ownership:Anschutz L.A. Soccer II, LLCStadium:Stub hub CenterCapacity:30,510 / 2,000Market Data:MSA Population: 13,262,220DMA Ranking: 2 (5,523,800 TV homes)

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Ownership:USL PRo Investors Louisville, LLCStadium:Louisville Slugger FieldCapacity:13,131Market Data:MSA Population: 1,269,702DMA Ranking: 49 (656,900 TV homes)

Ownership:Red Bull New York, Inc.Stadium:Red Bull Arena / Commisso Soccer StadiumCapacity:25,000 / 3,500Market Data:MSA Population: 20,092,883DMA Ranking: 1 (7,442,270 TV homes)

louIsVIllecITY sc

NeW YorKreD Bulls II

Ownership:Energy FC, LLCStadium:Taft StadiumCapacity:7,500Market Data:MSA Population: 1,336,767DMA Ranking: 44 (704,490 TV homes)

Ownership:Los Angeles Blues Soccer Club, LLCStadium:Anteater StadiumCapacity:3,000Market Data:MSA Population: 13,262,220DMA Ranking: 2 (5,523,800 TV homes)

oKc eNerGY Fc orANGe couNTY Blues Fc

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Ownership:Riverhounds Acquisition Group, LPStadium:highmark StadiumCapacity:4,000Market Data:MSA Population: 2,355,968DMA Ranking: 22 (1,173,320 TV homes)

Ownership:Peregrine Sports, LLCStadium:Merlo FieldCapacity:4,892Market Data:MSA Population: 2,348,247DMA Ranking: 23 (154,070 TV homes)

PITTsBurGhrIVerhouNDs

PorTlAND TImBers 2

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Ownership:Real Monarchs, LLCStadium:Rio Tinto StadiumCapacity:20,213 / 8,000Market Data:MSA Population: 1,153,340DMA Ranking: 34 (897,390 TV homes)

Ownership:Pro Soccer, Inc.Stadium:City StadiumCapacity:9,000Market Data:MSA Population: 1,260,029DMA Ranking: 57 (548,680 TV homes)

rIchmoNDKIcKers

reAl moNArchsslc

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Ownership:Adirondack Sports Club, LLCStadium:Sahlen’s StadiumCapacity:13,768Market Data:MSA Population: 1,083,393DMA Ranking: 78 (393,210 TV homes)

Ownership:Sacramento Republic Football Club, LLCStadium:Bonney FieldCapacity:12,000Market Data:MSA Population: 2,244,397DMA Ranking: 20 (1,345,960 TV homes)

rochesTerrhINos

sAcrAmeNTorePuBlIc Fc

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Ownership:SLSG PRo, Inc.Stadium:World Wide Technology Soccer Park Capacity:6,200Market Data:MSA Population: 2,806,207DMA Ranking: 21 (1,226,860 TV homes)

Ownership:Seattle Soccer 2, LLCStadium:Starfire StadiumCapacity:4,500Market Data:MSA Population: 3,671,478DMA Ranking: 14 (1,802,920 TV homes)

seATTlesouNDers Fc 2

sAINT louIs Fc

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Ownership:Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd.Stadium:BMo Field / oSA StadiumCapacity:21,566 / 5,000-10,000Market Data:MSA Population: 6,054,191DMA Ranking: 1 (5,583,064 TV homes)

Ownership:Tulsa Professional Soccer, LLCStadium:oNEoK FieldCapacity:7,833Market Data:MSA Population: 969,224DMA Ranking: 60 (530,200 TV homes)

ToroNTo Fc II TulsA rouchNecKs Fc

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Ownership:Vancouver Whitecaps FC, LPStadium:Thunderbird StadiumCapacity:3,500Market Data:MSA Population: 2,313,328DMA Ranking: 3 (2,878,328 TV homes)

Ownership:Wilmington Professional Soccer, LLCStadium:Legion StadiumCapacity:6,000Market Data:MSA Population: 272,548DMA Ranking: 131 (192,610 TV homes)

VANcouVerWhITecAPs Fc 2

WIlmINGToNhAmmerheADs Fc

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