North American Soccer League (2011–2017)

A top-division professional soccer league known as the North American Soccer League operated from 1968 to early 1985. The modern league used the same name and a similar logo but had no official ties to the original NASL.{{cite web| url=http://www.nasl.com/media-guide/2011/Media%20Guide_Final_11-07-2011_book.pdf |title=NASL 2011 Media Guide |date=November 7, 2011}} Several of the modern NASL teams, in particular the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Tampa Bay Rowdies, and New York Cosmos, shared the same names and similar jersey designs as their original-NASL predecessors. The new league had expressed its affinity to the earlier one, in fact inviting participation from longtime NASL Commissioner Phil Woosnam, who wrote them a letter wishing their success in the new league.{{cite web|url=http://nasl.com/index.php?id=9|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111123100243/http://nasl.com/index.php?id=9|title=Letter from Phil Woosnam|archive-date=November 23, 2011}}

In 1995, the USSF had created its first Professional League Standards (PLS) to regulate the first and second division of soccer in the United States.{{cite journal |title=US Soccer Federation Scores Big Win In Antitrust Lawsuit |url=https://charlesfranklinlaw.com/2018/04/599/ |journal=Ass'n: The Newsletter of the Trade, Sports & Professional Associations Committee |date=Spring 2018 |publisher=The American Bar Association}} They set out certain standards that leagues would need to meet in order to be sanctioned, and any league could apply for whichever tier status it could qualify for. The NASL and USSF would be involved in several legal disputes over the PLS.

On August 27, 2009, multi-national sports company Nike agreed to sell its stake in the United Soccer Leagues (USL) to Rob Hoskins and Alec Papadakis of Atlanta-based NuRock Soccer Holdings, instead of to the USL Team Owner's Association (TOA), a group comprising the owners of several USL First Division clubs and St. Louis Soccer United. After the purchase, several prominent TOA members began to voice their concerns about the state of the league in general, its management structure and ownership model, the leadership of USL president Francisco Marcos, and about the sale of the league to NuRock, which the TOA felt was counter-productive and detrimental to the development of the league.

Within several weeks, a number of TOA member clubs threatened to break away from USL and start their own league. On November 10, 2009, six USL-1 clubs along with St. Louis applied for approval to create a new North American Division 2 league.{{cite news |url=http://goal.com/en-us/news/66/united-states/2009/11/10/1616579/teams-split-from-usl-1-to-form-new-league-in-2010 |title=Teams Split From USL-1; To Form New League in 2010 |publisher=Goal.com |date=November 10, 2009 |access-date=November 20, 2009 |archive-date=November 13, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091113174546/http://goal.com/en-us/news/66/united-states/2009/11/10/1616579/teams-split-from-usl-1-to-form-new-league-in-2010 |url-status=dead }} On November 20, 2009, one team from both USL-1 and USL-2 announced their intentions to join the new league,{{cite news |url=http://www.crystalpalaceusa.com/home/378338.html |title=Palace Join New Professional Soccer League |publisher=Crystal Palace USA |date=November 20, 2009 |access-date=November 20, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091207065947/http://www.crystalpalaceusa.com/home/378338.html |archive-date=December 7, 2009 }} taking the membership of the new league to nine teams.{{cite web |last=Hayes |first=Pete |url=http://www.thetelegraph.com/sports/nasl-33446-returing-.html |title=The NASL is Returning |work=The Telegraph |date=November 23, 2009 |access-date=October 7, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120525043613/http://www.thetelegraph.com/sports/nasl-33446-returing-.html |archive-date=May 25, 2012 }}

The official name of the league was announced on November 23, 2009.{{cite web |url=http://www.carolinarailhawks.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=793&Itemid=141 |title=New Men's Second Division Professional Soccer League Announces Name: North American Soccer League |publisher=Carolinarailhawks.com |access-date=October 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401012651/http://www.carolinarailhawks.com/index.php?id=793&itemid=141&option=com_content&task=view |archive-date=April 1, 2016 |url-status=dead }} According to the official press release, the NASL name was intended to "pay respect to the players, coaches and leaders who were pioneers for men's professional soccer in North America, many of whom remain involved and committed to the growth of the game in various capacities throughout the U.S. and Canada".

The USL issued several press releases questioning the legality of the teams choosing to break away, suggesting that it considered litigation to protect its interests and those of the USL-1 teams from any breach of contract.{{cite news |url=http://usl1.uslsoccer.com/home/381192.html |title=USL Statement regarding USL-1 |publisher=United Soccer Leagues |date=November 10, 2009 |access-date=November 23, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091116165125/http://usl1.uslsoccer.com/home/381192.html |archive-date=November 16, 2009 |url-status=dead}} The USL claimed that the NASL and the TOA ownership group was "interfering with USL-1 team owners that are contractually obligated to participate in the 2010 season" and "made several misleading statements in a variety of press releases to taint the reputation of USL and its long history of developing the sport of soccer."{{cite news |url=http://usl1.uslsoccer.com/home/383511.html |title=USL statement regarding Tampa, Baltimore |publisher=United Soccer Leagues |date=November 20, 2009 |access-date=November 20, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091124023952/http://usl1.uslsoccer.com/home/383511.html |archive-date=November 24, 2009 |url-status=dead }}

NASL's inaugural season was expected to begin play in April 2010.{{cite news |url=http://www.stltoday.com/sports/soccer/article_49a24966-3fba-54ef-8c27-c6e46c630c55.html/ |title=It's not MLS, but St. Louis gets an outdoor men's pro soccer team |publisher=stltoday.com |date=November 10, 2009 |access-date=October 21, 2010}} However, after announcing that it would not sanction either the NASL or the USL First Division for 2010,{{cite news |url= https://vancouversun.com/sports/Whitecaps+2010+soccer+season+jeopardy/2392924/story.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100102055229/http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Whitecaps+2010+soccer+season+jeopardy/2392924/story.html |archive-date= January 2, 2010 |title=Whitecaps 2010 soccer season in jeopardy |work=The Vancouver Sun |date=December 30, 2009 |access-date=October 21, 2010}} U.S. Soccer announced in January 2010 that it would run a temporary USSF Division 2 Professional League for the 2010 season that included 12 teams from both the NASL and USL-1, putting the NASL on hold for at least a year.{{cite news

| url=http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/66/united-states/2010/01/07/1731779/us-soccer-federation-to-oversee-combined-naslusl-league |title=US Soccer Federation To Oversee Combined NASL/USL League |publisher=Goal.com |date=January 7, 2010 |access-date=January 8, 2010 }}

File:Rowdies2012.jpg and Tsuyoshi Yoshitake of the Tampa Bay Rowdies, an inaugural NASL club]]

Following the 2010 season, NASL admitted its member clubs to meet the new Division 2 standards set out by U.S. Soccer. The NASL was provisionally approved by U.S. Soccer on November 21, 2010.{{cite news |url= http://www.nasl.com/article/nasl-concludes-successful-agm-and-finalizes-ussf-application |title= NASL Concludes AGM and Finalizes USSF Application |publisher= nasl.com |date=November 11, 2010 |access-date=November 11, 2010}} The provisional sanctioning was briefly revoked by U.S. Soccer in January 2011 due to the collapse of two of the ownership groups involved with NASL and serious questions about several others{{cite news |url= http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2011/01/25/nasl-taking-pro-active-stance-on-schedule-announcement/comment-page-1/ |title= NASL Taking Proactive Stance on Schedule Announcement |publisher= insidemnsoccer.com |author = Wittmann, Gerry |date=January 25, 2011 |access-date=February 15, 2011}} but was reinstated before the 2011 season.{{cite news

| url= http://nasl.com/article/nasl-provisionally-sanctioned-by-ussf-for-2011 |title= NASL Provisionally Sanctioned by USSF for 2011 |publisher= nasl.com |date=February 12, 2011 |access-date=February 15, 2011}}{{cite web|title=NASL Provisionally Sanctioned as Division 2 Professional League for 2011|publisher=ussoccer.com|date=February 12, 2011|url=http://www.ussoccer.com/News/USSF-D2-Pro-League/2011/NASL-Provisionally-Sanctioned-as-Division-2-Professional-League-for-2011.aspx|access-date=March 31, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110216072918/http://www.ussoccer.com/News/USSF-D2-Pro-League/2011/NASL-Provisionally-Sanctioned-as-Division-2-Professional-League-for-2011.aspx|archive-date=February 16, 2011|url-status=dead}}

As part of the re-organization that established the NASL as Division II, the USSF updated its Professional League Standards, in order to keep up with the growth of the sport and population growth in the United States since 1995.{{cite web |last1=Russo |first1=Kenneth |title=USSF Professional Standards |url=https://kennethrusso.com/ussf-professional-standards/ |website=kennethrusso.com |date=October 23, 2020 |publisher=Russo Law and Soccer |access-date=22 November 2021}} Another update to the PLS took effect in 2014, while a further update was discussed in 2015 but was dropped.

From the beginning of the league, Brazilian-based sports company Traffic Sports Marketing was a significant investor in the new league. Traffic Sports Marketing was heavily involved in its operations. Traffic was an early investor in four of the league's clubs, and the president of its American subsidiary, Aaron Davidson, also served as the chairman of the NASL's board of governors.{{cite web |last1=Rueter |first1=Jeff |title=From Raúl to ruin: the rise and fall of the NASL, once MLS's challenger |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2017/nov/10/from-raul-to-ruin-the-rise-and-fall-of-the-nasl-once-mlss-challenger |work=The Guardian |access-date=January 15, 2019 |date=November 10, 2017}} Both Traffic and Davidson himself were implicated in the 2015 FIFA corruption case, and both would eventually plead guilty to racketeering, conspiracy, and wire-fraud conspiracy. Traffic Sports continued to hold a large amount of stock in the NASL until the league finally arranged for a sale to an unnamed buyer in November 2016.{{cite web |last1=Nutting |first1=Jake |title=NASL Severs All Ties To Traffic Sports |url=http://www.empireofsoccer.com/report-nasl-severs-all-ties-to-traffic-sports-55869/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161125184431/http://www.empireofsoccer.com/report-nasl-severs-all-ties-to-traffic-sports-55869/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=November 25, 2016 |website=empireofsoccer.com |publisher=Empire of Soccer |access-date=January 15, 2019 |date=November 23, 2016}}

Since the league's founding, the USSF had demonstrated a willingness to work with leagues who could show they were moving into compliance with the PLS; the NASL applied for, and was granted, waivers for specific provisions every year of its existence.{{cite web |last1=Burdine |first1=Wes |title="Nonsensical": USSF Files Motion to Dismiss NASL's Lawsuit |url=https://fiftyfive.one/2017/10/ussf-files-motion-dismiss-nasls-lawsuit/ |website=FiftyFive.One |access-date=22 November 2021 |date=12 October 2017}}

In September 2015, the NASL announced its intent to challenge MLS and secure Division I status, despite never having met the criteria for Division II. To that end, the league sent a letter to U.S. Soccer president, Sunil Gulati, objecting to proposed updates to the Division I PLS. NASL took issue with three proposed changes: increasing the minimum stadium size to 15,000, increasing the minimum number of teams to 16, and changing the minimum population required in 75% of the teams from a population of 1 million to 2 million. NASL accused U.S. Soccer of colluding with MLS to protect MLS's monopoly as the only Division I league in the United States.{{cite web|title=NASL accuses U.S. Soccer and MLS of violating antitrust laws|url=http://www.espnfc.us/major-league-soccer/story/2592756/nasl-accuses-us-soccer-and-mls-of-violating-antitrust-laws|website=ESPN FC|date=September 2015|access-date=September 3, 2015}} The USSF denied the league's Division I application on March 30, 2016, but continued to grant waivers for the NASL to play in Division II.{{cite web |title=NORTH AMERICAN SOCCER LEAGUE LLC v. UNITED STATES SOCCER FEDERATION INC |url=https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-2nd-circuit/1890279.html |website=caselaw.findlaw.com |publisher=FindLaw |access-date=22 November 2021}}

In September 2017, it was reported that after having granted provisional Division II status to both the NASL and the MLS-backed United Soccer League in 2016, that U.S. Soccer had voted to stop extending PSL standards waivers to the NASL, resulting in the loss of its Division II status. NASL stated that it "does not believe that the federation acted in the best interest of the sport. U.S. Soccer's decision negatively affects many stakeholders in soccer: fans, players, coaches, referees, business partners, and the NASL club owners who have invested tens of millions of dollars promoting the sport. The decision also jeopardizes the thousands of jobs created by the NASL and its member clubs." For its part, the USSF explained its decision was the result of the NASL's continued failure to meet agreed-upon league standards, particularly that "(d)espite multiple chances, NASL has not even come up with a plan for eventual compliance with the Division II standards."

On September 19, 2017, NASL filed suit against U.S. Soccer citing antitrust violations related to the change of sanctioning criteria.{{Cite news|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/359361983/Anti-Trust|title=NASL Lawsuit|last=Filing|first=Legal|work=NY State Courts|access-date=September 21, 2017}} The decision to pursue the lawsuit was not unanimous among NASL clubs. FC Edmonton was not involved in the lawsuit, having "found out about the lawsuit over the telephone";{{cite web|last1=Chopra|first1=Nipun|title=The NASL's decision to litigate was not unanimous|url=https://www.soctakes.com/2017/09/20/nasls-decision-litigate-not-unanimous/|website=soctakes.com|publisher=Soc Takes|access-date=September 27, 2017|date=September 20, 2017}} and North Carolina FC did not support the lawsuit.{{Cite tweet |user=ByNeilMorris |author=Neil Morris |number=910577404443275264 |date = September 20, 2017 |title=@NorthCarolinaFC not issuing statement. But sources close to club say NCFC does not support NASL lawsuit v USSF.}} The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York ruled against the NASL's motion for a preliminary injunction on November 4, 2017,{{cite web|last1=Scupp|first1=David|title=North American Soccer League Misses Shot Seeking Preliminary Injunction, But Appeals the Ruling|url=https://antitrusttoday.com/2017/11/16/north-american-soccer-league-misses-shot-seeking-preliminary-injunction-appeals-ruling/|website=Antitrust Today|publisher=Constantine Cannon|access-date=November 26, 2017|date=November 16, 2017}}{{cite news|last1=Kaufman|first1=Michelle|title=Miami FC's future is in jeopardy. A court ruling could save the team.|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mls/article186408428.html|access-date=November 26, 2017|work=The Miami Herald|date=November 24, 2017}} and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit denied an appeal February 23, 2018.{{cite web|last1=Carlisle|first1=Jeff|title=Court denies NASL's appeal for injunction|url=http://www.espn.com/soccer/north-american-soccer-league/story/3395055/court-denies-nasl-appeal-for-injunction-to-reinstate-division-ii-status|publisher=ESPN|access-date=February 23, 2018|date=February 23, 2018}}

Following the District Court ruling, the NASL announced it would move to the "international calendar", playing from August through June.{{cite web |title=NORTH AMERICAN SOCCER LEAGUE ANNOUNCES MOVE TO INTERNATIONAL CALENDAR |url=http://www.nasl.com/news/2018/01/08/north-american-soccer-league-announces-move-to-international-calendar |website=nasl.com |publisher=North American Soccer League |access-date=January 15, 2019 |date=January 8, 2018}} The announcement was met with skepticism, with commentators pointing out the difficulty in playing a winter schedule in northern markets such as New York or Indiana.{{cite web |last1=Karell |first1=Daniel |title=NASL adopts international calendar, cancels spring season |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nasl-adopts-international-calendar-cancels-143520992.html |publisher=Yahoo! |access-date=January 15, 2019 |date=January 8, 2018}} Others characterized it as a desperation move, suggesting the change had more to do with the NASL not being able to field enough teams to play its regular spring schedule and that the league had not worked through the "logistical nightmare" of such a schedule change.{{cite web |last1=Ilyas |first1=Adnan |title=NASL's Fall-Spring calendar announcement hiding the league's struggles |url=https://www.starsandstripesfc.com/2018/1/8/16862812/nasl-fall-spring-european-calendar-usa-division-2-ussf-us-soccer |website=Stars and Stripes FC |publisher=SB Nation |access-date=January 15, 2019 |date=January 8, 2018}}{{cite web |last1=Reuter |first1=Jeff |title=The NASL's International Calendar Problem |url=https://ussoccerplayers.com/2018/01/nasl-international-calendar-problem-soccer-players-issues.html |website=ussoccerplayers.com |publisher=United States National Soccer Team Players Association |access-date=January 15, 2019 |date=January 25, 2018}}

On February 27, 2018, the league announced that the 2018 season had been canceled in the wake of the court ruling. They were looking for ways to return in 2020. At that time, the New York Cosmos, Miami FC and Jacksonville Armada, chose to participate in the National Premier Soccer League for the 2018 season while the NASL's future was being determined.{{cite news|title=NASL cancels complete 2018 season after court ruling.|url=http://www.espn.com/soccer/north-american-soccer-league/story/3400079/nasl-cancels-complete-2018-season-after-court-ruling|access-date=February 27, 2018|publisher=ESPN|date=February 27, 2018}} FC Edmonton briefly stopped operations before joining the newly formed Canadian Premier League in advance of the 2019 inaugural season,{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/fc-edmonton-soccer-canadian-premier-league-1.4693263|title=Edmonton expected to join new Canadian soccer league|last=St-Onge|first= Josee|publisher=CBC|access-date=March 31, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://edmontonsun.com/sports/soccer/fc-edmonton-returns-to-the-professional-scene-and-clarke-stadium|title=FC Edmonton officially joins Canadian Premier League|work=Edmonton Sun |date=June 9, 2018|access-date=March 31, 2019}} while San Diego 1904 FC left the league and tried unsuccessfully to join the USL.{{cite web |url=https://www.1904fc.com/1904-fc-ownership-group-issues-official-statement-tuesday/ |title=1904 FC Ownership Group Issues Official Statement on Tuesday |publisher=1904 FC |date=February 27, 2018 |access-date=February 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228042011/https://www.1904fc.com/1904-fc-ownership-group-issues-official-statement-tuesday/ |archive-date=February 28, 2018 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/soccer/sd-sp-soccer-1904-usl-expansion-20180607-story.html |title=USL Denies Expansion Application for San Diego Pro Soccer Team 1904 FC|date=Jun 7, 2018|last1=Zeigler|first1=Mark|newspaper=U-T San Diego |access-date=August 5, 2018}}

On February 3, 2025, the jury unanimously ruled against the NASL, ending the lawsuit.{{cite web |last1=Anzidei |first1=Melanie |title=NASL failed to prove USSF and MLS conspired against it, jury decides |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6110245/2025/02/03/nasl-ussf-mls-lawsuit-verdict/ |website=The Athletic |publisher=The New York Times |access-date=27 February 2025 |date=3 February 2025}}{{cite web |last1=Vertelney |first1=Seth |title=U.S. Soccer and MLS win $500 million antitrust lawsuit brought by NASL |url=https://prosoccerwire.usatoday.com/story/sports/mls/2025/02/03/u-s-soccer-mls-win-500-million-nasl-antitrust-lawsuit/78187936007/ |website=Pro Soccer Wire |publisher=USA Today |access-date=27 February 2025 |date=3 February 2025}}

After initially postponing the 2018 season, the league was denied a preliminary injunction to prevent the loss of its Division II sanctioning and announced it had canceled its 2018 season and hoped to return for a 2019 season.{{cite web |title=North American Soccer League Announces Cancellation of 2018 Season |url=http://www.nasl.com/news/2018/02/27/north-american-soccer-league-announces-cancellation-of-2018-season |website=nasl.com |publisher=North American Soccer League |access-date=February 27, 2018 |date=February 27, 2018}} By July 2018, the league pushed back its potential return to the 2020 season.{{cite web |last1=Rhodes |first1=Adam |title=Soccer League Fights For June 2019 Trial in Antitrust Suit |url=https://www.law360.com/articles/1060314/soccer-league-fights-for-june-2019-trial-in-antitrust-suit |website=Law360 |access-date=July 7, 2018 |date=July 5, 2018}} In November 2018, two of the four remaining NASL clubs announced that they would launch a new professional league in 2019 associated with the National Premier Soccer League{{cite web |title=Eleven Founding Members To Launch A New League in Association with the National Premier Soccer League |url=http://www.nycosmos.com/news/2018/11/15/eleven-founding-members-to-launch-a-new-league-in-association-with-the-national-premier-soccer-league |website=New York Cosmos |access-date=December 5, 2018 |date=November 15, 2018}} and the NASL effectively became defunct.

File:Toyota Field Scorpions.jpg in San Antonio, Texas, host of Soccer Bowl 2014.]]

The NASL began playing a split-season format in 2013. Similar to Liga MX, Central, and South American leagues, the schedule consisted of two competitions, Spring and Fall, with the winner of the Spring season earning the right to host the Fall champion in a one-game playoff, the Soccer Bowl. In 2014 the postseason was altered again with the introduction of The Championship: The NASL Spring Season and Fall Season champions were joined in the semi-finals of The Championship by the two clubs with the next best overall records from both seasons combined. The semi-final winners competed in The Championship Final, with "Soccer Bowl" being the name of the trophy itself.{{cite web|title=NASL clubs to compete for 'The Championship' |url=http://www.nasl.com/article/uuid/19mjcfxw5twlf1kav40nm9i7w8/nasl-clubs-to-compete-for-the-championship|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303071810/http://www.nasl.com/article/uuid/19mjcfxw5twlf1kav40nm9i7w8/nasl-clubs-to-compete-for-the-championship#.V_5QrY8rJhE|website=nasl.com|archive-date=March 3, 2014|access-date=November 14, 2016}} The NASL Spring Season and Fall Season champions would each host a semi-final. The number one seed was awarded to whichever of the Spring or Fall champions posts the better combined regular season record. The number three and number four seeds were awarded to the next two clubs with the best overall records from both seasons combined. Clubs will retain their seeding throughout the postseason. The top-seeded semi-final winner hosted The Championship final. If the same club won both seasons, the clubs with the second, third and fourth best overall records from both seasons combined qualified for The Championship.

The Spring Season ran from early April until July 4, and following a one-month break, the Fall season ran from early August until early November.{{cite web|url=http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/02/q-a-with-n-a-s-l-commissioner-david-downs/ |title=Q & A with N.A.S.L. Commissioner David Downs |date= October 2, 2012 |author=Cesar Diaz |publisher=New York Times Soccer Blog |access-date=August 7, 2013}}

The split-season model had several intended benefits for NASL. A break in July that coincides with the international transfer window allowed teams to acquire (or sell) players during the summer, providing ample time for new players to become acquainted with their new club and league. Secondly, NASL teams could use this break to generate additional revenue by hosting international friendlies or going on tour.

In prior NASL seasons, the competition featured 8 teams playing a 28-game regular season schedule, with 14 home and 14 away matches, meeting each opponent four times. The playoffs consisted of the top six clubs, with the first and second-ranked teams receiving a bye until the semi-final round. The bottom four competed in a knockout round before advancing to the semi-finals. Both the semi-final and the final rounds were played over two-legs, the winner advancing on aggregate goals.

In July 2013, NASL teams took advantage of the break afforded by the new split-season schedule to host several international friendlies, including several matches against Mexican, Brazilian, and Guatemalan teams, while the NY Cosmos traveled to London to play lower division English teams.

Similar to other American sports leagues (but unlike many European soccer leagues), NASL did not have promotion or relegation for its member clubs. The champion of Division II NASL was not promoted to Division I Major League Soccer, and the team finishing last in NASL was not relegated. Two NASL clubs did switch leagues to MLS (Montreal Impact in 2012, Minnesota United FC in 2017) as expansion teams following an application.

The NASL did not have a salary cap,{{cite magazine|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/grant_wahl/07/13/new-york-cosmos/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120716005640/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/grant_wahl/07/13/new-york-cosmos/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 16, 2012 |title=New York Cosmos return to NASL is first step in franchise revival - Grant Wahl |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=July 13, 2012 |access-date=August 7, 2013}}{{cite web|last1=White|first1=Ron|title=The Pay for a Pro Soccer Player|url=http://work.chron.com/pay-pro-soccer-player-19273.html|website=Houston Chronicle|publisher=Hearst Newspapers|access-date=January 9, 2017|ref=chron}} limited active rosters to 30 players, and limited teams to seven foreign players.

File:Islanderspuertorico.JPG reached the semi-finals of the 2008–09 CONCACAF Champions League.]]

Teams playing in the NASL represented three separate CONCACAF members, the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. NASL's U.S.-based teams played in the U.S. Open Cup, the winner of which provides one of the four U.S. representatives in the CONCACAF Champions League. The NASL did not participate in the 2011 U.S. Open Cup during the league's first season, but joined the tournament in 2012 to some success as the Carolina RailHawks reached the quarterfinals that year. In 2014, both the Carolina RailHawks and the Atlanta Silverbacks reached the Open Cup quarterfinals.{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/07/09/atlanta-silverbacks-1-chicago-fire-3-us-open-cup-quarterfinals-match-recap|title=Atlanta Silverbacks 1, Chicago Fire 3 - US Open Cup Quarterfinals Match Recap|work=MLSsoccer.com}} The league's Canadian teams, FC Edmonton and Ottawa Fury FC, participated in the Canadian Championship. This tournament consists of the Canadian Soccer Association's professional clubs, the winner representing Canada in the Champions League.

NASL teams also occasionally played in international competitions including friendlies during the league's summer break.{{cite web|url=http://nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=4889 |title=Summer of International Friendlies in Store For NASL Clubs | North American Soccer League |publisher=Nasl.com |access-date=August 7, 2013}} Additionally, the Puerto Rico Islanders were invited to participate in the CFU Club Championship by the Caribbean Football Union representing Puerto Rico, participation in which allowed them to qualify for the Champions League. The Islanders competed in Champions League twice during their time in NASL.

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id:Fold value:rgb(0.996,0.996,0.699) # Use this color to denote a folded club

id:USL value:rgb(0.6,0.8,1) # Use this color to denote a former club that joined USL

id:Oth value:rgb(0.6,0.98,0.6) # Use this color to denote a former club that joined another league

id:MLS value:rgb(0.996,0.598,0.996) # Use this color to denote a former club that moved on to MLS

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width:15 textcolor:black shift:(5,-5) anchor:from fontsize:s

bar:1 color:Fold from:01/01/2011 till:12/31/2015 text:Atlanta Silverbacks (2011–2015)

bar:2 color:USL from:01/01/2011 till:11/30/2016 text:Carolina RailHawks (2011–2016)

bar:2 color:USL from:01/01/2017 till:12/31/2017 text: North Carolina FC (2017)

bar:3 color:Oth from:01/01/2011 till:12/31/2017 text:FC Edmonton (2011–2017)

bar:4 color:Fold from:01/01/2011 till:12/31/2016 text:Fort Lauderdale Strikers (2011–2016)

bar:5 color:MLS from:01/01/2011 till:02/15/2013 text:Minnesota Stars (2011–2013)

bar:5 color:MLS from:03/15/2013 till:12/31/2016 text:Minnesota United FC (2013–2016)

bar:6 color:MLS from:01/01/2011 till:12/31/2011 text:Montreal Impact (2011)

bar:7 color:Fold from:01/01/2011 till:12/31/2012 text:Puerto Rico Islanders (2011–2012)

bar:8 color:USL from:01/01/2011 till:12/31/2016 text:Tampa Bay Rowdies (2011–2016)

bar:9 color:Fold from:01/01/2012 till:12/31/2015 text:San Antonio Scorpions (2012–2015)

bar:10 color:Oth from:07/01/2013 till:12/31/2017 text:New York Cosmos (2013–2017)

bar:11 color:USL from:01/01/2014 till:12/31/2017 text:Indy Eleven (2014–2017)

bar:12 color:USL from:01/01/2014 till:12/31/2016 text:Ottawa Fury FC (2014–2016)

bar:13 color:Oth from:01/01/2015 till:12/31/2017 text:Jacksonville Armada FC (2015–2017)

bar:14 color:Oth from:01/01/2016 till:12/31/2017 text: Miami FC (2016–2017)

bar:15 color:Fold from:01/01/2016 till:12/31/2016 text: Rayo OKC (2016)

bar:16 color:Fold from:07/01/2016 till:12/31/2017 text: Puerto Rico FC (2016–2017)

bar:17 color:Fold from:01/01/2017 till:12/31/2017 text: San Francisco Deltas (2017)

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ScaleMinor = gridcolor:lightline unit:month increment:6 start:01/01/2011

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{{Refbegin}}

{{Font color || {{RGB|255|255|179}}|Club folded}}

  {{Font color || {{RGB|255|153|255}}|Club moved to MLS}}

  {{Font color || {{RGB|153|204|255}}|Club moved to USL}}

  {{Font color || {{RGB|152|251|152}}|Club moved to other league}}

{{Refend}}

{{NASL labeled map}}

With provisional approval from U.S. Soccer to begin play as a Division 2 league in 2011, eight clubs were officially confirmed to launch the inaugural season: Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina RailHawks, FC Edmonton, Fort Lauderdale Strikers (formerly Miami FC), Montreal Impact, NSC Minnesota Stars, Puerto Rico Islanders and FC Tampa Bay.

Four of these eight teams – the Carolina RailHawks, Miami FC, Minnesota United FC (formerly Minnesota Thunder/Stars) and Montreal Impact – played in the USL First Division in 2009, and were among the set of TOA teams that initiated the original breakaway from the USL. FC Tampa Bay had been scheduled to be a 2010 USL-1 expansion franchise, but switched to the NASL shortly after NASL was officially formed. The Atlanta Silverbacks played competitively in USL-1 in 2008, and spent 2009 on hiatus from the league prior to joining the NASL. FC Edmonton was an expansion team that was founded in 2010 and joined the Canadian Premier League in 2019 after suspending operations in late 2017. The Puerto Rico Islanders played in the USL in the 2010 season.

Several teams expected to join NASL did not play in NASL during the 2011 inaugural season. Crystal Palace Baltimore of the USL Second Division had planned to join the NASL, but announced in late 2010 that it would not play in NASL in 2011 due to a necessary restructuring.{{cite web|url=http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=152 |title=Crystal Palace Baltimore to Sit Out 2011 Season | North American Soccer League |publisher=Nasl.com |date=December 3, 2010 |access-date=August 7, 2013}} The Rochester Rhinos of the USL First Division initially joined the NASL on November 30, 2009, but jumped to the new USL Pro instead.{{cite news |url= http://www.uslsoccer.com/home/476335.html |title= Rochester Rhinos Back in USL |publisher= uslsoccer.com |date= October 25, 2010 |access-date= October 28, 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101027030313/http://www.uslsoccer.com/home/476335.html |archive-date= October 27, 2010 |url-status= dead }}{{cite news |url= http://www.nasl.com/article/nasl-continues-to-build-on-strong-foundation |title= NASL Continues to Build on Strong Foundation |publisher= nasl.com |date=October 28, 2010 |access-date=November 11, 2010 }} AC St. Louis, part of the initial TOA group that formed NASL, closed in late 2010 after only one season due to financial difficulties.{{cite web |last=Quarstad |first=Brian |url=http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2011/01/17/ac-st-louis-closes-its-doors-for-good/ |title=AC St. Louis Closes its Doors for Good | IMS Soccer News |publisher=Insidemnsoccer.com |date=January 17, 2011 |access-date=August 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723130747/http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2011/01/17/ac-st-louis-closes-its-doors-for-good/ |archive-date=July 23, 2012 |url-status=dead }}

The Vancouver Whitecaps did not play in NASL in 2011 because the Vancouver Whitecaps FC joined MLS in 2011. The Minnesota Thunder ceased operations due to financial problems, and were replaced by the NSC Minnesota Stars under different ownership.

On March 25, 2015, it was announced that founding team Minnesota would become a Major League Soccer expansion side in 2017.

When the owner of the Atlanta Silverbacks was unable to find a buyer for the club, the league assumed operations for the 2015 season. On January 11, 2016, the NASL announced that it was also unable to secure a new ownership group, and the club ceased operations.{{cite web|url=http://www.nasl.com/article/uuid/ingqhu2asvfx14lhgxfel4onn/atlanta-silverbacks-set-to-play-in-2015|title=Atlanta Silverbacks set to play in 2015|publisher=North American Soccer League (NASL)|date=December 2, 2014|access-date=December 3, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nasl.com/news/2016/01/11/nasl-suspends-operation-of-atlanta-silverbacks|title=NASL Suspends Operation of Atlanta Silverbacks|publisher=North American Soccer League (NASL)|date=January 11, 2016|access-date=January 11, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.com/north-american-soccer-league/story/2785318/atlanta-silverbacks-of-nasl-halt-operations|title=Atlanta Silverbacks of NASL halt operations - ESPN FC|work=ESPNFC.com|date=January 12, 2016|access-date=March 27, 2016}}{{cite web |last1=Roberson |first1=Doug |title=Silverbacks cease operations |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/pro-sports/silverbacks-cease-operations/SgJph3nxpzdjLQBGQmwaXM/ |website=ajc.com |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=January 4, 2019 |date=January 11, 2016}}

On October 25, 2016, the Tampa Bay Rowdies announced that they would be moving to the United Soccer League for the 2017 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/721702?referrer_id=2909153|title=Tampa Bay Rowdies Announce Move To United Soccer League|work=rowdiessoccer.com|date=November 6, 2016|access-date=January 7, 2017}}

The league continued with eight teams in 2012, losing one team and adding one team, with the Montreal Impact joining Major League Soccer and the San Antonio Scorpions joining NASL as an expansion side.{{cite web |url=http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/North_American_Soccer_League_coming_to_SA_104308314.html?showFullArticle=y |title = S.A. gets professional soccer team |first = Richard |last = Oliver |date = April 10, 2010 |publisher = mysanantonio.com |access-date = October 25, 2010 }} The league played its 2013 spring season with seven teams, as the Puerto Rico Islanders suspended operations with uncertainty regarding a government subsidy.{{cite web|last=Sandor |first=Steven |url=http://the11.ca/2012/12/21/islanders-wont-play-in-nasl-spring-session/ |title=Islanders won't play in NASL spring session |publisher=the11.ca |access-date=August 7, 2013}} The New York Cosmos restored the league to eight teams when it joined for the fall 2013 season, playing its home games at Hofstra University's James M. Shuart Stadium.{{cite web|title=New York Cosmos Join NASL|url=http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=2779|work=North American Soccer League|publisher=NASL.com|access-date=July 12, 2012}}{{cite web |url=http://nycosmos.com/news/new-york-cosmos-return-roots-hofstra-university |title=New York Cosmos Return to Roots at Hofstra University |work=New York Cosmos |location=New York City |date=September 25, 2012 |access-date=October 29, 2012}}

File:2013 Cosmos home match.jpg]]NASL's expansion into New York marked the first time the league expanded into a city where an MLS team was already present, marking the beginning of a shift in NASL expansion strategy, with NASL later considering expanding into other large markets with MLS teams, such as the northern Virginia suburbs of Washington DC, and Los Angeles.{{cite web|last=Morris |first=Neil |url=http://www.indyweek.com/triangleoffense/archives/2013/06/15/interview-nasl-commissioner-bill-peterson-talks-expansion-nasl-and-mls-us-open-cup-and-other-soccer-league-issues |title=Interview: NASL Commissioner Bill Peterson talks expansion (NASL and MLS), U.S. Open Cup, and other soccer league issues | Triangle Offense |publisher=Indyweek.com |date=June 15, 2013 |access-date=August 7, 2013}}

The NASL added two teams for the 2014 season: the Ottawa Fury FC and Indy Eleven of Indianapolis. The Ottawa Fury moved from the USL Premier Development League following the refurbishment of TD Place Stadium.{{cite web|last=Bottjer|first=Steve|title=BOTTJER ON OTTAWA: NASL'S CAPITAL GAINS|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/2012/05/04/ottawa_fury/|publisher=Sportsnet|access-date=May 15, 2012}}{{cite web|last=Starnes |first=Richard |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/sports/Ottawa+lands+soccer+franchise/4975117/story.html |title=Ottawa lands pro soccer franchise |work=Ottawa Citizen |date=June 20, 2011 |access-date=October 7, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110830071126/http://www.ottawacitizen.com/sports/Ottawa+lands+soccer+franchise/4975117/story.html |archive-date=August 30, 2011 }} The Indy Eleven played at Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis but planned to complete their own stadium.{{cite web|url=http://www.indystar.com/viewart/20130116/SPORTS/130116033/Indy-officially-lands-12th-North-American-Soccer-League-Franchise |title=Indy officially lands 12th North American Soccer League Franchise |publisher=Indianapolis Star |date=January 16, 2013 |access-date=January 16, 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3648 |title=NASL Awards Team To Indianapolis |publisher=North American Soccer League |date=January 16, 2013 |access-date=January 16, 2013}} Virginia Cavalry FC was originally announced as a 2014 expansion team to be based in the planned Edelman Financial Field in Ashburn, Virginia, but could not find either a suitable venue or a stable ownership group.{{cite news |last= Jackman |first= Tom |date= November 27, 2013 |title= Bob Farren steps down as head of Loudoun Hounds, VIP Entertainment |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/local/wp/2013/11/27/bob-farren-steps-down-as-head-of-loudoun-hounds-vip-entertainment/ |newspaper= The Washington Post |access-date= February 26, 2014}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/soccer-insider/wp/2012/11/05/nasl-coming-to-northern-virginia/ |title=NASL coming to Northern Virginia |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=November 5, 2012 |access-date=February 26, 2014}}{{cite web |url= http://www.soccerwire.com/news/clubs/nasl-amid-delays-virginia-cavalrys-parent-company-brings-back-former-ceo/?loc=psw |title= NASL: Amid delays, Virginia Cavalry's parent company brings back former CEO|last1= Boehm |first1= Charles | date= February 14, 2014 |website= soccerwire.com |access-date=March 3, 2014}}{{cite web |url= http://www.soccerwire.com/news/leagues/nasl/update-nasls-va-cavalry-fc-respond-to-soccerwire-com/?loc=psw |title= UPDATE: NASL's Va. Cavalry FC respond to SoccerWire.com |last1= Boehm |first1= Charles | date= February 21, 2014 |website= soccerwire.com |access-date=March 3, 2014}}{{cite web |url=http://www.soccerwire.com/news/virginia-cavalry-wont-play-until-2016-says-nasl-commish-bill-peterson/ |title=Virginia Cavalry won't play until 2016, says NASL commish Bill Peterson |first=Matthew |last=Levine |date=July 10, 2014 |website=soccerwire.com |access-date=July 13, 2014 |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006222901/http://www.soccerwire.com/news/virginia-cavalry-wont-play-until-2016-says-nasl-commish-bill-peterson/ |url-status=dead }}

In July 2013, the NASL awarded two new expansion franchises to begin play in 2015: Jacksonville Armada FC and Oklahoma City FC.{{cite news |title= Jacksonville awarded NASL team to begin play in 2015|first= Clayton |last= Freeman|url= http://jacksonville.com/sports/2013-07-25/story/jacksonville-awarded-nasl-team-begin-play-2015|newspaper= The Florida Times-Union |date= July 25, 2013 |access-date=February 26, 2014}}{{cite news |last= Soergel |first= Matt |date= February 18, 2014 |title= Jacksonville soccer team to be called the Jacksonville Armada FC |url= http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2014-02-18/story/jacksonville-soccer-team-be-called-jacksonville-armada-fc |newspaper= The Florida Times-Union |url-access= subscription |access-date= February 19, 2014 |archive-date= July 2, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170702112216/http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2014-02-18/story/jacksonville-soccer-team-be-called-jacksonville-armada-fc |url-status= dead }} Jacksonville plays at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville and hopes to build its own stadium.{{cite web|url=http://jacksonville.com/breaking-news/2014-07-11/story/jacksonville-armada-fc-play-baseball-grounds|title=Soccer fans! Jacksonville Armada FC to play Baseball Grounds|work=jacksonville.com}} Oklahoma City FC did not join the league. An NASL team in Oklahoma City was eventually announced for a 2016 launch when Spanish club Rayo Vallecano launched Rayo OKC in November 2015.{{citation |url=http://www.nasl.com/news/2015/11/10/la-ligas-rayo-vallecano-and-local-buisnessman-team-up-to-bring-nasl-club-to-oklahoma-city |title=La Liga's Rayo Vallecano And Local Businessman Team Up To Bring NASL Club To Oklahoma City |publisher=NASL |date=November 10, 2015 | access-date=November 10, 2015}}

In 2014, the NASL indicated its vision to grow to 18 to 20 teams by 2018.{{cite web|url=https://ottawacitizen.com/sports/soccer/nasl-boss-bullish-on-league-expansion|title=NASL boss bullish on league expansion|author=Peter Robb|work=Ottawa Citizen|date=September 18, 2014}} Former NASL Commissioner Bill Peterson expressed interest in Hartford, which had been home to the Connecticut Bicentennials in the previous version of the NASL.{{cite web|url=http://the11.ca/2014/07/10/nasl-commissioner-talks-about-canadas-long-term-plans-expansion-and-league-format/|title=NASL Commissioner talks about Canada's long-term plans, expansion and league format|author=Steven Sandor|work=The 11|date=July 10, 2014}} However, the priority remained to add more teams in the West, Midwest and Prairies, with an eye on placing teams in the 25 largest metropolitan areas without professional soccer teams in order to tap into greater media exposure and sponsor interest.{{cite web|last=Sandor |first=Steven |url=http://the11.ca/2013/07/03/floods-could-delay-calgary-nasl-franchise-by-one-season-winnipeg-investor-making-inquiries/ |title=Floods could delay Calgary NASL franchise by one season; Winnipeg investor making inquiries|work=The 11|date=July 3, 2013 |access-date=January 29, 2014}} NASL expansion conversations took place with interested parties from San Francisco, Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, and Las Vegas.{{cite web|url=http://www.indyweek.com/sports/archives/2014/04/08/nasl-commissioner-bill-peterson-discusses-league-expansion-playoffs-mls-paid-match-streaming-and-other-topics-in-advance-of-2014-regular-se|title=NASL Commissioner Bill Peterson discusses league expansion, playoffs, MLS, paid match streaming and other topics in advance of 2014 regular season kickoff|work=Indy Week|author=Neil Morris|date=April 8, 2014}} Also, the owners of Detroit City FC expressed a desire to join the NASL or USL if additional investors could be found.{{cite web|url=http://www.twiceacosmo.com/2015/4/19/8452219/detroit-city-fc-targeting-a-move-to-the-nasl-or-usl|title=Detroit City targeting move to the NASL or USL|work=SB Nation|author=Stephen Schmidt|date=April 19, 2015}} In addition, Peterson criticized the MLS expansion plans in cities with existing NASL teams (Miami, Atlanta, Minneapolis, and San Antonio), suggesting a turf war and increased competition between the two leagues.{{cite web|url=http://www.lasoccernews.com/leagues/nasl2.php?article_id=11699|title=TURF WAR BREWING? NASL questions MLS expansion plans|work=LA Soccer News|author=Charles Cuttone|date=February 27, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerbyives.net/2014/03/peterson-expansion-process.html|title=Peterson reveals details on NASL expansion, takes shot at MLS's plans|work=Soccer By Ives|author=Franco Panizo|date=March 1, 2014}}

In May 2015, the NASL announced that the twelfth team in the league would be Miami FC, in Miami, Florida. Owned by international entrepreneur Riccardo Silva and former Italian international Paolo Maldini, the team began play in 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.nasl.com/news/2015/05/20/miami-fc-becomes-12th-nasl-club|title=MIAMI FC BECOMES 12TH NASL CLUB|publisher=NASL|date=May 20, 2015}} In June 2015, professional basketball player Carmelo Anthony, announced that his new club Puerto Rico FC would join the league.{{citation |url=http://www.espnfc.us/north-american-soccer-league/story/2486769/nba-star-carmelo-anthony-buys-nasl-side-puerto-rico-fc |title=NBA star Carmelo Anthony announces purchase of NASL team Puerto Rico FC |publisher=ESPN|date=June 11, 2015}} The team began play in the 2016 NASL fall season.

On December 22, 2015, it was announced that the City of San Antonio and Bexar County had purchased Toyota Field and S.T.A.R. Soccer Complex. Along with this came an agreement for Spurs Sports and Entertainment, owners of the San Antonio Spurs, to operate the facilities and field a team in the United Soccer League, effectively folding the San Antonio Scorpions.{{cite web |url=http://www.sascorpions.com/news/2015/12/22/sa-scporpions-2012-2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223005215/http://www.sascorpions.com/news/2015/12/22/sa-scporpions-2012-2015 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=December 23, 2015 |title=Scorpions Soccer Club Thanks Fans for Supporting Soccer for a Cause |work=San Antonio Scorpions PR |location=San Antonio |date=December 22, 2015 |access-date=December 22, 2015}}

In February 2016, former Indy Eleven president Peter Wilt announced his ambition to create an NASL team in Chicago. Wilt had been the first president and general manager of Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire. The ownership group announced that the NASL Chicago club would not be called the Chicago Sting, but works were in progress to secure short-term and long-term stadium options. The efforts were combined with exploring investors and supporter ownership structures.{{cite web | url=http://www.chicagonow.com/fire-confidential/2015/04/nasl-looking-to-expand-in-chicago-new-ownership-group-has-expressed-interest/ | title=NASL looking to expand in Chicago - new ownership group has expressed interest | publisher=Chicago Fire Confidential |author=Guillermo Rivera| date=April 8, 2015 | access-date=February 19, 2016}}{{cite web | url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/kass/ct-chicago-new-soccer-team-kass-0218-20160217-column.html | title=Chicago needs a second soccer team | work=Chicago Tribune |author=John Cass| date=February 17, 2016 | access-date=February 19, 2016}}

In February 2016, it was announced that the San Francisco Deltas would join the NASL in 2017.{{cite web | url=http://www.empireofsoccer.com/nasl-san-francisco-group-unveils-name-san-francisco-deltas-44292/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202151918/http://www.empireofsoccer.com/nasl-san-francisco-group-unveils-name-san-francisco-deltas-44292/ | url-status=usurped | archive-date=February 2, 2016 | title=NASL San Francisco Group Unveils Name: San Francisco Deltas | work=Empire of Soccer |author=Jake Nutting| date=January 1, 2016 | access-date=March 26, 2016}} Despite a championship season, the Deltas folded at the end of 2017.{{cite news|last1=Leuty|first1=Ron|title=In one season, S.F. Deltas won a soccer championship – and now they're done|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/news/2017/11/24/nasl-san-francisco-deltas-brian-andres-helmick.html|access-date=November 27, 2017|work=San Francisco Business Times|publisher=American City Business Journals|date=November 24, 2017}}

In October 2016, the Ottawa Fury FC announced that they would be moving to the USL for the 2017 season. At the time of their announcement, it had been reported that the Fury were losing approximately $2 million per year during their time in the NASL.

On May 10, 2017, it was announced that California United FC would join the league in Spring 2018 and play its home games at Titan Stadium on the campus of Cal State Fullerton. Following the cancellation of the 2018 season, the team announced on February 28, 2018, that it would explore professional league options for 2019.{{cite web|last1=United|first1=California|title=@calutdfc would like to confirm that we are very much still alive and will play in the UPSL Spring and Fall Seasons in 2018! We will continue to explore all professional league options for 2019 and beyond. #homeofthedream|url=https://twitter.com/CalUtdFC/status/968895956480532482|website=Twitter|date=February 28, 2018}} On March 17, 2018, the NASL acknowledged that California United had withdrawn from the NASL.{{cite web|title=North American Soccer League Amends Complaint in Federal Antitrust Suit|url=http://www.nasl.com/news/2018/03/17/north-american-soccer-league-amends-complaint-in-federal-antitrust-suit|website=nasl.com|publisher=North American Soccer League, LLC|access-date=March 21, 2018|date=March 17, 2018}}

On June 25, 2017, it was announced that a San Diego 1904 FC franchise would be joining the league in Spring 2018. The club's founders include professional soccer players Demba Ba, Eden Hazard, Yohan Cabaye and Moussa Sow.{{cite web|url=http://www.northcarolinafc.com/news/2017/06/26/nasl-announces-expansion-club-in-san-diego-for-2018-season|title=NASL announces expansion club in San Diego for 2018 season|work=NASL press release|author=NASL|date=June 26, 2017|access-date=June 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628203347/http://www.northcarolinafc.com/news/2017/06/26/nasl-announces-expansion-club-in-san-diego-for-2018-season|archive-date=June 28, 2017|url-status=dead}} The club intends to build a soccer complex somewhere in San Diego's North County and will play its games at the University of San Diego in the meantime.{{cite news|url=http://sdbj.com/news/2017/jun/26/north-american-soccer-league-coming-sd/|title=North American Soccer League Coming to S.D|last=De Crescenzo|first=Sarah|date=June 26, 2017|work=San Diego Business Journal|access-date=June 27, 2017}} However, after the league announced it had cancelled the 2018 NASL season, the expansion team announced that they had quietly resigned from the NASL the month before and were finalizing an agreement to join the United Soccer League in 2019.{{cite web|last1=Zeigler|first1=Mark|title=San Diego's 1904 FC soccer team to join USL after NASL cancels season|url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/sd-sp-nasl-1904fc-usl-san-diego-soccer-20180227-story.html|work=U-T San Diego|access-date=March 1, 2018|date=February 27, 2018}}

Indy Eleven announced on January 10, 2018, that they had left the NASL and would begin play in the USL starting with the 2018 season.{{cite web|last1=Whitaker|first1=Tricia|title=Indy Eleven announces it will join USL for 2018 season|url=http://fox59.com/2018/01/10/indy-eleven-announces-it-will-join-usl-for-2018-season/|website=fox59.com|publisher=Tribune Broadcasting|access-date=January 10, 2018|date=January 10, 2018}}

The North American Soccer League operated as a group of independent club owners as opposed to the single-entity structure of Major League Soccer. The league itself was owned and operated by its member teams through the board of governors, consisting of a representative from each member team. The board oversaw the league rules and regulations, and governed the expansion and commercial strategy of the league.{{cite web| url=http://www.nasl.com/media-guide/2012/2012_NASL_MediaGuide_2012-07-30.pdf |title=NASL 2012 Media Guide |date=July 19, 2012}} In accordance with the USSF's Professional League Standards for the second division, the league required that each club have a lead shareholder that holds at least 35% ownership in the club and had a net worth of at least $20M.{{cite web|last=Quarstad |first=Brian |url=http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2010/08/12/ussf-d-2-professional-league-standards/ |title=USSF D-2 Professional League Standards | IMS Soccer News |date=August 12, 2010 |publisher=Insidemnsoccer.com |access-date=January 29, 2014}}

The NASL issued Class A and Class B stock. Each club owned Class A voting shares, while the majority of Class B shares were owned by Traffic Sports Marketing, as the primary investor in the league. Class B shares did not have voting rights but did give Traffic certain veto power over the league's decisions.{{cite web |last1=Tannenwald |first1=Jonathan |title=NASL commissioner Bill Peterson sets out league's present, future goals |url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/blogs/thegoalkeeper/NASL-commissioner-Bill-Peterson-sets-out-leagues-present-future-goals.html |website=inquirer.com |publisher=The Philadelphia Inquirer |access-date=22 November 2021 |date=3 April 2015}}

The NASL had a decentralized business model, in which many responsibilities that would fall to the league in other North American sports, such as marketing, were instead borne by the clubs.{{cite web |last1=Freeman |first1=Clayton |title=Ponte Vedra Beach resident and NASL commissioner Bill Peterson a global overseer |url=https://www.jacksonville.com/story/sports/2015/06/07/football-and-soccer-ponte-vedra-beach-resident-and-nasl/15666111007/ |website=Jacksonville.com |publisher=The Florida Times-Union |access-date=16 July 2024 |date=6 June 2015}}{{cite web |last1=Straus |first1=Brian |title=NASL seeks to outgrow 'minor league' label as fifth year kicks off |url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2015/04/03/nasl-season-new-york-cosmos-minnesota-united-bill-peterson |website=Sports Illustrated |access-date=16 July 2024 |date=3 April 2015}}

This focus on "independence" as a key element of the league's identity caused difficulties at times.{{cite web |last1=Araos |first1=Christian |title=Empire XI: Decentralized Philosophy Backfiring for NASL |url=http://www.empireofsoccer.com/decentralized-philosophy-backfiring-33152/ |access-date=16 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150323192528/http://www.empireofsoccer.com/decentralized-philosophy-backfiring-33152/ |archive-date=23 March 2015 |url-status=usurped |date=23 March 2015}} The Cosmos vetoed league-wide uniform and TV contracts, contracts would have brought the league as a whole more money, because the team thought it could make more for itself on its own. The league also lacked an Expansion Committee, for developing new markets and vetting potential new owners, until January 2017.{{cite web |last1=Reichard |first1=Kevin |title=NASL Makeover Continues: Bill Peterson Departs |url=https://soccerstadiumdigest.com/2017/01/nasl-makeover-continues-bill-peterson-departs/ |website=soccerstadiumdigest.com |access-date=16 July 2024 |date=9 January 2017}}

David Downs was named league commissioner effective April 4, 2011, just four days before the league's first match.{{cite web|last=Quarstad |first=Brian |url=http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2012/10/05/david-downs-to-leave-nasl-commissioner-position-at-end-of-2012-season/ |title=David Downs to Leave NASL Commissioner Position at End of 2012 Season | IMS Soccer News |date=October 5, 2012 |publisher=Insidemnsoccer.com |access-date=August 7, 2013}} Downs had previously worked for ABC Sports where he had secured the U.S. television rights to every World Cup from 1994 to 2014, worked for Univision, and from 2007 through 2010 had been executive director of the unsuccessful U.S. Bid Committee to bring the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup to the United States.{{cite web|last=Quarstad |first=Brian |url=http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2011/03/28/north-american-soccer-league-names-david-downs-as-commissioner/ |title=North American Soccer League Names David Downs as Commissioner | IMS Soccer News |publisher=Insidemnsoccer.com |date=March 28, 2011 |access-date=August 7, 2013}} NASL began regular league play in April 2011 with eight members comprising former clubs from the USL First Division, the USL Second Division, plus expansion sides.{{cite news |url= http://www.nasl.com/article/nasl-provisionally-sanctioned-by-ussf |title= NASL Provisionally Sanctioned by USSF |publisher= nasl.com |date=November 21, 2010 |access-date=November 23, 2010}}

Citing a desire to return to his home in New York, Downs resigned after the end of the 2012 season. Bill Peterson, formerly the Senior VP of AEG Sports and managing director of the Home Depot Center from 2000 to 2006, replaced Downs as commissioner.{{cite web|url=http://nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3540 |title=Bill Peterson Named Commissioner of the North American Soccer League | North American Soccer League |publisher=Nasl.com |date=November 27, 2012 |access-date=August 7, 2013}}

Peterson left the NASL in January 2017 and was replaced by Rishi Sehgal as Interim Commissioner.{{cite magazine|title=Bill Peterson out as NASL commissioner|url=https://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2017/01/09/nasl-commissioner-bill-peterson-rishi-sehgal|magazine=Time|agency=Associated Press|access-date=January 9, 2017|date=January 9, 2017|ref=sehgal}} Sehgal served in that position until August 31, 2024. On September 1, 2024, Victoria Anderson was elected Commissioner of NASL and currently serves in the position.{{Cite web |title=Victoria L. Anderson New NASL Commissioner |url=http://www.nasl.com/news/2024/12/16/victoria-l-anderson-new-nasl-commissioner |access-date=2025-01-28 |website=www.nasl.com}}

The league reached a deal with Seiko to serve as the official timekeeper of the NASL starting with the 2014 season. Seiko branding was prominent on the fourth official's substitution and timing boards, on goal line advertising boards, on the broadcast game clock and within the league's official website NASL.com.{{cite web|url=http://www.nasl.com/article/uuid/1akf3imvpw1pr165so1h07zw4s/nasl-welcomes-seiko--as-official-timekeeper#.U0lFLlVdV_Y|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413135930/http://www.nasl.com/article/uuid/1akf3imvpw1pr165so1h07zw4s/nasl-welcomes-seiko--as-official-timekeeper#.U0lFLlVdV_Y|url-status=dead|archive-date=2014-04-13|title=NASL: NASL Welcomes Seiko As Official Timekeeper}}

The NASL decided early on to seek a league-wide uniform contract, similar to that employed by all high-level American sports leagues, including Major League Soccer, the NBA, NFL, NHL, and MLB.{{Cite tweet |user=DaveMartinezNY |number=1076127282710884354 |date = December 21, 2018 |title=So I guess the answer depends on the health of NASL. Clearly they had MLS ready owners. But lots of folks pulling in different directions. In one case (apparel), it was the #NYCosmos that hurt the league, refusing the idea of a single provider (which would have helped all teams $ }} In the end, the Cosmos settled for a uniform deal that saw them buy their own uniforms from Nike rather than have the manufacturer supply them as part of a sponsorship deal.{{cite web |last1=Bell |first1=Jack |title=Pelé Comes to Town as Cosmos Take Flight (Sort of) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/05/sports/soccer/pele-comes-to-town-as-cosmos-take-flight-sort-of.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=3 November 2021 |date=4 June 2013 |quote=The red Fly Emirates logo is splashed across the Cosmos white home and green away jerseys, which are made by Nike. But unlike with many of its other deals, Nike’s relationship with the Cosmos is as a supplier (the club pays for the uniforms) rather than a sponsor (free gear).}}

Some NASL teams were able to attract shirt sponsors. The Cosmos signed Middle Eastern air carrier Emirates from the Fall 2013 through Fall 2015 seasons for "about $1M" annually.{{cite web|url=http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=4728 |title=New York Cosmos Land Emirates Airline Sponsorship Deal | North American Soccer League |publisher=Nasl.com |date=June 4, 2013 |access-date=August 7, 2013}} FC Edmonton signed Sears Financial as a jersey sponsor,{{cite web|url=http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=249 |title=FC Edmonton Announce Sears Financial as Jersey Sponsors | North American Soccer League |publisher=Nasl.com |date=March 31, 2011 |access-date=August 7, 2013}} and North Carolina FC had Blue Cross as their jersey sponsor.{{cite web|url=http://www.carolinarailhawks.com/index.php?id=111&newsid=1920 |title=News |publisher=Carolina RailHawks |access-date=August 7, 2013}} Toyota's shirt sponsorship of the Scorpions was tied into several other sponsorship programs involving the team and team ownership.{{cite news | title=Toyota Announces Presenting Sponsorships of Morgan's Wonderland, New Scorpions Stadium | url=http://pressroom.toyota.com/releases/toyota+morgans+wonderland.htm | work=Toyota Press Release | date=August 28, 2012 }} Indy Eleven announced on October 1, 2013, that they had reached a three-year deal with Honda Manufacturing of Indiana LLC and central Indiana Honda dealers worth $1M annually to be the shirt sponsor for the team, the deal was on par with the one announced by the Cosmos earlier in the year.{{cite news | title=City's pro soccer team signs sponsorship deal with Honda |url=http://www.ibj.com/citys-pro-soccer-team-signs-sponsorship-deal-with-honda/PARAMS/article/43797 | work=IBJ | date=October 1, 2013 }} The Rowdies announced they had reach a sponsorship agreement with Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tampa for the 2014 season.{{cite web |last1=McPherson |first1=Ian |title=Tampa Bay sign first-ever shirt sponsor |url=https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/tampa_bay_sign_first_ever_shirt_sponsor/ |website=Sports Pro Media |access-date=7 June 2024 |date=3 March 2014}}

Beyond shirt sponsorship and kit production, teams had varying success in establishing sponsorship packages with local and national brands. The San Antonio Scorpions were able to land numerous sponsorship arrangements with the opening of Toyota Field including an innovative sponsorship by CST brands Valero Corner Stores. The sponsorship arrangement with Valero involved stadium branding and sponsorship of all corner kicks at home games.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/nasls_scorpions_sign_corner_sponsor/ |title=NASL's Scorpions sign corner sponsor - Sports Sponsorship news - Soccer North America |date=July 3, 2013 |access-date=December 28, 2013}}

The NASL originally sought a full-season league-wide television contract, similar to those of other professional sports leagues. This plan was vetoed by the New York Cosmos, who instead chose to partner with One World Sports in 2015; Cosmos chairman Seamus O'Brien was also chairman of the network's parent company.{{Cite tweet |user=DaveMartinezNY |number=1459244484420673546 |title=Related: NASL needed Cosmos to get in on a league wide initiative for a TV deal. Seamus wanted OWS and used same thinking to justify not joining forces. Cost league potential opportunity}}{{cite web|title=One World Sports Furloughs Staff|url=http://www.multichannel.com/news/sports/one-world-sports-furloughs-staff/409349|website=Multichannel News|date=November 30, 2016|access-date=March 17, 2017}}

NASL began a relationship with ESPN3 to broadcast selected games beginning with Soccer Bowl 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.nasl.com/article/uuid/6upn2b3prcb212zmybo2k9nci/nasl-2013-season-by-the-numbers |title=2013 Season: By The Numbers |publisher=NASL |access-date=February 27, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=5751 |title=NASL Soccer Bowl 2013 To Air Live on ESPN3 And ESPN Deportes | North American Soccer League |publisher=Nasl.com |date=October 25, 2013 |access-date=December 28, 2013}} Starting in 2015, ESPN3 began airing over 100 league matches in 75 countries.{{cite web|url=http://www.nasl.com/news/2015/03/26/north-american-soccer-league-announces-global-agreement-with-espn|title=North American Soccer League Announces Global Agreement With ESPN|work=nasl.com}}

For the 2016 season, One World Sports aired all Cosmos matches and an additional game of the week, on Saturdays in the spring season and on Wednesdays in the fall season.{{cite web|url=http://www.nasl.com/news/2016/03/22/north-american-soccer-league-one-world-sports--set-to-kick-off-second-season-of-broadcast-partnership|title=North American Soccer League, ONE World Sports Set To Kick Off Second Season Of Broadcast Partnership|website=www.nasl.com}} Additionally for 2016, beIN Sports and CBS Sports Network each began airing a game of the week.{{cite web|url=http://www.nasl.com/news/2016/03/31/north-american-soccer-league-cbs-sports-network--announce-national-television-partnership-for-2016|title=North American Soccer League, CBS Sports Network Announce National Television Partnership For 2016|website=www.nasl.com}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nasl.com/news/2016/03/30/nasl-release-full-schedule-of-matches-on-bein-sports|title=NASL Releases Full Schedule Of Matches On BeIN SPORTS|website=www.nasl.com}} Miami FC made a further deal with Gol TV to televise all games not carried by other providers.

For the 2017 spring season One World Sports, CBS Sports Network, and Gol TV did not return, but beIN Sports did return, airing a national game of the week featuring at least one appearance by all eight teams. The San Francisco Deltas broadcast all their home games worldwide via Twitter. ESPN3 continued to stream all games not broadcast by beIN Sports or Twitter.{{cite web|url=http://www.empireofsoccer.com/nasl-drops-tv-streaming-schedule-for-2017-season-59521/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170407143609/http://www.empireofsoccer.com/nasl-drops-tv-streaming-schedule-for-2017-season-59521/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=April 7, 2017|title=NASL Releases Spring Season TV, Streaming Schedule|website=Empire of Soccer|date=January 2023 }} In addition to the national deals, many clubs had local broadcast deals.

Notes

• Spring and Fall Championships not instituted until 2013 season
• NASL Championship Series contested 2011–2012

Note: The champion was determined by a two-leg series in 2011 and 2012, before switching playoff formats in 2013.

NASL club records only include performance while team competed in the NASL.

Order based on major honors (championships).

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Regular season only.{{cite web|url=http://nasl.com/index.php?id=290 |title=Individual Leaders | North American Soccer League |publisher=Nasl.com |access-date=December 29, 2013}}{{Refend}}

Some NASL teams participated in rivalry matches. Supporters of Minnesota United FC and FC Edmonton created the Flyover Cup, a nod to the clubs' geographic location with respect to the rest of the league.{{cite web|url=http://boxscorenews.com/flyover-cup-on-the-line-saturday-night-when-edmonton-faces-minnesota-p25862-108.htm |title=Flyover Cup on the Line Saturday Night when Edmonton faces Minnesota |publisher=Boxscorenews.com |date=July 15, 2009 |access-date=July 15, 2013}}

Starting in 2010 when the Tampa Bay Rowdies returned, the Florida Derby was revived with the creation of the Coastal Cup with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. The Rowdies claimed the first four Coastal Cups, with the Strikers winning the Cup for the first time in 2014. In 2015 Jacksonville Armada FC made the competition three-way, and the expansion Miami FC made it a four-club competition in 2016.

{{Infobox award

| name = Woosnam Cup

| image =

| imagesize =

| awarded_for = Regular season champion

| presenter = NASL supporters groups

| year = 2011 (retroactively from 2013)

| year2 = 2014

| award1_type = Final winner

| award1_winner = Minnesota United

| most_awards = Carolina Railhawks (2)

| website = www.woosnamcup.com

}}

In 2013, a coalition of supporters groups proposed an annual award called the Woosnam Cup to be given to the team with the best regular season, as determined by the NASL points system on aggregate between the Spring and Fall championship seasons in year.{{cite web|url=http://www.woosnamcup.com|title=Phillip A. Woosnam Memorial Cup|date=December 10, 2013|access-date=December 10, 2013}} Akin to the Supporters' Shield in Major League Soccer or the Presidents' Trophy of the NHL, it would have been awarded each year in order to recognize overall consistent performance through the entire year. It was intended to replace the regular season champion trophy that was awarded by the league itself in 2011 and 2012. Prior years' winners, dating back to the league's first season, were retroactively recognized on the award's website.{{cite web|title=Welcome|url=http://www.woosnamcup.com/|website=Woosnam Cup|access-date=10 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303172757/http://www.woosnamcup.com/ |archive-date=3 March 2016}}{{cite web |title=Yearly Results |url=http://www.woosnamcup.com/yearly-results/ |website=Woosnam Cup |access-date=10 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406153827/http://www.woosnamcup.com/yearly-results/ |archive-date=6 April 2017}}

The trophy was to be a collaboration between twenty-one supporters groups, representing supporters of eleven of the twelve then-current or announced NASL clubs.{{cite web|title=Supporters Groups|url=http://www.woosnamcup.com/supporters-groups/|website=Woosnam Cup|access-date=21 November 2016}} They planned to collect money from each group, and design and commission a traveling trophy to be loaned to the winning team each year.

The award derived its name from the long time Commissioner of the original NASL, who died during the summer of 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=5838 |title=RAILHAWKS WIN SECOND WOOSNAM CUP | North American Soccer League |publisher=Nasl.com |date=November 5, 2013 |access-date=December 27, 2013}} When the supporters failed to get permission from Woosnam's family to use his name, it was changed to "Supporters Cup". The "North American Supporter's Trophy" or "Nasty" was floated as a possible replacement name, but that was never reflected on the trophy's website or social media.{{cite web|last1=Price|first1=Dan|title=NASL To Launch A Nasty Trophy|url=http://www.caughtoffside.com/2014/11/18/nasl-to-launch-a-nasty-trophy/|website=Caught Offside|date=November 18, 2014 |access-date=20 October 2016}}

No physical trophy was ever made or presented to the clubs, and the award itself was abandoned following the 2014 season.

{{main article |North American Soccer League awards}}

• NASL Player of the Month
• NASL Best XI
• NASL Golden Ball Award
• NASL Golden Boot Award
• NASL Golden Glove Award
• NASL Coach of the Year Award
• NASL Fair Play Award
• NASL Goal of the Year Award

Stadium attendances were a significant source of regular income for the NASL and its clubs. The average and total attendances are listed below.

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