US Soccer
The United States Soccer Federation (USSF), commonly referred to as US Soccer, is the official governing body of soccer in the United States. It governs US amateur and professional soccer, including the men’s, women’s, youth, beach soccer, futsal, and Paralympic national teams.
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer (MLS) is the highest level of men’s professional soccer and sanctioned by US Soccer. There are currently 28 Major League Soccer (MLS) teams, 19 in the US and 3 in Canada.
United Soccer League (Men’s Division 2)
This is a men’s professional soccer league in the United States and Canada with about 30 USL teams.
National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)
This is the highest level of professional women’s soccer league in the United States sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation.
College Soccer
In the US, college soccer is regulated by one of the sports regulatory bodies for major universities which are the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).
The United States Youth Soccer Association (U.S. Youth Soccer or USYSA)
This is the largest youth affiliate member of US Soccer. It has about 55 state youth soccer associations as members and registers over 3,000,000 boys and girls to take part in its tournaments, leagues, and competitions.
The American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO)
This is the second-largest youth affiliate member of US Soccer. It is run by volunteers at its local levels with employees working at its national headquarters.