USL Championship Final


The USL Championship Final, formerly the USL Cup, is the post-season championship match of the USL Championship, the second tier of professional men's soccer in the United States. The winner is crowned champion in the same manner as in other North American sports leagues. This differs from other top soccer leagues around the world which consider the club with the most points at the end of the season to be the sole champion. USL honors that achievement with the USL Shield.
Unlike most soccer league, but much like North American sports leagues, the USL champions does not earn promotion into Major League Soccer, due to the fixed membership structure found in the league. Also players receive no prize money from the league for winning it.
The original USL Championship dates back to 2005 with the now-defunct USL First Division, which served as a predecessor to the current USL. Today the USL Cup is typically held in mid-November, featuring the winners of the Eastern Conference Championship and Western Conference Championship.

Champions

A-League Era (1995–2004)

USL-1 Era (2005–2009)

USL Era (2010–)

;Key
†Match decided by a penalty shootout after extra time
*Match decided in extra time

Records and statistics

USL Championship titles

As of the 2019 season, 49 teams have competed in USL under its current branding. Twelve of these teams have appeared in a cup final, with six of these teams having won the USL Cup.
ClubWinnerRunner-upYears wonYears runner-up
Louisville City FC212017, 20182019
Orlando City SC202011, 2013
Charleston Battery102012
Sacramento Republic FC102014
Rochester Rhinos102015
New York Red Bulls II102016
Real Monarchs SLC102019
Penn FC 022011, 2014
Sporting Kansas City II 022016, 2017
Wilmington Hammerheads FC012012
Charlotte Eagles012013
LA Galaxy II012015
Phoenix Rising FC012018

WinnerUSL Cup champions
BoldRegular season champions
ItalicsNo longer plays in the USL Championship