The U.S. Soccer Federation has granted provisional Division II status for the 2017 season to both the United Soccer League and the North American Soccer League, which houses the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.
The governing body for American soccer in mid-December delayed a decision on the status of the USL and NASL. The USL moved up from its third-tier position, while the NASL has clung to its second-tier position.
Saying the move was in the best interests of the sport, U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati said in the statement late Friday night that the organization will create a group internally to work with the two leagues "to set a pathway to meet the full requirements for Division II and allow for the larger goal of creating a sustainable future.