The Third-Tier of the USL pyramid aims to offer aspiring young players the opportunity to experience a professional environment prior to signing their first contract. Players utilize USL in their college or club off-season to take advantage of a high-level platform and grow during their time off. This tier is also the scouting grounds for professional clubs in the next two tiers to identify and reach out to talent to take their next competitive steps. This will be the last year of this Three-Tier format ahead of moving into a ‘Promotion-Relegation’ system in which the best teams move up leagues while the weaker teams are demoted.