Information has emerged from the United Soccer Leagues (USL) Annual General Meeting that a proposal has been put forward for an agreement with Major League Soccer (MLS) to integrate the USL Pro and MLS Reserves League starting in 2013 with full integration in 2014.

Under the terms put forward their are a few scenarios:

– If an MLS city has a USL Pro team nearby, the MLS team will provide 5 players and pay their salaries.

– If there is no USL Pro team nearby, the MLS reserve side will become a new, permanent team in USL Pro.

– All USL Pro teams will have an MLS affiliate, except for Antigua Barracuda, who will continue to work with the Antigua & Barbuda national team.

The fact that the USL has not yet published the USL Pro 2013 schedule points towards these talks progressing beyond just a proposal.

With a new franchise coming to Sacramento in 2014 it points to a direct tie up with the San Jose Earthquakes, so don’t be surprised to see coach Frank Yallop or GM John Doyle poking around Hughes Stadium in the coming months…

– MCZF1