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Atlanta Silverbacks
A member of the USL First Division since 1999, the Atlanta Silverbacks also feature a team in the women's W-League, as well as amateur PDL and Super Y-League teams. The Silverbacks moved to their new home, Re/Max Greater Atlanta Stadium, during the 2006 season. Atlanta was a USL First Division finalist in 2007.
www.atlantasilverbacks.com
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Carolina RailHawks
The Carolina RailHawks were announced as a USL First Division expansion franchise during the 2006 season. The RailHawks play their home games at SAS Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina, former training home to the U.S. men's national team. Following their expansion season in 2007, the RailHawks were named the USL First Division's Rookie Franchise of the Year.
www.carolinarailhawks.com
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Charleston Battery
The Charleston Battery have been USL First Division members since 1997, winning the league championship in 2003. The Battery play their home games at Blackbaud Stadium (capacity: 5,113), which was voted "Best Soccer Stadium" in 2002 by the U.S. Soccer Federation.
www.charlestonbattery.com
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Miami FC
Miami FC joined the First Division prior to the 2006 season, filling the void left by the Richmond Kickers who moved down to the USL Second Division. With an inaugural roster that included international superstars Romario and Zinho, Miami advanced to the USL First Division playoffs in its first season in the league. Unoffically known as "The Blues," Miami FC is led by 1994 World Cup champion, and former midfielder Zinho.
www.miamifc.com
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Minnesota Thunder
The Minnesota Thunder joined the league in 1997 and recorded the club's first championship just two years later in 1999 after assembling a 22-6 record during the regular season. In 2006, the Thunder expanded their franchise to include a women's team, the Lightning - who compete in USL's W-League.
www.mnthunder.com
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Montreal Impact
Since joining the league in 1993, the Montreal Impact have advanced to the postseason playoffs in 10 of its 14 seasons, managing to win the USL First Division championship in 1994 and 2004. The Impact are also one of the best-drawing teams in the league, with an average of 11,555 fans attending Montreal matches in 2006. www.montrealimpact.com
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Puerto Rico Islanders
The Puerto Rico Islanders joined the USL First Division in 2004 and have reached the playoffs in two of their first four seasons. Puerto Rico annually competes for the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
www.islandersfc.org
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Rochester Raging Rhinos
Magnificent PAETEC Park became the new home of the Rochester Raging Rhinos in June, 2006, a soccer-specific stadium that seats 13,700. The Raging Rhinos also hold the distinction of having reached the playoffs every year since joining the league in 1996, a streak of 12 seasons.
www.rhinossoccer.com
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Seattle Sounders
The closest geographical neighbors to the Timbers, the Seattle Sounders and the Timbers share a strong local rivalry. Seattle has captured four USL First Division titles in 1995, 1996, 2005 and 2007 since joining the league in 1994. Along with the Timbers, the Sounders and Vancouver Whitecaps compete in a Nortwest derby called the Cascadia Cup. The team with the best head-to-head record among the three each season receives the crown. Seattle has captured the Cascadia Cup in 2006 and 2007.
www.seattlesounders.net
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Vancouver Whitecaps
The Vancouver Whitecaps have been members of the USL First Division since, 1993, although they were known as the Vancouver 86'ers until the 2001 season. The Whitecaps won their first league title in 2006, and also have a successful women's team that competes in USL's W-League. Along with the Timbers, the Whitecaps and Seattle Sounders compete in a Nortwest derby called the Cascadia Cup. The team with the best head-to-head record among the three each season receives the crown. Vancouver won the first two Cascadia Cup titles in 2004 and 2005.
www.whitecapsfc.com
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