The 2024 campaign will enter the books as a major step forward for the USL Championship and League One.

On the field, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC saw its four-year build since moving into Weidner Field culminate with the club’s first USL Championship title, while Union Omaha became the first team to win the USL League One title on multiple occasions.

Off the field, the USL’s broadcast partnership with CBSViacom brought the league to more fans across the country than ever before at the national level, local television broadcasts saw their numbers rise significantly, and stadium projects continued to progress at the Championship and League One level.

Those off-field trends are set to continue in 2025 as the league enters the second year of its four-year agreement that will again see regular season games and the USL Championship Final air on the CBS Television Network.

But what about on the field? Here are five storylines we think you should be following in the next 365 days.

1. THE JÄGERMEISTER CUP EXPANSION’S IMPACT

The success of the inaugural edition of the USL Jägermeister Cup meant its expansion for 2025 was almost inevitable. As the USL Championship’s clubs join the action, the season-long tournament will have its own section to the schedule in the group stage – circle the final weekend of each month April through July – while its final on October 11 will offer a prelude to the postseasons in the Championship and League One to come in November.

The biggest intrigue figures to be how League One clubs will fare against their Championship foes – Union Omaha should lead the way in aiming to spring a surprise – but the opportunity for another piece of silverware and more games of consequence should provide compelling viewing throughout.

2. WHO’S THE NEXT YOUNG BREAKOUT?

One of the major trends in the USL Championship this decade has been young talents electing to turn pro from academies in Major League Soccer or notable staging posts for young talent like Barca Residency Academy ranks. Alumni like Jonathan Gomez (Louisville City), Korede Osundina (Orange County SC) and Fidel Barajas (Charleston Battery) are now competing at high levels in Europe and LigaMX, illustrating the opportunity the league can offer for players to kickstart their careers in the Championship.

Others are poised to follow in their footsteps – see John Morrissey’s profile of Orange County’s Bryce Jamison for Backheeled.com for an example – including those who’ve already made a mark such as Birmingham Legion FC’s Matt Corcoran and Ramiz Hamouda and the Tampa Bay Rowdies’ Nate Worth, or more recent arrivals like Charleston’s Viggo Ortiz and Orange County’s Pedro Guimaraes. Add homegrown talent like Sacramento Republic FC’s Chibi Ukaegbu and Da’vian Kimbrough and there’s a breakout year waiting to happen.

3. IS THERE ANOTHER NICK MARKANICH OUT THERE?

Yes, we’re using 2024 USL Championship Player of the Year Nick Markanich in the headline here, but not because of his exploits during the past year. As remarkable as the 24-year-old’s 30-goal campaign was, it’s what is up next for Markanich that’s our focus for 2025.

Markanich is headed to CD Castellon of LaLiga2 in the latest transfer agreement that has seen a prime-age player from the USL Championship make the jump to Europe, following the likes of Milan Iloski from Orange County SC to FC FC Nordsjælland in Denmark’s top flight, or players like Jeremy Kelly and Tola Showunmi joining EFL League One club Crawley Town in the past year. (Showunmi, for what it’s worth, has six goals in 17 appearances across all competitions at the midway point of the season in England.)

The opportunity for players to make a name for themselves isn’t reserved for teenage talent anymore as clubs in Europe cast a wider net for talent. There’s a large contingent of 22 to 24-year-old talent in the league ready to make their case for a high-profile move.

4. THE IMPACT OF NEW FACES ON THE SIDELINES

This offseason alone, we can expect one-third of the teams in the USL Championship to have a new face leading the way on the sidelines in the new year.

The hires range from Neill Collins’ return to the league after his hiring by Sacramento Republic FC to the arrivals of Carlos Llamosa at San Antonio FC, Pa-Modou Kah at Phoenix Rising FC and Terry Boss at Lexington SC, the sequence of musical chairs begun by Eric Quill’s departure and Dennis Sanchez’s subsequent appointment New Mexico United – leaving an enticing position vacant at Las Vegas Lights FC – and the promotion of Luke Spencer at FC Tulsa.

Go back to last year’s in-season appointments and the likes of Danny Stone (Orange County SC), Wilmer Cabrera (El Paso Locomotive FC), Jordan Stewart (Monterey Bay F.C.) and Gavin Glinton (Oakland Roots SC) will get their first full seasons at the helm. Safe to say, it’s been a busy year in the coaching ranks and there will be some kind of spotlight on everyone.

5. LEAGUE ONE’S INCOMING EXPANSION CLASS

League One will boast a 14-team field for the first time in 2025 with its five expansion clubs making up more than one-third of the standings. From Portland Hearts of Pine in Maine to Naples FC in Florida and AV ALTA FC in California – and not forgetting Westchester SC in New York and Texoma FC in north Texas – the expansion could mark a landmark for future growth in the next few years.

All five clubs are well underway with their rollout in terms of squad-building and have already made a mark with some great kit launches. The biggest question, of course, will be how competitive they can be with established powers like Omaha, Forward Madison and Greenville Triumph. We’re going to set the over/under at 2.5 expansion teams making the postseason and are feeling optimistic. Which side do you have?