Newest USL team to open play in Lehigh Valley next year

    The Lehigh Valley will be getting its own United Soccer League team next year.

    Executives of the USL and the Philadelphia Union soccer team that plays in Major League Soccer said the new team will open play in Lehigh University’s Goodman Stadium in March 2016.

    The Division III USL expanded from 12 to 24 teams this year and has many teams affiliated with Division I Major League Soccer teams. The Lehigh Valley USL team will serve as the reserve team of the Union, which will end an affiliation with the USL’s Harrisburg City Islanders that began in 2008.

    No team name or team colors were announced during Wednesday’s news conference. Officials said fans will be able to vote on names on the Union’s website from Sept. 8 to Sept. 28.

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