What would the USL look like with 3 conferences?

With the recent announcement of 4 new teams, the USL’s 2 conference idea is getting a bit crowded. Luckily, the USL is looking at 3 conferences. What would that look like? I am going to try my luck at creating 3 conferences. This will be a format that will show what teams will likely feature in a 3 conference setup.

The North:

11 Teams

This would include the teams like Toronto FC 2, Bethlehem Steel FC, Rochester Rhinos, New York Red Bulls 2, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, new arrival Ottawa Fury FC, FC Montreal, Richmond Kickers, LCFC, FC Cincinnati, and Harrisburg City Islanders.

Potential Teams: St. Louis FC

The South:

11 Teams

This would include newcomers Tampa Bay Rowdies, Orlando City B, Charlotte Independence, Charleston Battery, newcomer Nashville SC, Tulsa roughnecks, OKC Energy FC, Wilmington Hammerheads, San Antonio FC, St. Louis FC, and Swope Park Rangers.

Potential teams: FC Cincy, LCFC

The West:

11 Teams

The West would include the following teams: Sacramento Republic FC, Seattle Sounders FC 2, Newcomers Reno 1868 FC, Vancouver Whitecaps 2, Rio Grande Valley FC, Orange County Blues FC, Portland Timers 2, Arizona United SC, Colorado Springs Switchbacks, Real Monarchs SLC and LA Galaxy 2.

Potential Teams: San Antonio FC, Tulsa Roughnecks

The way I see this playing out is 32 games a season. That means if you play your conference teams twice, that is 22 games out of the 32 that leaves 10 non-conference games where LCFC can pick up St Louis FC, Nashville SC, and others like some western competition.

Keep in mind some teams are in the perfect middle ground (FCC, LCFC to be specific that could go either way north or South) and the USL may do a central division along with a east and west. However, this is the set up I think presents the best competition between the USL sides. This gives old rivalries a chance to thrive, and new rivalries to form. For the most part, this set up keeps LCFC rivalries with Richmond, Cincy, and the Baby Bulls, however we potentially lose the rivalry with St Louis FC.