With two successful years following the merger -- a landmark moment in the system’s history -- and the new millennium on the horizon, the organization underwent its final image change, creating United Soccer Leagues.

 

Marking the occasion was the long-awaited birth of the Super Y-League, adding the first level in the North American soccer development pyramid. Its debut was not grand in size at 25 teams, but was a tremendous success as the number of teams tripled the following year.

 

Stealing the spotlight from the Super Y-League however, were the A-League’s Rochester Raging Rhinos, who stunned the nation with a remarkable run in the U.S. Open Cup. The Raging Rhinos defeated four straight Major League Soccer teams to become the first non-MLS team to claim the Dewar Cup since the First Division league’s inception.

 

The Minnesota Thunder prevented the Rhinos from winning the double, though, capturing the A-League title with a 3-1 victory at the National Sports Center.

 

The second-year Western Mass Pioneers defeated Northern Conference rival South Jersey Barons, 2-1, to win the D3 Pro League title and the Chicago Sockers handed the Spokane Shadow a 3-1 loss to claim their first of two consecutive PDL National Championships before a Shadow-record crowd of 3,843.

 

The Raleigh Wings and Chicago Cobras battled to the bitter end with the Raleigh Wings capturing their second straight W-1 title in a shootout after the match finished tied, 2-2.

 

The North Texas Heat were level, 1-1, with the W-2 National Championship host Springfield Sirens at halftime, but broke the game open with four goals in an 18-minute span in the second half to capture the title.

 

Eight teams gathered for the Super Y-League’s inaugural U14 and U15 Finals. The Atlanta Fire swept the U14 tournament to capture the league’s first U14 championship. The Central Jersey Riptide won the U15 crown as well by sweeping through the U15 tournament.