U.S Soccer reaches deal for second divison

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MIAMI - The dispute between rival second tier leagues in the United States and Canada was resolved on Thursday when the U.S. Soccer Federation announced a compromise had been reached for next season.

The long established United Soccer League (USL) and the new breakaway North American Soccer League (NASL) will hold a one-off joint championship run by the federation in 2010.

The deal was reached after U.S Soccer refused to authorise either of the leagues, leaving North America without an official second tier.

"We are extremely pleased that we were able to come to a solution that ensures we will have Division 2 professional soccer in the United States in 2010," U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati said in a statement.

"This agreement allows us to continue to develop the professional game in many important markets around the country, while at the same time working towards the long-term stability of Division 2 professional soccer."