The USL has announced the cancellation of the 2020 USL League Two season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The league will instead spend the upcoming weeks and months working with numerous League Two clubs in areas of the country where it is deemed safe to help facilitate regional exhibition schedules during the summer and fall months.
“The momentum our clubs have built in League Two across the country in recent years has been tremendous, and today’s announcement – while disappointing – will do nothing to alter that,” said USL League Two Vice President Joel Nash.
“We will continue to support soccer being played when and where possible in 2020 and use this time to get even stronger as a league and look forward to returning to competitive action better than ever before in 2021.”
Ritchie Jeune, principal owner of South Bend Lions, said: “We are 100 percent supportive of the decision made by the management of USL League Two. We have been in regular contact throughout the process and agree that this is the only viable outcome from those thorough conversations.
“We all look forward to seeing South Bend Lions take to the field, but only when it is safe to do so. Right now, no-one can provide those guarantees.
“This community continues to amaze us with their passion for South Bend and the surrounding areas, and we remain fully committed to delivering on the vision we have and executing a gameday experience to the high standards we have planned for.
“We all look forward to seeing South Bend Lions take to the field, but only when it is safe to do so.”
Ritchie Jeune
“We aspire to kick a ball this year, and to move to the next stage of building a thriving club, but we won’t put the wellbeing of players, supporters or staff at risk, so if we need to wait until 2021 to do it safely and correctly, we will.
“We would like to finish by acknowledging our gratitude for the selfless support of so many who continue to put themselves before others in a bid to contain COVID-19.
“On behalf of myself, Thiago, Chris, Matt, Monika, and our steering committee, we hope you and your family continue to remain healthy and safe.”
All players who registered for the tryout that did not take place will automatically receive a refund.
A separate communication will be made by the club on Saturday, May 2 to outline options for season ticket holders.
An FAQ article will be published on the website alongside this over the weekend to address the most common questions you may have.
In the meantime, if you have an urgent question, please contact the club using this email: [email protected].