An expanded United Soccer League will boast 23 teams in two divisions when it kicks off in the summer of 2007 with a Bermuda national team making its debut in the 10-strong Second Division.

Organisers confirmed over the weekend that Bermuda were among five new sides being admitted to the league.

Joining Bermuda ? whose entry to the league has been spearheaded by former pro Shaun Goater along with national team coach Kyle Lightbourne and assistant coach Paul Scope ? in the Second Division are Crystal Palace Baltimore and Cleveland City Stars while the USL First Division has been expanded to 13 teams with the addition of the Carolina Railhawks and California Victory.

Crystal Palace Baltimore are affiliated with the English club of the same name, having hosted the London side on a US tour last summer.

A statement from the USL noted that Bermuda ? whose official name is yet to be announced ? would be following in the footsteps of First Division club, the Puerto Rico Islanders, who were the first team from outside the US to compete in the league.

The Second Division?s other new addition, the Cleveland City Stars, are being led by former Cascade Surge general manager Mark Geissbauer and are the most recently formed professional franchise.

Moving out of the Second Division for the 2007 season are the Long Island Rough Riders, who are joining the Premier Development League, and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, who have disbanded.

Second Division play-offs next season will consist of single-game semi-finals the weekend after the close of the regular season with the winners meeting in the USL Second Division Championship the following week.

The First Division play-offs will expand to eight teams in 2007 with all eight qualifying clubs playing two-leg aggregate score series in the quarter-finals the first week after the close of the regular season.

The winning clubs from the quarter-finals will be re-seeded for the semi-finals, also two-leg aggregate score series to determine the two clubs who will play for the USL First Division Championship.

A full schedule for the season has yet to be released.