A new professional soccer league that will begin in April 2010 has been formed by the owners of several former United Soccer Leagues clubs.

Owners of the Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina Railhawks, Miami FC, Minnesota Thunder, Montreal Impact and Vancouver Whitecaps, together with St. Louis Soccer United today announced that they have formed a new professional league.

'The team owners yesterday submitted an application for sanctioning of the new league as a Division II Men's Outdoor Professional League by the United States Soccer Federation. An application for sanctioning as a Division I League will be submitted to the Canadian Soccer Association shortly and applications to other sanctioning bodies in the region will be submitted as needed,' it read on oursportscentral.com.

Montreal Impact president Joey Saputo, who was elected Chairman of the Board of Governors of the new league, was excited about the opportunities of a brand new competition.

"This is not your typical new league," Saputo said. "Most of our teams have existed for years. We have united some of the best owners, teams and markets around a new vision for a professional soccer league in North America.

"We look forward to elevating our teams and league in order to give more opportunities to players, coaches, media and sponsors, entertain our fans and play our role in helping soccer truly recognize its potential in the United States and Canada."