USL agrees league-wide deal with Kitman Labs

The United Soccer League is raising the standard for how it looks after its players. The USL has expanded its partnership with Kitman Labs, the sports data and technology firm, in a new multi-year deal that puts performance medicine at the heart of the league.

Every club in the second-tier USL Championship will get access to Kitman’s iP: Intelligence Platform, pulling medical and performance data into one place. The aim is to create consistent workflows across the league, better collaboration between staff, and the kind of clean data that makes real injury surveillance possible.

Kitman founder and chief executive Stephen Smith said the USL has been clear about its ambition. “By committing to a league-wide Performance Medicine platform, the USL is setting a benchmark for how modern leagues can use integrated intelligence to protect athlete welfare, unlock performance insights, and build a sustainable future for the game.”

This builds on last year’s deal covering the Gainbridge Super League, the USL’s top-tier women’s competition, and adds to Kitman’s growing football roster, which already includes Leeds United, the Bundesliga, Serie A, MLS, and the NWSL.

“Investing in league-wide Performance Medicine technology is a critical step in how we continue to raise standards across the USL,” said USL president and chief executive Paul McDonough. “As the league grows and prepares for the launch of USL Premier, it’s essential that our clubs and players are supported by a consistent foundation for athlete care and performance.”

Unlike MLS, the USL is building toward promotion and relegation, a proper open pyramid.