Possible future of the USL?

Had this sent to me by the TBR website..sadly the link to the "story" just takes you to a headline page.....


http://tbrowdies.com/

TEAM OWNERS ASSOCIATION TO EXPLORE ALL LEAGUE OPTIONS FOR FUTURE

The Team Owners Association announces an acceleration in its pursuit of all league options for the 2010 season.

After extensive negations with USISL Inc., the parent company of the United Soccer Leagues (USL), to restructure the USL First Division (USL-1) into a league owned and controlled by its teams, the TOA (led by Atlanta, Carolina, Miami, Minnesota, Montreal, St. Louis, Tampa Bay and Vancouver) reached the decision following the announcement by Nike, Inc., the parent company of USISL, Inc., that it had concluded the sale of USL to a third-party (NuRock Soccer Holdings), which does not own a team in USL-1.

Check out the full story HERE

Discuss, although I thought Montreal was looking at a possible MLS move in a year or two. Atlanta I thought was done?

well, purely speculation at this point, but I think that they are trying to get rid of Marcos...by Nike selling to NuRock Marcos stays in charge and the teams are pissed off because basically Marcos hasn't done jack shit for the league...so now they are threatening to break away and form a new league unless NuRock gets rid of Marcos and puts the team owners on the board...just a guess

Well the TOA (Team Owners Assoc.) is looking at 'all other options' after the announcement of the sale:

August 31, 2009 - Following extensive negotiations with USISL, Inc., the parent company of the United Soccer Leagues (USL), to restructure the USL First Division (USL-1) into a league owned and controlled by its teams, the Team Owners Association (TOA) today announced that it has accelerated its pursuit of all league options for the 2010 season and beyond.

The TOA, led by the Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina Railhawks, Miami FC, Minnesota Thunder, Montreal Impact, St. Louis Soccer United, Tampa Bay Rowdies and Vancouver Whitecaps, reached this decision following the announcement by Nike, Inc., the parent company of USISL, Inc., that it had concluded the sale of USL to a third-party (NuRock Soccer Holdings) which does not own a team in USL-1.
Rest of the article:
http://www.a-league.com/view_news.php?id=6967

This could lead to the formation of a new league wit the teams listed even though Vancouver will be going to the MLS in 2011 and Montreal may follow suite there after. If this does happen I can see the USL combining USL 1 and 2 and just have USL West and USL East.
:unsure:

the more and more I read about this stuff, the more anti-MLS I become...I just don't see the long term benefits of teams like Seattle, TFC, Montreal, Philly, Vancouver or Portland joining the MLS...even clubs like Houston and DC should think about their futures

these "big" clubs with their powerful fanbases should have been looking into either revamping the USL or breaking away and starting their own league so that they can continue to grow as clubs on the world stage

the MLS stifles club growth with their rediculous transfer policy, low and corrupt salary cap and tiny roster sizes - the ONLY thing they have going for them are their TV contracts and being recognized by FIFA

however, $ talks and clubs that draw can change the landscape of football in the united states by either leaving the MLS/USL or forcing them to change

so, I guess what I am trying to say is that anything that can/will force the MLS or USL to make fundamental changes should have a possitive effect on football across the country as either league will have to then adjust to what the other has done

I sort of agree. Marco's seems to have been given a post of little influence by the new owners. Holt also seems to be out of picture somewhat now.

Alanta took a year off, so if they are thinking of coming back that's a good thing. St. Louis I know has been looking for a team for years but can't find a owner with deep pockets...and if it's 400K just to get into the USL and only a small chance to make a profit, I can see why other teams are looking.

I don't like the way the USL has been run so anything that brings a little more openness to the process I'm all for.

Some additional information. I think were seeing the birth of a new league here Ladies and Gents. Although it does seem more likely that next year will see the current USL structure with some modifications. After that....who knows.

http://www.american11soccer.com/

http://news.mync.com/site/news/story2/4107...sale-of-league/

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianp...t6U4WHlJ2dSXa7g

http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/usl-a...-breakdown/5853

The article with the 'Winter League' proposal sounds very interesting. Clubs in FL, LA, TX, AZ, and CA could make for an interesting league and also keep players conditioned during the winter months. If htis league would be on USL 1 level I could see a very large number of MLS players staying in the States and playing rather than going to Europe.... :huh: it could happen.

check out the Steel army blog for some breaking news and one possible scenario

Yup. I just read that blog. Nicde layout! Though I can't comment on it for a bit since I have no Open ID or Blogger name. I did notice Carolina Railhawks left out. Did I overlook something?

Also, I post on BigSoccer (Nacional Tijuana) and I am on Twitter. On both, I have noticed "SanDoiegoSoccerPartners" or some such thing. They are VERY slow with any news, but they want to have a team up by 2011. MLS or USL top league, likely the latter.

Yup. I just read that blog. Nicde layout! Though I can't comment on it for a bit since I have no Open ID or Blogger name. I did notice Carolina Railhawks left out. Did I overlook something?

Also, I post on BigSoccer (Nacional Tijuana) and I am on Twitter. On both, I have noticed "SanDoiegoSoccerPartners" or some such thing. They are VERY slow with any news, but they want to have a team up by 2011. MLS or USL top league, likely the latter.

the Railhawks are part of the TOA group who are breaking away this season to start there own 8 team league

if the "east coast" USL league does indeed take hold, I am sure at some point a "west coast" USL league will pop up - but, if that happens, please for the love of God don't call it USL East and USL West; that's just so "american" sounding...do something to seperate yourselves from the mainstream

For some reason I can't comment on the blog. So I'll make my comment here.

Having an East/West USL would make more sense. Or even bringing in PR and Austin into a single table set up makes sense.

You cut the league costs therefore saving the team's money and losses (if any).

You stabilize travel costs. Home and away games work all around the world. Do we really need to play City X five times and City Z twice under the current set up?
If you think their is bad blood between the Hounds and Cleveland now, or the Hounds and the Wankers....errrr, Islanders now...could you imagine the atmosphere if they see us only once a year at home?

I see this as a win-win for the fans, so of course the USL head office would never go for it. It's good for the game and bad for the bank account of Marco's and company.

Marcos was forced into an overseas role, he's pretty much done

games at Austin and PR are way too expensive with airfare for most USL2 teams

There had already been talk of a USL2 Western conference. It was one of the very first stories on USL News when the site went live.

There had already been talk of a USL2 Western conference. It was one of the very first stories on USL News when the site went live.

yes, but that was well before the rumored 5-team defection...curious to see what develops this week

http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2009/10/03/u...ternoon-100309/

"Meanwhile David Fellerath of the Triangle Offense is reporting a story today that IMS had hear rumored earlier on Friday. Fellerath is saying that USL is purging its relationship with the three dissident clubs and have begun to remove those three teams logos as well as links to the teams websites..."

I suppose nothing too surprising, but the USL's actions definitely have a sense of permanence.

Interesting. I thought it said the clubs were gone and off the website but i'm still seeing them listed on the USL site??? They are listed on the map but greyed out which is basically not linking to the site.

Very odd indeed considering that many of the other teams don't list the afflication to the USL at all. So to me this seems like an empty threat...and will probably force more teams into the TOA camp.

Interesting. I thought it said the clubs were gone and off the website but i'm still seeing them listed on the USL site??? They are listed on the map but greyed out which is basically not linking to the site.

Very odd indeed considering that many of the other teams don't list the afflication to the USL at all. So to me this seems like an empty threat...and will probably force more teams into the TOA camp.

Well...yeah. I don't see the logos, admittedly upon just a skim (except for Carolina having made the playoffs and advertised as such).

And, yes, they're grayed out (including the Rochester PDL and MN W-League teams), which goes along with their statement that they'd "remove...links to the teams websites".

Wilmington Hammerheads are out!
From WECT in Wilmington:
WECT Sports has learned that the United Soccer League has opted to remove the Wilmington Hammerheads from its list of franchises. Senior Director of Franchise Development Matt Weibe confirmed the move on Tuesday.

"We have discontinued our relationship with Chuck Sullivan," Weibe said. "The USL is a franchised based league, where certain requirements must be met and in this case they were not met." When asked which requirements were not fulfilled, Mr. Weibe said WECT would have to contact Mr. Sullivan....

http://www.wect.com/global/story.asp?s=11265308#

I'm not sure if Sullivan was one of the owners who sided with the TOA, but it could be a reason for their departure.
It also may have something to do with finances. I don't know. All I know is that this may get messy before all is said and done.
I'm just wondering where the Hounds stand and what the future holds for them.

he's not a TOA guy, he just couldn't afford to pay the players and the league stepped in and tossed him out, the league wants the franchise but with new ownership

That's a shame (this while thing is, really). Wilmington has been around for a decently long time, and I always thought they were pretty stable.

As far as the TOA teams, they are all D1, right (with exception to Minnesota, which also ran a WL and PDL team). I, too, am concerned about the Hounds, but I've not been hearing too much in regards to D2 as far as this USL weirdness.

well, if the USL1 takes away the 5 TOA teams:

Minnesota
Miami (who is close to folding anyways)
Carolina
Montreal (was rumored to go to MLS)
Vancouver (heading to MLS in 2011)

you still have eight teams after NY and Tampa Bay are added

so that 8 D1 teams and 9 D2 teams, scratch Bermuda who's in trouble, and that's 8 per...still enough to have a competitve league

I'd still like to see them get rid of Austin, PR, TB and Portland and combine the rest into one single table where each team plays a home and home

All these dismal financials confuse me...has the USL raised franchise fees in recent years? It seems like soccer is more popular then ever, why so many failing clubs?

I think that's the point. Soccer IS more popular than ever and so players have more choices to play with so many clubs and different leagues. Heck even if you play in the NPSL you have a chance to play in the USOC.
With that said, I think players are earning more than in the past. The clubs are getting better and getting richer (well, some clubs are), leagues are becoming more competitive for players and dollars, which leads to expenses.
Just my take on it but I think you'll see even more interest in the game once the CSA gets into gear and a Canadian league is formed which will create even more chances for players.

I think that's the point. Soccer IS more popular than ever and so players have more choices to play with so many clubs and different leagues. Heck even if you play in the NPSL you have a chance to play in the USOC.
With that said, I think players are earning more than in the past. The clubs are getting better and getting richer (well, some clubs are), leagues are becoming more competitive for players and dollars, which leads to expenses.
Just my take on it but I think you'll see even more interest in the game once the CSA gets into gear and a Canadian league is formed which will create even more chances for players.

The USL is seen, or was seen, as Division One in Canada. I don't know if they made it division two after the acceptance of Toronto into the MLS. Now that Vancouver and Montrel are looking at MLS teams I don't know what the future of USL teams would be.

Given the distances involved between the high population centers in Canada, I don't see a league forming any time soon.

It's much easier to join the USL and export players to the US and England. Canada does have their own verision of the Open Cup and other competitions however.

I wouldn't be suprised at all if FCNY doesn't come around... here is the website they have been using since april


FCNY page