looks like NASL is batting 1000% so far... with a new USL-2 West coming in 2011 i can't see why USL wants to battle NASL for divison-2 as well. seems like it's just Out Of Spite. let NASL have D-2, let USL have D-3 and -4,and let everybody focus on what they're best at. maybe they can werk out a pro/rel deal between the leagues as a parting gift...
Either that, or perhaps work out a compromise that puts both the NASL and the USL in the mix. If both leagues could come up with eight viable teams, maybe there could be some moving around to allow each league to be somewhat regional, and have the league champs play for the national D2 championship. Everybody has been hatin' on the USL so much, we really don't know if they've cleaned up their act, redone their model, or what. I'm not sure I'm ready to kick the USL to the curb just yet.
There is absolutely no certainly the NASL has any more likelihood of surviving as USL-1. What is now USL-1 has been around and playing for over 20 years. NASL technically won't begin playing until next year. But my thought is, why can't they both exist in Division 2? If the USSF D-2 league works out, why not keep them both in a classic AL/NL arrangement with or without the USSF?
How so? Especially with USL announcing a new team in Orlando next year and the New York club actually showing signs of life. The only way NASL could be batting 1000 is for all new clubs to be headed their way. Two months ago, I was ready to put a fork in USL-1. But now, if they can convince Austin and Puerto Rico to stay and maybe get Charleston to come back up, they're getting very close to having 8 teams. On top of that, the USL media machine is running on all cylinders right now. I thought that article about the USL brass going to England to establish partnership opportunities was very interesting (even if it grossly over stated what was actually accomplished) and would appeal to potential investors. Meanwhile, NASL has been deathly quiet since hiring Kartik as their PR person. Other than a load of reTweets, there's been nothing from the NASL camp in the past month. Bottom line, if I were looking to start up a new Div II soccer team today, I'd be more impressed with USL than NASL (assuming I didn't realize the USL business model is inherently flawed).
Neither will make it on their own. Both have major flaws. There are doubts about teams in both leagues. My money is on seeing a combined league again.
looks like NASL will get sanctioned on Sunday, the way I look at it USL reminds me of McDonald's quantity over quality and NASL is like Panera bread, I prefer the second option.
You can't afford to eat there? JK, I feel the same way about that place. It's just another chain and I avoid chains as often as possible. The fact that this thread and discussion even exists is bad for U.S. soccer. USL is supposed to be taking on the job of developing 3rd division soccer. They don't seem to have any intention of pursuing D2 sanctioning any time soon, even if the NASL fails. The NASL seems willing enough to focus on developing D2 for now. Seems like there should be alot more cooperation between divisions as to where new markets come in and which division those new markets best fit. Battling over new markets, and taking action that hurts one or the other league, just seems so counter productive to the goal of advancing U.S. soccer. It's starting to make much more sense to me for one entity to be running lower divisions. One entity that can approach potential ownership group A and tell them "hey guys, we think you'd be a good fit for the 3rd division in this town" while pushing potential ownership group B towards 2nd division in another market. Having two groups, who are financial rivals and competitors, running the show is keeping everyone down and it's starting to suck.
As long as the USL doesn't try to act like they think they should be the only game in town below MLS and doesn't try to steal any of the other NASL sides (Like Rochester), then 3rd division is all they should pay attention to. Let the NASL do their jobs and make second division on how it can and should be. Grow the game, allow these sides to breath. If they need some help, then give it to them. Don't act all high and mighty to either sink or swim.
So you're upset when USL "stole" teams, but were you upset when the NASL stole Rochester, Baltimore, and Tampa from USL?
NASL didn't steal teams basically Rochester, Baltimore, Tampa didn't want to be in USL's camp and they with others formed NASL. USL started threatening with lawsuits.
Pretty stupid that the USSF sets very high standards for second division teams but not for third division teams
So by that same definition, USL didn't steal Rochester. Rochester simply didn't want to be in the NASL camp.
I can imagine pretty much this exact same conversation happening between USL and NASL execs. And that is what is wrong with the whole situation. USSF does need to set down specific standards for a third division. And the two divisions/leagues should communicate and work together to develop those two leagues rather than fighting over markets and ownership groups. Otherwise one or the other of them, and possibly both of them, will die. Sigh
It's sort of comparing apples to oranges in a way. I give a slight edge to the USL for organization and publicity right now. In the long run though I think the NASL has the edge. Despite the clubs like St Louis and Minn (who were in trouble long before the start of the NASL) they are trying to bring some stabilty to the Minor leagues. I'm not sure if the league will survive, but in trying to work within the USSF guidelines this is a good start. Unlike the USL who went directly to Div 3 - and therefore avoid questions about many of their clubs and are trying to expand like crazy right now. In a year from now the 20 clubs in D3 will be down to about 12 - 15 and the owners of the USL will have lined their pockets with fees once again. I fully expect the USSF to set limits for D3 teams later this year. If you don't believe me...come back to this thread in a year.