Just a thread to discuss new additions to the NPSL-- confirmed, rumored or that grey area in between.. Due to the provisional schedule played in 2012 it seems Pensacola may be joining.
I heard that Cal FC wanted to join. This was months ago though, after their success in the US Open Cup. I haven't heard anything recently.
Rocket City United played a friendly in Huntsville this past April against Liga Magg of Atlanta. RCU stated at the time on its website that Liga Magg had applied for NPSL membership to begin in 2013. I don't know if anything has been finalized. I can say they beat the crap out of us in that friendly.
With the Southeast Conference divided into East and West they could use a few extra teams --hopefully for someone closer to Myrtle Beach, as the closest rival (Georgia Revolution) is about 6 and a half hours away. During the season there was talk of a team near Raleigh and at least one other North Carolina team interested in joining but I when I started asking around nobody seemed to know anything. Or at least pretended not to know anything.
"Miami United SC" seems to think they are playing in the NPSL in 2013(link): I can't help but chuckle at that "MLS by 2015" bit.
any good this park ? ''We have arranged to play at Gibson Park in Downtown Miami, which is highly visible and is the perfect venue as we look at the marketing and publicity angle''
I guess in 2013 we might see a 5 teams division 2012 South-Southeast Conference-East ATL Silverbacks Reserves Georgia Revolution Jacksonville United Myrtle Beach FC
The park is new, so it has that going for it. I am not sure if the football lines are permanent or not, below is a picture/rendering. It does not look too bad, they could do way worse:
Three shot during youth football game at Overtown’s new Gibson Park Three people were injured in a shooting Friday evening at Gibson Park during a youth football game. Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/09/08/2991375/three-shot-during-youth-football.html#storylink=cpy
They re-did that park earlier this year. But that's not where they're playing. More recent posts on their site claim they will play at Curtis Park, which is further west, and more akin to Tropical Park where Miami FC once played, with a track around the field:
Ugh. Gridiron lines, uncovered seating, a track, and much further from a Metrorail stop? Oh well, at least it is a real stadium. You are right though, the Facebook feed says this is the stadium. They really should update their main home page on the website... Steve
Good point; it likely has to do with finances. My understanding is that it is far less expensive to join the NPSL and also play in it than even USL PDL. If they are going to go that route then one should expect a jump to USLPro or NASL next year and then MLS. But really, the timeline is way too ambitious IMO. Steve
Forget MLS, these guys are joining the NPSL which is much cheaper to join than even USL PDL. That means that they are starting at a low price point and hoping that they can get enough buzz in the market to make MLS look up. Of course they also need success on the field. Three years is way to ambitious - they will need 2-3 years just to get up to speed in the NPSL. Let's assume they are crazy successful after this first year, they will then need to identify a stadium or build one, which takes another year. Now we are already 2 years out. MLS has not identified Miami as an immediate target and they will have to compete for the attention of MLS from Orlando and San Antonio both of which have been very successful in terms of attendance and play at a higher level. San Antonio has the advantage of already working on their SSS and Orlando is working on their plans. A three year plan is folly, they should have been shooting for 10. Steve
Right, but the problem must be cash flow (or cash to invest). We can assume that they would have gone USLPro rather than NASL since the Strikers are just down the street. USLPro has a much higher initial investment to get in the league and then the expenses are much higher for player and coaching payroll, travel, etc. It all comes down to money, which if they are in the NPSL they must not have that much of to start out with. That said, the NPSL is not a bad group to start out in and then grow from. If they can build the team to a fair attendance then they actually could do OK and then make a move to a higher league. Also, can anyone else find any information about the team actually being in the NPSL? There does not seem to be any info on their (NPSL) website or really anywhere else. Steve
Near downtown, but not actually in it, just a mile or so out though. The stadium is shown a few posts above. It really is not that bad of a stadium for a NPSL or even USLPro team - if they can get rid of the football lines then it would be way better IMO. Disappointingly for a lot of potential fans there seems to be little available parking...so that will deter some, and it is about 1 mile from a metro stop (which really is not that bad). Steve
I have been hearing about this new NPSL club in suburban Detroit. Apparently they are a youth club of Windsor FC. Northern Guard seems to be really angry about this. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...5151542.115531.414797195202363&type=1&theater
Why is it so hard to find information about 2013 expansion teams for the NPSL? Seriously, post something on the website or at least the Facebook feed. Steve
A wave of expansion for 2013 primarily across the Southeastern US: Zanesville Athletic FC Cape Coral Hurricanes Tampa Marauders FC Miami United SC Chesterfield United FC Rock City Soccer Club New Orleans Jesters Virginia FC RVA Football Club http://www.nationalpremiersoccerleague.com/home/675627.html
The English major in me wants to slap you so hard right now. So we are going to see Rock City vs. Rocket City?
Nice to see the NPSL expanding. I will likely check out the Marauders. Funny how Tampa lacked any professional soccer team, now there will be three teams next year. Well, if you count the NPSL as professional that is. Ticket Prices for Tampa: Senior/Student:$7 Adult: $10 Field Level: $40 Not sure who would pay $40 for field level seats... haha Steve
Heard there could be several more teams joining in a second wave sometime in late November or early December. The league should be PDL size by then.