No because MN would be out if they didn't find a owner. It would be a worse black-eye to the league than Cosmos coming in fall.
Minnesota found a new owner in time anyway so it wouldn't have matter if the Cosmos joined or not. Really don't see your argument here.
He's parroting comments written by an NYC fanboy in a thread on IMS (which he posted in himself). Birds of a feather...
Does anybody think it won't be? Even if Minnesota folded and the Cosmos weren't on the docket? Does anybody, rationally, at this point think that the USSF wouldn't sanction a 7 team D2 next year? Seriously? I'm not saying they'd be happy about it, but do you honestly think that after three years of nurturing their new standards - which are tenderly starting to take hold - that they'd kill the project and set back what they're (USSF) trying to do 5-10 years? Really?
not to mention that the ONE thing the previous Cosmos regime was good at was marketing and design and MERCHANDISING ... how they didn't already have some kick ass retro jerseys ready is beyond me ... that was the one thing the PK Cosmos did right for Odin's sake.
I actually find it hilarious the Cosmos complain they didn't have enough time to hire a staff(one of the 1,000 excuses), but then Erik Stover makes a big deal that they hired a club historian. What exactly are their priorities? Honestly, reading some of the insane delusions of Erik Stover, Seamus O'Brien, and the current Cosmos ownership, makes me nostalgic for the days of Paul Kelmsey.
Marketing pure and simple. That's the one thing they're interested in. The Cosmos are a brand to them, not a soccer team.
WhiteStar Warriors does have a point. To maintain a league you must have eight teams. With Minnesota gone, the NASL would have had to find anohter team to maintain its sanction. Also not all of the NASL teams are on firm financial ground. One slip from another team and that additional team could have been needed. I agree this entering for the clausura is a wee bit of a mess. But if Minn had folded, I believe the Cosmos would be playing both halfs. And after 2013, the NASL will add Virginia and Ottawa providing a cushion for when the Cosmos move to Flushing Meadows and enter MLS.
That's not what Stover said in one of his interviews: “A proper soccer club is not a brand. I don’t care about logos and how many shirts we sell. To me the only thing that matters to us, especially next year, are the results on the pitch and butts in the seats, and if those butts in the seats have fun while we are there.” The fact that they bought the naming rights to the Cosmos is mere coincidence. Foolish boy!
Please do not bring facts and rational thought into this witch hunt. This thread is only for validating pre-conceived reasons to be against the Cosmos and melodramatically declaring the tenures of FCNY and Paul Kemsley the glory days. K thx bye.
What facts? Just because some douchebag said it in an interview doesn't make it a fact. Actions speak louder than bullshit.
And now for something completely different (apologies to Monty Python); to officially join the witch hunt with another quote from Stover: “We are in active discussions with jersey front partners and if we deliver on what I think is going to happen, I think it will shake the foundation of soccer in this country. I don’t want to over promise. I am not the kind of guy that whips up excitement and over promises and don’t deliver, but we are having very meaningful, high level conversations and when these things come out, I think you will be really excited.” Because...you know...he doesn't care about logos and how many shirts they sell. Stover really does needs a good PR checker to work with him, because he contradicts himself A LOT
Pre conceived reasons? You realize that pretty much everyone around here was excited about the rebirth of the Cosmos and were really looking forward to it, despite all the bullshit that has come before with this "club", right? It isn't our fault they are pulling these shenanigans or that the NASL is allowing them to do so. Get over yourself, something the Cosmos maybe should consider as well.
No, he doesn't, and no, they wouldn't. WPS was sanctioned with six, and they were on far, far worse footing than the NASL. USSF has actually bent over backwards to ensure that the NASL maintains its progress without being sticklers (the regulation was they'd have to have ten teams in year three, so they'd have had to get a waiver, Cosmos or no Cosmos). So, this whole "they were a placeholder, so now they are coming in halfway and that's great, no matter what any of you say" thing is b.s. Just like the tiny-headed newbie sockpuppets claiming it's a "witch hunt," because, of course, we're all jealous of the glory that was is the ********ing Cosmos.
firstly ZING! secondly, how did Kenn get a yellow card? lol Bigsoccer sometimes. I miss all the fun stuff somehow.