I would really be surprised if the FO had enough forethought to draft picks today for a team we may or may not have this season. Just saying.
This would give academy players a greater chance of progressing, especially for those who don't/can't go to college for either money or academically can't
I still think that more players that can play, but aren't academic or financially able to...should look at PDL and NPSL clubs. There are many good opportunities out there for prospective players through these options. The players could also potentially go to school cheaper at local community colleges or trade schools while still playing/training with the clubs.
http://www.whec.com/sports/stories/S2905701.shtml?cat=571 According to this, four teams will be paired with an MLS side, the first of which is Rochester and NE
It's great that we're getting some movement on this. I wonder which MLS teams will be the teams to partner with a USL club. I do feel it's the cheaper less beneficial way to go which means I'm not surprised that it's the way New England went but I also have trepidation that it's the way we'll go.
The part of the article I found most strage was this: I guess the have confimation the Impact is a team they'll play but it almost seems odd to point it out. You'd think they'll play more MLS teams than just one so it's a little bit of an odd statement there. Montreal is also one of the closest teams to Rochester, of the top of my head it'd be Toronto, New York, Montreal so it seems like a bit of an obvious statement too.
I can't wait for the "He is scoring/playing well with the USL Pro team he needs to be called up!!" arguments.
Well if we were to affiliate with a team it would make more sense with Pittsburgh then it would with Dayton due to the style of play.
I would guess we would be one of the 4 affiliated teams simply because the owners don't want to pay for a full team.
Sorry, have not been following this....is there any idea if the Crew reserves, or whoever we team up with, will play at CCS? If they do not, I will really mis those games.
Really depends. If we partnered up with Pittsburgh I don't believe so. If we field our own team the league said it wanted them to be in MLS stadiums possible as double headers with MLS games.
What does Bright Dike have to say about the USL Pro? What about the Timbers who sent him there? What about the Nigerian national team who called him up shortly after his loan to LA Blues?
Perhaps. But one must also note that a number of orgs in MLS already *have* an associated USL team under their banner, so they don't need to have an affiliated team. Chicago's had one almost from the start. Given that this setup is only being finalized now, not long before the season starts, it is not surprising that the teams that do not have their own USL team might want to wait a year to build such an organiziation before jumping in. In the end, I expect all MLS teams will have their own U-23 USL side.
The main thing that Pittsburgh has over Dayton is a GORGEOUS stadium. That's more of what should be happening. I can see Pittsburgh being a draw for Columbus too...simply for extending their branding/marketing (but that doesn't mean that the Crew will do it because they SUCK at marketing). I prefer Dayton, it's much closer.
All I am going off of is the information that has been released. It hasn't been much but major announcements are expected within the next few hours. It was said 4 MLS teams will have affiliations, meaning the rest will start their own teams THIS season. If that is the case how come everyone else is able to get a team together except those 4. Now those 4 could have an affiliation already existing, proximity to current club, etc.
Remember 4 MLS teams already *have* a team in USL. Michigan Bucks are *already* an affiliate of the Crew. I'm sure there are other cases.
The rule is you cannot be on the same team as a pro but you can play against pros. But I was thinking more that they would keep their current team *but* have the organization in place and the relationships already established with USL Pro so that starting a new team will be easy. Or they could just be promoting their team up a level. No need for major specualtion as we'll know in an hour or so.
This is for USL PRO only not anything else. Michigan Bucks would have nothing to do with it. I am just going on the little info thats out. Again, from what's being said this would make players ineligibly for the NCAA.