Official announcement of the USL/MLS agreement: http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/scripts/runisa.dll?M2:gp::72013+L3/Display+E+NDX+NDX+690349
MLS, USL Pro reach deal on restructured Reserve League - MLSsoccer.com Here's what MLS is saying...it has a few additional points. Good to see this actually happen. I am sure they have more details to work out for 2014. Excellent news!
this works great for USL Pro. But NASL doesn't need it. I think there is enough demand now for soccer in this country for D2 to flourish. Just look at the success of San Antonio. NASL can become a legitimate D2 with time. Affiliation would harm their long term development. Affiliation is not done anywhere else in the soccer world between D1 and D2.
Orlando City is already out with an announcement of their affiliation with Sporting KC http://www.orlandocitysoccer.com/news/?article_id=1176
I don't view D2 or D3 as minor league soccer and my friends who are supporters of San Antonio don't view their club as "minor league." This isn't baseball. It's soccer. NASL is on the rise. They'll be a legitimate D2 in time.
I agree - this is good for NASL to - they can differentiate themselves from USL Pro. Their stated goals regarding ownership net worth/stability etc are to build their league independent of MLS through marketing and good play.
You may not see it that way, but you would be in the minority. Even among soccer fans, you are in the minority. In the US, if the team is not in the MAJOR league for its sport, then it's either minor league (or semi-pro). This goes for soccer, hockey, baseball, basketball, and even football (most call the AFL a minor league though by definition it is the major league of arena football). The only difference between "d2/d3" and "minor league" is semantics.
Great news and I have heard their will be more affiliation announced today. We can pretty much put geography out the window as far as affiliations go with the Orlando/Sporting KC announcement love that each one will be tailored to the teams. also understand the schedule will be out tomorrow afternoon so lot of questions will be answered then. EDIT: good article from Rochester with some more info: http://blogs.democratandchronicle.com/devo/
Affiliations Sporting Kansas City/Orlando City New England Revolution/Rochester Rhinos Philadelphia Union/Harrisburg City Islanders (not explicitly announced yet, but...) Staying in Reserve League Montreal Impact Chicago Fire Known USL-Pro Independents none at this time
if i'm an Orlando City fan i'm furious about this. Becoming an affiliate to an MLS team is a threat to the clubs identity.
I do also understand your pessimism. While it does promote Professional soccer, in USL markets, which is good and also open the the doors especially for players. From a pure soccer competition stand point, it is no where near satisfactory. The loaning of players is basically the deal. Great for the MLS club. but little value for the USL club. We will see how it works out. No true pro/rel, the pro game will be stagnate.
that American soccer fans consider NASL to be minor league soccer in the same vein as minor league baseball. That's what he's argueing. I know a lot of fans of NASL clubs and they don't consider their clubs to be minor league in the same way for instance the Albuquerque Dukes are minor league. If you're a fan of the San Antonio Scorpions your club will face MLS clubs in the US Open Cup. This doesn't happen in other American sports where there are real minor league systems. True, our soccer pyramid does not have pro/rel. But that doesn't mean everything under MLS is minor league. That's not how it works in soccer.
This interleague bickering is crazy. Nobody is losing right now. MLS sends their players down with "Technical assistance" to help them develop. Great. USL-Pro doesn't have to pay at least 5 players of a good caliber. Also great. NASL isn't winning in this agreement, but they still have a longer season, pay more, and have fewer trainwrecks like Antigua or LA Blues. Great for them. What's the problem here?
LOL. Am I wrong or Orlando City played as Austin Aztex few years back? Identity? What identity? Affiliations are something normal here in Europe (for lower league teams it is something very welcomed) and noone finds it to be threat to club's identity, it just can improve lower division team.
Updated to reflect Columbus Crew announcing they will remain in the Reserve League for 1 more year. Affiliations Sporting Kansas City/Orlando City New England Revolution/Rochester Rhinos Philadelphia Union/Harrisburg City Islanders Staying in Reserve League Montreal Impact Chicago Fire Columbus Crew Known USL-Pro Independents none at this time
No I'm not saying that the NASL & USL are the same as minor league baseball. I'm saying that the general perception is that ANY league that is not THE MAJOR league in ANY sport is in fact NOT A MAJOR LEAGUE. If it's not major then it has to be minor. The NASL is the sanctioned D2 league, which plays a level below the sanctioned D1 league. D1 is major; D2 id minor. It's. A pretty easy concept to grasp. You and your "fans" can think whatever you like. Owners can market however they want. It doesn't. Change the fact that the NASL is technically, legally, structurally, and commercially below MLS. MLS id the MAJOR league of soccer in the US; it's even part of their name. The USOC has nothing to with this. But since you brought it up, how many teams market games against MLS squads as David vs Golith? If NASL teams are not below (aka minor league to) MLS then that marketing has no validity or purpose. As far as proof... I'm a lifelong resident of a minor league city. I know a minor league when I see it. You however, seem to reside on a river in Egypt.
D.C. United and Richmond Kickers look set to align: http://www.timesdispatch.com/news/l...cle_71c02660-6599-11e2-a87a-0019bb30f31a.html
Updated to reflect TFC staying in Reserve Division EDIT: Richnond/DC affiliation added Affiliations Sporting Kansas City/Orlando City New England Revolution/Rochester Rhinos Philadelphia Union/Harrisburg City Islanders DC United/Richmond Kickers Staying in Reserve League Montreal Impact Chicago Fire Columbus Crew Toronto FC Known USL-Pro Independents none at this time