What makes the FA cup and NCAA basketball tournament is the David vs Goliath match. A NASL club playing against big MLS teams in US cup really I think has appeal. USL has taken to becoming more of farm league operation to similar to minor league baseball and I think that takes away from self operating entity (me personally - I wouldn't be a fan). NASL has taken an approach to dethrone MLS even though this is probably far fetched to ever happening. In New England, I believe there is larger more passionate soccer following than any where else in US and I used to live Issaquah, Wa so yes even more so than Seattle. All we need is someone with some passion to operate a pro team and the fans will get behind it.
Hartford is good market sitting in between Boston and NY. There are not that many markets left in the USA where you do not have a MLB,NHL,NBA or NFL team in a city or a whole state for that matter. No summer competition. If it were USL, closest rivals are Rochester and Harrisburg. If NASL, NYCosmos and I guess Ottawa. Not a lot, but its something . Can't figure out why the "Rent" won't lower the rent. If you are a stadium, usually the more tenants the better. Yes, NASL & USL are not MLS, but you should adjust the rent accordingly, along with a downsized stadium to match. Otherwise, New Britton or Dillion are options with updates to the stadiums which may be less when compared to the "rent at the Rent".
Virginia is only 6 hours away (depending on traffic) If Quebec City gets a team, that's another 6-7 hour trip. Dillon needs major repairs, but would be a very intimate setting for a crowd of 5-8k. Rentschler - too expensive for that same size crowd.
Stamford, CT New England Force General Manager Bob Levin has announced that the team will apply to the NASL. If accepted the team will look to begin play in 2015. According to Levin, "The NASL would be a good fit for us and we have no doubt that we have the product to compete with other clubs in the League. We do have some continued work to do in all areas, but we feel that by 2015 we will be ready to go". http://www.newenglandforce.us/News.asp?org=newenglandforce.us#487427
well, they do seem to have a plan...I wouldn't say that it's very reasonable, but it's definitely a plan nonetheless...lol
according to the MLS & NASL & USL expansion talk group on FB : ***EXPANSION NEWS*** A little birdie told me that an announcement will be made within the next couple of months. Stating that HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT is getting a #NASL team, which will start play in 2016 at a renovated Dillon Stadium.
Well, the New England Force said they're applying! (BTW, an anonymous Facebook group started 18 days ago...TOTALLY WORTH LISTENING TO.)
It would be nice for the Cosmos to have a Northeast rival. Hope it materializes. Kenn's skepticism is warranted, though.
No, there apparently IS a group making moves in Hartford. But I am willing to tell you that and put my name to it. What I have a problem with is these anonymous peckerwoods who get off on saying "a little birdie told me" because expansion talk is apparently currency in their worlds.
I take it that group is not the New England Force or you wouldn't be putting your name to it. Regardless, I hope ownership groups pop up for NASL in some of the other Northeast markets so there are some reasonable games for me to travel to. Baltimore would be nice too. Lehigh Valley is probably too much to hope for unless I suddenly come into $20M and decide to resurrect Bethlehem Steel FC
That would be cool, and it would be a little more fun than setting that 20M on fire, both would end up with the same result, you losing your 20M, but you would have a few good years with the BSFC.
So here's an interesting tidbit coming out of Hartford, CT--the city is apparently looking for an operator for Dillon Stadium, preferably a pro or semi-pro soccer team. They would apparently prefer the NASL, which makes me wonder whether the city is in some way already in contact with the league. This sort of thing seems to put the cart before the horse. Or are they just letting any would-be-owner/millionaires out there that they have a stadium solution all set up for them?
Which means what, exactly? Honolulu had a team in the original NASL. Supposedly there IS a group that has gone down the road fairly far, and is close in Hartford.
means nothing really just thought I would mention it. It probably explains why they prefer the NASL. You know the whole familiarity thing. that's all didn't mean anything by it
Well... you can't have Joey Ryan... just sayin'... http://www.nasljerseys.com/Players/R/Ryan.Joe.htm Tulsa Roughnecks Indoor NASL 79-80 Hartford Hellions MISL 79-80 He's ours now...
I'd wager more soccer fans in CT have a better familiarity with the Connecticut Wolves than they have with the Bi's. If I can find them, I'll post my scarf concepts.
Here is more background: http://www.biznet.ct.gov/SCP_Documents/Bids/32276/Revised_Section_2_Dillon_Stadium.pdf It appears they want whoever comes in to help redevelop Dillon to meet the needs of the soccer team they will run (field, bleachers, VIP boxes, etc..), as well as operate the stadium itself.
http://foxct.com/2014/06/04/hartford-recruiting-nasl-soccer-franchise/ Here is more information about it.