USL-1 in the valley?

[VioletCrown]

Someone over in the USL forum just started a thread with a link to this article (http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/news/city_88051___article.html/regular_commission.html).

It comes pretty much out of the blue as far as I'm concerned. Hadn't heard any rumors at all about a USL-1 team down in the Valley. There was an article in the past month about the Houston Dynamo working on developing ties to the area and a possible PDL team. But a 15k stadium couldn't be aimed at anything lower than USL-1.

I've always thought that they should have a PDL team. I know nothing about pro sports down there. McAllen/Edinburg/Mission is larger than Charleson, so it's not that far of a stretch.

This'll be interesting to watch.

[Schwalker]

I´m not familiar to the area but it sounds similar to the Starfire in Seattle, which if I remember it right is making a lot of cash by providing soccer fields to the public.
I know that they had plans for a bigger stadium as well for some reason.
I have a feeling that there are some business groups exploiting the lack of proper soccer fields in many areas, but considering that they actually provide a place to play I will not complain.

Considering that some countries like Germany have a FA that pay the bill for every soccer field that any elementary school wants it´s a way forward at least.

http://www.wdr.de/themen/wissen/bildung/schule/fussball_in_grundschulen/_img/fussball_02_400q.jpg

[chapulincolorado]

Someone over in the USL forum just started a thread with a link to this article (http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/news/city_88051___article.html/regular_commission.html). [...]

:eek: Shit! I live in the Valley and I didn't see that coming.

OK...my random mental droppings

1. The proposed resolution shows that R&G Capital LLC approached the city with the proposal. Atkinson said the proposal includes a professional soccer stadium with up to 15,000 seats that could double as a concert venue to seat up to 25,000. A hotel with a small water park and a convention center are also part of the project.That's a BIG stadium for our standards. Most of our stadiums for professional sports are half that. The more well known arena in our region is Dodge Arena and that seats 6,800. La Joya High School football stadium holds 12,600. That's really big gamble for 'em.

2. The Valley loves soccer........FMF soccer that is. Still, there is a bright side to this. Brownsville loves it's high school soccer teams which have actually gone on to win statewide championships. I can see a PDL team here. Building base and growing up to USL levels. Building the fan base that may be FMF-snobbish and evolving to appreciate USL soccer team. Going straight to USL1....eeeck....I don't know. We had several attempts to create PDL teams, but they were organized by folks who had no idea about running a business.

3. They will need to build the Brownsville sports fan area first. The other major city groupling is McAllen/PSJA/Mission/Edinburg, but we are about 1 hr and 15 minutes away from Btown. Sort of the similar debate about whether folks will drive that long from San Antonio to Austin with these gas prices.

4. They will have to compete with other sports teams for that disposable income. AFL (Dorados), Baseball (Whitewings & Coyotes), Basketball (Vipers and Silverados), and Hockey (Killer Bees). Fortunatelly for the investors, aside from Whitewings (Harlingen), all those teams are located in the McAllen area.

5. What I don't read is who is going to step up and invest in a team.

It comes pretty much out of the blue as far as I'm concerned. Hadn't heard any rumors at all about a USL-1 team down in the Valley. There was an article in the past month about the Houston Dynamo working on developing ties to the area and a possible PDL team. But a 15k stadium couldn't be aimed at anything lower than USL-1.I know that HD has been working closely with the McAllen Youth Soccer Association. Most of the staff wear HD gear (guacala!) and seen some local youth starting to wear HD jerseys. So, I wouldn't be surprised if in the near future they create a local PDL team connected to Houston.

[mgrayscale]

I had heard something about a PDL team opening up in the Valley as well (sorry, nothing more specific than that in regards to actual city). The big positive around doing it, from an Aztex point of view, is that the team may replace the Mississippi team (who may move to the Southeast Division) and keep travel a bit more manageable (although it would still be about a 8-9 hour drive from DFW).

[Sandon Mibut]

I think Brownsville (and McAllen and Laredo) would be very good USL-1 markets.

I have no idea if the stadium size is correct or not but this is exactly the type of place the USL should be looking to expand their first division.

[VioletCrown]

:eek: Shit! I live in the Valley and I didn't see that coming.

OK...my random mental droppings

1. That's a BIG stadium for our standards. Most of our stadiums for professional sports are half that. The more well known arena in our region is Dodge Arena and that seats 6,800. La Joya High School football stadium holds 12,600. That's really big gamble for 'em.

[snip]

3. They will need to build the Brownsville sports fan area first. The other major city groupling is McAllen/PSJA/Mission/Edinburg, but we are about 1 hr and 15 minutes away from Btown. Sort of the similar debate about whether folks will drive that long from San Antonio to Austin with these gas prices.

I had no idea that it was that far from Brownsville to M/P/M/E. I've lived in Texas for 30 years now, but it still slaps me upside the head now and then to remind me how effing big it is.

I have no idea what's on the other side of the border in terms of Mexican pro teams, but maybe they're thinking that they can somehow tap into that market some. Especially if it's cheaper than the reported $170 for a Tigres game.

That's something that hadn't occurred to me. That they could possibly count on some cross border traffic for games. I've only been using roughly .5 Million for the population of M/P/M/E, but Brownsville isn't included in that, and neither are Matamoros or Reynosa.

[chapulincolorado]

I think Brownsville (and McAllen and Laredo) would be very good USL-1 markets.

I have no idea if the stadium size is correct or not but this is exactly the type of place the USL should be looking to expand their first division.

1. Laredo already has PDL with Heat and pretty sure the owners are moving to develop towards that, but at their pace and what makes business sense for the area.

2. McAllen and Browsville are good markets, but I think it would require someone or some to have enough patience to build the market. They will have to compete against other minor league sports teams.

[chapulincolorado]

I had no idea that it was that far from Brownsville to M/P/M/E. I've lived in Texas for 30 years now, but it still slaps me upside the head now and then to remind me how effing big it is.

Yup. RGV is a big populated area, but we are spread out in four counties (Hidalgo, Cameron, Starr, and Willacy). We have a population almost reaching 1Million, but it's spread out.

I have no idea what's on the other side of the border in terms of Mexican pro teams, but maybe they're thinking that they can somehow tap into that market some. Especially if it's cheaper than the reported $170 for a Tigres game.

$170 for the Tigres game in MTY? :eek: IIRC, there were two lower div teams in Matamoros and Reynosa. Reynosa had Division 2 Tigres, but they moved back to MTY. I am not sure about Matamoros. For all the money and fandom that exists in Mexico for futbol, anything below 1ra is volatile. I just visited the FMF web page and saw that they have restructured again Div 2 in Mexico. 27 teams in that division! But. Back to the main point. I am just not sure how many folks in Matamoros would spend their $$ in USL1.

That's something that hadn't occurred to me. That they could possibly count on some cross border traffic for games. I've only been using roughly .5 Million for the population of M/P/M/E, but Brownsville isn't included in that, and neither are Matamoros or Reynosa.

Total RGV pop is hovering near 1Mil. Matamoros and Reynosa is probably already hovering at 1.5Mil.

[VioletCrown]

$170 for the Tigres game in MTY? :eek: IIRC, there were two lower div teams in Matamoros and Reynosa. Reynosa had Division 2 Tigres, but they moved back to MTY. I am not sure about Matamoros. For all the money and fandom that exists in Mexico for futbol, anything below 1ra is volatile. I just visited the FMF web page and saw that they have restructured again Div 2 in Mexico. 27 teams in that division! But. Back to the main point. I am just not sure how many folks in Matamoros would spend their $$ in USL1.

That $170 comment was from someone on the Tigres thread. I'm assuming they're accurate.

I have no idea how many folks in Matamoros would spend money on USL-1. I can certainly understand them being more inclined to watch Tigres on TV. That would be one of the challenges, and I'm not even sure the potential (currently imaginary) ownership is thinking it.

Total RGV pop is hovering near 1Mil. Matamoros and Reynosa is probably already hovering at 1.5Mil.

So the combined population on both sides of the border is 2.5 million? Even spread out, I see why someone would look at it as a good USL-1 market. Hell, that's between Portland and Tampa, and right on par with Denver.

Of course, as with everything, there's a ton of issues. But I'm suddenly not finding the idea so off-the-wall.

Man, can you imagine a USL-1 with Austin, SA *and* the RGV? Talk about derbies!

[chapulincolorado]

That $170 comment was from someone on the Tigres thread. I'm assuming they're accurate.

I wouldn't be surprised since Tigres has a very loyal following and the owners (CEMEX) can make 'em charge whatever the market will bear. But. Yeah. $170. Eeck!

Of course, as with everything, there's a ton of issues. But I'm suddenly not finding the idea so off-the-wall.

Man, can you imagine a USL-1 with Austin, SA *and* the RGV? Talk about derbies!

Hell yeah! :D

[Crazy_Yank]

Here in the Valley we have a great passion for the sport. As CC mentioned the Brownsville high school teams are some of the state's best. UT Brownsville had a successful 1st college season so there is a lot of local talent. Not to mention that there are several very strong men's leagues populated with immigrant players. I've long thought that if the Valley could get it's shit together we'd start seeing players from here on the US national team.

[chapulincolorado]

Here in the Valley we have a great passion for the sport. As CC mentioned the Brownsville high school teams are some of the state's best. UT Brownsville had a successful 1st college season so there is a lot of local talent. Not to mention that there are several very strong men's leagues populated with immigrant players. I've long thought that if the Valley could get it's shit together we'd start seeing players from here on the US national team.

The problem with the RGV is that the local leagues are ruled by what I call "team tribalism." There are some heavy cats with money (uh...don't ask me what they do for their money :cool::D) that spend and spend on their own teams using their local leagues as their fiefdoms. If you check out the leagues, you can tell who has real amateur teams and who has bouh...er...pai...er...convinced players to come to their teams. There are players here from Mexico that have played in Primera, FMF lower divisions, even USL 1 on down. The talent is there. The problem up to now is that local owners have only invested on their own particular teams w/o putting to much effort on the league & never looking beyond winning league championships. Whoever comes in from w/i or outside the RGV to invest in USL must find a way to apeace these little fiefdoms.

[VioletCrown]

The problem with the RGV is that the local leagues are ruled by what I call "team tribalism." There are some heavy cats with money (uh...don't ask me what they do for their money :cool::D) that spend and spend on their own teams using their local leagues as their fiefdoms. If you check out the leagues, you can tell who has real amateur teams and who has bouh...er...pai...er...convinced players to come to their teams. There are players here from Mexico that have played in Primera, FMF lower divisions, even USL 1 on down. The talent is there. The problem up to now is that local owners have only invested on their own particular teams w/o putting to much effort on the league & never looking beyond winning league championships. Whoever comes in from w/i or outside the RGV to invest in USL must find a way to apeace these little fiefdoms.

That sounds like a tricky situation. Even tricker than San Antonio or many other cities with their youth league fiefdoms.

Hearing this story actually makes me a little nervous about trying. Maybe it'd be better to keep a little distance from things, and just have a team in San Antonio that can draw on the talent down there.

I do wonder a little about those rec league teams down there that are stocked with some players from FMF lower divisions. What do the team 'owners' get out of having such players on their teams? Is there some ... cache? respect they get? Because they certainly aren't winning any big prizes. Certainly not prizes that compare with their 'day jobs.'

[chapulincolorado]

That sounds like a tricky situation. Even tricker than San Antonio or many other cities with their youth league fiefdoms.

It will be interesting to see how a USL team would deal with the local leagues. PDL team that tried to start here did have a good relationship with the local leagues, but it never went beyond one game.

I do wonder a little about those rec league teams down there that are stocked with some players from FMF lower divisions. What do the team 'owners' get out of having such players on their teams? Is there some ... cache? respect they get? Because they certainly aren't winning any big prizes. Certainly not prizes that compare with their 'day jobs.Just to clarify a bit my comment. They do get players that used to play in FMF lower divisions.

I think it's three-fold. Ego wise, who doesn't want to be known as the main boss with the winningest team in the league. It's a matter of pride. The other side is the money and power. The prizes are pretty good since most rec teams pay up a pretty big fee for registering teams and players (not counting refs make good money per game). But, a bigger part is control of the money that comes it to the league. The key thing is that winning teams usually tend to control the rec league board of directors which in turn control the flow of money, season schedule, and assests (playing fields, parks, etc). And finally, winning teams tend to get first dibs on who sends players to state sanctioned tournaments.

[VioletCrown]

Not USL-1, but it looks like it's official (http://www.kgbt4.com/sports/sports_story.aspx?id=219866). (Thanks to Butler Bob for the find (http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=843378)).

So, unless someone folds, our PDL group is up to 9 teams. I'm looking forward to a straight home-away schedule this year... but I still don't expect we'll get one. Distances and travel prices will probably still result in something unbalanced.

[Aztex82]

that's awesome for RGV. If Laredo is any indication, I think they will do really well. I think soon the PDL is gonna have to have a straight "Texas Division."

[chapulincolorado]

I'll check tomorrow's The Monitor issue and see if they write anything on it. I wonder what happened to the Brownsville attempt with USL2 team. I am pretty sure that the PDL team will play at the McAllen Memorial High School stadium:

http://www.texasbob.com/stadium/simages/942.jpg

This is where most MFL exhibition games are played. There are other two stadiums that may fit the bill, but this is best in so far as accessibility.

I wonder who owns this PDL franchise.

[chapulincolorado]

So, unless someone folds, our PDL group is up to 9 teams. I'm looking forward to a straight home-away schedule this year... but I still don't expect we'll get one. Distances and travel prices will probably still result in something unbalanced.

The South Texas part will not be that bad. Dallas, El Paso, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Mehicepipi to RGV....:eek:...now that's a killer. 12 hours!

Looking fwd to the Austin-Laredo-RGV rivalry. :D

[chapulincolorado]

that's awesome for RGV. If Laredo is any indication, I think they will do really well. I think soon the PDL is gonna have to have a straight "Texas Division."

I hope! I do hope! Travel expenses is a killer even w/i Texas.

[chapulincolorado]

We have a team!....ok...well...kind of...they still gotta work some kinks out.

RGV to get pro soccer team (http://www.themonitor.com/sports/valley_19796___article.html/franchise_team.html)

McALLEN - ARSA Soccer Adventures formally announced Wednesday at a news conference that it has been awarded a Rio Grande Valley franchise in the United Soccer Leagues' Premier Development League, starting play in the 2009 season.

This we know so far based on the article:


It will be owned by ARSA Soccer Adventures. I don't know personally the folks mentioned in the press conference, but I will ask around.
"Rio Grande Valley" will be part of the name. This is the de facto team naming system in our region.
They don't have a stadium with any city.
They are actively searching for key team staff.
They will hold a press conference in Dec 10 to name team, venue, and possibly technical director.


I just hope to G-d that they put the team either in McAllen (where most of the big $$$ and soccer teams/academies are) or mid-Valley (Weslaco). If they put it Brownsville, that's way over on one end and if they put in La Joya (they have a great stadium) it's on the other end.

Finally, I hope this is a solid group. The previous times it was done half-ass by folks who didn't know anything about running a business.