I dunno, I think planning for a larger stadium shows commitment to the growth of soccer and team fanbases. AAA baseball stadiums are often around this size. For the soccer equivalent to be taken seriously, it makes sense to aim at least this high.
http://www.empireofsoccer.com/usls-arizona-united-file-trademark-for-phoenix-rising-fc-55901/ So Arizona United SO will become Phoenix RIsing FC announcement rumored to be tomorrow. Ok Blues is also expected to rebrand and then there are the usual off season rumors of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds rebranding
Grand Rapids, USL news http://www.grbj.com/articles/86757-grand-action-considers-stadium-hotel-and-devos-place-expansion
USL looking to expand in the south and Indy has had meetings with the league 1) Couple of updates:@USL are looking to expand into the South some more- Memphis is a serious candidate as is Birmingham, AL.— Nipun Chopra, PhD (@NipunChopra7) December 20, 2016
Why? It's still 2016 and the news your posting isn't for events in 2017. Problem solved: welcome to the new expansion general thread. Carry on.
Based off the answers in this interview, I somehow doubt this NPSL team is in line for Memphis' USL push: http://midfieldpress.com/2016/12/28...up-brings-the-beautiful-game-back-to-memphis/
They aren't aware of a USL group in town, nor are the Birmingham Hammers for Birmingham according to an upcoming interview with Morgan Capes. Doesn't mean there isn't something afoot, as the Tulsa Athletics were not in on the Roughnecks coming to town.
My point exactly. There is more than likely, unfortunately (in my opinion), a different group of people moving into a market with an established team who are going to try and 1-up what looks to be a promising venture there in Memphis.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...487011007237&tid=ss_tw&utm_term=.9a746b7de74b Potentially some big news coming out of Baltimore??
I'd love to see Indy Eleven and North Carolina FC jump over to USL and in the process scuttle what's left of NASL .
I'm told that the USL will be expanding to Fresno, likely to come in for spring 2018. Expect announcement soon. Fuego not involved 1/2— Evan Ream (@EvanReam) March 4, 2017 Last year, the USL gave the Fuego an ultimatum to come up with $5 mil expansion fee, or USL would give rights to another group 2/2— Evan Ream (@EvanReam) March 4, 2017 Clarification: it's possible USL team could negotiate for rights to Fuego brand, but group granted expansion is not the Fuego— Evan Ream (@EvanReam) March 4, 2017
"Ultimatum" is a bit strong. The franchise agreement says if someone wants to put a team at a higher level in your market, you get right of first refusal. That means you need to match that offer. If it's an ultimatum, it's one you already agreed to when you signed the franchise agreement.
So possible expansion teams for 2018 so far: DCU 2 Fresno Memphis Birmingham Long Island Grand Rapids Baltimore San Diego Edit for forgetting SD.
Wasn't San Diego being floated as a USL market for 2018 as well? With the group including Keisuke Honda?