in some local PDL news: http://www.uslpdl.com/news_article/show/752389?referrer_id=2242498 Negoesco Stadium Named San Francisco City's Home Venue 2/1/2017, 3:15pm EST Club preparing for second PDL campaign after third-place finish in Central Pacific Division
USSF lowers the boom: U.S. Soccer denies NASL division II status for 2018 I don't know how solid USL's plans for 2018. I'm sure some NASL teams are looking to jump ship, and they are looking in the direction of USL. Tampa Bay and Ottawa announced they're moves pretty late in the season last year, but I imagine there had been discussions going on for a while. So, was the USSF decision anticipated or is the timing was a surprise.
from my understanding, The USSF wanted to see the NASL get to 12 teams by 2018. That wasn't going to happen, so the NASL lost it's D2 classification. SF might as well come on over to the USL. There are local rivalries for this side, which will help this club flourish.
There's also the possibility that USL will still have to address the issue of its remaining non-D2-compliant teams. The league may simply get another year of provisional sanctioning or it may have to bump some teams to D3. (or even a hiatus?) But the NASL knew what it had to do to stick around and just couldn't get it done this year. Having them denied D2 status relatively early at least gives its teams time to make alternative arrangements (as a few did last year). The other question I have - at which point is NASL officially no longer D2, allowing any teams to leave without the $1.5 mil* "leaving town" fee? I think Indy and NCFC would do quite well in USL, along with Jacksonville (depending on its new owner's wishes) and the new San Diego group (which I hear wanted USL in the first place). Edmonton will probably move to CPL in one form or another. I don't think the Deltas will survive the year, hard to see how Puerto Rico lasts either. I really don't care what happens to Miami FC or the Cosmos. * Feel free to fact-check this, I'm not certain of this figure.
Arena resigns as USMNT coach, and ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY! http://www.espnfc.co.uk/united-stat...as-united-states-manager-after-world-cup-miss
I was debating whether to bother posting about the revolving door that is the list of NASL franchises: Not committing to return in 2018 FC Edmonton SF Deltas (they gave away) merchandise at their last home game New franchises (supposedly) Boston New Orleans Detroit Virginia Beach Anybody's guess: Puerto Rico But then, I saw this....
Barring new downtown stadium, Columbus Crew set to move to Austin in 2019 https://t.co/LbKXYzRQob— Subscribe to GrantWahl.com (@GrantWahl) October 17, 2017
This move reminds me of Liga MX a lot - teams there relocate whenever the owner doesn't get what he wants in terms of demands or if his political candidate doesn't win. In my opinion, Columbus Crew needs to remain in Columbus - and at Mapfre Stadium. To me, Mapfre is a symbol of American soccer history, as it's the first SSS to have been built here. Also, Mapfre is 20 minutes from downtown - unlike Philly and NYRB stadiums which are a different story. Moving the Crew to Austin, in my opinion, will kill whatever hopes San Antonio FC has of joining MLS.
Wow. And what keeper wouldn’t run for joy when the (losing) shot hit the crossbar. Damn nasty spin on that bounce
Davis lands a NPSL franchise and joins the Sacramento Gold in the NPSL's Golden Gate conference. They'll play at Aggie (football) stadium on the UCD campus. FC Davis, "the Golden Lions:" https://twitter.com/FCDavis_NPSL https://www.footballclubdavis.com/ http://www.npsl.com/news_article/show/856063?referrer_id=1510764
FC Edmonton has closed up shop. That leaves five NASL clubs from 2017 that are still in operation, with two franchises coming in. No telling the fate of PRFC at this point, and Cosmos is only guaranteeing salaries through 12/31.
Fresno Fuego FC @FresnoFuego 23h23 hours ago NEWS: Club awarded 2017 Franchise of the Year by @USLPDL More http://www.fresnofuego.com/news_article/show/865083?referrer_id=2942509 …
Pachuca ended the year winning the 3rd place trophy in the World Club Cup. Great to have them play @ Cal Expo. Hopefully we can see Los Tuzos in the new stadium.
I enjoyed watching them at Bonney. First time I've seen a team come here in their off-season and have the first-teamers take it seriously. You could tell they were on a mission.
Almost posted this on the roster page, but figured most of the discussion, if any, would be off-topic. Well, this is a damn shame, and an opportunity: Still training at Avaya💪🏾, #sjearthquakes still has my locker up ✊🏾 but still no word from @mls 🤐 Don’t know if I can play this year 🤷🏾♂️ and still haven’t been paid since June 💸 #USL #NASL #anyoneneedaroommate pic.twitter.com/amgdnF3Kkt— Marvell Wynne II (@marvwynne22) January 10, 2018 Of course, nothing is simple, given his health issue... MLS stopped paying Marvel Wynne 3 months - after heart surgery.
Do not want him playing for the Quakes, do not want him playing for the Republic. I’m sure he’s a nice guy but he was never great to begin with, is now old and has had serious injuries. Good luck to him wherever he winds up, if he’s good enough to earn a spot somewhere. You can’t earn a spot based on your resume in soccer.
Nemanja Vukovic released from Indy Eleven. https://www.soctakes.com/2018/01/27/franco-vukovic-latest-roster-casualties/ The article says he was moved from LB to midfield to cover his defensive deficiencies. Indy gave up league-high 56 goals. Jon Busch was previously released.
NASL cancels 2018 season After having moved it's 2018 season back to the fall to, supposedly, run with the FIFA schedule, NASL has cancelled its season entirely, with plans to play again in 2019. Which it won't, of course. NASL expansion club San Diego 1904 FC has announced they are close to finalizing an agreement to join USL for 2019. Of the other NASL clubs: Jacksonville - has already announced it will play in NPSL for 2018 and is exploring opportunities beyond that. NY Cosmos - viable franchise but no word on its future. Miami FC - same Cal United - expansion club, no announcement. Puerto Rico FC - post hurricane, probably not viable for either div 2 or div 3, but I'm just speculating.