Bethlehem’s Future in question?

I know, was trying to be supportive and it read snarky, my apologies.

Ok we need to stop with the tax stuff. The team has done a lot wrong but the situation with the city was created by the state and the way the deal was rammed down the city's throat right before the economy tanked. The costs to the city, shocker, were higher that the annual payments the Union were obligated to make. The city wanted more money and the team wanted the city to provide the services it was pledged via the agreement. Payment was withheld over that dispute and has since been paid. The city was absolutely screwed, no question, but the Union were under no obligation to pay any more than agreed. Remember that at the same time, there were disputes over parking, policing, etc. I have been extremely critical of the team and the way its been run but the legend that grew from something that took place five years ago is ridiculous and criticism misplaced.

 

For some reason I just had a funny vision of Brian Carroll desperately trying to determine who actually owns the Steel.

 

Who own da Chief? Ownnnnssss, Ownnnnnsss!

 

Bullshit.

 

They shouldn't have ever gone to Bethlehem in the first place. It was just another one of Nick's unicorns. Not that Rochester makes sense either, but I've always thought they could be successful operating in Philly or sharing Talen.

 

It's also problematic if the goal is to have your academy and reserve players train with the first team then run off and play with the USL squad on the weekend. No way that happens without a local team they actually own. So much for Najem/Elliott/Epps/Jones/Trusty types getting developmental minutes when they're stuck in Philly b/c they might be needed in the 18.

 

While people complain about driving 20 minutes to see the senior team. Any expectation they had would be an overestimation.

 

They're still the highest attended II team, so I wouldn't say it's a failure at all.

 

Sooo....Let's look at the rumored 2 teams being shuttered:

Orlando City B
Sounders 2
White Caps 2
BSFC

All three (not sure about BSFC, but if Lehigh is out as an option that shoe would fit) currently do NOT meet USSF's D2 standards. Given the "rival" leagues lawsuit against USSF....it wouldn't look good to have to give waivers for 4 teams in order for the USL to meet D2 sanctioning.

It's also going to be way too expensive for each of these teams to play home games at the Senior Teams stadium.

I get the outrage, and agree with it. Yet at the same time.....if your 2 team doesn't have a viable stadium option that meets D2 standards, what are you going to do? If the Sounders are rumored to be shutting down their 2 team, it must either not be a huge help to developing players, a much bigger cost center then fans realize, or both.

 

If they shutter the BSFC I'm done with the Union. I'm already extremely frustrated with the utter imcompetence of this organization, and the spending of Sugarman (or lack there of), but the BS line the whole time has been, well we are one of the best teams in MLS in investing in our school/academy with a USL team straight to MLS. We are going to be a development team. If they go to a partnership the last mirror in the fun house is broken.

I've known for some time that you are lying to me, but if they pull this stunt, they are actually making a mockery of their fans. Honestly I'm beginning to wonder if its better to be a Crew fan!!!!

 

There is no way BSFC needs a waiver for D2, the stadium is fine, net worth of owner is fine, etc. I'm sure the cost is higher than expected and I'd imagine that the partnership with Lehigh is complicated. Without a wholly owned or fully controlled USL team allowing everyone to train together, the entire model and vision the Union have been selling us is a lie at worst and falls apart at best.

 

Sounders dismissed the rumors yesterday saying the team will move to Tacoma next year. Orlando and Kansas City have also dismissed the rumors as well.

 

The Union's response: "we'll do whatever saves us the most money."

 

I am now inspired to wear a mushroom costume to the game sunday.

Or on second thought, maybe just a t-shirt with a mushroom on it. Because that would be a lot easier than a whole costume.

Also, it would need a caption, because no one would get it if I just wore a shirt with a picture of a mushroom on it.

 

If they do shutter BSFC and pick up Rochester as their affiliate I can't see how they could possibly spin this that wouldn't be complete bullshit.

"We feel that partnering with the Rochester Rhinos gives us the opportunity to partner with an organization that has a history of success and can develop our players," inevitable quote from Sugarman or Curtin.

Apparently the Union have ALREADY forgotten the fact that when Harrisburg was their partner many of their players were getting limited playing time and players were getting played in positions that they weren't accustomed to. Harrisburg has different owners than the Union as does Rochester. Its NOT in their interest to develop the Union's talent for them. If I own a USL team and the Union becomes my affiliate, why should I spend resources developing a player that my "affiliate" will call up to the senior team when they feel like it? My USL team could be knee deep in a playoff race and all of a sudden here comes my "affiliate" that says, "Oh that guy that's killing it? We're going to bring him up. Good luck winning some of those matches."

Bethlehem whether one likes it or not, is necessary to develop draft picks and academy players. Move Steel to Talen or something along those lines, but it pretty much means that the "we'll develop our academy players!" angle is pretty much dead if they dump BSFC.

 

It sounds like Bethlehem will definitely be back for 2018 at least.

 

Yeah, I'm not sure what it's worth but a Union rep categorically denied the rumour when I brought it up. Wasn't hedged to only specifically state 2018 either. Still skating on thin ice, though.