News: Miami FC and the rest of the TOA confirm New League! Tampa would leave USL

Getting Tampa would be big for the TOA league. Hope it happens.

 

Here comes MLS 2.

 

Yes, and, from our perspective a team in Tampa & Miami would be would be a very good thing (thinking Ultras road trip here... ...)

Maybe. Maybe not. Personally, I hope it does become that, or something like it. Either way it will be interesting to see what develops in the next year or two.

At least it looks like the ULTRAS will have a team to cheer for for another season. I wonder where we'll do our cheering?

 

What's the source for Tampa leaving to TOA?

 

Which is a bit disconcerting. If the franchise fee is a signficant financial barrier, then you have to wonder about the team's capitalization and ability to absorb losses that any new business, much less minor league sports team, incurs.

 

If the TOA is smart the high rollers in the group will do whatever it takes to get Tampa on board. If that means reimbursing Tampa the franchise fee they paid to USL, so be it.

 

Here's my report on the TOA league. I had the chance to speak with Aaron Davidson and Zinho Monday night at the World Cup Miami bid meeting.
http://www.miamisoccerfan.com/Soccer/Home/Entries/2009/11/10_TOA_Premiere_League.html

 

Thanks, Pieter...

 

I guess that this is now "official", since the Miami Herald had a short article about this, and verifying it, in their sport pages today.

Since that is the case, should BigSoccer now have another forum for the new, un-named league with all the teams, including Miami FC, in it?...

 

They'll probably wait until the league has a name and is 100% official.

 

Any ideas on what the name might be?

 

Beats me. I'd like to see NASL make a return, or something with "North America" in it since the league will go into Canada. Ideally MLS-2 would be nice, but that's doubtful right now, although that name wouldn't make much sense. It would really have to be "Minor League Soccer" when you think about it. I hope they shy away from "premier" since it's second division. We'll see.

 

any ideas if the league will run on the international fall schedule??

And if this new league is going to revamp MIami FC does that mean we will get better players in the team??

Just hope they will be ready when the spotlight shines on them... I hope PR can jump on the wagon as well, hopefully tampe can come through I cant wait to see Miami batter Whitestar's sorry ass team....

 

Next year US Open Cup I hope both teams meet. The Ralph's Mob will be their too.

 

http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/11/11/usl-split-could-benefit-mls/

 

TOA a feeder league for MLS...sucks to have a team in TOA

 

Thanks, Pablo. Great link..

Where it sucks is for USL getting the leftovers after MLS & it's feeder get the majority of the cash going to pro soccer. USL would probably have to join up or fold.

As it sits now, or so it seems, USL & the TOA league will both be fighting for whatever scraps MLS does not get. That sucks for both of them.

Perhaps the best idea could borrow an idea from USL - United Soccer Leagues - and create NASL - North American Soccer Leagues - with the current MLS as North American Premier League and anything else beneath that as Div 2 and lower of NASL with eventual promotion/relegation. I don't expect it to happen, but it could be a workable solution.

 

Oh and USL isn't a feeder league for MLS? And MLS a feeder league for EPL, La Liga, Bundesliga, etc. etc. etc. Any American league will be a feeder league to a higher division, whether it is officially branded as such or not, for the foreseeable future.

The TOA league might as well make it official, partner with MLS, and get something out of it, rather than just seeing their best players move up year after year. What they would get is increased stability, exposure and marketing by being associated with MLS. And with at least 2 of it's teams moving to MLS soon(Vancouver for sure, maybe Montréal), it only makes sense.