The TOA will play the 2010 season in a new league. Teams such as Miami FC, Atlanta Silverbacks, Minnesota Thunder, Montreal Impact, Carolina Railhawks and the Vancouver Whitecaps will soon be joined by a St. Louis team. Sources indicate Tampa will leave USL and become the 8th team. Tons of links to other sites also included: http://football-miami-n-beyond.blogspot.com/2009/11/miami-fc-and-rest-of-toa-confirm-new.html
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?
Hey Whitestar my source didn't want to be quoted. No official news yet but this information should come out soon. Tampa was always aligned with TOA but they had apparently already given their USL fee. So they might be stuck...
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.
True. But there are other legal issues involved as well. We will hear about this pretty soon along with other teams joining in the days to come. The news out of Montreal is disturbing but I see it more as typical Joey Saputo posturing If you haven't read it here it is: http://www.montrealimpact.com/News/News.aspx?language=EN&ArticleID=1277&Focus=0
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
As always great stuff Pieter! I hope you are wrong about Tampa though. The person I spoke to says Tampa is trying to find a loop hole to get out of USL and even went as far as telling me an announcement would be made. I wouldn't mind the road trip! Either way we waited this long we can wait another year for a Florida Derby!
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?...
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....
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.
Miami FC President Aaron Davidson talks about the new league, Miami FC and the World Cup in Miami. Listen in! http://football-miami-n-beyond.blogspot.com/2009/11/miami-fc-president-aaron-davidson-talks.html
So I am still not convinced that Tampa is leaving USL1 and going with this new league. Maybe they are waiting for the new league to get its act together. I do like the idea of a in-state rival, so it would be great that both Miami and Tampa were in the same league.
Its not looking good for Tampa to join the TOA. They might have to stick it out this year with USL as they want to avoid a lawsuit. Once the TOA's application is approved we will see what happens.