NASL. I don't think USL takes teams in MLS markets that aren't MLSII teams. Atlanta, Orange County and San Diego are likely to be announced as new NASL clubs in the next month or two.
I actually asked about this in interview questions I have out to USLs PR firm for Jake Edwards to answer.
There's not too much that's new here, but here is an article about Detroit City FC and their bid to move up. The article mentions that the club has "talked extensively" with the NASL. http://www.crainsdetroit.com/articl...-bid-to-turn-pro-hinges-on-outside-investment
It appears that one or more of the groups talking to the NASL has been approved and an official announcement is expected next week. My guess is San Diego and Orange County, but we'll see. http://www.firstcoastnews.com/sport...announcement-with-nasl-commissioner/436796965 I was surprised that it wasn't a new owner for the Armada...another to-do item on the league's agenda.
Based on the leagues track record I'm willing to bet that this will be nothing more then an announcement about forthcoming expansion announcements.
People will disagree, but I'm glad Eric Wynalda will be coaching at a decent level. I think this is good news. The guy has been passed over for coaching gigs so many times, and he's just never gotten a fair coaching shake. Yeah, he brought a lot of that on himself. But, still ...
Here's a link to the article by Wahl regarding the new OC team. https://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2017/05/10/orange-county-nasl-expansion-2018-eric-wynalda
Hope it works out, with OC Blues there I've never been a big fan of expanding in the LA market. I think it could support an NASL team alongside the MLS teams, but I'm not sure it will support an NASL and USL team. Right now though the league needs teams, if the NASL thinks this owner has the means and wherewithal to run an NASL team, then they don't have much choice. I don't have high hopes it will be a long term success for the NASL, I'm just hoping it can be a decent stop gap that helps to open the door towards further expansion (such as Las Vegas).
Yeah they're a couple of years late IMO. When the Blues were still the Blues, and drawing a few hundred a game in Irvine they were not a relevant competitor (and LAG2 remain irrelevant). But between LAFC starting next year, and the now OCSC in a proper SSS and resurgent, the greater LA market is going to be an even tougher pie to get a slice of than it would have been a year or two ago. But NASL can't exactly be picky right now.
So th This rumored owner is Owner/CEO of Cotti Foods who own 62 Taco Bells, and 43 Wendy’s, and two Pieology restaurants. So he likely has some $$ but not sure how willing he will be to just burn it.
Orange County is official. http://www.nasl.com/news/2017/05/10/orange-county-joins-nasl-as-expansion-club-for-2018-season Cal State Fullerton is about 20 miles from Orange County Great Park where Orange County SC plays.
Agreed, one thing I can say that is a positive, they are owned by a local businessman. It isn't a like OKC where you have a foreigner who knows nothing about the city they are getting into, or an athlete/entertainer who I do not trust to have the business sense or attention span to run a sports franchise.
Very soon. Maybe later this week or next week. I had an interview lined up that got postponed bc the announcement is very near.
That's good to know. Of the three new NASL teams on the west coast SD definitely seems to make the most sense. Particularly if as expected the drop the team in North County regardless if MLS gets the green light for 2020 in Mission Valley. I'm not hopefully the other two western teams will figure it out, SF desperately needs to invest in a real venue in a real location (presuming they're willing to spend what it will take to make it happen). And OC are going to have to work triple time to carve out a niche in the face of 4 other local D1 and D2 competitors (if it's possible to carve that niche out at all). But if they can... or if the west can get some teams in locations that actually make sense like the Inland Empire, Stockton, Oakland, etc...