USSF in cahoots with MLS increasing the requirements for Division 2 certification in such a way as to benefit MLS and USL and to the detriment of NASL. That part is pretty straightforward as that is exactly what they did. There are a few other elements to the case. You can read about it on NASL.com. Basically, they made requirements for city size and stadium size that only MLS could match, and that would work for USL because several USL teams play in MLS stadia. The percentage requirements were tailored to fit USL because of the MLS teams in the league. The stadia size requirements were absurd because NASL weren't drawing enough fans to fill the stadia they had. Sure, teams like FC Edmonton needed bigger stadia, but most of the clubs were in decent digs. Also, USSF changed the timeline for compliance on NASL without any warning or discussion. To a rational outside observer, it sure looks like MLS and USSF tried to kill NASL. Oh!! Also, USSF allowed people with connections fo MLS and USL to be involved in these decisions, so a clear conflict of interest. BUT, by the time the NASL wins their lawsuit, it won't matter because four of their teams are already in USL and one in the CPL. So they are still dead even if they win the lawsuit. It's really sleazy of USSF and MLS too. But then, we already knew those orgs were sleazy. Go Quakes!! - Mark
Us Quakes fans have never trusted MLS and the powers that be. I think the MLS model is a good one but I can see how they would block out the NASL. I never card for this new NASL but the USSF or MLS had no right to blackball the NASL. They should allow them to do their own thing. Especially for a nation this size, the more leagues and player, the better. Just wish they would all work together and on get on the same page.
Thinking it over more , this whole thing reminds me so much of the old USFL vs. NFL lawsuit where the fledgling league won or were awarded only $1 in damages. I can't remember if the NFL was ordered to pay lawyer and court fees though.
I love how they conveniently forget that NASL was involved in making those division standards they later regressed from and couldn’t meet.
USSF/MLS moved the goals on them. They were on target to compliance early, then with changed requirements, they had trouble attracting new owners. NASL were OK with the orginal requirements, it's the one-sided changing of the requirement that got them. In any case, even if they win, it probably won't change anything. Go Quakes!! - Mark
I had read the NASL were going to join forces with the new third tier NISA who never got off the ground yet but then their founder suddenly died. I can’t find much online. Is there anymore news on this?
cool video Introducing the second and third players in Roots history: Eritrean-born, Oakland-raised midfielder, Yohannes Harish Mexican-born, Oakland-raised attacker, Julio Cervantes pic.twitter.com/siEwxp66up— Oakland Roots (@oaklandrootssc) March 18, 2019
-------------------------- I have always put a lot of the problems with all our leagues on USSF door step, with what appears to be one exception- anti trust/competition. I don't believe in multiple leagues within the same division, but I am sure the lawyers for USSF know how thats a hard issue to defend. So maybe USSF just piles on the requirements so some leagues or teams just die off by themselves or never get off the ground.... I agree with the above post, wish everyone would just work together for the common good of the game, but we all know, too many egos, too many lawyers causes problems. Wish the USSF had a bigger backbone, but I am sure they are tired of all the legal issues. Yes, with the size of the country, no reason we can't have divisions or levels set up that were any team that wants to play can find a level that fits their budget or ambition.
========================== Unless they are playing heavily within their respective regions, i see some big travel expenses and I am not sure they have the fan base/budgets to support this. For that matter , I see the same issue with USL-1
I agree with this. What is often lost is how big the US (plus Canada for this purpose) is compared to the leagues in Europe. Seattle to NYC is basically the same as London to Kazakhstan. This is one of the big reason why the US, in all sports, creates regional divisions.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BwsP63llH2W/ oaklandroots_sc Introducing our No. 10: Bay Area native and former U.S. Youth National Team midfielder Benji Joya. https://oaklandrootssc.com/blog/benjijoya
Two of those other California teams are already dead... will this league ever get off the ground? I have heard from several sources that @Cal_FC is out of the Founders Cup. The financial strain would be too much for the club at this time, without additional investor backing. #NPSLPro #FoundersCup— Chris Kivlehan (@kivlehan) April 29, 2019 falvo maybe their previous intro video is more your style Introducing our first-ever player, Oakland native Devante Dubose.https://t.co/hKHZgUXmvq pic.twitter.com/Aseg92LJvL— Oakland Roots (@oaklandrootssc) February 19, 2019
As a player, Paul Bravo won national titles with Bay Area teams Santa Clara University, the San Francisco Bay Blackhawks and San Francisco Greek-Americans. He started for the San Jose Clash in the inaugural MLS game in 1996. The 1994 San Francisco Greek Americans, Paul Bravo (back row, second from left).