Potential Dominican Republic USL1/USL2 club

Discussion in 'USL Expansion' started by Erik S, Apr 12, 2009.

  1. Erik S

    Erik S Member

    Jul 9, 2008
    Charleston, SC
    Club:
    Charleston
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I have heard the past week that there is interest to bring a USL club to the Dominican Republic. I did some quick research on the Dominican Republic and I found this out, the city of Santo Domingo is the capital of the Dominican Republic and is the largest city in the Carribean. Santo Domingo would be the city where a USL club would probably be, I think. In 2006, the estimated population was 2,253,437. The city is absolutely beautiful. If I was the USL, I would seriously take a look at the possibility of a USL club in the Dominican Republic. There would be an instant rivalry with the Puerto Rico Islanders. At first, I thought that a USL1/USL2 club in the Dominican Republic was stupid but after doing some research it is a good idea I think. However, If the Dominican Republic got a team in the USL, I would place them in USL2 first and let them work their way up.

    the city of Santo Domingo
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santo_Domingo

    What do yall think?
     
  2. DavidP

    DavidP Member

    Mar 21, 1999
    Powder Springs, GA
    Can't happen, as far as I know. DR already has their own league. And I think it's dumb, anyway; travel costs are killing USL teams as it is, why keep up the carnage?
     
  3. Jaydawgg22

    Jaydawgg22 Member

    Jun 26, 2007
    Astoria Queens NYC
    Club:
    Blackburn Rovers FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    PR and Bermuda also have thier own leagues, the travel is a valid point though. if it is gonna happen put them in USL 1 as the travel issues would be less of an issue in that league.
     
  4. Erik S

    Erik S Member

    Jul 9, 2008
    Charleston, SC
    Club:
    Charleston
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Just because DR has their own league doesnt mean that it wouldnt work. Im pretty sure the fans would be more excited about the USL than the Liga Mayor. And as far as travel goes, DR is closer than Puerto Rico. And if the teams cant afford the travel then they should be in USL2. The USL1 clubs would only make one trip out there anyways. Its not dumb but the odds are against it happening.
     
  5. Intru

    Intru Member

    Mar 16, 2006
    Rochester, NY
    Club:
    Puerto Rico Islanders
    Jaja we would finally have a away trip probably not ferry rides are expensive we seriosly need a public ferry to DR, jeje
     
  6. AdamSoucie

    AdamSoucie New Member

    Dec 20, 2008
    Orlando, FL
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Would we have to add another team to the Ponce de Leon Cup?
     
  7. brentgoulet

    brentgoulet Member+

    Oct 12, 2005
    PuertoPlata, DomRep
    I live in the DR since 93 and I have never heard of any intrest to play in USL1 or 2
     
  8. Erik S

    Erik S Member

    Jul 9, 2008
    Charleston, SC
    Club:
    Charleston
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    It was actually a few weeks ago I heard this, it was a report I think.
     
  9. DaSage

    DaSage New Member

    Oct 27, 2008
    San Juan Puerto Rico
    I have contacts in Santo domingo and they have said it is true... Supposedly Ponce River Plate migth be moving to Santo Domingo, though that I beleive not to be true. More than likely it be a mix between the owners of the local PR club and some local Dominican investors...

    anyhow the biggest problem here would be that you would be adding a 5th FA to USL, and more visa problems. But other than that, a stong ownership group might be what the DR need.
     
  10. DaSage

    DaSage New Member

    Oct 27, 2008
    San Juan Puerto Rico
    errm Amateur League... and its level is way below the PDL. Actually the local PR league is far superior to the Liga Mayor.
     
  11. Islanders4Ever

    Islanders4Ever New Member

    May 1, 2008
    Washington DC
    Club:
    Puerto Rico Islanders
    Nat'l Team:
    Puerto Rico
    These rumors have been flying around for a couple of years now. Some people in the DR were interested in getting a USL-1 club after the Islanders started playing.

    I think it's improbable but not impossible.
     
  12. brentgoulet

    brentgoulet Member+

    Oct 12, 2005
    PuertoPlata, DomRep
    First of all, the local league ''liga mayor'' is below PDL level

    Second, River Plate already has a proyect in Bayaguana, so maybe they would become the main investor

    Third, US citizins do not need visas to enter the DR

    Fourth, the DR is a baseball nation, so is Puerto Rico and their Islanders team seems to be doing well, so nothing is impossible
     
  13. DaSage

    DaSage New Member

    Oct 27, 2008
    San Juan Puerto Rico

    emmm isnt that what I said? except the Visas... because we need to use passports to enter DR...
     
  14. brentgoulet

    brentgoulet Member+

    Oct 12, 2005
    PuertoPlata, DomRep
    Strange that our boricua friends would need pasaportes, because europeans and americans can come in with their ID cards as far as I know

    I don't know if many people will remenber this but a few years ago the MNT had to play against Haiti in Miami, and a few MNT members abandonned the squad before the game and were picked up by their relatives who already live in the USA

    So that could become a problem for the dominican USL2team, they could start the season with a 20 men roster, but after a few visits to US soil, that number could be a lot lower
     
  15. DaSage

    DaSage New Member

    Oct 27, 2008
    San Juan Puerto Rico
    Dude... the laws in the US changed... you should seriously check the Homeland Security Act
     
  16. Islanders4Ever

    Islanders4Ever New Member

    May 1, 2008
    Washington DC
    Club:
    Puerto Rico Islanders
    Nat'l Team:
    Puerto Rico
    DaSage please refrain from chastising others when you yourself don't know what you are talking about.

    The fact that US citizens need a passport to go in and out of certain countries in the Caribbean/Central America has NOTHING to do with the Homeland Security Act. That is the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.

    The Homeland Security Act is the Act that created that department of Homeland Security....



    Regardless, this act also affected Canada and you don't see a problem there with USL/MLS teams. I don't think that would be a major issue with a USL team in the DR.
     
  17. DaSage

    DaSage New Member

    Oct 27, 2008
    San Juan Puerto Rico

    OOOPS!!! Wrong law :( ... Yeah that one... and yeah I agreee... thats what I've been saying :S
     
  18. BoriQa

    BoriQa New Member

    May 26, 2007
    Ajax, Canada
    Club:
    Puerto Rico Islanders
    I guess so...

    Ponce de León was governor of the Higuey Province of Hispaniola in 1504-05, before becoming governor of Puerto Rico or discovering Florida.

    He married there and his children were born there too.
     
  19. The Marquis

    The Marquis Moderator
    Staff Member

    Aug 13, 2007
    Washougal, WA
    Club:
    Portland Timbers
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Doesn't Santo Domingo have a nice appropriately sized stadium in the center of the city as well?
     
  20. brentgoulet

    brentgoulet Member+

    Oct 12, 2005
    PuertoPlata, DomRep
     
  21. The Marquis

    The Marquis Moderator
    Staff Member

    Aug 13, 2007
    Washougal, WA
    Club:
    Portland Timbers
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I was thinking of La Barranquita which isn't in Santo Domingo at all, so nevermind.
     
  22. brentgoulet

    brentgoulet Member+

    Oct 12, 2005
    PuertoPlata, DomRep

    La barranquita is in Santiago, the second largest city in the country

    I have no idea if they still play soccer over there

    IMO, the main problem with the devellopment of soccer in the DR is the lack of soccer fields, we have maybe 20 of them, most of them in awfull conditions
     
  23. DaSage

    DaSage New Member

    Oct 27, 2008
    San Juan Puerto Rico
    Maybe a USL1 team would be good... forcing the government to restore and make them SSS and FIFA approved again ;)
     
  24. Erik S

    Erik S Member

    Jul 9, 2008
    Charleston, SC
    Club:
    Charleston
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Exactly, its a good situation for the USL and the Dominican Republic. This team would bring more interest about soccer in the city they choose to play in and the country as a whole. People would be more excited to see teams like FC New York, Montreal and Puerto Rico than the Liga Mayor. Travel wont be a big issue at all. The teams that would possibly play them twice in the Dominican Republic would be Puerto Rico, Miami and Tampa/Orlando/Charleston. If they played, I hope it would be in Santo Domingo. The population is 2.3 million and the people, I think would really get behind their team. I think it would make an amazing atmosphere. But will it happen?
     
  25. Islanders4Ever

    Islanders4Ever New Member

    May 1, 2008
    Washington DC
    Club:
    Puerto Rico Islanders
    Nat'l Team:
    Puerto Rico
    ^^ Hopefully it does, I think it would be great for the league as there would be an instant rivalry/classic match between Puerto Rico and RD.
     

Share This Page