The NASL has always been accommodative to the CFU, Canadian, US and CONCACF Cup participants. The problem with the CFU Caribbean Cup is that is its run by the CFU. To quote Sam Mussabini, I have seen better organized riots. Last year, the first and second round dates changed due to venue problems and the finals moved due to teams not being able to get visas for their players. Don't know how it went this year, but the teams in this year's Champions League were to be expected. If PRI makes a come back, their initial goal will be to return to Caribbean prominence (read make the Champions League again) and then be competitive in the NASL and make the playoffs via whatever format they use next year. I think this could be done with hard work and organization. In the past, hard work has not been a problem for the Islanders. The organization part has been hard to come by.
The CONCACAF Champions League started last night. Now, I really feel the loss of the Islanders. How can it be that the CCL is starting and PRI is not representing the Caribbean? I guess all good things must come to an end. This good thing ended a little too soon.
http://www.empireofsoccer.com/nasl-...-league-expansion-puerto-rico-islanders-more/ Here is the latest... In interview last week with Empire of Soccer, this is what NASL Commissioner Bill Peterson had to say about the state of the Puerto Rico Islanders: “They [Puerto Rico Islanders] need to reorganize the ownership group and be in a position where we are confident they have the funds needed no matter what good or bad happens,” Peterson explains. “They rely on a lot of sponsorship from government agency’s, tourists groups and stuff like that, which is fantastic, and by the way, if I had money myself, I would buy them because I think it would be very successful from a financial standpoint as well, (but) they haven’t put the group together as far as I know.” Their continuous lack of progress is pushing the league to “reach a deadline” on their ultimate fate, though no hard date was given for that. “Sometime in the near future, it will reach a critical point where we make some decisions,” Peterson bluntly explains. “Are you able to get this done or not? If not, they won’t be able to play in the league.
As reported on PrimeraHora.com, the Puerto Rico Islanders have informed the NASL that they will not be back for the 2014 Spring Championship Season. Please Mr. commissioner Bill Peterson, do the right thing and pull the plug from this disastrous joke of a team. http://thisiscosmoscountry.com/?p=7685
Sad to see the Islanders go. The 'Caps won their last Div II title against them while the Islanders were on their great CCL run. We also lost our last game in Div II to them as well in the playoffs. They will be missed. The only silver lining as a Canadian soccer fan is that this opens up another international slot for a Canadian team to join the NASL now.
So if they want back in they have to do so as an expansion team - http://the11.ca/2013/08/19/nasl-com...xpansion-process-edmonton-meetings-went-well/
There is an article about the Islanders in this months "World Soccer Magazine". Not aware that it is available online. It confirms what has already been reported, that the Islanders would have to re-apply for NASL membership. However, quotes from the ownership indicate that they are still trying to find funding to rejoin. A quote from President Jorge Pierluisi "The best scenario for a return would be th clausura in August 2014, but most probably it will be in 2015." Despite that optimism there is nothing in the article that suggests that they are any closer to finding the money necessary to compete in the NASL. It talks about the ownership being a diverse group of business man and quotes from both government and the Puerto Rico football association basically saying that they "support" the Islanders, but as a private organisation they won't be providing any funding.