Dream scenario. .....RSL buys this franchise to operate it as an extention of their academy system and to spread the brand into the Arizona market. According to reports MLS is strongly encouraging teams to do this with LA and NYRB leading the way. More likely scenario...team folds next week.
I don't think they're going to fold. But given the recent story about the depth of their investment in Casa Grande, it seems like it would make a hell of a lot more sense for them to have this team in USL Pro than the one they're supposedly going to have in San Diego. A Casa Grande - Tucson - Phoenix - Salt Lake pyramid would seem to make a lot of sense.
Cant see them folding either. When Chaves and his team backed out his comment was that PFC had chosen to go a different route with investment. Nothing since has led me to believe that this is not the case, I just think it is taking longer than anyone ever thought it would. I do think this is a make or break week for the 2014 season though. If they do not take leaps forward this week then they will have to kiss the season goodbye. They could always stick a bunch of local lads on the field just to make sure the season take place, but that would be folly from a fan perspective...as that would not help build the fan base they need.
I think this week will bear fruit. I still think they gotta move that game against the Rapids, though. If there aren't guys on the field under the direction of a coach very soon, it gets really problematic.
It would be great to move it and as I said last week, there is an open weekend later in the season. The biggest issue will be if USL or the Rapids are open to that. At the end of the day, if the team lost that game it would not be the end of the world. On the plus side, they then have a further two weeks before the next game.
It would be the prudent thing to do. If they started tomorrow, they could train for one solid month without worrying about having to play a game in 19 days. For the Rapids, it doesn't really mean anything, it's just another reserve league game with a 20% chance of getting snowed out anyway. It's not like their reserve team is going to win USL Pro. But, yeah, tick, tock.
http://www.timeanddate.com/countdow...4&p0=197&fg1=ea0606&msg=Phoenix+FC+First+Game Tick tock indeed.
Old article? http://thesoccerobserver.com/2014/03/07/phoenix-fans-feel-fury-as-wolves-circle-their-club/
I could see that scenario, and unless somebody speaks up soon, that becomes the prudent thing to do. But I don't believe that is the plan. If no one is signed, and no one is training and no one is selling....well, it's easy to envision that, isn't it? Still think this week will bring resolution.
New update from Odeen! Best news is a new GM. http://odfcnews.com/2014/03/12/phoenix-fc-ownership-sources/
The article doesn't really say much that we didn't know before, but it sounds like Odeen knows more than he puts in the article. New management would definitely be welcome, but they are running out of time to get anything done before the season.
Big update on Phoenix FC's website. If that is how they go out, what a disgrace. This sounds like it is officially over. But with these guys you never know, it could just mean its over for them. http://www.phoenixfc.com/
Don't write their obituary quite yet. Looks like there will be more news tomorrow. We're hearing there will be a big announcement ... Tomorrow morning!!!!!! #uslpro @azc_domingo what are you hearing?— Red Fury (@RedFuryPHX) March 13, 2014
Typical of these guys. Instead of being clear, they make a statement like this sounding like they are folding. Typical! Best news of all of this is that they won't be involved. I wasn't ready for that train wreck again.
Well, to be fair, they're being truthful, if not particularly revealing. They won't be operating a USL Pro franchise. This group lasted from December 16 to March 12, not even 90 days. Just another chapter in the history.
The thing is, the way they word it makes it sound like the team is finished. They regret to inform? For anyone that wants soccer to work here, the fact they are selling should be cause for celebration. No one cares about ASM, LLC. You can't make this stuff up.