It's probably going to look really disjointed. As it is, even with a short summer season, USL2 and NPSL clubs already have many players who drop in, play only a few games, and leave. (Often these are top players in college soccer, so they're lock starters for the few games that they play.) Some years ago, when I was trying to put together hypothetical "battle of the states" teams and looking at PDL and NPSL player stats, it was virtually impossible to identify more than three or four first-choice starters for most teams. It was common for teams to have 40 or more players appearing for them in a short regular season, and not all that uncommon to see teams with no player appearing in more than half of the games. Now extend that kind of roster turnover to 9 months.
Only if they're also getting college scholarships or preferential admission to Ivy League schools, apparently.
I actually don't think this is a bad idea, for a couple of reasons ... 1. It expands the presence of these clubs in the community. 2. It gives adults who've been through everything youth and scholastic soccer has to offer them a chance to keep playing for their clubs. 3. It effectively outflanks the UPSL. Now, will we see some delusional owners who think they're suddenly Hoffenheim because they're playing when it's not 90 degrees? Sure.
This is needlessly complicated. How are you keeping players active if you pause after 8 weeks, put together a completely different set of ringers for 10 and then get the other guys back for the Fall? This is going toe be really weird. The NJASA had a regional league back in the 2000s. Most teams were in NJ with a couple in NY, CT, PA, and one in MD for a while. It eventually falls apart because while you require a higher level of professionalism, and this league was really good (better than many USL D3 and PDL teams of the day), but less than what the NPSL proposes in terms of "standards", the guys playing have real jobs, families and the like. That will always win. On top of that, whoever funds it is just going to be pouring money and time in. It isn't even break even. At some point, teams drop because of funding and an inability to fund teams. The semi-pro 6,8,9... levels in the UK can work because its hyper local. Those teams still have a revolving door of players and if you don't sign players to contracts, they can leave for free if a paid team comes in with a deal. The summer college circuit works because there's a lot of players out there. The year round amateur is a rare breed and they are highly concentrated in a few areas where there are already really high quality amateur leagues, NY, NJ, Chicago, MD, Nor Cal, So Cal, Texas, etc...
I know I just said the NPSL's move might be a good idea, but this to me is the biggest drawback. I'm sure NPSL would argue they'll have a higher level of play than the Cosmopolitan Soccer League or Maryland Majors, but will they really?
The handful of teams that can realistically operate at a "higher" level and will be expected to play in both seasons will likely just keep one roster the whole year and let any college guys stunt-cast between May and early August. I can't imagine playing eight games with one set of guys, 12 with another and 10 more with the first. Also, extending their presence in their communities? Most of these communities have no idea about their NPSL club.
The summer works because you can play the college players, but outside of those times it is basically just a high level pub league. It would be like if the Cape Cod Baseball League was like we are going to now play year round in 3 seasons. In the summer the Hyannis Harbor Hawks will feature the best college players in the game a few of which will make it to the majors, but in the spring and the fall the Hyannis Harbor Hawks will replace the college players with guys who played DIII 5 years ago and now work as a teller at NationsBank. Why?
I haven't looked at these specific teams, but I know a lot of PDL/NPSL teams in the past also took advantage of summer field availability. A fair number of the teams use scholastic/collegiate fields that have much more limited availability while school is in session. Extending the season can run into availability issues - in general.
Funny story, I was told by a now-former Hartford City F.C. player that he quit because he was told he would end up riding the bench all season, and he would rather be at home watching TV or going to parties instead, as opposed to the time commitment NPSL required.
No one saw this coming........ Breaking: Two sources tell me that the Philadelphia Fury will be suspending operations in @nisaleague until the Spring season. No comment yet from the club. This will clearly impact the Fall Showcase schedule.— Chris Kivlehan (@kivlehan) September 18, 2019
The leagues response. For immediate release. pic.twitter.com/CiF08tdQs3— NISA Official (@NISALeague) September 18, 2019
Investor pulled their funding.....wonder if the rent to play at Franklin Field had something to do with this.......or possibly they just woke up to the reality that this little venture isn't going to garner much if any interest in Philly. Between the Eagles, and to a much lesser extent the Union finally becoming an attractive playing and winning team this season......Maybe all of the above??
Well this is.......an "interesting" interview........ https://www.frontrowsoccer.com/2019...trying-to-find-a-league-may-not-play-in-2020/
Thanks to the Cosmos NPSL has banned professional players. No-one likes us No-one likes us He claims that USSF could take D3 status away from NISA if they let Cosmos join and there are people at USSF "whose primary job" is to make sure Cosmos don't play. No-one likes us No-one likes us He says "there is a major lawsuit going on and the depositions have already taken place. I feel good. I feel good as to our chances of getting a final judgment in the court system.” Yeah, right. Basically he wants $30 million from USSF.
We ll my opinion of NISA just improved. Looks like everyone has clued in that the Cosmos are the soccer version of an albatross.
I read "we're up to $30 million" as he's saying he's LOST $30 million over time with the Cosmos. In which case you can put paid to the idea that this brand is magic.
I mean it may be true. Everything the Cosmos 2.0 touch has turned to shit. Stand to reason US Soccer might want them gone.
We can't lose sight of how loved Rocco is at Fiorentina though. He is quite clear on that point in the article: “Look at the love the people have for me." In light of this fact, I think we obviously owe him an apology.
"Delusional" is another word you could use. Even "deranged", depending on whether he actually believes any of it.