No doubt but MLS and USL were suppose to be the big bad. Does this effect that lawsuit against MLS considering Silva was, I think, apart of it?
Odds are getting slim at this point. Nashville SC could theoretically sell their franchise rights, especially if they can get in for free or on the cheap as a MLS reserve side in League One. As far as the list of potential buyers, Michigan Stars might be the only viable NISA candidate. Detroit City FC supporters have substantial vitriol towards USL and MLS (more so MLS). New York Cosmos have similarly burned bridges. Stumptown Athletic (Charlotte) and Atlanta SC are in markets that are occupied. Oakland is too close to the East Bay expansion team, and is on the wrong side of the country anyway to be useful here. Outside the NISA, there has been some talk of the Jacksonville Armada and New Orleans Jesters going pro, but both would be unlikely. Armada ownership hasn't been interested in the USL, and the Jesters likely don't have the capital to roll on this short notice. Fresno/Monterey will not happen for 2020, but the league hasn't actually announced their departure.
From what I remember, Silva has largely taken a backseat on making waves with MLS/USSF. I think the lawsuit is largely a Cosmos vs USSF affair at this point. that being said, having Miami FC join USL the same season that Miami is joining MLS is, reportedly, not going over well in MLS HQ. There’s been a growing rift between MLS and USL ever since the MLS2 teams stunk up USL1 from an attendance standpoint. Seems to be a pretty big shift from USL killing a franchise in San Diego because they joined the MLS expansion race.
USL might not have had too much choice about whether to let the The Miami FC in. They may not have chosen to grant them a new franchise, but presumably they have rather less say when an existing franchise is sold to new owners. From their perspective they might simply be making the best of a bad scenario. I can't see Inter Miami being too bothered - it might have a small impact on them, but frankly I would imagine that The Miami might struggle to compete on the marketing and TV coverage front and one suspects they will do well to get their crowds anywhere near the level they had in NASL when they were the only show in town (yes I know Inter are not exactly "in" town)
Exactly. MLS is not worried about Miami FC being in the USLC. MFC won’t take any fans away from Inter Miami. MFC and Bold should be the ones worried about the MLS teams in their cities.
Saw some other note on the web commenting that pro-rel may come at some point because of the Silva/Miami/USL-C move? Or did USL offer a peace offering- you drop the suit against us and we let you in? I not am totally clear is the suit was against ALL leagues or USSF ? And for that matter, since he took over Ottawa franchise, he didn't have to pay a full expansion fee? As for Ottawa, they really belong in CPL and hopefully another ownership group can be found and now USL-C doesn't have the cross border politics in at least their top tier. And having said that, TFC-2 should really move out of USL-1 and probably to the Ontario League or maybe even CPL? The odd ones are the Canadian USL-2 teams, not sure where they can move to especially some like Thunder Bay. Truthfully, if USL-C and USL-1 can figure out a way to have pro-rel within their framework (assume USL-2 not involved as short season amateur) this may be a good thing and we can actually see if this would work in the USA in real life practice rather than just talking about it over and over. (If if works, then MLS may be interested if they can see it would grow the game or generate excitement or if it blows up, they have protected themselves and not taken the hit on it.) Maybe even try to get NISA and NPSL involved and spread the pro-rel to 3 levels. That would be something, but I am not holding my breath.
No... There is speculation that the DRC notified Silva that since Miami FC wasn’t in a league that could be promoted into MLS he didn’t have legal standing to file a complaint regarding the lack of pro/rel. By buying Ottawa FC’s license, Miami FC is now in a league that could/should have pro/rel with MLS.
I have assumed that once USL rebranded and started a Div3 that they would do pro/rel once they filled out their new league. I think their commish has said he was open to the idea eventually.
He said it as recently as in the halftime interview at the championship game. I'm still skeptical about it actually happening, though.
I think someone was stretching for a point. Apparently Silva had no standing in the lawsuit because there was no harm to his team as his team was not a league where it had anything to promote or relegate to, and as the USL has a two level structure... yadda, yadda, yadda I don't think there's anything there, just some commentators wanting there to be something.
OSEG burned too many bridges and they know it. CPL will move on to find new owners and OSEG already said that if a CPL team arrives in Ottawa, they would be able to use TD Place. USL was never really successful in Canada, it's for the best that they stay in the US, more opportunities for more US cities & players. Also, there's no longer a point for USL to count Canadians as domestics either. CPL doesn't want MLS reserve teams in the top tier. As for L1O, that would make sense as the level is much better than people realize. It will happen eventually but it isn't a priority right now. Once CPL launch a D2 league then I think TFC II will move there while Montreal Impact and Vancouver Whitecaps will attempt to put teams there as well Canadian USL-2 teams plays there due to lack of alternatives. BC Soccer will launch a Tier 3 league and have already warned existing teams in USL-2 that Article 73 will be enforced. BC teams will have to join the new league, with the CSA including the teams in the Canadian Championship, it would be a done deal. Thunder Bay was exempt from joining L1O due to distance from Southern Ontario teams (Winnipeg is closer than Toronto). Once a Prairies League launches, it makes more sense to have them join it than L1O The Fury selling their rights to a US group + relocation looks like the blueprint in the case of Canadian teams no longer being allowed to play in MLS.
The Victoria Highlanders will leave USL League 2 to join the Pacific Coast Soccer League in 2020. The goal is to join the new BC League 1 in 2021 which will be sanctioned by the CSA as Division 3. 📰 BREAKING NEWS - It has been confirmed that @HighlandersFC will not be competing in USL League 2 in 2020. They will be focusing on preparations for move to new League 1 BC when starts in 2021. VHFC will play in PCSL in 2020. #COYH #yyj 1/ @LakeSideBuoys— Mike (@VictoriaGooner) December 13, 2019 It is expected that TSS Rovers will do the same.
FC Penn is no more: https://www.brotherlygame.com/2019/...6B35apfMKBlv1pAel1VxplU3rnyRQVmoDnd0kOTZfFkbc
BREAKING: Orange County SC signs historic partnership with @RangersFC of the Scottish Premiership. Read the full Press Release on our website. #ForCounty | #RangersFChttps://t.co/t8DF1FFiKd— Orange County SC (@orangecountysc) December 23, 2019
Coaching vacancies: Orlando City B (USL1) Sacramento Republic (USLC) LA Galaxy II (USLC) Inter Miami II (USL1) Orlando City and LA2 technically have an interim. Defunct: Lansing Ignite (USL1) Ottawa Fury (USLC) Filled: Colorado Switchbacks (USLC) - Alan Koch (former FC Cincinnati head coach) Richmond Kickers (USL1) - Darren Sawatzky (former FC Tucson head coach) Hartford Athletic (USLC) - Radhi Jaïdi (former Southampton FC U23 head coach) San Diego Loyal SC (USLC) - Landon Donovan (co-owner and Executive VP of Soccer Operations) Real Monarchs (USLC) - Jamison Olave (interim head coach) Chattanooga Red Wolves (USL1) - Jimmy Obleda (former Director of Coaching at BOCA Orange County) OKC Energy FC (USLC) - John Pascarella (former Minnesota United assistant) New England II (USL1) - Clint Peay (former North Carolina FC assistant) San Antonio FC (USLC) - Alen Marcina (San Antonio FC assistant) FC Tucson (USL1) - John Galas (FC Tucson assistant)
Given the imbalance in the East (unless they suddenly add another team to make up the difference), teams will play one or two opponents an additional time. This may be good for some teams from a rivalry standpoint, but more likely, we'll see Louisville City get extra matches against Hartford and Atlanta United 2.
------------------- ----------------- And looks like Rochester did not make it back either ? My other surprise, is no team from from Championship to USL -1 ( I am looking at LAG 2, Sporting 2, ATL 2, RBNY 2) as examples. Would have boosted USL-1 size, brought down USL-C a bit to maybe make scheduling a little more manageable) Also, are there rumors of a USL 3rd division? Not sure if that is meant to fall between USL 1 and USL 2 ? I tried Googling because someone told me this oddly enough at an NFL game this week !
Well I prefer to think if these guys can be a NPSL success story...then really anything might be possible for soccer in Rochester (NY): https://www.rochesterlancers.com/blog/2019/lady-lancers-and-lancers-outdoor-combines-announced
And none of the summer amateur leagues should ever be considered part of the professional soccer "triangle". They aren't D4 - there is no "Division 4". The PDL (and NPSL and others) are summer leagues for college players. They are not professional, the teams don't own the players, they can't transfer players in or out, they aren't going to win the league and get promoted to a pro league, ever.