Northeast Ottawa* Toronto Montreal Hamilton* Northern Syracuse Rochester Minnesota Milwaukee Southeast Atlanta S.Florida Richmond Charleston Virginia Beach West Seattle Calgary Portland Edmonton Vancouver
Don't think so - Lot's of wishful thinking there, J-Dog. I'm assuming the stars for Ottawa and Hamilton are "hopeful" situations, but there's been no announcements about either city yet. As for "S. Florida", I'll believe it when they kick off their first game. Any new club needs to be announced far in advance so the clock's ticking! Let's see what get's announced between now and the USL League meetings in November.
Everything I've heard or come across indicates Ajax USA will be out of Orlando in 04. Ottawa is a strong rumor but I've not heard anything offical yet. Cincy looks like it's offically gone and Calgary is still looking for a new owner, but it seems likely they will be back. I've never heard anything about Hamilton joining the A-league. PSL or PDL yes, but not the A-league. Plus I think it's more likely to see 3 divisions instead of four. Northern: Syracuse, Rochester, Toronto, Ottawa*, Montreal, Minn. or Mil. Pacific: Vancouver, Portland, Seattle, Calgary, Edmonton, Minn. or Mil. Southern: Charleston, Ajax (Orlando)*, VA Beach, Atlanta, Richmond
Orlando is going to play in the PDL next year with an eye for the A-League in 2005. I wonder what they're going to do about that name though. Most people are going to take one look at that name and think of sink cleanser. If they hear it, they'll imagine a giant eyeball wielding an axe. The Orlando A-Jacks?
A little more info about Ottawa's bid can be found here. http://www.usldiscussions.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=002541
It is pronounced: eye-axe. As most in the soccer world knows! Ajax is a team from Amsterdam, finishing second in the Dutch League.
I think the point of Khansingh's post is that most non-soccer people (most of the population of the US) wouldn't understand that. I actually remember seeing a press release on both an A-league and PDL team. Anyone remember where that was?
Orlando is 2005, not 2004. http://www.ajax-usa.com/news/2003-2...pplication-for-national-soccer-franchise.html
Re: Don't think so - Ottawa will not be back in the CPSL (I assume). They didn't show up for the league playoffs because the league allowed late transfers of a few players to another team. The Wizards and some other teams were upset at the lack of 'rules' in the CPSL. Apparently, Ottawa will (has) put in an application for the A-League next year. They would probably play at either Frank Clair or Lynx stadium.
Calgary set for '04 The ownership situation for Calgary for the '04 season has been resolved. The ownership sounds like they know what they're getting in for but I'm a little concerned about their commitment. They have good soccer people running it, now hopefully the management side is up to the challenge. I'm just looking forward to watch our Calgary ??? kicking some Edmonton !!!! (any ideas as to when the teams will (or have to) have their "nicknames" announced?).
Awesome! I'd like to see a system much like the AHL's where the have a Canadian division, or an super-integrated league of CPSL & USL. One word: Unstoppable.