AZ United General News and Information Thread

Unless they move to Surprise, they can't get much further away further away from me. Being objective though, the East Valley has more people. The East Valley also has light rail, but it doesn't go near old town Scottsdale or very far into Mesa. The West Valley has cities desperate for money. Maybe they could dupe Glendale into spending a bunch of money on them; it worked for the Coyotes.

Realistically, there aren't many existing options. It's pretty much spring training facilities or community colleges. After that, nothing is going to work without modifications or renovations.

Scottsdale Stadium has a lot of restaurants and shops in close proximity, but parking is an issue there. I also get the impression that Scottsdale is not as desperate as Peoria to get a non-spring training tenant in the stadium.

I don't know if the Cubs would be okay with it, but the new stadium at Riverview in Mesa is an intriguing idea. It's somewhat close to the light rail, easily accessible from the 202, and has lots of restaurants and shops nearby.

 

PSC hasn't been ideal, but it's been reasonable for what it is. Concessions are on par with what I'd expect at a minor league sporting event. I also think ticket prices have been reasonable this year. The LFR vs. being appropriate thing is always a battle, even though I am no longer active in the group, I understand both sides of it. If they could move to Riverview I could walk there, therefore it is the best option for everyone.

 

There's a really nice hospital, and a lot of various healthcare providers Old Town is probably where people will go for pre/post gaming if it ends up there. And yes parking is an issue.

 

Based on Kyles comments, last night, we learned a few things:

1. PSC it is for next season.
2. By 2020 season all USLPro teams must be playing in soccer specific stadiums.
3. Talks regarding preseason games are already underway.
4. Expecting to announce a MLS partnership in the next couple of weeks. No hints were given as to who that might be (wont be Montreal as they just announced a USL team for next season)
5. Hoping for a game or two against Tucson next season.

Probably missed other stuff, but those were the highlights.

 

Yeah, must admit I kinda read into that as more soccer only but who knows. Thankfully its 5 1/2 years away, so lots of time to work things out.

 

So....with Kyle stating that they expect to announce an MLS affiliation by the end of September, who do you think it will be?

Some of the possibilities are: Dallas, Colorado, NYRB, Chivas and NYCFC
Affiliated this season or announced affiliations for next: Orlando, Columbus, Philadelphia, Kansas City, Houston, DC, New England, San Jose, Toronto and Chicago

Out of the running because they are doing their own thing for 2015: Seattle, RSL, LA, Montreal, Portland
Expected to announce their own thing for 2015: Vancouver

Dallas would not be long term as they have stated they plan to have a team in 2016
Colorado had previously stated they would not affiliate with a team
NYRB are actively looking for an affiliate after confirming they wont be fielding their own
Chivas....well enough said
NYCFC.....Yeah, OK we will take Villa for next season

Not sure if any of those already affiliated are looking to change.

Any insight?

 

Would probably be useful to look at the unaffiliated USL PRO sides as well.
AZ United, Charlotte (whatever they will be next season), OC Blues, Austin Aztex, CS Switchbacks. Tulsa Roughnecks. Oh and if Vancouver gets their own thing afterall, that leaves Charleston unaffiliated.

 

Clearly the Blues should affiliate with Chivas

 

Pretty strong rumors of Colorado Rapids affiliating with the Charlotte Independence. Dallas and Austin makes a lot of sense, but Dallas could also go to Tulsa as well for a year. Wouldn't be shocked if Houston or Toronto made a change with the "who" ... but no real good reason for that other than Geography ... Chicago/St. Louis are sort of "announced/rumored" but not locked in I'd assume.

 

Also Houston will be creating their own team in 2016, so that will leave Pittsburgh without an affiliate.
http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...sentatives-nearby-mcallen-over-creating-usl-p

 

Does this look right?

Team - Affiliate
Arizona United - N/A
Austin Aztex - N/A
Charleston Battery - Vancouver Whitecaps
Charlotte Eagles (to Rebrand) - N/A
Colorado Springs Switchbacks - N/A
Dayton Dutch Lions - Columbus Crew
FC Montreal - Montreal Impact
Harrisburg City Islanders - Philadelphia Union
LA Galaxy II - LA Galaxy
Louisville City - Orlando City FC
N/A - Atlanta
N/A - Chivas USA
N/A - Colorado Rapids
N/A - FC Dallas
N/A - NY Red Bulls
N/A - NYCFC
OC Blues - N/A
Oklahoma City Energy - Sporting Kansas City
Pittsburgh Riverhounds - Houston Dynamo
Portland Timbers Reserves - Portland Timbers
Real Monarchs - Real Salt Lake
Richmond Kickers - DC United
Rochester Rhinos - New England Revolution
Sacramento Republic - San Jose Earthquakes
Seattle Sounders Reserves - Seattle Sounders
St. Louis FC - Chicago Fire
Tulsa Roughnecks - N/A
Wilmington Hammerheads - Toronto FC

 

I wouldn't worry about trying to predict 2016, so don't count Houston out as either re-upping with Pittsburg or moving to to Austin/Tulsa? Also take out the NYRB Reserves for 2015. And I'm not positive about Portland (much more positive about FC Montreal and RSL ... and more or less with Seattle.

I also wouldn't worry about typing Atlanta either as they're a ways out!

It also depends on if you're going on official (which little is set) or rumor (looks like you have Chicago/St. Louis) and if you want to continue with rumors, I'd go ahead and pencil Charlotte Indpendence and the Colorado Rapids up next to each other.

 

According the Charlotte Observer, Colorado will affiliate with Charlotte.


I'd like to see AZ United go with FC Dallas or Chivas (assuming they don't go on hiatus). Both teams seem to have good young talent. Chivas Reserves were pretty impressive when they played AZ United.

 

Dallas rumored to be going with Tulsa for 2015, then creating their own FC Dallas B for 2016. Chivas will probably not go on hiatus (it's possible, but not likely). I suspect you will see new branding after the season ends.

 

How about now?
Team - Affiliate - Notes
Arizona United - N/A -
Austin Aztex - N/A -
Charleston Battery - Vancouver Whitecaps - (established)
Charlotte Independence - Colorado Rapids - (announced)
Colorado Springs Switchbacks - N/A -
Dayton Dutch Lions - Columbus Crew - (established)
FC Montreal - Montreal Impact - (announced)
Harrisburg City Islanders - Philadelphia Union - (established)
LA Galaxy II - LA Galaxy - (established)
Louisville City - Orlando City FC - (announced)
N/A - Chivas USA -
N/A - NY Red Bulls -
N/A - NYCFC -
OC Blues - N/A -
Oklahoma City Energy - Sporting Kansas City - (established)
Pittsburgh Riverhounds - Houston Dynamo - (established)
Portland Timbers Reserves - Portland Timbers - (Likely)
Real Monarchs - Real Salt Lake - (announced)
Richmond Kickers - DC United - (established)
Rochester Rhinos - New England Revolution - (established)
Sacramento Republic - San Jose Earthquakes - (established)
Seattle Sounders Reserves - Seattle Sounders - (Highly likely)
St. Louis FC - Chicago Fire - (rumored)
Tulsa Roughnecks - FC Dallas - (rumored)
Wilmington Hammerheads - Toronto FC - (established)

 

Yeah Chivas (or whatever they are called) in 2015 is problematic no matter which way they end up going. The rumor mill is churning on where they will be playing already, but it's all just talk for now of course, if the league would allow it, they could get away with playing in a much smaller, more affordable stadium in the short term.

According to this article we won't know until at least October 6th.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/19/s...g-shuttering-chivas-usa-temporarily.html?_r=0

 

And what do you do with a pretty decent academy?

 

I think when Kyle gets put on the spot, he sometimes shoots from the hip. Clearly still negotiating with multiple parties. Would love for them to move east bit.

They could just take over Maryvalle once the Brewers move out

Just kidding.

They had mentioned Scottsdale Stadium...what do you, realistically, think the others are? Cubs?