Not really. I still have the same feelings toward the ownership group that I had before. I live right by Taft stadium and every time I see all the work being done I think that it was originally for OKC FC. And all the subterfuge that went on behind the scenes in regards to Tim McLaughlin and the stadium lease just still leaves a bad taste in my mouth. And it's not just the energy. I haven't been to a Barons hockey game in 3 yrs (and apparently, neither has anyone else! <RIMSHOT!>) . So them leaving town after this season puts a guilty smile on my face. I may be alone in the way I feel, and that's fine. People are free to support whoever they want. I go to Skinny Slims to watch a lot of EPL games and a lot of the guys there are in The Grid. I don't begrudge them that at all. Have fun. I just can't do it. As for their marketing efforts, and such, they've done a great job. Even I have to admit that. The one thing i hope they don't start is the whole "We're going to MLS!" BS. I do have to admit that I will be attending my very first Energy game in a few weeks. Me and 7 of my friends will be there, all wearing Seattle Sounders colors, to cheer on SSFC2. Should be fun.
Thanks for the honest answer. I know there were some doubts about the competancy with regards to that ownership group (nevermind the sleeziness of their tactics) and how they ran the hockey team into the ground ... just good to see that they've possibly improved or are more suited for this (or at least surrounded themselves with people who are better at it this time around). That's more or less what I was looking for. Good to hear that they're doing better in that regard ... even from a skeptic/hater! Hope you enjoy the game though ... would love to hear about Taft as well!
Well, on the bright side, we can officially confirm that the Virginia Cavalry are never going to be part of the NASL, and Oklahoma City (whom they never bothered linking to anyway) isn't likely to be joining as well.
No... Bill Peterson was just asked about VA and OKCFC on Soccer Morning today. Based on his comments OKCFC is in a far better position and will still likely be launched. VA on the other hand has serious issues regarding the stadium and while the potential ownership group is still working the issue and Peterson said his office is in contact with them every couple of weeks it's still likely a longshot... But not "officially". He did menetion that they have interest from various potential ownership groups in the "double digits" and the delay in further expansion in Canada is becuase of his office. Watch/listen to the interview: http://worldsoccertalk.com/podcasts/2015/soccer-morning-3-31-15-bill-peterson-135132/
NASL: Virginia Cavalry on ice, but not dead, as “anonymous” ownership group gathers http://www.soccerwire.com/news/pro/...as-anonymous-ownership-group-gathers/?loc=psw When Virginia was first awarded an expansion team in the NASL, former D.C. United goalkeeper and assistant coach Mark Simpson was named director of soccer operations. But with no team, and now no ownership group, he’s lately been helping try to woo investors to be part of the Virginia NASL ownership group. “That’s exactly where we are: nothing to report,” Simpson told SoccerWire.com. “I wish I had more. The ownership is being restructured. Who is in it is still to be determined, and it would be premature to say where we are.”
Well considering their would be stadium is dead... don't see how the team would move on even with new ownership. And LA has fallen through which basically puts the western expansion on ice since one team alone wasn't going to come in up in the Bay Area (assuming they could even conclude those negotiations successfully). It just seems NASL is announcing new team possibilities far too early in the process.
Don't think NASL has ever stated they wouldn't put only a single team on the west coast. If an ownership group is moneyed enough like NY Cosmos, Tampa Bay, etc why would they not? As for Virginia a new ownership group could negotiate a deal for the land that the old group was supposed to use for their stadium, or use another existing stadium in the Northern Virginia area but IMHO I don't thing there's much of a chance of a NASL club materializing out of the Calvary situation to be honest.
They had a chance to take the market in OKC but one of the owners was a lying, conniving sack of $#!+ who lied to the other partners, tried to sell the team to the USL owner behind their backs, told them he "wanted out of soccer", turned up two weeks later as one of the owners of the USL team, and kept the lease for the new stadium he had negotiated for the NASL team and gave it to his new USL team.
Seems a moot point now since SF fell through as well as I expected it would. NASL is back to square one out west with the clock running out.
I don't know that it's "running out," but it's ticking. I don't believe USSF is going to hold their feet to the fire on that requirement tomorrow, but if we're still talking about it next year, somebody's going to have to have a talk with somebody. Of course, the whole Davidson/Traffic thing has to be dealt with first, and I would imagine you could make that case to USSF when asking for a waiver from the East/Central/Pacific by year six (which is next year) requirement.
Of course you could make the argument USSF will hold that against them as well. Don't know which is the better argument, but it's not necessarily something they're going to look at as a legitimate excuse. Especially if the pressure keeps up on rooting out impropriety in soccer.
Funny looks like DC might move to Loudoun county. http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/...ur-d-c-united-considers-bolting-for-virginia/
http://www.bizjournals.com/washingt...dium-lease-terminated-developers.html?ana=twt Loudoun Hounds stadium lease terminated, developers to pursue sports complex Feb 29, 2016, 6:32am EST
they apparently keep trying to build the baseball stadium: http://www.theburn.com/2017/01/27/new-effort-underway-bring-minor-league-baseball-area/ JANUARY 27, 2017 5:38 PM NEW EFFORT UNDERWAY TO BRING MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL TO AREA