A team that they play twice a year (the same amount they play most every MLS team) in the Canadian qualifying tournament for the Champions League.
Hey guys, I want to introduce you to MASTERSHAKE, he's obsessed with the BB. The man instead of worrying about his Red Bulls spends his time on BS worrying about the BB and now FCNY. Welcome MASTERSHAKE, may you continue providing us with all sorts of entertainment and joy.
You've got to be kidding,right? Have you watched any DC United,Chicago Fire,Seattle Sounders or Toronto FC games?
Indeed. I've never understood the need to try to tear something down to make someone feel better. Must be jealousy. Go RailHawks!
I follow all levels of football in the US, PDL and above... I love how USL is structured. It's great and I consider it my favorite league because it's got heart and charm. As for MLS, I can't stand how it is structured, but as a business, MLS is far superior to USL. It's hard to count the number of USL-1 clubs who have gone under in the last 14 years since MLS started... For MLS it's only been 2. If I'm going to have a club (which I do) I'm going to want them in MLS simply because the likelyhood of them sticking around is much much greater. RIP: Atlanta Silverbacks (pending) Atlanta Ruckus Calgary Mustangs/Storm California Victory Colorado Foxes (not the same club as Real Colorado Foxes of PDL) Boston Bulldogs California Jaguars Cincinatti Riverhawks Connecticut Wolves Edmonton Aviators Hershey Wildcats Indiana Blast Jacksonville/Tampa Bay Cyclones Lehigh Valley Steam Maryland Mania Milwaukie Wave United Milwaukie Rampage New Orleans Storm New York Fever Orlando Sundogs Raleigh Express/Flyers Sacramento/Albuquerque Geckos San Diego Flash San Francisco Bay Seals (Oh, so close still being around) Staten Island Vipers Syracuse Salty Dogs Virginia Beach/Hampton Roads Mariners and that's just former USL-1 clubs that have folded (or gone inactive in Atlanta's case) since 1996.
There are a boatload of those clubs who never should have been there in the first place. It's not so much the fault of the league, as it is those who got in who were woefully undercapitalized, or had money and didn't know how to spend it wisely. Others had stadium issues, and no Plan B. And others simply had no clue (yeah, the league could have been more selective, but you know... )
That's my point. A good business plan would have never allowed for many of those clubs to exist. Some have been very successful (Montreal, Vancouver, Rochester (last year was scary though), Portland, Charleston), but the ratio of success to failure frightens me. Hopefully with the raised fee for expansion it'll weed out people not willing to invest in making their club a success.
MLS reminds me off the bailout and it makes me furious. If USL had relagation I would clear any memory of MLS from my mind because at that time it would become a NORMAL football league. MLS sucks
I love both leagues. I do think MLS was doomed with horrendous names, atrocious market placement, and a non-competitive structure early on in their history. They still have some of those features, but they are improving. I am relatively new to USL and have enjoyed the community-based, people's-level feel to it. That's what makes the sport so good in the world. We can't simply assume a club has that history (i.e. that community feel). It needs to develop it within the area.
But USL 2009 is far superior product than the old days. The USL is looking after it's fans and the single-table structure helps, as well as the possibility of USL-1 and USL-2 having pro/reg. MLS will not look into the future because they are scared of changing. USL will slowly change and it will be embraced more and of course it will have more coverage, just think about the possibility of pro/reg and sports media will go after the story.
I agree, but it still isn't as strong of a business as MLS. Look, I LOVE USL. Nobody will doubt that, but every year we fear for the contraction of one or more clubs. After this year it could be Miami just like it was last year and surprise, we lack Atlanta this year. It's a game we play. The year before? California and Virginia Beach (yikes). I wish it were more stable, but it isn't. I think they are moving in the right direction no question, but I still have that fear.
In no way is USL better than MLS some USL teams are on par with MLS but the majoritry fall flat... also its not a better buisness model if it was some of these teams would be doing way better than 2,000 souls per game... some of the USL teams are 1st class and get the crowds but the rest.........minor league all the way..... usl is what it is and will always be what it is.... no way they have the capital to give MLS a run for their money.... no way are possible known players going to play for a 2nd divioson side Romario in garbage Miami was a fluke at best if not a personal favor to those brasilian pals that brought him over...... I accept what USL is and hope to do my part to make it the next seattle or rochester in their hey day (dont know how they are doing now a days) or the next montreal....I look foward to supporting FCNY and LA B but in no way am i so blind as to think that FC NY will be bringing here top world class stars..... I take it for what it is and plan to enjoy it...
I gotta get this off my chest. I am going to miss USL-1. I love it, it's my favorite league in the world and while getting MLS in Portland is great, it's bitter sweet for me. There is so much about the league that I love, I love the fans (especially now that Seattle is in MLS), I love the teams, I love the history, I love the fact that the league takes the Open Cup seriously and performs well. I love the International nature of the league which makes it unique (USL to Domincan Republic!) I love the stadiums, I love the league structure, I love USL-2, I love PDL, I love being able to watch every match for free on USLlive.com. Hell, I love the W-League (wish we had a W-League club here). I love not having to worry that our club drew 5,000 to a game or worry that another club drew 3,000. I love the community that smaller clubs create and most of all I love that it isn't trying to be something it isn't.