Not saying I believe it or not, but just posting this to let everyone here know the rumor is out there and get the wild speculation/ wailing and gnashing of teeth going. From Jack Bell's (of the New York Times) twitter... JackBell @JackBell Though DanC has denied it, I keep hearing the MLS is kicking the tires on a deal to buy USL, lock, stock and PDL! Prob makes 2 much sense. https://twitter.com/JackBell
Here's the thing...I wouldn't say it's completely out of the realm of possibility, but Jack Bell is an idiot.
Is USL-PRO on its way to becoming MLS-2? Check out this thread posting http://www.rochestersportsfan.com/v4/showthread.php?17678-NASL-Lancers-v-Cosmos&p=195735#post195735
As opposed to the other thread, where you asked "Is the NASL on its way to becoming MLS-2?" Next: Is the PDL on its way to becoming MLS-2?
Hey, what about the NPSL? It could happen with them too you know I think his parents need to put a lock on the bathroom medicine cabinet
USL-PRO will become MLS-2 PDL will become MLS-Developmental Super Y-League will become MLS-Youth MISL will stay MISL but run by MLS W-League will become W-MLS
Rebrand: Minor League Soccer. But seriously, don't see MLS running an indoor league. If rumor is true, I've got to imagine USL is bought in-part or certain USL leagues are spun off. Also would Garber and co really want to deal with the constant turnover in the lower ranks?
Believe it or not. It is in the works. I can tell you there is discussion that has and is taking place. I have said it on here before the USL owners do need money. USL investors are pulling out. Expect a lot of changes coming next year Think Bundesliga....
MLS wants, or at least has been wanting, the PDL portion of the USL. Now it seems MLS is trying to purchase PDL and USL-PRO from NuRock. My understanding before was that NASL would merge with USL-PRO and MLS reserve teams into MLS-2, but now the announcement of the Cosmos joining NASL next year has confused things, so not sure what will happen to NASL, I'm sure they wouldn't want to become a third-division or outlaw league.
The only thing MLS would want from USL is PDL and the Super 20 league, no way MLS would want the W-League or MISL. USLPRO not sure if they would want that or not.
(I'm not helping, this discussion is taking on a life of its own, but just saying....) Having the W-League would allow them to have a women's initiative (the one some WoSo supporters back) with at least a base to start from. The PDL and Super-20, yeah, those would have value. I don't know how valuable USL Pro would be to them, but there are certain signs that would make this not a complete non-starter. (Of course, the fact people are throwing the Cosmos into every discussion as if it's this huge game-changer is a bit out of hand.)
Forgive me of any irrational exuberance, bear in mind that its source is in my hometown Rochester NY still desiring to re-enter the higher echelons of pro soccer, there's still enough of us around (and our children) that remember the old NASL days and when we see the Timbers and Sounders in MLS we can't help but want to be part of that, or at least a competitive 2nd-division league whether it be MLS-2 or NASL, I prefer MLS-2 because with MLS involved it would seem to be more stable in the long run, thus when we recently heard rumors of USL-PRO possibly being bought by MLS then you could understand our hopes are high if only just truly hopeful.
Apparently Rochester management can't count. Traffic owns Carolina, Fort Lauderdale, 51% of Atlanta, and Minnesota is League owned. Plus, I guess Rochester was very anti AEG and HSG which owned 9 of 10 back in the Earlier days of MLS.
To listen to the show's podcast with Ercoli talking about USL/MLS, go to www.soccerisakickinthegrass.com, look down to "Our most recent show", and click on the soccerball for the podcast to begin. Ercoli comes on at the 37:30 mark.
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/seth-vertelney-major-league-soccer-060603916--mls.html "Right now the league is looking at a number of solutions: one of which is increasing the number of reserve games. Two is to help facilitate more player loans to the lower divisions. And three is maybe you take your reserve team and you actually play in one of the lower leagues," Kasper said. The third option could be the most intriguing of the group. Many European countries currently have a similar system in place. In Germany, Terrence Boyd earned a call-up to the U.S. national team without ever playing a first-team match with Borussia Dortmund. The striker's exploits with Borussia Dortmund II in the German third division earned him the call, and eventually led to a move to Rapid Vienna in Austria, where he has started well with the club's first team.
Both, there are U-17 and U-20 leagues where 1st division teams must participate, but they also have lower division teams playing in multiple levels of the pyramid.