We’ll see what happens with Republic especially if MLS is announced. I think some of the SF Deltas will make their way here too
It seems to me we don't make/announce player signings until January. I've always assumed that's when contracts have been finalized but Cincy is really on top of things this year.
USL on Chicago's northside by 2020? http://www.chicagotribune.com/busin...s-soccer-stadium-ryan-ori-20171121-story.html In a 20,000 stadium? This would be less than two miles south and a little west of Wrigley. Is the stadium size a play to entice the Fire, who play about 15 miles to the southwest of the city center, to move into town? Or, just drumming up publicity?
Rochester going on one-year hiatus: http://www.rhinossoccer.com/news_article/show/861933?referrer_id=2442447
I don't remember where I saw this about Orlando City dropping their B squad, but it appears to be incorrect.
Coming to the east bay in 2021... USL East Bay The President and CEO of Hall Equities Group, Mark Hall, is pursuing a #USL franchise in the Oakland East Bay area. Hall intends to develop a 15,000 seat soccer-specific stadium for @USL2EastBay. More → https://t.co/8rMbvlHW6g pic.twitter.com/NVtvCmmbPh— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) December 18, 2017 Potentially a huge success, IMO. Demographics, population density & diversity, strong youth soccer programs, Warriors and Raiders moving, etc., etc.
Indy Eleven is jumping ship and joining USL for 2018. https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/2018/01/05/report-indy-eleven-join-usl-2018/1009460001/ https://www.patreon.com/posts/16248962 Also, Memphis in 2019 to be announced as an expansion club early next week.
For those of you keeping score at home: Beginning play in 2018 Atlanta 2 Fresno Nashville (just don't get too attached) North Carolina (NASL) Las Vegas Indy XI (NASL, although not official) Beginning play in 2019 and beyond Austin (2019) Birmingham (2019) Memphis (2019)* East Bay (2021) RIP Vancouver 2 Hiatus/Death Watch Rochester Assuming Indy in 2018 happens, that's a nice round number of 34. Adding three in 2019 with the expected loss of either Nashville or possibly even Cincy makes for 36 and a likely three conference alignment. *Memphis in 2019 was officially announced by the league back in November but is not listed as an expansion team on the league's Team page.
Also, regarding Indy XI, Vukovic and Braun are still on the roster. For us 'Quakes fans, Brad Ring and Jon Busch are still on the roster, as well.
Correct, all are popular players. Braun was having a great season last year until an injury ended his season. Ring is an original team member.
Blast from the past. Will be interesting to see how Indy Eleven does with this pseudo-division change (I mean is it like a relegation? Or a promotion? Or... other?) One thing's for sure is they'll be another top attended team in USL, so that will be great. Too bad we won't be playing them unless it's in a championship game.
R.I.P. Orlando B Pretty sure I heard they are closing up shop this off-season as well. Edit : those rumors started after a roster purge but the team says it all remains committed. https://www.google.co.jp/url?sa=t&s...lMAA&usg=AOvVaw1X4loe4KU0lHsX-WXo5loY&cf=1
Orlando B is OUT again. Is Meg Whitman calling the shots over there? https://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/...ty-b-elects-forgo-2018-usl-division-ii-season
Rule changes for 2018: Contests in the USL Cup Playoffs will now allow a fourth substitute to be used in extra time. The fourth substitution must occur prior to the final whistle in extra time and will not be permitted in the break between the end of the contest and a penalty shootout. Teams will now be permitted to trade or sell international roster spots within the league for the duration of a season. Following the conclusion of the season, all rosters will reset to seven international roster spots per team. Adding an Injured Reserve position to its rosters, allowing clubs to retain a player who has suffered a medically-verified season-ending injury without using a roster position. Each club will have one available IR spot for the season. http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/881727?referrer_id=2333971
Seattle 2 opened the season in their new home, Tacoma's Cheney Stadium, home to AAA baseball's Tacoma Rainiers. A grass surface and just over 6,000 fans. Last year's average attendance at Starfire? 1,033. This is a much better look for the league.
I'll admit that Starfire looked like crap on the TV, but I hate-hate-hate footy being played on stickyball fields. I know they're available in AA and AAA cities for USL use, but the quality of play suffers greatly, whether it's because of narrow field dimensions or the use of crap sod for the infield. Given the choice of a baseball diamond or a glorified HS football stadium, S2 chose the former, as has Tulsa...and OKC...and LVL...and NSH...and... (blergh)
Attention 'Quakes fans: Tied for USL goal scoring lead with two goals... Cordell Cato, Charlotte Independence.
Maybe this is Cordell Cato's level but tbh he wasn't that bad playing for the Quakes. Remember the Quakes have a new manager & maybe Cato didn't fit into his system
I think it’s more that this is his level. He was one of those guys on the Quakes roster that was getting minutes but wouldn’t get a sniff at most other MLS teams.
Several years ago I asked someone, who knows a lot more about evaluating talent than I'll ever know, what he thought of Cato. He said something like, "I like Cato, I like how he plays, I like the decisions he makes, I just wish he were good enough."