32 teams in two divisions (you know what THAT means, boys and girls!), launching in September of this year with an emphasis on Latino and Hispanic players. 32 teams is a lot, their planned launch is six months away, and they're literally going to take guys off the streets. I don't know this umbrella organization's background or track record, but this is a daunting task. I am not sure there are 32 teams worth of professional-level talent out there on top of those who are already playing in the various pro and wannabe pro leagues.
Let's see....it was announced <48 hours ago, they haven't sold Team 1 yet, so my guess is that, no, they haven't made a list of parks where non-existent teams will play in markets where franchises haven't been sold yet. Also, I didn't notice this at first: No. Effing. Chance. None.
That article actually understates the claim on their website: http://www.futbolusa.com/ From the Why Fusa page:
Yes but they won't be organically formed clubs that spring from the hearts of supporters to aspire to reach the heights of the soccer pyramid.
If Nigerian scammers were right they'd spend their time selling places in American pro soccer leagues. All they have do do in their pitch is mention the words organic and pro/rel.
If they're not MLS or USL, they are, by definition, "authentic" and "organic." Man, this is going to leave US-AFL really lilly-white, isn't it?
In ten years time, what are the odds that >50% of US semi-pro to pro teams are in MLS affiliated leagues? I just see growth in interest from the whole pyramid, but currently there is too much competition, ie chaos. Markets abhor nothing so much as competition. Consolidation is the natural progression.
Pick your team out of the park in East LA and show the foolish Yankees how it's done. Maybe a good plan. After all, it worked for Chivas USA in 2004. That's how they won the first of their many titles.
I see the league's planning to introduce pro/rel beginning in the 2017/18 season. Ted will love it... if there are any actual teams to promote or relegate. The video promoting the league says that players will earn $15k to $30k per season. Not sure where that money is supposed to come from. http://www.futbolusa.com/video_spanish Also, the league appears to be soliciting applications from coaches and referees on its website, not just players... which I'm pretty sure is a first. http://www.futbolusa.com/coaches_spanish http://www.futbolusa.com/officials_spanish
Once prospective owners are told there is a 1/16 chance there could be a last day of the season dramatic climax where they can get promoted to a slightly higher echelon of the crap league they are currently in, and that their closest opponent will now be 1,100 miles away, they will be all over it. From the halo effect of pro/rel. Duh. I'll say this, though: they communicate and present better than the idiots running the US-AFL.
They'd also be competing against Liga MX. If you're living in, say, San Diego and already have backed Club Tijuana, or are in LA and have backed the real Chivas, some wannabe start-up taking semirandom guys off the street is not going to be something you sign up for. If you're one of the kids trying out, you're only doing it in the hopes that someone from MLS or Liga MX is in the crowd doing scouting (and they almost surely will be, waiting to pluck off anyone who looks a little too skilled). There may be some indoor players in there too hoping to find a job outdoors again. I say the league barely hangs on long enough to get one completed season off, and then folds midway through the second season.
That's if they launch at all. And if they do, it won't be with 32 teams in two divisions in that wide an area. I don't even think the NPSL can pull that off.
Is their 20 year plan to be bigger than the EPL. In before their commishiner claims they want to have 32 manchester uniteds by 2035.
Let's see, a league that is made up of the worst qualities of the ASL, Chivas USA, and the US-AFL. I give this league about a 0% chance at success, if not lower.
Since this is a pro league (i.e. employment) wouldn't any plan to play only Latino players run up against the same employment discrimination issues that Amerigoats Vespucci (Chivas USA) and the all-white basketball league did?