They seem to have good stadiums: Calgary Rugby Park capacity : 4 500 built in : 2004 Foote Field capacity : 3 000 built in : 2000 With those two teams there could be two conferences in USL-1.
Edmonton: http://edmonton.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=ed_aviators20040720 Calgary: http://www.calgarymustangs.com/start.php
Why did the Aviators and Mustangs play in such huge stadiums , when they had two nice small stadiums ?
Those small stadiums were far from "nice." "Team Edmonton" ended up here before they folded: OK for a rec league...but second division soccer? In both cities the smaller stadiums were either unavailable or not up to "pro standards." More pics from Edmonton/Calgary circa 2004: http://soundercentral.com/gallery/Alberta
Calgary Rugby Park is in the extreme southeast corner of the city where development is extremly limited. There's no evidence of lights installed there, which is fine for the CRU since they play their games during the day. The Mustangs were a non-profit entity and we given a good deal to use McMahon (The East Stand) and the fans were comming back. The problem with not replacing the AstroTurf Field is keeping them from playing again. Foote Field isn't that well known to the people of Edmonton. It has very little parking and poor access to public transit (That may change if the plans to reform the Transit system here are successful). The main ground has an AstroTurf Field as well since it also has to accomodate field hockey and the U of A has no seeming intrest to change the field or to increase capacity. The fanbase is here in Alberta along with the talent to make the two teams work.
Interesting. Seems similar to the Ottawa Fury organization. Actually even better as well as much longer running. entering the next level into the PDL on their own. When it comes the time to look at having a pro team a partnership with the Flames LP could be a logical option. Foothills stadium is a baseball stadium which is right next to McMahon and is no longer used for any kind of higher level baseball. With the Flames owning the Stamps now as well. Slowly are making upgrades to McMahon while they are awaiting a possible stadium/arena complex. building a SSS on that site could be a realistic possibility. Adding a pro soccer team to Calgary under the Flames LLP to go NLL, WHL, and CFL could financially be very doable. Already with FCE having a pro club and also looking into possibilities of doing much more on the Clarke stadium site could very well garner some interest with the EDM Calgary battle of Alberta rival that crosses over into the NHL, CFL, WHL, and NLL already. For Canada Soccer it would fill in nicely two pro clubs and academies and SSS in Alberta between Vancouver on the Pacific coast and Toronto, Montreal, and now Ottawa in the east. TSN has just struck a deal with the NLL to broadcast about 20 games on mostly TSN or TSN2. Adding NASL to their programming seems very much possible in the future. I know that Foothills has mentioned USLpro but when the time comes the NASL could be a better option.
I seem to recall that the NASL Commish has mentioned more than once that he is going to pursue more teams in Canada...with Edmonton located just up the road, it only makes sense.
CSA as well is also looking to add more higher level pro soccer clubs, with the NASL. With Calgary often mentioned this is the really first official statement that a group is making it part of their future plan. The Article quoted Calgary Foothills officials as setting a 3-5 year ambitious window to expand the USLPro. The Article did appear on the USL site as part of the PDL announcement, perhaps the reason they had sited the USLPro as the goal. With that perhaps changing depending on how the whole USLPro D2 bid could affect things. Right now I don't think the CSA recognizes the USLPro with the exception of the 3 MLS clubs who are just following the MLS policy of having a minor league club in the USL. It could also be a scenario like we are seeing with proposed expansion franchises in the MLS getting backing of a bigger organization from NFL, NBA, MLB to meet the financial needs. As well Ottawa Fury are also part of a bigger group with the CFL and OHL club under OSEG. Hamilton's proposed bid will come with the CFL Ti Cats and THF being the driving force. If it all goes well in Calgary it could be something the Flames may want to invest in as well.
Edmonton might be back...wonderful attendance at the Alberta Classico: https://www.wakingthered.com/2018/5...-pl-original-teams-ottawa-toronto-edmonton-bc Hamilton and Winnipeg had already been confirmed, while York 9 and Halifax were all but guaranteed to have teams. The best news, perhaps, is that established soccer markets like Edmonton and Ottawa are joining the league. Also positive is the instant rivalries that this list of teams creates. Specifically out in Alberta, where the first ever “Al Classico” was played between FC Edmonton’s Academy and the Calgary Foothills U-23 team on Sunday. More than 3,200 people came out