USL / MLS Partnership Growth
USL / MLS Partnership Growth
So, as "Galaxy II" entered the league this year, Red Bulls have announced a team for next year, and apparently Seattle has announced and will play games in Starfire in suburban Tukwila. Last week, Vancouver announced a team to play in suburban New Westminster.
Portland hasn't officially announced, but Merritt Paulson acts like he already announced it on Twitter and this hit the news Friday:
http://www.oregonlive.com/timbers/index ... towar.html
Now, I thought the Timbers might locate this team in Eugene. Old Civic Stadium in Eugene is in the process of, perhaps, approving a renovation of the old baseball stadium for soccer dependent on a couple contingencies. The noise I hear from the underground suggests (1) the contingencies may be bypassed in a surprising manner, and (2) they may host their own USL PRO team rather than partner with the Timbers.
Portland hasn't officially announced, but Merritt Paulson acts like he already announced it on Twitter and this hit the news Friday:
http://www.oregonlive.com/timbers/index ... towar.html
Now, I thought the Timbers might locate this team in Eugene. Old Civic Stadium in Eugene is in the process of, perhaps, approving a renovation of the old baseball stadium for soccer dependent on a couple contingencies. The noise I hear from the underground suggests (1) the contingencies may be bypassed in a surprising manner, and (2) they may host their own USL PRO team rather than partner with the Timbers.
Mean Spirited Blogger #107
Well, it's official. Add T2 and S2.
http://www.oregonlive.com/timbers/index ... s_usl.html
http://seattletimes.com/html/sounders/2 ... 15xml.html
http://www.oregonlive.com/timbers/index ... s_usl.html
http://seattletimes.com/html/sounders/2 ... 15xml.html
Mean Spirited Blogger #107
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[quote=""Minor League Man""]Seriously, I think we could see either the return of USL-1 and USL-2, or perhaps the teams which aren't owned/operated by MLS teams could go NASL...[/quote]
Not given the resentment over the split in 2010 lingers. And the fact some of those teams would be hard pressed to afford to play at that higher level.
Not given the resentment over the split in 2010 lingers. And the fact some of those teams would be hard pressed to afford to play at that higher level.
Old enough to remember when bashing the ABA was fun.
Interesting issue coming up if an MLS strike occurs.
Example: Portland outright says they will sign 14 players to Timbers2. The obvious plan from there is to "loan" reserves from the first team to play games... and that really should happen, hopefully with more flexibility than I suspect will actually happen.
So, if there's an MLS strike, sign more players? Try to outright sign some of your MLS trialists? How ethical could that be?
It's really easy for me to believe that the whole issue of rushing NYCFC and bringing on Orlando NOW is all too conveniently tied to the end of the now-departed CBA... though, yes, $100 million for NYC speaks some volumes itself. I could say the same about a whole new bunch of these MLS/USL signings being prepared to be scabs... but I strongly suspect an attempt to do that will go very badly for MLS.
Example: Portland outright says they will sign 14 players to Timbers2. The obvious plan from there is to "loan" reserves from the first team to play games... and that really should happen, hopefully with more flexibility than I suspect will actually happen.
So, if there's an MLS strike, sign more players? Try to outright sign some of your MLS trialists? How ethical could that be?
It's really easy for me to believe that the whole issue of rushing NYCFC and bringing on Orlando NOW is all too conveniently tied to the end of the now-departed CBA... though, yes, $100 million for NYC speaks some volumes itself. I could say the same about a whole new bunch of these MLS/USL signings being prepared to be scabs... but I strongly suspect an attempt to do that will go very badly for MLS.
Mean Spirited Blogger #107