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Crystal Palace Baltimore to join new professional soccer league

November 20, 2009 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Crystal Palace Baltimore News Release


Baltimore, MD - Crystal Palace Baltimore is pleased to announce that they, along with The Tampa Bay Rowdies, have joined the new professional soccer league announced last week, beginning play in the United States and Canada in April 2010. The addition of Baltimore and Tampa Bay brings the new league to nine teams, as they join the owners of the Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina Railhawks, Miami FC, Minnesota Thunder, Montreal Impact, St. Louis Soccer United and Vancouver Whitecaps.

A name for the new league will be announced next week. The new league is also active in its search for a full-time commissioner and will introduce an extensive marketing campaign in the coming months.

"Tampa and Baltimore joining our efforts is a testament to our game plan, our current ownership strength and our promise for the future. The ownership groups of both teams share our vision for soccer in North America and we are thrilled to welcome them to our new league," said Joey Saputo, Chairman of the Board of Governors and President of the Montreal Impact.

"Crystal Palace Baltimore is pleased and honored to join and be a part of what we see as the future of North American soccer. We are particularly excited about the structure of a team-controlled and owned league, especially when you look at the quality of owners that we have in this league and the impressive history of the clubs," said Pete Medd, co-owner of Crystal Palace Baltimore. "We are proud to be one of the founding members and believe it's the right league at the right time for us and for soccer in North America."

"As we start a new team and build a strong franchise in Tampa, it's important that our group of team owners learn from past mistakes in North American soccer and focus on building a strong league, as well," said Andrew Nestor, owner and president of the Tampa Bay Rowdies. "With this new team-owned and controlled league which consists of some of the most established teams in North American soccer, we are excited about our team and collective future."

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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