Sports stats

Mariners dropped from USL First Division

March 29, 2007 - USL First Division (USL-1) News Release


TAMPA, FL - United Soccer Leagues announced the Virginia Beach Mariners USL First Division and Submariners Premier Development League franchises owned by Virginia Beach Soccer LLC (VBS) have been terminated by USL. As a result, the USL-1 team has been removed from the 2007 schedule and will not be replaced. All players under contract with the Mariners have been released and are free to sign with any team. A decision on the status of the PDL team will be made as early as next week.

"This is an extremely unfortunate situation for everyone involved," said USL Executive Vice President and COO Tim Holt. "The Virginia Beach Sportsplex is an excellent facility, there is a great core of dedicated fans, and in many ways the Mariners were headed in a positive direction for the first time in several years. To have this happen in the 11th hour has been a stunning development for all, especially given the rise in the quality of ownership across the league the past few years and the stability that has come with it."

"The recent ownership dispute within VBS left the organization without any source of funding. Over the past ten days we have spoken with several groups inside and outside of the market about taking over the team in advance of the 2007 season. Yet, without a firm commitment from any group or individual to finance the team for at least the upcoming season the only responsible course of action is to shut the team down for 2007, even if it is the least desirable option. While there will not be professional men's soccer in Virginia Beach this season, we continue to believe the market can support professional soccer. Although it is our goal to return to the market in 2008 with new ownership for a USL professional team, we will not do so until we are thoroughly convinced that the principals are firmly committed to owning and operating a soccer franchise for the long-term and at a level that will serve to raise the profile of our league and the sport of soccer in the area."

The removal of the Mariners from the USL First Division alignment results in a revised schedule for the 2007 season, which will see only one home date for the remaining 12 teams changed, and in that case by just one day.

USL-1 Schedule Changes

Day Date Time (ET) Fixtures Special Notes

Fri. 13-Apr 8:00 Rochester @ Puerto Rico VBM makeup

Sun. 15-Apr 7:00 Rochester @ Miami VBM makeup

Sat. 28-Apr 7:30 Atlanta @ Carolina VBM makeup

Sat. 5-May 7:55 Carolina @ Atlanta VBM makeup

Sat. 26-May 8:35 Puerto Rico @ Minnesota (@ NSC) Match moved from 6/16

Sat. 9-Jun 10:00 Minnesota @ California Match moved from 7/7

Sun. 10-Jun 10:00 Minnesota @ Vancouver VBM makeup

Sat. 16-Jun 8:35 Miami @ Minnesota (@ NSC) Match moved from 7/18

Sat. 23-Jun 7:30 Charleston @ Carolina VBM makeup (date moved from 6/22)

Sat. 7-Jul 10:00 Portland @ California VBM makeup (original game moved to 6/9)

Fri. 13-Jul 10:30 Vancouver @ Seattle VBM makeup

Sun. 15-Jul 9:00 California @ Portland VBM makeup

Wed. 18-Jul 8:05 Montreal @ Minnesota VBM makeup (original game moved to 6/16)

Sat. 21-Jul 7:35 Seattle @ Rochester VBM makeup

Wed. 1-Aug 7:30 Carolina @ Montreal VBM makeup

Fri. 10-Aug 7:30 Miami @ Montreal VBM makeup

Fri. 7-Sep 8:00 Puerto Rico @ Charleston VBM makeup



USL First Division Stories from March 29, 2007


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.


Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central