United Soccer Leagues announce First Division structure for 2007
Published on December 15, 2006 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Portland Timbers News Release
PORTLAND, Ore. - United Soccer Leagues today announced the regular-season and playoff formats for the First Division's 2007 season. The Portland Timbers joined the United Soccer Leagues in 2001.
Following the conclusion of the 2006 season, it was announced that the Toronto Lynx would be moving to the Premier Development League following the arrival of Major League Soccer in Toronto. However, two expansion franchises will begin play in 2007, the California Victory and the Carolina RailHawks, bringing the total number of teams in the USL First Division to 13.
Based in Cary, North Carolina, the RailHawks will be led by former Rochester Raging Rhinos general manager Chris Economides and head coach Scott Schweitzer, a two-time First Division Defender of the Year and three-time champion with the Rhinos. The RailHawks will call home to SAS Soccer Park, which features three fields built to FIFA's international field requirements.
The Victory, whose name is derived from parent club Deportivo Alaves of Vitoria, Spain, are the first USL franchise owned by an international club. The Victory will play their home games at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco, former home of the San Francisco 49ers. The team is led by general manager Terry Fisher, a former USL executive, and head coach Glenn Van Straatum.
The playoff structure has also been adjusted for the 2007 season, with the top eight teams in the single-table league advancing to the postseason, as opposed to six teams advancing in 2006. All eight qualifying clubs will play a two-leg aggregate score series in the quarterfinals the first week after the close of the regular season. The winning clubs from the quarterfinals will be re-seeded for the semifinals -- also a two-leg aggregate score series -- to determine the two clubs for the USL First Division Championship game.
USL First Division Stories from December 15, 2006
- Last day to order Holiday Packs is Monday - Minnesota Thunder
- United Soccer Leagues announce First Division structure for 2007 - Portland Timbers
- Rhinos return for 12th season - Rochester Rhinos
- USL Pro Alignments, Playoff Formats Set - USL-1
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