Division 2 pro league set for 2010

[EPJr]

Division 2 pro league set for 2010

U.S. Soccer will oversee two-conference league

Thursday, January 7, 2010

CHICAGO, IL -- The U.S. Soccer Federation, United Soccer Leagues (USL) and the North American Soccer League (NASL) have come to an agreement on the formation and operation of a Division 2 professional soccer league for the 2010 season. Under the agreement, U.S. Soccer will oversee the league for the 2010 season, working with both the USL and NASL on the day-to-day league activities.

The agreement pertains only to the 2010 season, and during the next year U.S. Soccer will continue to work with USL and NASL to build a long-term solution for the future. U.S. Soccer will also be developing new standards to govern Division 2 professional league applicants to ensure the long term viability and sustainability of the leagues and teams.

“We are extremely pleased that we were able to come to a solution that ensures we will have Division 2 professional soccer in the United States in 2010,” said U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati. “This agreement allows us to continue to develop the professional game in many important markets around the country, while at the same time working towards the long-term stability of Division 2 professional soccer. I’d like to thank the representatives from both the USL and NASL for the time spent during our negotiations, especially their efforts in the past seven days.”

The league will consist of two six-team conferences – the USL Conference and the NASL Conference.

The USL Conference
Austin
Minnesota
Portland
Puerto Rico
Rochester
Tampa Bay

The NASL Conference
Baltimore
Carolina
Miami
Montreal
St. Louis
Vancouver

In the near future, U.S. Soccer will announce details of the new league, including league rules, a match schedule, television rights and other important operational issues.

[JoshSmithPwns]

This is stupid. Noone is gonna go to the games

[EPJr]

Jan 7, 2010 17:11:18 GMT -5 JoshSmithPwns said:

This is stupid. Noone is gonna go to the games

these are not new teams people already do go to these games
no matter how stupid it may seem to you.

If fact MTL, Vancouver, and Portland average over 10,000 a game. all three are enlarging thier stadiums in anticipation of joining MLS by 2012.

[JoshSmithPwns]

what are you talking about?there different leagues

[EPJr]

I was responding to your comment what do you mean?

[EPJr]

NASL HOLDS INAUGURAL GENERAL MEETINGS
The North American Soccer League (NASL) held its inaugural annual general meeting in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, last Thursday through Saturday. Representatives of the 11 member teams attended the meeting and made several key decisions following the announcement by the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) last Thursday that teams from the NASL would play in a league administered by the USSF in for 2010 season.
The NASL's teams confirmed that they will work with the USSF and representatives of the three teams from the United Soccer Leagues which will be playing in the combined 2010 USSF Second Division League, to finalize the schedule for the season as soon as possible.

The members also unanimously approved a partnership with MRX, a leading full-service event and technology company in Canada, to build an online network for the NASL and its member teams. The league's website will be launched later this week in conjunction with the National Soccer Coaches Association of America convention being held from January 13 to 17 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at which the NASL will have a booth.

Other decisions taken by the members included: (i) the establishment of several working committees of the Board of Governors, including the Executive, Finance, Expansion, Marketing, Broadcast and Competition Committees; (ii) the submission to the USSF of recommendations regarding competition-related matters for the 2010 season; and (iii) league executive staffing hires which will be announced in the coming weeks.
Miami FC President Aaron Davidson will serve on the Executive, Expansion and Marketing Committees of the NASL.

"We are happy that a settlement was reached with the support of the USSF which will ensure our teams play soccer and our fans see our teams this season. I look forward to serving on our NASL Committees to plan for this season and the future."

[JoshSmithPwns]

Jan 12, 2010 20:17:44 GMT -5 EPJr said:

I was responding to your comment what do you mean?

my point is why waste your money on divison 2

[fcbdrako]

Maybe they can do what leagues in Europe do and promote the league winners and demote the bottom team or teams. I guess I'm getting ahead of myself.

[ItalianStallion526]

no, that is what they're trying to do. and actually, it's a good idea, they're creating a bigger market for the mls.

[fcbdrako]

Oh Really? That would make the matches even more exciting and intense for the fans and the teams. Every match goes up in importance. I applaud this move.

[JoshSmithPwns]

and i smite this move