NASL Releases Statment After USSF Denies Sanctioning

Official Press Release

The North American Soccer League or "NASL" has been advised that its application to the United States Soccer Federation for membership as a Division II professional league was not granted. While disappointed with this outcome, NASL continues to believe that it and its member teams would, if sanctioned, make a significant positive contribution to soccer in the United States and Canada.

NASL respects the Federation's decision and its suggested course of action for obtaining sanctioning in 2010. NASL will continue during the next seven days to work in good faith towards an interim solution with United Soccer Leagues. NASL will have no further comment on this matter until a resolution has been reached or the negotiation period has expired.

NASL and its eleven member teams are committed to building on their long tradition of providing quality soccer to fans across the United States and in Canada in 2010 and beyond.

Read more...

US Soccer Refuses to Sanction USL or NASL for 2010, Gives Sides 7 Days to Find Compromise

Official Press Release from ussoccer.com

CHICAGO (Dec. 30, 2009) - The U.S. Soccer Board of Directors voted unanimously on Tuesday to not sanction either the USL or the NASL to operate a Division II professional league in 2010.

The decision was made on the recommendation of the Professional League Task Force, which determined that neither organization on its own was able to provide a viable and sustainable operation during the upcoming season. Both organizations were unable to meet U.S. Soccer’s requirement of a minimum of eight viable teams for 2010.

Despite the ruling, the U.S. Soccer Board of Directors has given both organizations seven days to try to work out an interim solution for the 2010 season.

“After carefully reviewing the findings from the Task Force it was clear there are still too many uncertainties for both organizations, which would be extremely difficult to resolve in a timely fashion that would allow them to prepare for the 2010 season,” said U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati. “In the best interest of soccer in the United States, we decided to not sanction either league at this point. However, we did encourage both leagues to come together in the next week and attempt to develop another plan which would allow a single league to be approved on a provisional basis. We are committed to finding ways to improve the long-term viability of all leagues and teams and continue the growth of soccer in the United States.”

Read more...

USL Sues Rochester, Baltimore and Tampa Bay; More Lawsuits Expected

The big news of the day came early this morning with Kartik Krishnaiyer broke the news that the United Soccer Leagues have filed the first of what could be many lawsuits against breakaway clubs and the NASL itself.

Here is the LINK to the actual lawsuit filed in the Hillsborough (Florida) County Circuit Court by the United Soccer Leagues, LLC

USL sues Rochester, Tampa Bay and Baltimore for Breach of Contract The Kartik Report

USL Files First of What Could Be Many Lawsuits Inside Minnesota Soccer

USL Files Suit Against NASL Clubs Match Fit USA

Days of reckoning for second-division soccer in America? For those just joining us Triangle Offense


We will continue to add links to stories and update information of this story as it becomes available.

Read more...

AC St. Louis

The St. Louis United Soccer Group, led by Jeff Cooper, announced today at a press conference their club name and logo.

The team will be called AC St. Louis and the logo is shown above. In addition, the team named Claude Anelka head coach. Anelka is brother of Nicolas Anelka and was called one of the 10 worst football managers by The Guardian in 2008 after the agent and sometime DJ offered £300,000 to any lower-league club who would let him be manager. Raith Rovers of the Scottish Division One hired him and he led them to one point from 24 before resigning.

Cooper also announced that Francisco Filho (who worked with Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United) will be the team's Director of Player Development.

Read more...

USL/NASL Meeting Fails to Produce Results

From Jeff Di Veronica - Devo's Direct Kicks Blog

Read the full story HERE

A USSF mandated meeting between representatives of the NASL and USL failed to produce any compromise between the two sides on Sunday. USSF continues to drag it's feet on this situation, blindly attempting to force a compromise between two sides who have no reason to do so.

“I know people were hoping for some sort of magic, but there was no magic,” Rhinos owner Rob Clark said. “There’s really not much to talk about. No compromise was reached. The NASL is moving forward with the application process and we’ll see what happens.”

Read more...

Rochester Joins the New NASL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ROCHESTER RHINOS JOIN NEW NASL

(Rochester, NY)… The Rochester Rhinos today announced they have officially joined the North American Soccer League (NASL).

“We evaluated the situation very carefully and decided that the best decision for the future of the Rhinos and soccer in Rochester was for us to join the new NASL,” said Rhinos CEO Rob Clark. “Soccer is maturing before our very eyes. We are joining a family of team owners who are committed to investing in our league and their teams to further the development of players and support the future growth of the sport in North America. The NASL is a new beginning for soccer in Rochester.”

The addition of Rochester brings the NASL to ten teams, including the Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina RailHawks, Crystal Palace Baltimore, Miami FC Blues, Minnesota Thunder, Montreal Impact, St. Louis United, Tampa Bay Rowdies and Vancouver Whitecaps.

“I’m looking forward to working with my fellow owners in the coming weeks to hire a Commissioner, create a 2010 schedule and finalize league marketing initiatives,” concluded Clark.

The NASL has applied for USSF Division II status and expects to start its first season as a Division II professional soccer league in April 2010.

Read more...