January 22, 2011
Brian Quarstad at Inside Minnesota Soccer has been all over the happenings with the NASL over the last couple of days.
First, it was a report that the NASL had hired a couple of people for their league office.
Next came a report that the NASL might not get sanctioned by US Soccer as a 2nd Division league in 2011 largely due to Traffic having to take over the Carolina RailHawks and them now helping finance 4 of the 8 teams in the league.
Then came the official statement from the NASL that confirmed that the USSF had declined their application for 2nd Division sanctioning.
And finally there is the report with quotes from US Soccer spokesperson Neil Buethe about the exact reasons why the NASL's application has been denied after previously being provisionally sanctioned.
It isn't a huge surprise to me that this has happened given the changes in the NASL landscape (largely Traffic having to take over the RailHawks) and the fact that nobody involved felt that it was a done deal when the NASL was granted provisional sanctioning.
As for what comes next, my guess is that the NASL will choose to apply for 3rd Division sanctioning for the 2011 season and continue to try to build a league that can meet all the 2nd Division standards for 2012 or beyond.
But, I expect the fun and games off the field to continue for a while. This drama isn't going away any time soon.
News & Notes:
- Devo has his take on the NASL not getting 2nd Division sanctioning from USSF.
- Tommy Tanner and the Syracuse I-League team got some ink this week.
- A not quite at full strength USWNT squad fell 2-1 to Sweden at the Four Nations Tournament in China. Yael Averbuchand Alex Morgan of the WNY Flash were 2nd half subs for the US and Flash GK Ashlyn Harris was on the US bench.
- Alex Morgan was one of the USWNT "Young Guns" featured in a USWNT Blog video spot.
- This is one of the biggest reasons that MLS is much stronger financially than a decade ago.
- The LA Galaxy did get Juan Pablo Angel signed. Lando, Becks, and JPA. If The Bruce can't win with that trio........
- There will be a Cascadia Summit in Seattle in early March. It's going to be really interesting to see how the teams cultivate the regional rivalry to peak fan interest while also working together. Personally, I think this is going to develop into something really special for MLS and the three clubs.
- There is a report that UEFA is looking into MLS scheduling of spring to fall for professional leagues. I guess that would solve the issue of MLS and the international calendar, right?
- Edson Buddle scored in his German league debut.
- Nike Soccer has a Youtube interview with Clint Dempsey where he talks about dealing with change.
- The NY Cosmos are making a lot of noise for a team without a team really.....
- FC Tampa Bay have a new home for 2011. Now whether they have a league or not.....
- If you want some old school NASL videos, here you go.
- The USMNT blog had a day in the life video ahead of tonight's friendly with Chile.
- Apparently Boca Juniors are still interested in an MLS club. Rochester Juniors?
- I like the goofy MLS jersey colors for the most part. I know I'd be rocking the Rave Green if I lived in Seattle.
- Joe Cannon talks about the challenges of moving north of the border to Vancouver.
- Jermaine Jones' new boss is excited to have him in the fold.
The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author, and not necessarily those of the Rochester Rhinos or SoccerSam.com. Feel free to send any comments or complaints to news@soccersam.com. James promises to read (but not to respond) to all of them.
