Keeping up with American soccer storylines
Columbus Crew relocating to Austin- Columbus Crew owner, Anthony Precourt, has announced the team will relocate to Austin, TX in 2019 if a new stadium is not built in downtown Columbus. The Crew were the first ever team in MLS and play in MAPFRE stadium, the first soccer specific stadium built by an MLS team. Precourt cites financial reasons as why the team should move to Austin. Columbus has the cheapest ticket prices in the league and still on average just over 15,000/game, the two combine for the lowest ticket revenue in MLS. Lack of corporate sponsors is also a problem holding the Crew back financially. The story was first reported by Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl and can be found here.
MLS2 teams on the way out of USL- Rumors have been circulating on Twitter that several MLS2 teams (Whitecaps 2, Orlando City B, Bethlehem Steel, and Sounders 2) would not be in operation next season and the parent clubs would create partnerships with independent USL clubs instead. It seems that Whitecaps 2 will be partnered with Fresno FC, a USL expansion team starting in 2018. Orlando City SC has said OCB will play next season and the Philadelphia Union have stated their intentions of keeping the Steel in Bethlehem. Sounders 2 will stay in operation and owned by the club but will be rebranded and relocated to Tacoma, Washington (a similar setup to what the Union have with the Steel currently.)
More details on NISA- Peter Wilt, founder of the new professional third division league set to start operation next year, has written an article on Midfield Press further outlining his plans for NISA. The ultimate goal is to create an entire pyramid with a merit based promotion/relegation system, going from local amateur leagues to an "alternative" first division. Wilt says things such as minority fan ownership and youth development would be encourage and emphasized. The initial markets for the new third division where released in August, you can find my analysis on those markets here.
NPSL teams sign letters of intent to join NASL- Boca Raton FC, Boston City FC, Detroit City FC, FC Arizona, a team in Hartford, New Orleans Jesters, and Virginia Beach City FC have all signed LOIs to join the NASL in 2018 (expect New Orleans, who would join in 2019.) It is unclear if the team in Hartford is the NPSL club Hartford City FC or not. USL is also looking at expansion in Hartford. The entrance of the teams into NASL relies on if the NASL receives the injunctive relief they are trying to get regarding the federal antitrust lawsuit against USSF. Fully story by Nipun Chopra of SocTakes can be found here.
San Diego NASL brand release- The NASL expansion club in San Diego owned by players such as Demba Ba and Eden Hazard, has released their name and crest. It will be called 1904 FC. The name derives from SD, "S" being the 19th letter in the alphabet, "D" being the 4th. See the crest and full explanation here.
USSF presidential race- The American soccer community is united against current USSF president Sunil Gulati, but who will replace him? Several candidates have already emerged such as Paul Lapointe, John Paul Motta, and Steven Gans. Sunil Gulati has not decided if he will seek re-election. Eric Wynalda, who already has alot of support behind him, has all but officially announced his campaign and US soccer legend Landon Donovan is reportedly considering a run as well.
MLS2 teams on the way out of USL- Rumors have been circulating on Twitter that several MLS2 teams (Whitecaps 2, Orlando City B, Bethlehem Steel, and Sounders 2) would not be in operation next season and the parent clubs would create partnerships with independent USL clubs instead. It seems that Whitecaps 2 will be partnered with Fresno FC, a USL expansion team starting in 2018. Orlando City SC has said OCB will play next season and the Philadelphia Union have stated their intentions of keeping the Steel in Bethlehem. Sounders 2 will stay in operation and owned by the club but will be rebranded and relocated to Tacoma, Washington (a similar setup to what the Union have with the Steel currently.)
More details on NISA- Peter Wilt, founder of the new professional third division league set to start operation next year, has written an article on Midfield Press further outlining his plans for NISA. The ultimate goal is to create an entire pyramid with a merit based promotion/relegation system, going from local amateur leagues to an "alternative" first division. Wilt says things such as minority fan ownership and youth development would be encourage and emphasized. The initial markets for the new third division where released in August, you can find my analysis on those markets here.
NPSL teams sign letters of intent to join NASL- Boca Raton FC, Boston City FC, Detroit City FC, FC Arizona, a team in Hartford, New Orleans Jesters, and Virginia Beach City FC have all signed LOIs to join the NASL in 2018 (expect New Orleans, who would join in 2019.) It is unclear if the team in Hartford is the NPSL club Hartford City FC or not. USL is also looking at expansion in Hartford. The entrance of the teams into NASL relies on if the NASL receives the injunctive relief they are trying to get regarding the federal antitrust lawsuit against USSF. Fully story by Nipun Chopra of SocTakes can be found here.
San Diego NASL brand release- The NASL expansion club in San Diego owned by players such as Demba Ba and Eden Hazard, has released their name and crest. It will be called 1904 FC. The name derives from SD, "S" being the 19th letter in the alphabet, "D" being the 4th. See the crest and full explanation here.
USSF presidential race- The American soccer community is united against current USSF president Sunil Gulati, but who will replace him? Several candidates have already emerged such as Paul Lapointe, John Paul Motta, and Steven Gans. Sunil Gulati has not decided if he will seek re-election. Eric Wynalda, who already has alot of support behind him, has all but officially announced his campaign and US soccer legend Landon Donovan is reportedly considering a run as well.
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