Keeping up with American soccer storylines 2

FC Kansas City to move to Salt Lake City, Bought by RSL
The last few months have been plagued with uncertainty for the fans and players of FC Kansas City (NWSL). It has finally been announced that Real Salt Lake has bought the club and will become the fourth NWSL team owned by a parent MLS club (Orlando Pride, Houston Dash, Portland Thorns). This move brings more stability to the franchise and to the league as RSL is a proven soccer club with relatively deep pockets. The NWSL team will likely play at the new stadium being constructed at RSL's new training ground where Real Monarchs (USL) will play as well. Full story here. #SaveFCKC

San Francisco Deltas officially fold
The least surprising storyline as we've seen this coming for quite some time, the San Francisco Deltas (NASL) have officially folded after one year in operation and after winning the NASL championship. The club had astronomical expenses, low attendance for most of the year, and a lack of sponsors. Full story here. #SaveTheDeltas (NASL is actively working to find a new owner for the Deltas so they can continue to compete).

NASL and USSF reportedly working on settlement for NASL to keep D2 status
By far the best news of this post, while the Deltas may be folding, NASL might live to see another day. Reports are saying USSF and NASL, who have been court opponents for a while now, are coming to a settlement for NASL to continue to be granted division 2 status. #SaveTheNASL

NPSL Expansion announcements starting
The yearly tradition of loads of NPSL expansion announcements has begun with the announcements of Academia Soccer Club (Turlock, CA) and FC Davis (Davis, CA). This also marks the beginning of my optimism in hopes that I get a local club, only to be crushed in a few months time.

Rochester Rhinos Folding?
Rochester Rhinos: one of the most historic active clubs in the US and the last non-MLS team to win the US Open Cup, are more than likely folding. Team officials cite lack of support from the community for their financial troubles and are looking for a $1.3 million influx of cash from...somewhere. #SaveTheRhinos

Harrisburg City Islanders new brand and partnership
The Harrisburg City Islanders have announced their brand change to Penn FC as well as their partnership with youth megaclub, Rush Soccer. The youth giants have over 35,000 members all over the world and now have a professional team to sit atop their club, providing a direct path to professional soccer for academy players. Full story here.



USL Expansion
Just when you thought the USL was getting better, the announce a new MLS2 team that will be playing on a minor league baseball field. Oy vey. Atlanta United has released their plans to own and operate their own USL team that will play at Coolray Field (home of AAA Gwinett Braves). USL has also announced their plans to expand to Memphis, TN for the 2019 season. 

#SaveTheCrew Update
Anthony Precourt and MLS met with Columbus city officials on keeping the team in Columbus and it appears the talks have grown further apart. Both sides blame the other in their statements. Not a good sign for the Crew to stay in Columbus. Full story here. 

North Carolina FC leaves NASL, joins USL
North Carolina FC announced what we've known for some time, that they will join the USL. I wish the club would stay with NASL but from a stability standpoint and to strengthen their MLS bid, moving to USL makes sense for the club.



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