USSF Makes First Official Press Statement Concerning 2nd Division League Dispute
The United States Soccer Federation made their first official press statement regarding the league dispute between the Team Owners Association (TOA) and their proposed North American Soccer League (NASL) and the current standing 2nd division league which is run by the United Soccer Leagues (USL).
The statement may be important in the fact that the USSF is now publicly acknowledging the TOA and their league. The NASL is mentioned by name in the press release even though it is not yet sanctioned by the USSF.
The statement does not give many details except that it confirms the three groups met on Sunday and that they asked both sides for additional information by December 9.
IMS does have a request submitted to US Soccer to clarify the two committees mentioned in the press release. The Professional League Task Force, which is chaired by Dan Flynn, and the Professional Council, chaired by Don Garber. According to this release Flynn, Garber and Gulati were all present at Sunday’s meeting.
Here is the press release:
CHICAGO (Dec. 7, 2009) – U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati, CEO/Secretary General Dan Flynn and Professional Council Chairman Don Garber met with representatives from both the United Soccer League (USL-1) and the North American Soccer League in New York on Sunday (Dec. 6) to discuss Division II league plans in 2010.
“We had a productive meeting and the discussions will continue,” said Gulati. “In the interim we have asked both groups to submit additional information,”
Both leagues have been requested to provide further details of their respective league plans by Dec. 9 to U.S. Soccer’s Professional League Task Force. Once the Task Force determines that the parties have provided the needed information, it will update the U.S. Soccer Board of Directors for further review.
U.S. Soccer’s Professional League Task Force is chaired by Flynn, and includes board members Carlos Cordeiro and Mike Edwards.
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Info on the USSF organizational structure including the BoD:
http://www.ussoccer.com/About/Governance.aspx
Scott, I’ve been there many times over the last several months and there is nothing that mentions these committees or league issues.
It’s important to note that a task force is generally different than a “Board of whatever”… In my experience the task force, at least in government, is usually formed when an issue, unforeseen or not, arises, and there needs to be a quick response.
It may look shady, but the reason there’s no listing of a professional league task force is probably because there hasn’t ever been one before… Even in government though, we usually know all the members of such a body, only knowing the people heading them is a bit dubious.
Great stuff Brian, I’ve been glued to your site for weeks now. My question for you is, Could there be a possibility of having Nasl and USL both being divison 2 status ?
Me, too – the suspense is killing me
The model for the USL, implemented in the mid to late 80s by the then SISL is essential for an amateur league, however it has repeatedly demonstrated in the USL First Division that it does not work for a professional league.
The obvious solution to this situation is to let the USL and its management model be used to keep in place a very successful amateur developmental system, allow the TOA and its NASL to be a professional 2nd tier league and work with MLS to ensure the best American and Canadian players get professional opportunities and experience. All three entities should be required to cooperate and work together for the betterment of the sport and its players. These principles should be the cornerstone of a comprehensive strategy for both the USSF and the CSA.