Comments on: TOA Update: Are the Scales Tipping Toward the USL? http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2009/12/08/toa-update-are-the-scales-tipping-toward-the-usl/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 02:33:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: southsidered http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2009/12/08/toa-update-are-the-scales-tipping-toward-the-usl/#comment-3583 southsidered Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:41:47 +0000 http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/?p=12549#comment-3583 The whole point of the TOA breakaway is that the USL structure and management is keeping minor-league soccer from "finding a place in the North American landscape." Right now they're breaking the eggs to make that omelet. The whole point of the TOA breakaway is that the USL structure and management is keeping minor-league soccer from “finding a place in the North American landscape.” Right now they’re breaking the eggs to make that omelet.

]]> By: Jeff Wolter http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2009/12/08/toa-update-are-the-scales-tipping-toward-the-usl/#comment-3567 Jeff Wolter Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:01:29 +0000 http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/?p=12549#comment-3567 "This has left another black eye on the sport of soccer in North America and will probably hurt another generation of players that aspire to play professionally. MLS seems to be gaining momentum and it would be great to see minor league soccer finding a place in the North American landscape too." Yep “This has left another black eye on the sport of soccer in North America and will probably hurt another generation of players that aspire to play professionally. MLS seems to be gaining momentum and it would be great to see minor league soccer finding a place in the North American landscape too.”

Yep

]]> By: Chris http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2009/12/08/toa-update-are-the-scales-tipping-toward-the-usl/#comment-3564 Chris Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:27:01 +0000 http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/?p=12549#comment-3564 It is great to see that everyone is chiming in and lest we forget that the USL has kept soccer alive at the grass roots level. Having played in the USISL outdoors as well as indoors in its infancy as well as in the APSL/ALeague I can see history repeating itself with the new NASL. The new NASL while a nice concept is doomed to fail as they will only suffer through the same missteps as past leagues such as the old NASL, APSL/ALeague, etc. The purchase of the USL by NuRock was only a last minute effort to preserve the influence of Francisco Marcos who has lost touch of his initial vision for soccer. The USL should refocus on a more regionalized second division that would be more conducive to the long term viability of franchises. As well they need to incorporate the indoor game back into the pyramid as another means of revenue generation and to retain players on year round contracts. This new NASL is going to have many issues not to mention who will oversee the league as a commisioner and how will they cut down on travel costs which is one of the primary concerns with most clubs. Additionally some of these markets don't really support minor league soccer like Miami, Tampa and Atlanta. We shall see who will prevail, but this has left another black eye on the sport of soccer in North America and will probably hurt another generation of players that aspire to play professionally. MLS seems to be gaining momentum and it would be great to see minor league soccer finding a place in the North American landscape too. It is great to see that everyone is chiming in and lest we forget that the USL has kept soccer alive at the grass roots level. Having played in the USISL outdoors as well as indoors in its infancy as well as in the APSL/ALeague I can see history repeating itself with the new NASL. The new NASL while a nice concept is doomed to fail as they will only suffer through the same missteps as past leagues such as the old NASL, APSL/ALeague, etc. The purchase of the USL by NuRock was only a last minute effort to preserve the influence of Francisco Marcos who has lost touch of his initial vision for soccer. The USL should refocus on a more regionalized second division that would be more conducive to the long term viability of franchises. As well they need to incorporate the indoor game back into the pyramid as another means of revenue generation and to retain players on year round contracts. This new NASL is going to have many issues not to mention who will oversee the league as a commisioner and how will they cut down on travel costs which is one of the primary concerns with most clubs. Additionally some of these markets don’t really support minor league soccer like Miami, Tampa and Atlanta. We shall see who will prevail, but this has left another black eye on the sport of soccer in North America and will probably hurt another generation of players that aspire to play professionally. MLS seems to be gaining momentum and it would be great to see minor league soccer finding a place in the North American landscape too.

]]> By: Ed http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2009/12/08/toa-update-are-the-scales-tipping-toward-the-usl/#comment-3427 Ed Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:49:36 +0000 http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/?p=12549#comment-3427 Again, USL has not lost until this new league is sanctioned. They may have a legitimate case against Tampa and Baltimore. NASL has not won, yet. Again, USL has not lost until this new league is sanctioned. They may have a legitimate case against Tampa and Baltimore.

NASL has not won, yet.

]]> By: FIUJoel http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2009/12/08/toa-update-are-the-scales-tipping-toward-the-usl/#comment-3421 FIUJoel Wed, 09 Dec 2009 06:36:52 +0000 http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/?p=12549#comment-3421 ERic, it's because the USL likes to BURN bridges. There IS NO VOICE for them because they know they are finished and they have done a very poor job in this entire fiasco trying to gain support for their "cause", or lack thereof. And now they are playing their final card: filing lawsuits against Rochester, Tampa and Baltimore... they know it's over for them so all they can really due now is sue, sue, sue. They are a pathetic bunch and they are showing EXACTLY why everyone has jumped from their sinking ship. I'll be glad to never hear USL-1 again after all this is over. ERic, it’s because the USL likes to BURN bridges. There IS NO VOICE for them because they know they are finished and they have done a very poor job in this entire fiasco trying to gain support for their “cause”, or lack thereof. And now they are playing their final card: filing lawsuits against Rochester, Tampa and Baltimore… they know it’s over for them so all they can really due now is sue, sue, sue. They are a pathetic bunch and they are showing EXACTLY why everyone has jumped from their sinking ship. I’ll be glad to never hear USL-1 again after all this is over.

]]> By: Jane http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2009/12/08/toa-update-are-the-scales-tipping-toward-the-usl/#comment-3418 Jane Wed, 09 Dec 2009 02:41:27 +0000 http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/?p=12549#comment-3418 The fat lady has sung. USL left with only 3 teams....austin, Portland, and Puerto Rico. Everyone knows that the NY group can't financially field a team. The fat lady has sung. USL left with only 3 teams….austin, Portland, and Puerto Rico. Everyone knows that the NY group can’t financially field a team.

]]> By: ERic http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2009/12/08/toa-update-are-the-scales-tipping-toward-the-usl/#comment-3413 ERic Tue, 08 Dec 2009 22:06:05 +0000 http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/?p=12549#comment-3413 Wow. I really do hope that, some day, someone writes a book on all this. Sure sounds like it deserves it. I also hope that I'll get a chance to listen to more than 10 minutes of the podcast. Though I have to admit that Kartik's touting of his being consulted on the NASL name nudges his credibility down a notch. The one thing that was desperately missing in the group was someone that has any connections to the USL. It's the one voice that has been sadly lacking in all the reporting that's been done. Not sure if there's anyone to blame for that, though. Everyone's done a solid job, at least, as solid as they could with the contacts they have. Wow. I really do hope that, some day, someone writes a book on all this. Sure sounds like it deserves it. I also hope that I’ll get a chance to listen to more than 10 minutes of the podcast. Though I have to admit that Kartik’s touting of his being consulted on the NASL name nudges his credibility down a notch. The one thing that was desperately missing in the group was someone that has any connections to the USL. It’s the one voice that has been sadly lacking in all the reporting that’s been done. Not sure if there’s anyone to blame for that, though. Everyone’s done a solid job, at least, as solid as they could with the contacts they have.

]]> By: southsidered http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2009/12/08/toa-update-are-the-scales-tipping-toward-the-usl/#comment-3410 southsidered Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:51:41 +0000 http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/?p=12549#comment-3410 The podcast is really excellent - the best summation of the whole situation so far, plus lots of new stuff (new to me, anyway, like the NASL already having more corporate sponsors than USL, and the stuff about Jack Warner's business relationships with Traffic Sports, etc.) The podcast is really excellent – the best summation of the whole situation so far, plus lots of new stuff (new to me, anyway, like the NASL already having more corporate sponsors than USL, and the stuff about Jack Warner’s business relationships with Traffic Sports, etc.)

]]> By: Brian Quarstad http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2009/12/08/toa-update-are-the-scales-tipping-toward-the-usl/#comment-3409 Brian Quarstad Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:40:24 +0000 http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/?p=12549#comment-3409 Sylvain. Please go back and read my article on Sunday concerning this issue as well as todays links to the Canadian sites. It will also mean to US Open Cup for US teams and it could also mean it would be tough to get international players like r Leonel Saint-Preux who played for MN, to be able to play for their national teams. Playing for a non-sanctioned team could harm their eligibility for international play. Most USL players are not playing for their national teams but some are, like the Canadian Nat team as well as a few others. Last year Miami had the youngster who played on the US Youth Nat. team. Forgetting his name at the moment. Sylvain. Please go back and read my article on Sunday concerning this issue as well as todays links to the Canadian sites. It will also mean to US Open Cup for US teams and it could also mean it would be tough to get international players like r Leonel Saint-Preux who played for MN, to be able to play for their national teams. Playing for a non-sanctioned team could harm their eligibility for international play. Most USL players are not playing for their national teams but some are, like the Canadian Nat team as well as a few others. Last year Miami had the youngster who played on the US Youth Nat. team. Forgetting his name at the moment.

]]> By: Ed http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2009/12/08/toa-update-are-the-scales-tipping-toward-the-usl/#comment-3407 Ed Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:34:05 +0000 http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/?p=12549#comment-3407 "USL is drowning right now and they are as good as dead. Their system has failed teams in USL-1 and the teams have responded. This shouldn’t even be a debate. NASL has won." NASL hasn't won until they get sanctioning. No sanctioning, they don't win. “USL is drowning right now and they are as good as dead. Their system has failed teams in USL-1 and the teams have responded. This shouldn’t even be a debate. NASL has won.”

NASL hasn’t won until they get sanctioning. No sanctioning, they don’t win.

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