Comments on: US Soccer Announces Details of Division II Soccer Agreement

By: Vanesa

Vanesa — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 08:49:04 +0000

US team will participate in Soccer World cup 2010?

By: Jeff Wolter

Jeff Wolter — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 09:41:22 +0000

A shock , everyone agreed on a quick compromised to protect their own self interests in the end…

Check back next year to the same BAT channel to see what happens in 2011.

By: Brian Quarstad

Brian Quarstad — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 05:44:13 +0000

Hey Ken, As stated in numerous places on this blog, MN is not on a sinking ship. They are in the NASL AGM’s presently. They are a NASL team. They are playing in the USL division quite simply because someone had to and there was less ill will for MN.

By: Ken Jamieson

Ken Jamieson — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 05:25:50 +0000

Two six-team conferences does not imply both leagues have six teams on their side, quite the opposite. Without ten teams the NASL could not operate as a separate entity in 2010, likewise for the USL-1 with only three confirmed teams. I am sure US Soccer was influential in this final compromise which is more for the benefit of the fans and the players, not necessarily the leagues. The purpose of this set up is simply to allow a balanced and coherent D2 league to operate in 2010.
What is ahead for 2011? Unless the USL radically changes the way it does business, it will not be part of the D2 scene in 2011. Officially, only Portland, Puerto Rico and Austin we solidly in the USL camp, after 2010 only Puerto Rico and Austin, with the possible return of Charleston will be around.
The NASL, on the other hand, will have a minimum of nine franchises as, unlike Portland when the leave the USL, Vancouver has already identified a replacement franchise in the NASL for 2011 (Edmonton). Additionally with Atlanta returning in 2011, the NASL should have no problem fielding ten clubs next year.
Yes we have the solution that guarantees D2 soccer in 2010, however this does more to weaken the USL’s hand as Tampa Bay, Rochester and Baltimore won’t have any leagal obligations to the USL in 2011 and I don’t expect the new Minnesota team to stay on the sinking ship.
Also, don’t count out other Canadian cities coming abord in the next few years. Ottawa and Hamilton have both expressed interest in D2 and would most likely join Edmonton in the NASL, as would Calgary and Winnipeg if they field teams.
Unless the USL is ready to concede control of day-to-day operations at the D2 level to the team owners, this is its swansong at this level.

By: Rico

Rico — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:12:21 +0000

Great news! I’m satisfied with the outcome. As long as second division soccer will continue in 2010.

By: Justin

Justin — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:10:26 +0000

Sir Quarstad of St. Paul purchased a bowl for $50 and decreed that all the Division II teams in the land compete for it.

Maybe I’m thinking of a different awesome trophy?

Soccer bowl would be a cool name (if you’re bringing NASL back, why not go all the way right?) But it’s tough for me to think of the NSC as a stadium “bowl”. Or at least one that I haven’t dropped on the kitchen floor.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled with what they did with the NSC, it’s a stadium that suits its purpose quite well, and anything that brings fans closer to the action is awesome. But I’m afraid it’s stadia like the NSC that make relegation/promotion impossible in america for a long time to come.

By: CoconutMonkey

CoconutMonkey — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:04:40 +0000

I said it on MLS Talk and I’ll say it again. SOCCER BOWL!!!

This whole thing worked out a lot better than I thought it would have. Now we can get back to the real footy talk… like bashing the MLS/USMNT kits and making promotion and relegation work in America. ; )

Thank goodness cooler heads prevailed on this one.

Quarstad Cup = Awesome

By: Justin

Justin — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 23:38:02 +0000

Maybe they should invent the “Quarstad Cup” to be awarded at the championship match? Just sayin….

By: Nick

Nick — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 23:33:52 +0000

First of all, fantastic!!! Secondly…. I TOLD YOU SO!!!!!!

http://queencitysoccer.wordpress.com/2009/12/29/my-compromise/

Right, that’s it! I’m off to iron my “Smug B@#$%^d” T-shirt and wallow in self-congratulation!

By: treefire

treefire — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 22:57:06 +0000

It really seemed, prior to this compromise, that most of the team owners were leaning toward the NASL business plan. The only teams sticking with USL were teams that had already signed and didn’t feel a need to make a move at that time. It would be surprising, to me, if the 3 (or so) teams that were tied to USL for this year chose to sign new contracts after this season.

Without agreements, USL should have no lawsuits to file, and we shoulnd’t see the same level of problems next year with this issue. Given the progress of the situation so far, I expect we will see the NASL league as the D2 league in the USA, with USL having the D3 sanctioning in addition to the amateur leagues they currently operate. A couple teams will move to MLS, a couple will jump to NASL… or maybe one or two will move “down”.

Anyway, I for one am ready to stop thinking about that, and start reading about the great team the Railhawks will be putting together for this season.

Good luck to everyone, teams and fans, in the upcoming months. Many thanks to BQ for all the great reporting.