NASL Podcast Episode #15; First Leg Semifinals and Interview with Commissioner David Downs
Welcome to episode #15 of the IMSoccer News North American Soccer League Podcast.
The NASL kicked off the first leg of the home and away semifinals this past weekend. The IMSoccer News Podcast staff of Jay (Yankiboy) Long, Gerry Wittmann and yours truly, Brian Quarstad, review the victories for Fort Lauderdale and Minnesota and discuss what went wrong for Puerto Rico and Carolina.
We also take a look at second leg of these total goal semifinal series. Who will emerge as winners and move on to the NASL Championship finals?
Then NASL Commissioner David Downs joins the IMS team and discusses a wide range of topics. Downs talks about the on field product of the league this season. He addresses the IMS article concerning the resignation of Traffic CEO Julio Mariz. The relationship with NASL and Gol TV is discussed. The Commissioner also reveals some information about the talks that have been taking place this past summer with Major League Soccer. Negotiations to find a working relationship between the two leagues have taken place in regard to MLS reserve players. Lastly, he speaks about the resignation of American executive Chuck Blazer from CONCACAF and reflects on the rejected U.S. bid for the 2022 World Cup. Should the U.S. continue to make bids for World Cups and Olympics? You might be surprised by his answer.
Please join Jay Long, Gerry Wittmann and I as we present to you another IMSoccer News NASL Podcast.
You can find all past episodes of the North American Soccer League Podcast here.
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Oh, jesus. Please, no more hour-long “wrap up” shows on soccer networks. Anytime I see one of those things on when I know there’s a soccer game somewhere with cameras pointed at it I just roll my eyes until I go to sleep.
I get that they’re cost effective, and I’m sure advertisers would rather buy that down-priced time rather than the outlandishly expensive time that goes into pro league broadcast licenses, but I’d honestly rather watch Akron v San Diego State then We Live Soccer: NASL.
Great interview with the Commissioner.
It would be fabulous to see some of those long rumored MLS “B” teams such as Vancouver and Montréal enter the fold, as well as any other sort of partnership between the two leagues.
I can see it developing in the same fashion as the NBA D-League, where there are mostly independent teams that share affiliations with one or more major league teams, and there are other teams such as the Austin Toros or LA D-Fenders that are fully owned and operated by their parent club and branded as an extension of that club.
It would make for stronger league and better players.
Also it would be neat, in my opinion, to see some MLS-owned reserve sides competing in the NASL under names of classic teams in those markets. San Jose Clash, Washington Diplomats, Vancouver 86ers etc.
excellent podcast, gentlemen, and special kudos to the Commissioner for his insight. Wish I had a chance to talk to him at the pre-game festivities on Saturday, but I was up to my elbows with grilling the Surly birds.
TAKE THEIR COLORS
Great job as usual guys. EXCELLENT interview with the commish. It’s great to hear that the league is very much working at some sort of “connection” with MLS. I too voice the opinion that I don’t want my Strikers to just become the minor league reserve affiliate of an MLS team like the Red Bulls. But the idea of MLS allowing some organizations to field their own separate reserve team in our league is fine, and I really love F19′s suggestion to give them a little of their own identity by maybe even resurrecting some old NASL names for those teams. How awesome would that be? But even if that isn’t ultimately realized, at least an increase in MLS players loaned to NASL sides seems like a real possibility. As the youth acadamies start turning out more good prospects, the fact is, they need a competitive environment to play games in. Some might be able to do so at the D4 or D3 level before making a jump to MLS, but a lot will not. There are a lot of possibilities for the leagues to work together if all the right circumstances can be put in place.
On to the playoffs. Huge, HUGE win for the Strikers. The Islanders are always a tough opponent to draw this time of year, and coming home with a +2 in the aggregate is the best possible situation you could hope for. This team is confident, they’re playing well, and for the most part Shore has stopped with the musical lineups now, and is putting his best 11 out on the field. I am beside myself with anticipation for this Saturday’s game already, and it’s only Tuesday! As long as we’re solid in the back, as we have been recently for the most part, we’ll be fine. The Islanders are going to have to be aggressive, and the Strikers have done very well getting and converting counter attack opportunities the last two games. I expect a hard fought, close game, and I expect the Strikers to get the result they need to move onto the finals. Go Strikers!!!
I think the only way the league can grow and be cost effective is to bring MLS reserve teams into the mix. If you think about it, a team like MN can reduce their overhead if they play teams from Chicago, Kansas City and Columbus (I would imagine flights are rather inexpensive down to Dallas or Denver for that matter) on a regular basis versus travel to places like Puerto Rico and Edmonton.
I also think you could bring more people to a match. For example, if you were to advertise that the Stars were playing the LA Galaxy and put Beckham or Donovan’s face on a poster, people would come–even those those two players would not be playing in a reserve/NASL match. It would also be more exciting going to watch the Stars in a place like LA, or NY, versus trying to get a “pass” from my wife to fly to Cary, NC to watch the Stars. (Well, maybe not, because if I was going to LA or NY, should would want to come along. Okay, maybe I need to refine this argument a little bit better.)
In sum, I think the “name” sells. There is a huge benefit to MLS because their reserve players would get more quality playing time, they could develop players better and it would give them more of a chance to see D2 talent–yes, there are players in the NASL that can play in the MLS–eg–Jack Stewart.
Except for the fact that the MLS team owners do not want any more expense costs as a result of this reserve player league, an affiliation with either NASL or USL Pro would be good for the reserve players.
The issue is that MLS (Garber) would ideally want either USL Pro or NASL to absorb the extra costs associated with the reserve player association, with the obvious pitch being that extra revenue would be generated through the MLS association.
I don’t think either NASL or USL Pro would want to absorb the extra cost. NASL has the edge here, as they pay Downs about $400,000 a year. If like the great Steve Jobs, he drops his salary to $1.00 a year in return for NASL stock, and allows NASL to use the $400,000 for the MLS association, there might be a win/win/win for everyone.
I would like to see MLS player’s loan to NASL teams with each team paying something on the player’s salary. Personally speaking I would like to see each league stay a single league. I think putting MLS reserves teams in the NASL would help the MLS only if NASL paying half of the teams cost that including travel, salary and stadium. If MLS are paying any three of those I just mention I think I don’t think this deal would benefit the MLS. I really think this is more to help the NASL stay afloat. I like the NASL I hope they do well and get a team in the northwest so I can fallow the league more. But in reality fan or not NASL need this deal the MLS don’t . I would have more respect for NASL if they took player on loan and it was a deal between two leagues l then them using MLS team coat tails to save their a$$. In reality I think the MLS is not interest in the in the NASL .
So Footy76, you propose that already strapped NASL teams pay half the salary costs of reserve players, most who are making 1/3 to 1/2 times more than NASL players are already even though most teams are losing anywhere near $750K to over a million a year to help MLS out because fans will flock to NASL games then? I would dare say that most veteran NASL players are going to be (overall) better players than most, not all, reserve players are.
Right now MLS reserve players play in absolutely meaningless games which aren’t really a lot more productive the high level youth club soccer matches. Just as the commissioner said in the interview, there is certainly benefit to young MLS reserve team players to be playing along side of and against veteran weathered players who are more mature, know the rigors of a long season, understand how to hold leads and play under pressure and play on teams where wins and losses actually mean something. That something would come in the form of higher salary’s the next year or a team getting better gates because of their win loss record. Also, don’t underestimate playing in front of a stadium of fans, even if it’s 2.500. That’s about 2,490 more than they will have at a reserve team match.
@Bart, So I would guess you would recommend that Mr. Holt of USL do the exact same thing as Mr. Downs if they too want to work with MLS? Would you care to share his annual income as well?
Also, would you like to share with us all where you got those figures or are you pulling this out of the thick, acrid, smoke-cloaked air of your consulting room which hides the identity of all this inside information.
I don’t know how much Mr. Holt makes, but I would certainly offer the same to him. Hell, I would offer the same to Mr. Marcos!!
My downhome friends that reside in that thick acrid, smoke-cloaked interrogatory room would take great exception to any notices of their identities. Being in Her Majesty’s Secret Service does have some pitfalls.
The point is, if you look long enough, and deep enough, there are no secrets. Most folks are willing to tell you everything, if you just listen long enough. I am sure your Deep Throat contacts could confirm this for you, if you ask the right questions.
BTW, not only would players befit from playing in D2, so would the general state of officiating improve. Read this article carefully.
http://www.mlssoccer.com/referee/news/article/2011/10/11/referee-week-so-what-mls-doing-develop-officials-pt-1
Steve Jobs dropped his salary to $1.00 a year in return for NASL stock? Who’d have guessed? ;o)