Comments on: NASL Podcast Episode #43; Looking at the Stretch Run

By: yankiboy

yankiboy — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 14:36:11 +0000

^I will be pleasantly surprised if Jake comes back with an nsightful response to reasonable questions.

I’m hoping that he surprises me coz I would really love to read his responses…

By: Strikers Return

Strikers Return — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 13:55:31 +0000

@jake – I have a question for you. All indications are that NY2 continues to be the league’s goal for franchise #20. They league is brokering the stadium deal, at significant cost to them. I know people like to be optimistic fans, but let’s be serious here, no one is passing up NY2 for that spot. That means the earliest possibility for Orlando would be #21. Now, there’s probably very little chance of NY2 beginning play in MLS prior to 2015 considering the work still needing to be done on the deal and then the actual building itself. We also have Mr. Garber’s comments about a pause after team #20 when it comes to expansion. So where does that leave Orlando’s MLS chances? Well, if they are able to get a stadium built, with private financing, good for them. To me that’s an endeavor that can be completely independent of an MLS bid. Just ask San Antonio. The lower levels of the game in this country are only improved by teams like Orlando and San Antonio getting their own SSS.

But back to Orlando’s situaiton. Assuming NY2 is indeed #20, how soon can Orlando hope for even a shot at the next expansion slot? 2016? That would assume a “pause” of only one year. Not much point in saying the league will pause on expansion after #20 if it’s only one year, right? So, 2017? 2018? My guess is they will make some kind of pause at 20, and then they’ll look to bring in the next two expansion teams together. So, is Orlando’s ownership, investors, and fans all willing to wait for 2017 or possibly later for MLS? And if so, how will they spend that “wait” time? In a brand new SSS come 2014 or 2015 hosting the likes of Dayton? I’ll stop saying LA and Antigua because the smart money is on them both being gone after this season. Or if you’re Orlando, and you need to bide your time waiting for an MLS bid, do you do it against the likes of the Cosmos, Strikers, and Rowdies? Wouldn’t that help keep fan interest up? So maybe you should think things through before spitting in the NASL’s direction.

By: yankiboy

yankiboy — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 02:24:13 +0000

Jake, Orlando does look to be doing well. That’s fantastic news. Hope that the stadium and MLS deals come through for Orlando. I’d hate to see them leave their current city like they did the last one. Thanks for sharing!

By: Jake

Jake — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 08:59:46 +0000

Don’t look now fellows but it looks to me like Orlando City could give a rip about your nasl you seem so in love with. They are doing just fine without them.

http://www.scoringthird.com/2012/08/orlando-city-stadium-deal.html

By: Strikers Return

Strikers Return — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 03:38:04 +0000

Don’t look now, but the stretch run is in full gear, and the Strikers are creeping up on that #2 slot!

By: Bart

Bart — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 23:47:07 +0000

@WSW

Do you really not think, based upon the fact that one corporate entity is funding 70% of NASL, that getting anyone else into the league at all costs so that the black hole that Traffic is funding can possibly be shortened, is not part of the current mindset of Traffic/NASL? Humans run from pain (ie., liabilities) and they love chocolate (ie., cash flow).

On what basis do you make the claim that USL is merely wanting someone to “give me a check”, as you state? Prove your case, sir. I do not believe you currently can, and do not provide us with old data that is certainly old news.

By: yankiboy

yankiboy — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 18:30:21 +0000

@WhiteStar: Let’s hope that both leagues have learned a lot and that there aren’t going to be anymore disasters like we have seen since the second division civil war. Let’s hope that some lessons have been learned but I’m not convinced.

When I hear about Loundon County, Phoenix and a second Tamper franchise, the idea that NASL thinks that Baltimore is viable for the league–it doesn’t do a lot to instill me with confidence. I actually has the opposite effect.

I hope that you are right about the NASL. I hope that I’m wrong about both leagues. Maybe both have learned lessons from the past. It’s still early in the movie but San Antonio is a developing plot that has my full attention.

By: WSW

WSW — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 03:32:33 +0000

@yankiboy

I’m implying the way”new” franchises are vetted in NASL as compared to USL, give me check and we will see what happens.

By: Bruce

Bruce — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 21:25:18 +0000

I have always felt that salary caps in lower divisions are unnecessary because you are only going to be able to attract a certain level of player to begin with.
The best players will not go there strictly for money, they also want to be on the best teams with the best teammates. So while a NASL team may chose to buy a lot of players there will be natural limits to who those players are.
San Antonio is a great example, yes they have spent more than everyone else but they didn’t land any players that were going to be regulars on MLS teams. They got guys who were either lower roster or former MLS players.
I think these things will take care of themselves without a salary cap.

By: yankiboy

yankiboy — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 11:46:05 +0000

@Kel: Very strong post, Playah!

@WSW: Not sure what the “product” statement was trying to get at. One could easily argue that almost everywhere franchise in the NASL outside of the Islanders is a minor league franchise located in a major league market. I’d say even Edmonton when you look at the Oilers and the Eskimoes.

So please, what is the difference in the NASL and USL products that you are implying or inferring exists?