Comments on: USL At A Crossroads Part III: Negotiations Breakdown

By: Joe

Joe — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 19:45:35 +0000

Kartik- Do you think any USL-1 teams will drop down to USL-2 after these teams bolt?

By: Kenn Tomasch

Kenn Tomasch — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:39:24 +0000

Thanks, guys.

By: Kartik Krishnaiyer

Kartik Krishnaiyer — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:21:42 +0000

Change made, Kenn. Thanks for the heads up.

By: Kartik Krishnaiyer

Kartik Krishnaiyer — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:14:22 +0000

Kenn, the quotes were from your blog, I believe. (or at least as I recall) I’ll double check with BQ and attribute accordingly.

By: Kenn Tomasch

Kenn Tomasch — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:04:33 +0000

Last chance…Holt quotes? Attribution?

By: Kartik

Kartik — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 12:26:11 +0000

The Caribbean is also an option. Mexican teams would have no incentive to join such a league, with the FMF one of the top leagues in the world.

Traffic is also much more relevant and respected in the Caribbean and Central America than Mexico. Hence, why you see Miami FC billboards at games in Trinidad, Costa Rica and El Salvador but not in Mexico.

By: Kartik

Kartik — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 12:23:35 +0000

I think it is important to note the then established relationship between USL and MLS broke down earlier this decade largely due to MLS. The affiliate agreement was not helping USL and was being violated by MLS per the comments of some club officials. To expect all the effort to renew this agreement to come on the USL end (ie USL must give in, MLS doesn’t have to) is simply not fair, and it will not happen. The previous affiliate agreement broke down because of MLS’ taking advantage of things. USL clubs have investors who must protect their investment and the previous agreement saw MLS clubs looking at USL clubs as feeder teams and completely disrespecting the value of players to USL clubs.

MLS must make concessions if they want an new agreement either with USL or a potential breakaway league. The rest of the US soccer structure doesn’t exist just to serve their league.

MLS took advantage of USL. USL teams spent their own money scouting, training and developing players and then got virtually nothing in return from their MLS affiliate teams.

The USL TOA clubs that are discussing breaking off are all in medium sized to large markets. If they were to become a minor league affiliate to clubs in a league that most fans of the game in these towns don’t even respect (not because they love USL, but because they think MLS is substandard) each of the clubs save Montreal will fold within a year.

Associating or affiliating with MLS is not an option for these clubs unless they become part of MLS itself.

By: Jason

Jason — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 03:28:53 +0000

(bullshit)

By: jack

jack — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 02:56:56 +0000

There are rumors that the new league created by the TOA will be called the NASL (North American Soccer League) with teams from the USA and Canada and Mexico. Traffic is very interested in getting some Mexican teams in the new league. In tradition of the old NASL they will bring back the shoot-out and the 35-yard offside line to make things more exciting. The main difference between this new NASL and the old NASL is that the new NASL will have revenue sharing amongst the teams so that the smaller teams can survive with the larger teams. If the old NASL had revenue sharing then it might have survived.

By: eplnfl

eplnfl — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 01:03:52 +0000

First let me say the coverage of the USL story merits an award. This is probably the finest piece of reporting we have seen so far on MLS Talk. Well done.

Since, I reside in a MLS town I can sit back a bit and watch the discussion with a netural view. For those of us so situated the matter of the ownership of the USL is much more of an academic exercise. From this side of the hill the critical thing is a strong and active player development system to feed the big league teams and to bring soccer to the smaller venues in the US and CANADA , and in general promote the sport.

Cooperation with MLS is essential for any new ownership for the good of all involved. I understand the feelings of many here to promote a league that brings pro soccer to their town. However, for the common good we must not mistake what must be the true role of the USL as the keeper of the soccer flame for so many American’s but a keeper who works for the big league in the final word.