Tag Archives: USL-Pro

2013 Wishlist for Lower Division Soccer

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In the spirit of other 2013 wishlists (see here for Liga MX, here for U.S. Soccer, and here for Canada), I’ve decided to compile a little list of my own for lower division soccer.  Let me know what you think about my list and what you would include in your own list in the comments.

1) Strong showings off the field from the USL expansion teams
More important than grinding out tough away results in my opinion, is the ability of the two USL-Pro expansion cities to establish themselves at home.  This isn’t just getting wins against weaker teams, but doing the marketing and community work to draw in big crowds.  Phoenix FC has already been doing some of this legwork and feel confident about their prospects for success off the field.

According to an article on Our Sports Central, more than 500 season ticket deposits have been collected for Phoenix FC’s first season.  AZ Kicks It reported that the club, “expects to sell out every game but [club president Tim Thomas] said 3,500+ per game would be great”

A turnout of 3,500 would squarely situate the Phoenix franchise in the top half of attendance in the league.  Based on my numbers for the 2012 campaign, that attendance would rank the Phoenix FC Wolves around fifth in the USL-Pro in terms of attendance.

VSI Tampa Bay faces a different set of challenges.  They have a network of youth teams and leagues in the community, but may struggle for turnout.  The team plans to play at the JC Handly Sports Complex in Brandon, Florida, but could find themselves competing for fans in the heart of Tampa with the Tampa Bay Rowdies of NASL located in nearby St Petersburg.

Both of these teams need to perform well off the field to show the viability of the USL-Pro business model.  If these teams bounce games around venues like LA Blues, Dayton Dutch Lions, and Charlotte Eagles did in 2012 or if they replicate those teams’ attendance numbers (well under 1000 each) professional soccer in Phoenix or east Tampa might be fleeting.

2) New York Cosmos and Puerto Rico Islanders join NASL for their fall season
When NASL released the announcement in early September that the 2013 season would be split into two short tournaments, similar to much of Latin America, there was one question resounding from lower division soccer fans around the country: why?

“Our Scheduling Sub-Committee arrived at this recommendation after an exhaustive review of a number of alternatives,” said NASL Commissioner David Downs, “and the new format takes into consideration a variety of factors including fan and player comfort in our many warm-weather cities.”  “But the bottom line,” Downs added, “is that we believe this new competitive format will bring more excitement and meaning to each of our regular season matches for all of our teams throughout the year.”

Apparently the interests of the many warm-weather cities beat out the cold weather teams like Minnesota, Vancouver and 2014′s Ottawa.  Perhaps this announcement was also made with the knowledge (or hunch) that the Cosmos would not be ready for the spring kick-off.  Brian Quarstad of IMSoccer reported December 2 that the Cosmos will skip the spring tournament as well as the U.S. Open Cup.

Due to potential changes in Puerto Rico’s government policy, funding of the Islanders is uncertain for 2013 and onward.  Neil Morris of IndyWeek reported December 21 that the Islanders will miss the spring tournament but that the league expects the team to participate in the fall tournament in 2013.  This leaves only 7 teams in the spring and either 8 or 9 teams in the fall.

Though in different realms, both of these franchises have a rich soccer history.  With the NASL trying to establish a legitimacy above USL, two teams stuttering off the field (one before they had even started) could challenge the league’s hopes.  On the other hand, taking a half-season off could provide the stability necessary for long-term success for both the individual teams and the league as a whole.

3. Continued positive performances in the U.S. Open Cup
The 2012 edition of the Cup saw three USL-Pro clubs reach the quarterfinals.  Lower division teams beat MLS clubs in 9 matches, 4 by USL-Pro teams and 3 by NASL teams.  While the format for this year’s tournament is not yet set in stone, it should be similar to last year’s with all the professional teams in the county participating.  However, there are two more domestic based USL-Pro clubs to incorporate into the cup this year so things could be a little different.

Regardless of whether all USL-Pro clubs take part in the U.S. Open Cup, upsets make the competition more interesting.  The cup draws attention to the lower leagues of soccer in the U.S. and amateur side Cal FC’s Cinderella run to the Fourth Round brought an appearance on Fox Soccer Channel.  If the 2013 Cup brings more interest in USL-Pro and NASL among MLS fans or more televised cup matches, it would be a good year for American soccer.

These may seem like tame requests for a wishlist.  After all I’m only asking that the new USL-Pro teams perform better off the field than the worst organizations in that league, that NASL not lose or postpone its teams, and that clubs from these two leagues kick off a cup fever for American soccer fans.  My hopes would go far to provide stability and spark interest in leagues that need both.  Even if these things aren’t in the cards for 2013, there will still be a lot of news, excitement, and speculation in lower division soccer in this country.

The Rumors of MLS-USL Collaboration

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Jason Davis of NASN.tv reported today that USL (United Soccer Leagues) and MLS (Major League Soccer) have reached an agreement over creating a viable third division of soccer in the U.S. that would double as the reserve league for MLS clubs.

The details as understood are:

1. If an MLS city has a USLPRO team nearby, MLS will provide 5 players and pay their salary.

2. If there’s no USLPRO team, the MLS reserve side will become a new, permanent team in USLPRO.

3. All USLPRO teams will have an MLS affiliate.

I have a few initial thoughts on this arrangement but I’ll reserve full judgment until the details pan out.

Pros:

  • This would obviously mean more teams in USL-Pro which could lead to geographic scheduling system in which teams play a bulk of their games against teams in relative proximity (ie: Rochester playing New England, Montreal, New York, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Dayton).
  • USL-Pro becomes an established cornerstone of the MLS system, thereby reducing the chances the league would fold if some teams become insolvent.
  • This system would provide the game minutes and competitive atmosphere for the meaningful development of young players.  There have been several notable success stories for players loaned from MLS to USL-Pro, first among them Bright Dike.
  • There could be an interest around the league to see the next young stars of MLS.  This affect could be doubled if more MLS sides sign youth national team players like Luis Gil and Mobi Fehr.  For clubs struggling to establish themselves, this could be a draw to stabilize attendances.

Cons:

  • USL-Pro loses some prestige despite ensuring its continued survival.  USL’s Professional Division might not be strictly professional anymore.  And certainly if the league is the equivalent of a reserve division, they must stop using the quote “USL PRO is the strongest, best operated and most experienced North American men’s professional soccer league below MLS, both on and off the field.”
  • USL-Pro will become a development league instead of a place for experienced professional players.  Think about the Rhinos: Would Krystian Nicht or George Kyriazis want to come to the United States to play in a glorified reserve league?  The former MLS players who play in USL and NASL have been some of (if not a majority of) the most exciting players on the field; though there are certainly exceptions.
  • Similarly, teams who have professional ambitions may want to leave USL-Pro for NASL.  USL teams (or fans) without clear links to an MLS club may not be too interested in merely borrowing young players from MLS for a year at a time.
  • Many MLS teams use their reserve league team to tryout potential signings in their system.  It wouldn’t be possible in a professionalized league for a team to use an unregistered player in matches.

Questions/Concerns/Complications:

  • Recent changes to the NCAA rules with regard to players being paid (which made it possible for some USL-Premier Development League teams to play their players) would not cover all of the features of the reserve league.  For example, the rule change allowed teams who didn’t pay their players to play against teams who did.  The players on an amateur PDL team (which didn’t pay salaries) would maintain their NCAA eligibility despite playing against professional PDL teams in the same division.  However, this change does not mean that (to the best of my knowledge) a single team could pay some players and not pay college aged players hoping to keep their eligibility.  So for rising academy products like Rochester’s Jordan Allen playing with the Real Salt Lake academy team in Arizona, they might have to choose between maintaining the option of NCAA ball or going professional early to play on the reserve side.
  • How close is “nearby”?  Harrisburg City Islanders and Philadelphia Union (about two hours apart) have an affiliation deal in which four Union players were loaned to the USL side in 2012.  Columbus has loaned a player to Dayton Dutch Lions, about an hour away.  But on the other side, Portland Timbers loaned forward Bright Dike to L.A. Blues who were the closest USL club despite a distance of 1000 miles.
  • How are teams paired up?  The release by Davis said that every USL team will an MLS affiliate.  There are 19 MLS clubs and only 13 in USL-Pro, including one in Antigua and Barbuda.  If Antigua Barracuda FC is included in this deal, it will be interesting to see which MLS teams gets stuck supplying players to the Antigua national team based side.  Also, which of the Los Angeles Galaxy and Chivas USA get a deal with the LA Blues of USL?
  • I’ve said before that this country needs to have a restructuring of developmental soccer and that a good first move would be a national u-21, u-22, or u-23 league.  This arrangement would be a step towards the establishment of such a league, however a distinction will become apparent.  There will be a divide between current USL teams that are interested in developing players for MLS (Harrisburg, for example) and teams that have professional ambitions of their own (like Orlando City now and Rochester of old).  Eventually, if this report is true, the divide that exists in third division of Mexico (called la Segunda Division) between professional clubs and developmental clubs will play itself out in the U.S.
  • The details of the the contracts and the specifics of each loan arrangement for the USL-Pro teams receiving 5 players from MLS teams will be very important.  If a player on loan from an MLS team is performing very well and there is a lack of depth due to injury at that MLS side, will they be able to recall that player’s loan prematurely?  Surely a team competing for their own championship would not want to let go of an in-form asset to his parent club.
  • What will happen to current PDL teams belonging to MLS clubs?  Portland Timbers, Seattle Sounders, Chicago Fire and Vancouver Whitecaps operated u-23 teams in the Premier Development League in 2012 while D.C. United will enter a team in 2013.
  • Will full reserve sides of MLS teams be able to compete in the U.S. Open Cup?  For example, Portland Timbers u-23 and Seattle Sounders u-23 are both participating in the 2013 edition of the U.S. Open Cup, according to this report by Josh Hakala.  If these teams are promoted will they participate starting in 2014 when full implementation of the purported plan begins?  Or, in the case that current PDL teams are not “promoted” into USL-Pro, will the new full reserve sides for teams without nearby USL clubs be able to participate in the cup?

This salaciously brief report raises more questions than it answers, but has sparked interest in the USL.  No matter which side of the argument you fall under, this is certainly an exciting offseason for lower division soccer in the United States.

Responding to Tim Holt’s Appearance on Soccer is a Kick in the Grass, September 24

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I don’t want this to be an indictment against the show as a whole, which you may or may not enjoy.  However, a host can still be respectful while asking insightful and probing questions that make the guest think.  This doesn’t happen during the course of the interview below.

Tim Holt, the President of the United Soccer Leagues since 2009, was a guest on Soccer is a Kick in the Grass last week for about 11 minutes.  I took the liberty to cut that section out for y’all to listen to.

Tim Holt is generally good at what he does, I have no reason to dislike the guy.  He’s a former soccer player and has been involved with the organization since 1999.  Holt offers a different demeanor and public face for the league than did his predecessor.  However, he would be serving his organization better to provide a realistic assessment of the league’s position in American soccer rather than living in a parallel universe in which USL-Pro has been wildly successful over the last two years.

Soccer is a Kick in the Grass’s host stressed the performance of three USL-Pro clubs in the 2012 U.S. Open Cup, singling out the Charlotte Eagles defeating NASL’s San Antonio Scorpions.  Somehow the host made the claim that USL-Pro “came out on top” against their rival league.  One game against an expansion team playing in the competition for the first time is tantamount to a smothering by USL-Pro.

The Phoenix expansion plans are not a horrible idea at face value, but officials need to take many steps very quickly to get a stadium, some players and a marketing campaign underway for the 2013 season.  Head coach David Robertson did well to sign fellow Scotsman Darren Mackie on September 27, though.  Phoenix FC plans to announce their home venue for 2013 in October with a number of signed players on hand. Continue reading →

Waived MLS Players Could Find New Home in Lower Divisions

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Both Columbus Crew and New England Revolution waived three players respectively on Wednesday.  Any of these players could become immediate impact players on the rosters of lower division teams in this country.

Columbus Crew cut Korey Veeder (20) a US u-20 defender and u17 resident camper, Aubrey Perry (21) a 2nd round pick and u17 resident camper, and Shaun Francis (25) a Jamaican defender.

New England Revolution waived Jeremiah White (30) a versatile American right winger, and two foreign players.

These four players were waived by their MLS clubs on Wednesday and other teams in the league will have until 5PM EST on Friday to claim these players.  If the players are not selected by other MLS teams, they will become free agents.  After Friday afternoon these players will be available on free transfers to NASL and USL-Pro clubs.

Korey Veeder and Jeremiah White will be the most wanted out of this group, but for different reasons.  Veeder was a member of the residency camp in Bradenton, Florida for the u-17 national team.  He then participated in several u-20 national team training camps.  There are currently several former youth national team players plying their trade in the NASL (Julian Valentin, Gale Agbossoumonde).  Veeder is young enough to attract teams with his future potential but has a solid footing in professional training in the last four years.

Jeremiah White is a veteran, some may say journeyman playing for 8 clubs in 10 years, who can play in several positions.  His speed can make him a serious threat in NASL or USL-Pro.  USL-Pro teams can be effective with balls over the top for a speedy player to run onto.  White’s natural ability as a right winger can make him a first choice player on any number of NASL teams.

I fully expect two or three of these four players to be snapped up by a professional club in the U.S. by this time next week.  NASL and USL-Pro teams have been in season for 12 weeks, which is long enough to know in which areas they need improvement or reinforcements.  Any of these players could get serious minutes and help a team make a late-season playoff run.

2012 Lower Division Attendance Update: June 18

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Every USL-Pro has seen its average attendance slip since the first couple weeks, except for Pittsburgh and Charlotte.  This phenomenon is pretty common across leagues and almost every team sees some up and down in numbers throughout the summer.

Charlotte should be proud of an announced gate this week of 1447, which was more than double their average attendance before Saturday night of 701.  Pittsburgh’s increase can be attributed to very poor turnouts earlier in the season.

Over in the NASL, Puerto Rico, Edmonton, Tampa Bay, and Atlanta have all seen their number increase since the beginning of the season; so credit to their marketing departments or supporter’s groups or whatever is responsible for that.  Keep in mind though, that Puerto Rico started with two draws under a thousand so improving upon those numbers wasn’t too difficult.  Edmonton is also playing at a stop-gap field with-out permanent seating facilities and from what I have gathered, the increase in their figures reflects standing only tickets.  This past week Atlanta registered 6000 despite their former sell-out number maxed at 5000 earlier in the season.

The largest announced attendance in either league remains San Antonio’s home opener on April 15 against Puerto Rico with a figure of 13,151.

As of Monday, June 18 here are the ranking of teams in the two professional leagues under MLS in terms of attendance:

  1. San Antonio Scorpions: 9460 [NASL]
  2. Orlando City: 6978 [USL-Pro]
  3. Rochester Rhinos: 6637 [USL-Pro]
  4. Atlanta Silverbacks: 4697 [NASL]
  5. Wilmington Hammerheads: 3995 [USL-Pro]
  6. Minnesota Stars: 3865 [NASL]
  7. Charleston Battery: 3782 [USL-Pro]
  8. Carolina Railhawks: 3102 [NASL]
  9. Fort Lauderdale Strikers: 3070 [NASL]
  10. Tampa Bay Rowdies: 3060 [NASL]
  11. Richmond Kickers: 2998 [USL-Pro]
  12. FC Edmonton: 1585 [NASL]
  13. Harrisburg City Islanders: 1447 [USL-Pro]**
  14. Puerto Rico Islanders: 1116 [NASL]
  15. Antigua Barracuda FC: 1067 [USL-Pro]
  16. Los Angeles Blues: 897 [USL-Pro]
  17. Dayton Dutch Lions: 866 [USL-Pro]**
  18. Charlotte Eagles: 826 [USL-Pro]
  19. Pittsburgh Riverhounds: 810 [USL-Pro]

*Missing games from each team

As of Monday, June 18 here are the averages for each of the two leagues:

  • USL-Pro: 166,755 total over 59 games (missing five) makes an average of 2826.4 per game across the league [the missing numbers are from lower drawing teams]
  • USL-Pro team median is 1447, but that’s problematic because I’m missing a few numbers from Harrisburg City Islanders.
  • The average of the top half (teams above the median) in the USL-Pro is 4867.2.
  • NASL: 171,567 total over 46 games makes an average of 3729.7 per game across the league
  • NASL team median is 3086.
  • The average of the top half (teams above the median) in the NASL is 5281.

2012 Lower Division Attendance Update: May 14

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As of Monday, May 14 here are the ranking of teams in the two professional leagues under MLS, the North American Soccer League (NASL) and the United Soccer Leagues Professional Division (USL-Pro), in terms of average home attendance:

  1. San Antonio Scorpions: 10934 [NASL]
  2. Rochester Rhinos: 7953 [USL-Pro]
  3. Orlando City: 7681 [USL-Pro]
  4. Atlanta Silverbacks: 4301 [NASL]
  5. Minnesota Stars: 4185 [NASL]
  6. Wilmington Hammerheads: 4070 [USL-Pro]
  7. Charleston Battery: 3745 [USL-Pro]
  8. Fort Lauderdale Strikers: 3483 [NASL]
  9. Richmond Kickers: 3224 [USL-Pro]
  10. Carolina Railhawks: 3147 [NASL]
  11. Tampa Bay Rowdies: 3030 [NASL]
  12. Harrisburg City Islanders: 1223 [USL-Pro]
  13. Los Angeles Blues: 1217 [USL-Pro]
  14. FC Edmonton: 1197 [NASL]
  15. Antigua Barracuda FC: 1067 [USL-Pro]
  16. Puerto Rico Islanders: 1019 [NASL]
  17. Dayton Dutch Lions: 882 [USL-Pro]
  18. Pittsburgh Riverhounds: 784 [USL-Pro]
  19. Charlotte Eagles: 702 [USL-Pro]

As of Monday, May 14 here are the averages for each of the two leagues:

  • USL-Pro: 87223 total over 35 games makes a 2492 average per game.
  • USL-Pro team median is 1223.
  • The average of the top half (teams above the median) in the USL-Pro is 5335.
  • NASL: 101041 total over 26 games makes a 3886 average per game.
  • NASL team median is 3315.
  • The average of the top half (teams above median) in the NASL is 5726.

These compiled data point to the fact that while the NASL has a higher average attendance, several USL-Pro clubs can hold their own and impress in a national comparison.

Though I am a fervent supporter of a USL-Pro club, I am not one for the bickering between leagues.  I find it very good news that one half of the top ten teams in terms of attendance are from each league respectively.  However, it troubles me that six of the bottom eight teams are from USL-Pro, including all the teams currently drawing an average under 1000.  Both the Dayton Dutch Lions and Charlotte Eagles have played matches at multiple sites and neither team nor the Pittsburgh Riverhounds has its own soccer specific stadium.

Speaking of stadium facilities, Atlanta Silverbacks deserve a round of applause for routinely reaching or approaching the capacity of Silverbacks Park.  Though the team itself has come under some scrutiny for its overtly abrasive style and physical dramatics, the fan-base in Atlanta consistently packs into the stadium to support their team.  Kudos there.

San Antonio Scorpions are experiencing the boom of expansion fever impressively drawing five figures to Heroes Stadium.  As of this week, they continue to draw a higher average than the New England Revolution of MLS (10934 for SAS vs 10394 for NER).  Without wanting to disparage the organizational efforts in San Antonio, these figures are unlikely to hold up but the team will still probably end the season with the highest attendance.

The 2012 U.S. Open Cup Is Here

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2012 marks the 99th edition of the U.S. Open Cup and thanks to a formatting change, it also marks the first time every professional soccer team in the country will participate.  The 2012 format includes 32 professional teams: the 16 U.S.-based Major League Soccer clubs, 6 U.S.-based North American Soccer League clubs, the 10 U.S.-based United Soccer Leagues-Pro clubs; and 32 amateur teams: 16 from the Premier Development League, 6.5 from the National Premier Soccer League, 9 teams from United States Adult Soccer Association, and .5 teams from US Club Soccer (one team from NPSL will face off against the USCS representative in a one game play-in match).

The 2011 U.S. Open Cup only included only 40 teams; 8 from MLS, 11 from USL-Pro, 9 from PDL, 4 from NPSL, and 8 from USASA.  This means that more teams are entering the tournament from every division this year.  NASL teams were disallowed from the 2011 cup partially because of late sanctioning and partially for political reasons.  Fortunately, for the sake of competition and integrity, all domestic-based professional teams are participating this season. Continue reading →

Rochester Rhinos Sign German Goalkeeper Kristian Nicht

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There have been two off-season departures from the Rochester Rhinos that worried me.  First was the free transfer of goalkeeper Neal Kitson to Northampton Town Football Club and the other was the loss of linking central midfielder Alfonso Motagalvan to the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers.  Today the club seemed to solve the goalkeeping issue by signing the German shot-stopper Kristian Nicht.

Nicht has extensive experience with Alemannia Aachen which includes that club’s promotion to the Bundesliga.  After one season in Germany’s top league, Nicht moved to Norway for a year before returning to his home country.  Rhinos head coach Jesse Myers has high hopes for the 29 year old ‘keeper who checks in a 6’5″.  “With Kristian’s experience and size I expect him to be a presence in goal,” Myers said.  “With the number of games Kristian has played in the Bundesliga he will have instant credibility with his teammates.”

Nicht joins a defensive unit which sees Troy Roberts and Tyler Bellamy return to central defense, Quavas Kirk re-sign as the right back, and both Mike Zaher and Jack Traynor join the team as attack-minded left backs.  Nicht himself seems excited about the upcoming USL-Pro season.  “I am very happy to become a Rhino,”  Nicht said.  “I am looking forward to bringing my experience to the team while learning from the team at the same time.  I am willing to help out the team in any way that I can.”

With five forwards, two goalkeepers, and five defenders, the Rhinos are only a quality defender and a couple midfielders away from a championship quality side.  If the club can find someone to fill Motagalvan’s shoes, as they have with Kitson’s, and sign a player who drops deep to collect the ball from the defense and plays smart diagonal passes into the runs of forwards and wingers, this season’s squad could be one to remember.

Neal Kitson’s Transfer to Northampton Town and the Contradictions of Lower Level Soccer

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Amid all the confusion and tattered hopes of transfer deadline day you may have missed that the Rochester Rhinos starting goalkeeper secured a switch to Northampton Town FC.  Northampton Town play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football, probably a fair step up from the quality found in the American third division in which the Rhinos currently play.

But this transfer raises more questions in my mind than just comparing leagues across the pond.  Broadly, how are the structure of clubs and leagues different on either side of the Atlantic?  But more concretely, what does this transfer, and others like it, tell us about the mentality of operating a soccer club in the lower divisions of the United States. Continue reading →

Wallowing in the Misery of Rochester’s Defeat

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This game is a week and a half old, but I just got around to posting the video highlights.  You can see the chippy plays and cheap shots aplenty from the Harrisburg City Islanders when they came to Rochester to upset the Rhinos on August 26 in the Divisional Playoffs Finals.

Here is the youtube version of this USL Live video.  Youtube version is shorter and only shows the highlights.  The USL Live video gives the whole game archived coverage.

It’s sad to watch and frustrating, but the core group of young players should be back next year with the experience of how to deal with the unprofessional nature of USL referees and hack teams.