Showing posts tagged “USL-1”
David Fellerath ·
4 Mar 2010, 2:58 PM ·
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“Don’t count us out just yet,” seems to be the message from the United Soccer Leagues today. As anticipated by early media reports, the USL-1 upped the ante in the ongoing struggle over the future of Division 2 soccer in North America.
The league announced that Orlando will operate a USL-1 franchise beginning next season, as part of its plan to “re-establish” its first division, which is currently playing under the auspices of the U.S. Soccer Federation along with teams from the rival NASL.
The new franchise will be operated by NY Empire Lacrosse, LLC and will be called the Titans. NY Empire Lacrosse brought professional lacrosse to the Orlando market in January and appears to have settled on outdoor soccer as the best way to diversify its pro sports operations.
“We looked at several different options, including indoor soccer and hockey, but in the end, professional outdoor soccer made the most sense in terms of being able to utilize our staff on a year-round basis without a lot of overlap in the seasons,” NY Empire president Steve Donner said in a USL press release.
The Titans have no playing facility yet, but the organization is “exploring options on a home facility and hope to make an announcement in the near future,” according to the release.
There are currently three USL-1 teams: Portland, Puerto Rico and Austin. Portland will begin play in the MLS next season, so the introduction of Orlando means the number of USL-1 teams slated to play in 2011 remains at three. It’ll be interesting to see if the USL has more such announcements up its sleeve, as there’s purportedly a required minimum of eight clubs for sanctioning by the U.S. Soccer Federation (notwithstanding this season’s six-team USL-2).
It’s also more than a little interesting that there are now three D2 soccer franchises in Florida (Miami FC and the Tampa Bay Rowdies are committed to the NASL).
The “NY Empire” moniker for the company might raise some eyebrows. Turns out that Steve Donner’s sports background includes an ownership stint with the Rochester Rhinos. For background, see Jeff DiVeronica’s post on the blog of the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. (He’s rather skeptical of this Florida venture.)
Continue reading »
Carolina RailHawks, Soccer NASL, Orlando Titans, steve donner, USL-1
David Fellerath ·
13 Dec 2009, 12:40 PM ·
1 Comment
Jordan Graye, after missing his penalty kick against Akron. (Photo by Rob Rowe)
WAKEMED SOCCER PARK/CARY–Temperatures dropped below freezing Friday night at WakeMed Soccer Park right around the time Brian Ownby scored a golden goal to lift the Virginia Cavaliers over Wake Forest in the semifinal of the 2009 College Cup. Three hours later, it was even colder as a diehard contingent endured 110 minutes of scoreless play between the undefeated and No. 1-ranked University of Akron and the fifth-ranked UNC Tar Heels before the Zips (23-0-1) won on penalty kicks when UNC defender Jordan Graye shanked his effort over the goal.
The night’s real drama came in the sudden-death overtime of the first game between the Demon Deacons and the Cavaliers (18-3-3). The winner came in the third minute of overtime as Ownby, a sophomore from Glen Allen, Va., took a long pass from Jonathan Villanueva. Ownby, whose playing time has been limited by a hernia, beat Wake’s Anthony Arena and Ike Opara, chipped the ball past Wake Forest’s keeper Akira Fitzgerald and tore off his jersey on his way to embrace his teammates on the sideline.
At the center of the field, Wake Forest’s senior striker Zack Schilawski stood still, stunned. Wake had equalized in the game’s 70th minute on an unassisted foray by All-American midfielder Corben Bone, and the Deacons seemed to have the momentum going into overtime. Now the game was over, and Schilawski stood still for a long time, moving only when opposing players came over to console him.
It was a tough end for the Cary native’s amateur career. An All-American at Cary High, he was also a member of the Cary Clarets, the team of college amateurs that plays in the USL’s Player Development League (PDL).
As it happens, I witnessed one highlight of Schilawski’s amateur career that’s not on his online Wake Forest bio. It occurred on the same field in the summer of 2008, when his PDL team, then known as the Cary RailHawks, defeated a visiting side from the English Coca-Cola Championship, a team called Burnley FC. After Burnley struck first with a goal by midfielder Wade Elliott, Schilawski leveled after exploiting an error by Graham Alexander, then as now his team’s defensive mainstay. The RailHawks clinched the game in the 76th minute on a goal by N.C. State’s Tyler Lassiter, off an assist from Wake Forest’s midfielder Bone. Continue reading »
ACC, Carolina RailHawks, Duke, N.C. State, Soccer, UNC-Chapel Hill, Uncategorized Add new tag, Akira Fitzgerald, Akron Zips, Brian Ownby, Burnley, Cary Clarets, Cary RailHawks, Corben Bone, Jonathan Villanueva, Jordan Graye, NASL, NCAA championship, PDL, Teal Bunbury, University of Virginia, USL-1, Wake Forest, Zack Schilawski
David Fellerath ·
30 Nov 2009, 4:28 PM ·
1 Comment
The Rochester Rhinos fulfilled recent speculation today, announcing that they would join the nine other ownership groups that are poised to begin play next spring in the North American Soccer League, which now claims 10 teams.
Last week, Carolina RailHawks majority owner Selby Wellman told Triangle Offense that he expected there would be at least 10 teams but refused to confirm speculation about Rochester’s status.
Here’s a link to the early thoughts of Jeff DiVeronica of the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. “Devo” is an excellent, insightful soccer reporter; he’s also been consistent in his scorn for the breakaway league.
For those keeping score, the USL First Division is down to four teams, following today’s announcement from Rochester and the decision of Cleveland and Charleston to take themselves down to the USL Second Division:
- Portland Timbers (MLS-bound in 2011)
- Puerto Rico Islanders
- Austin Aztex
- FC New York (2010 expansion team)
Press release after the jump. Continue reading »
Carolina RailHawks, NASL, Soccer NASL, Rochester Rhinos, USL-1
David Fellerath ·
10 Nov 2009, 10:17 AM ·
1 Comment
UPDATE 6:39 p.m.: The intrigue thickens with this statement from the USL. Key points: The USL opposes the new league application “on the grounds that there is misrepresentation, interference with USL business operations and substantial debt amongst the membership of the parties applying for certification.” Furthermore, in what seems to be a tart point directed at the owners of Vancouver and Montreal, the statement notes that the USL’s structure “has allowed USL to support and maintain the operation of member clubs such as Montreal and Vancouver during times when the then ownership of the clubs were unable to continue operating….”
UPDATE 3:22 p.m.: In a more-or-less simultaneous announcement, Montreal owner (and TOA member) Joey Saputo says the Impact are still in negotiations with the USL, and suggests that his club went along with the application for a new league to help the rest of the TOA make a deadline.
Here we go. The dissident Team Owners Association announced this morning that they have applied for an as-yet unnamed new second-division soccer league that would begin play in April 2010.
Things are busy here at the Independent, so we’ll just make a couple of quick observations and then leave you with the press release.
- First, the Tampa Bay Rowdies seem to be gone from the TOA. Last week, the USL indicated in a vaguely worded announcement about its composition for the 2010 season that the Rowdies would remain in place for next season.
- Second, there’s no mention here of reports out of Minnesota that the Thunder are in serious financial disarray and have, in fact, released their players from their contracts.
- Third, there are only seven teams listed, including Minnesota. Given that eight teams seems to be the minimum for official sanctioning, we’re wondering if more clubs are poised to enter.
The press release follows.
OWNERS OF PROFESSIONAL SOCCER TEAMS IN ATLANTA, CAROLINA, MIAMI, MINNESOTA, MONTREAL, ST. LOUIS AND VANCOUVER FORM NEW PRO SOCCER LEAGUE TO BEGIN PLAY IN 2010
Nov. 10, 2009 - The owners of the Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina Railhawks, Miami FC, Minnesota Thunder, Montreal Impact and Vancouver Whitecaps, formerly of USL-1, together with St. Louis Soccer United today announced that they have formed a new professional soccer league to play in the United States and Canada beginning in April 2010.
The team owners yesterday submitted an application for sanctioning of the new league as a Division II Men’s Outdoor Professional League by the United States Soccer Federation. An application for sanctioning as a Division I League will be submitted to the Canadian Soccer Association shortly and applications to other sanctioning bodies in the region will be submitted as needed.
Joey Saputo, President of the 2009 USL-1 champion Montreal Impact, was recently elected Chairman of the Board of Governors of the new league.
“This is not your typical new league,” Saputo said. “Most of our teams have existed for years. We have united some of the best owners, teams and markets around a new vision for a professional soccer league in North America.
“We look forward to elevating our teams and league in order to give more opportunities to players, coaches, media and sponsors, entertain our fans and play our role in helping soccer truly recognize its potential in the United States and Canada.” Continue reading »
Carolina RailHawks, Soccer new league, TOA, USL-1
David Fellerath ·
7 Oct 2009, 4:25 PM ·
1 Comment
The United States Soccer Federation has not issued a ruling on the validity of the contracts that the USL tried to nullify last Friday, according to an agent with a stake in the situation. The agent also predicted that if six or seven teams leave the USL-1 under the Teams Owners Association banner, the rest of the USL-1 will follow.
This agent, who represents soccer players at all levels in the United States including the USL-1, requested anonymity but otherwise offered a candid and non-alarmist take on the dispute between the United Soccer Leagues and the dissident TOA.
On the issue of the validity of contracts, the agent said that US Soccer told him, “‘There’s been no ruling. Right now, the players are still under contract.’” (For more on the USL standard contracts, including a copy of same, see Brian Quarstad’s post at Inside Minnesota Soccer.)
The agent said that he thinks the issue of the player contracts is a relatively minor one. By the time there’s arbitration or mediation, he said, the dispute over the fate of the USL-1 as we now know it will be resolved.
“It’s a moot issue,” he said. “One way or another, the Carolina RailHawks will be playing next year.”
The agent said that the clubs will argue, in his view “compellingly,” that they had used standard contracts for the sake of efficiency, but that their contracts were significantly modified with bonus clauses and other addenda. They’ll also argue that, as the ones paying the players, they are the owners of the contracts.
(As an editorial aside, it’s worth pointing out that any reconciliation between the TOA and the USL would involve the latter recognizing the former’s contracts, but if the TOA goes its own way, the USL has effectively renounced its interest in those contracts.)
The agent did suggest that one important effect of Holt’s letter was to galvanize support for the TOA. “Tim Holt’s letter went a little too far,” he said. “I could sense sympathy shift toward the TOA.”
He also suggested that for players at a club like Carolina, “If the contracts are ripped up, the players [at Carolina] aren’t likely to get a better deal anywhere else.”
He added, however, that there are players at other clubs that might like to take the opportunity to leave.
He also raised the possibility that, should the TOA proceed with a new league, there may be a couple of USL-2 teams poised to go along with them. Under that scenario, the USL would rebuild with the teams it has left and add a couple of stronger PDL teams, as well.
Carolina RailHawks, Soccer Contracts, Tim Holt, TOA, USL-1, USL-2, USSF
David Fellerath ·
5 Oct 2009, 7:15 AM ·
15 Comments
Fans from the 204 Depot after the RailHawks' 2-1 victory over Puerto Rico on Sept. 12. (Photo by Jeremy M. Lange)
Last night the Vancouver Whitecaps and the Montreal Impact advanced to the USL-1 finals with victories in the two-leg semifinal round. Not only will there be an all-Canadian final, but this represents the victory of the No. 5 and No. 7 seeds over the league’s “big four” of Portland, Carolina, Puerto Rico and Charleston that had dominated regular season play.
And there’s an irony at work, too, for the two remaining teams are also members of the dissident USL-1 owners’ group known as the Team Owners Association. Last week, the USL took steps to sever ties with Carolina, Miami FC and Minnesota, by sending emails purporting to release those teams’ players from their contracts, and by removing links to those clubs on the USL Web site.
We spoke with RailHawks president Brian Wellman over the weekend and he clarified a number of issues, including the fact that Vancouver and Montreal have not renewed their franchise agreements with the USL, but were not included in the league’s actions last week simply because they are still playing.
“The day [Montreal and Vancouver] stop playing,” Wellman said, “they’re going to receive everything we received because they’ve not renewed.” That day will be Oct. 18, the day after the second leg of the USL finals.
Wellman also said that the Carolina players are under contract to the RailHawks, rejecting the USL’s position that the players are now free agents. He noted that the players have not been released by the United States Soccer Federation, the sanctioning body for American soccer.
We also discussed the options facing the TOA—including possibly partnering with the MLS—along with the status of the RailHawks player contracts and the surprising fact that, despite the decline in reported attendance, the RailHawks actually experienced a rise in paid attendance this year.
TRIANGLE OFFENSE: It sounds like the USL sent out a note to the three teams (Carolina, Miami, Minnesota) that the players are not under contract anymore. Is that right?
BRIAN WELLMAN: Contractually speaking, while it is true the RailHawks have not renewed their franchise agreement with the USL-1 for the 2010 season, there’s still a chance that could happen-and several other teams haven’t either. There was a specific date when the franchise agreement ran out which meant our contract expired with the USL, but our players are under contract with the RailHawks and they’re still under registration with the federation—the USSF [United States Soccer Federation]. It’s a little misleading because under normal circumstances when you let a player go out of contract he goes onto the list and anyone can talk to him. Under this situation its very unusual that all the TOA teams are getting the same information but at the same time the federation is not releasing any of our players from their registration with our club. It’s a little unfortunate, it may have been a bit of a posturing, scare tactic technique on the part of the league due to the nature of the negotiation. It was unnecessary and unfortunate. We met with our players today [Saturday, Oct. 3] for about an hour and a half to explain the entire situation. Our players are under contract with us, and they’re under registration to the federation whether we play in the USL, in a new league or partnering with the MLS, wherever we play next year, our players are under contract with us. That’s the bottom line. Continue reading »
Carolina RailHawks, Soccer Alec Papadakis, Brian Wellman, Chris Economides, Miami FC, Minnesota Thunder, Montreal Impact, NuRock Soccer Holdings, Team Owners Association, TOA, USL-1, Vancouver Whitecaps
David Fellerath ·
27 Aug 2009, 6:15 PM ·
4 Comments
UPDATE: News outlets are reporting that the RailHawks organization were part of an ownership group that includes Traffic Sports, the Brazilian company that owns Miami FC, that tried and failed to purchase the USL. We hope to have more soon.
After last night’s game between the RailHawks and FC Miami, we spoke to Carolina RailHawks president Brian Wellman about the progress of Nike’s long-rumored sale of the entire United Soccer League pyramid. Wellman acknowledged that the league, 98 percent of which is owned by Umbro, was for sale.
“There’s a lot of silence right now from the league, which means something’s going on, we just aren’t sure exactly what’s going on. And the bid is for the entire USL.”
Today, Atlanta-based NuRock Soccer Holdings announced its purchase of the entire USL pyramid, including USL-1, USL-2, Premier Development League and W-League. Terms were not disclosed, but Nike and its subsidiary Umbro will continue to have a long-term sponsor relationship with the USL.
NuRock is led by Chairman Rob Hoskins and CEO Alec Papadakis. The former is a real estate developer, while the latter is a franchise attorney and veteran player for the Atlanta Chiefs and the Boston Minutemen, both of the old North American Soccer League. NuRock Soccer Holdings also holds USL-1 franchise rights in Atlanta, Ga. and Birmingham, Ala.
The deal promises to address a persistent source of concern among the club owners of the USL, that the league is in urgent need of better, more aggressive marketing and development.
From the press release:
“We are delighted to close this transaction with NIKE and begin a partnership with Nike’s leading football brands which will sponsor and support USL, and all of its leagues, for many years to come. Together with USL Management, we are excited about the opportunity to grow the size and visibility of USL, and to help develop and train the future generations of soccer athletes in the United States”, said Alec Papadakis, CEO of NuRock Soccer Holdings.
Last night, Wellman agreed that better marketing is a priority.
“We are in favor for a new ownership group to move the league forward, whether it’s St. Louis or another group,” Wellman said. “We’re in favor of dealership to lead the league in a new direction, with corporate sponsorship and TV contracts and raising the level of the league to a much higher standard.”
Here’s the entire release.
Carolina RailHawks, Soccer Alec Papdakis, Brian Wellman, Carolina RailHawks, Nike, NuRock Soccer Holdings, Rob Hoskins, Umbro, USL-1, USL-2
Chris Gaffney ·
18 Jul 2009, 12:01 AM ·
1 Comment
Gregory Richardson made an impressive debut with the RailHawks, scoring in the 44th minute. (photo by Rich Bostwick)
WAKEMED SOCCER PARK/CARY—The RailHawks deserved to win this game—which they did, 2-1—and the three points put them back in the thick of things at the top of the USL-1 table. Vancouver are never an easy side to subdue, but on this night the defending champions looked relatively pedestrian. The central midfield trio of Daniel Paladini, Brian Plotkin and Amir Lowery effectively stifled Vancouver’s attack throughout the match. When Paladini was able to find newly signed Gregory Richardson on the left wing positive things happened.
The much-improved RailHawks side showed moments of class during the match, though Plotkin and John Cunliffe were as likely to give the ball away as not. Paladini continues to show why he is Rennie’s first-choice attacking midfielder as he was able to go at defenders with pace and make intelligent passes. Richardson was electric on the ball and was always at the center of the RailHawks attack, so much so that one wonders who they played through before he arrived on the scene. He’s got pace, a light first touch, and his goal (though a bit fortunate as was off a defender and megged the keeper) showed a nose for goal. The 1,000 percent humidity must have reminded him of home in Guyana.
Tonight’s victory was exactly what good teams achieve. Carolina is now one of the top teams in the league. They play good, fundamental soccer even though they are prone to losing their way for stretches, and get the important points at home against solid opposition. If the goals start falling with a bit more frequency there’s evidence to suggest this team could win the league.
Attendance was 4,008. Box score is here.
Carolina RailHawks, Soccer Amir Lowery, Brian Plotkin, Carolina RailHawks, Daniel Paladini, Gregory Richardson, John Cunliffe, Martin Rennie, Soccer, USL-1, Vancouver Whitecaps
David Fellerath ·
1 Jul 2009, 8:15 AM ·
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Caleb Norkus and Sallieu Bundu celebrate Brian Plotkin's goal. (photo by Rich Bostwick)
WAKEMED SOCCER PARK/ CARY—The RailHawks fielded a reserve-heavy lineup and beat a Panamanian national squad composed of same, 1-0, on a Brian Plotkin strike in the 59th.
I wasn’t there for the goal. I was at the office late, and only caught the last 20 minutes. Here’s Rachel Ullrich’s account in the N&O.
I wasn’t the only one who wasn’t there—about 2,000 other WakeMed regulars were missing, too. In truth, the party was elsewhere. Round 3 of the US Open Cup was being held, and MLS teams were going down in flames to teams from the USL:
- USL-2 Wilmington, which defeated Carolina two weeks ago, beat the Chicago Fire 1-0
- The Harrisburg City Islanders, also of USL-2, defeated New England Revolution 2-1
- The USL-1 Rochester Rhinos defeated the Columbus Crew 1-1 (5-3)
- The USL-1 Charleston Battery beat Chivas USA 3-1
Only D.C. United and Kansas City avoided defeat last night, and KC did so just barely, beating the Minnesota Thunder 3-3 (4-2). And tonight, the USL-1 has two more opportunities to knock out MLS sides. Both are regional matchups: USL-1 Portland Timbers versus the brand-new MLS side Seattle Sounders, and the expansion USL-1 Austin Aztex versus the MLS Houston Dynamo. The Portland-Seattle one will be a battle royale, and we plan to watch it tonight (DirecTV subscribers may even want to try hunting around on your back channels for the feed from local television in Portland). [UPDATE: The indefatigable Jarrett Campbell has tweeted: The game will be on channel 687, Fox Sports NW, at 10 p.m. ET] Continue reading »
Carolina RailHawks, Soccer Brian Plotkin, Chicago Fire, MLS, Panama, U.S. Open Cup, upsets, USL-1, USL-2, Wilmington Hammerheads
David Fellerath ·
1 Apr 2009, 5:16 PM ·
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The missing pieces of the RailHawks 2009 roster are falling into place.
Today, the team announced the signing of three players who have been making strong impressions in the preseason: 21-year-old goalkeeper Caleb Patterson Sewell, who has manned the goal for two halves of the two friendlies we’ve seen; Devon McKenney, who has been starting at right back; and Amir Lowery, who has put in impressive performances in the rear of the midfield. The text of the press release is after the jump.
In other USL-1 news, the league confirmed that there will be an expansion franchise in New York beginning next season. The new team will play in the 13,000-seat stadium at Hofstra University in Hempstead, Long Island, just outside of Queens. The league claims this will take the USL-1 to 13 teams, but they seem to be assuming that there will continue to be USL teams in Portland and Vancouver after this season (the MLS has awarded franchises to both cities). Tampa Bay will also begin play next year as the Rowdies. The league’s announcement is here. Continue reading »
Carolina RailHawks, Soccer Amir Lowery, Caleb Patterson Sewell, Devon McKenney, FC New York, USL-1
