Thanks to Dan for setting up a home for the Michigan Bucks.

Who's all here?

Sure, I'm in. Why not? I joined just for this.

Me too, on both counts.

where is everyone...I know there's more than just us three.

yo.

BTW, Josh, the MLS Detroit web site is no longer available. You can remove it from your signature.

Thanks...I hadn't checked that in a long time.

I'm here!

Wondering how the divisional/playoff realignment is going hurt/help our playoff chances. Will Cinci be playing with much the same roster as they did in the higher division? And who the heck are the Chaos? I'll bet that is a nice drive to play there.

It would seem smart to continue last year's emphasis on out-of-state players who might only contribute when the Bucks hit the road.

Almost forgot; how many games will be played outside the division. We better be keeping our home & home with the Fire.

Not sure about Cincy's roster -- they were a pretty decent USL-2 team, so if they can retain ANY of those players, that would be a bonus for them.

Cincinnati used to be in the top 2 or 3 in the country in terms of youth soccer participation (not sure where that stands now) -- it boggles the mind how they can't support a USL-2 franchise (AT LEAST!) The game that I broadcasted for them last year, I saw some of the most dedicated fans....POURING RAIN, huge delay for kickoff, stands were still packed, people having a grand 'ole time. The Kings also have a great supporters group as well...small, as you might expect for a USL-2 team -- but it's a GREAT foundation.

The West Virginia Chaos have been in the PDL for the last 5 years. Solid organization, but they haven't really had much success thus far. I'm sure it's only a matter of time.

And I understand how the geographic issues work out and all, but it's still strange for the Bucks not to be in the same division with Indiana, Chicago, West Michigan, K-zoo ("Outrage"? Seriously? I wasn't a fan of "Kingdom" -- but I'd rather have that -- at least it has 10+ years of history behind it)

Does that mean that the Bucks won't have the opportunity to break Indiana's hearts AGAIN for the Open Cup/PDL Playoffs?

The West Virginia Chaos was sold to their President/GM. The youth team no longer owns the PDL team. http://pdl.uslsoccer.com/home/219412.html

West Virgnial also got a W-League exapansion team: http://wleague.uslsoccer.com/home/220007.html

I'm not sure how Open Cup Qualifying will work for three divisions. My guess was that the Midwest Division would be split, with Chicago, Fort Wayne, and Indiana qualifying through the Heartland Division; while Kalamazoo and West Michigan qualifying through the Great Lakes Division.

(BTW, did anyone notice that the two "West" teams, West Virginia and West Michigan, are both named Chaos? Shades of the CFL with two RoughRider teams.)

Maybe a team can travel to WV and play two games on consecutive nights (I know that would involve the cost for a hotel stay). We can pass the time on the trip by singing the John Denver song, "Almost heaven; West Virginia; Blue Ridge Mountain; Shenendough the River;.... (all together now!) Country Roooooooooooooad; Take me Hoooooooooome; to the Plaaaaaaaaaace; I Beloooooooong; West Virginiaaaaaaaaa; ...."

Actually Chaos for West Michigan was an error; they are actually the Edge. It's been fixed on the USL site, afaik