USSF D2 Update; New Standards Set for League, Current and Future Owners



The much anticipated USSF D2 meeting on Monday took place in New York without much fanfare or negotiations according to sources involved with teams that participated. The meeting was in general amicable and US Soccer did allow discourse.

Those attending the meeting from the federation were Sunil Gulati, Dan Flynn, and Brian Remedi. Team owners attending were: Austin Aztex owner Phil Rawlins, Carolina Railhawks owner’s Bob Young and Selby Wellman and his son Brian, Crystal Palace Baltimore’s Pete Med, FC Edmonton owner Tom Faph, Miami FC/Traffic US president Aaron Davidson, Montreal Impact owner Joey Saputo, NSC Stars GM Kris Bjerkness, Rochester Rhinos owner Rob Clark, FC Tampa Bay majority owner Andrew Nestor and Vancouver Whitecaps president Greg Kerfoot and USL owner Rob Hoskins. Those not present were Jeff Cooper of AC St. Louis, representatives from Puerto Rico who were said to be frustrated and felt that they most likely will not meet the new USSF standards and the Portland Timbers who will be moving on to MLS next season. Vancouver and Montreal have been actively involved with these discussion because the Whitecaps and the Impact would like to discuss the possibility of keeping a team in the D2 league for developmental purposes. Atlanta’s Silverbacks Boris Jerkunica was not in attendance either which may be telling with his involvement with the league in the near future.

http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/

I am excited at the news that Montreal and Vancouver want to maintain a presence in D2 soccer after they move to the MLS. This can only benefit a division that is struggling to put fans in seats, and maintain a high quality of soccer in North America.

As a reality newbie to D2 soccer, I am interested in seeing how the USL/NASL showdown will pan out. I personally think that this is going to result in a good lawsuit, instead of being decided by the USSF. I guess only time will tell.

It is amazing how many people have counted them out even with their statements that they would continue on in D2 with another team once in MLS.

Canada has to do some development other than their NT. It's no surprise these teams are taking the role on as they are the best Canada has to develop their top youth/adult players by giving those players a chance to play at the second highest level in NA in the two big coastal/waterway cities.

I am one of those people who have counter them out.

I do NOT believe that Montreal or Vancouver will continue to have a D2 presence.

When it comes to this particular point, I will believe it when I see it. Talking about it and doing it are two completely different things.

I really hope that I am wrong, but I seriously doubt it...

I am not sure about the situation in Vancouver, but for a number of years Montreal has held at least one of their games (exhibition?) in other cities in the region...and drawn VERY well.

I could see a situation where they (Montreal) have been in communication with such location(s) for future development, so I am willing to keep an open mind to the possibility of their continued 2nd Division presence. This may hinge, however, on the continuing USL/NASL saga.

There are city's with two teams(pro and amateur). Toronto is one of them and the Lynx have grown stronger(turnout) whether or not it's because of association with the Reds.
I feel that whether a city can support two teams depends on how many the original team can draw. In Montreal's case, I think they can be successfull. In Vancouver's I have to doubt, because they don't completely sell out Whitecaps games. The Impact have had empty seats too(as I've seen) but I believe their fans are more passionate(I could be wrong).

The fact that Kerfoot was at the meeting and not some Whitecaps' representative is a strong statement that they are committed to this. I think jw7 is on to something.... maybe this is bigger than the Whitecaps and Impact... this is an opportunity to build up all of Canadian soccer. Kerfoot in the past has been a big supporter of the Canadian women's team, so it would not be too much of stretch. It really makes sense on so many levels for the Whitecaps and Impact to have farm teams playing at the D2 level.

Toronto Lynx are not getting as much press as the Toronto CSL teams. The USSF standards are high, for all the current D2 clubs.

My guess, unfortunately the D2 shuts down ... or neither USL or NASL will get sanctioning. However, the D3 will become overloaded. The clubs could get wise about this and get each of their houses in order via the D3 league. This league will have to be regional. League should then take applications for promotion from teams at the D3 level.

Vancouver Whitecaps is a club not just a single MLS type of team. Having another team in D2 does not mean the team has to play in downtown Vancouver in the same stadium as the Whitecaps, don't forget about the capital city of Victoria BC across the not so convenient or cheap to cross water, the strait of Georgia.
330,000 people in the metro area without much other pro sports entertainment choices will work. They drew well when Sunderland played there back in 2005-6 (?) they have a soccer fan base.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria,_British_Columbia

The USL shot themselves inthe foot when they allowed Montreal, Rochester and the other "Big" (then) USL-1 teams to bully their way to the idiotic single table schedules. They have no one but themselves to blame for this crap.