Yesterday we found out that the new League was a go and today a number of sites confirm that the TOA will play the 2010 season in a new league.Teams such as Miami FC, Atlanta Silverbacks, Minnesota Thunder, Montreal Impact, Carolina Railhawks and the Vancouver Whitecaps will soon be joined by a St. Louis team. Sources indicate Tampa will leave USL and become the 8th team.
All this coming only a week after USL announced business as usual with the addition of as many as 11 teams. Austin, Cleveland, New York, Puerto Rico, Portland, Rochester, Edmonton and Ottawa even Baltimore and Detroit had representatives. USL also announced Tampa Bay was part of the fold but as mentioned their days with USL seem to be numbered.
Other sources indicate further teams from the PDL may join the TOA, who offers a better structure allowing teams more say as to the direction the league will take. A Lower division would be created to accommodate the PDL teams.
It's my opinion as a soccer fan that though USL still retains the majority of it's teams and has new teams looking to join them that the loss of the stronger teams (Montreal and Vancouver) will be a hit that will give USL-1 more of a USL-2 look. When Nurock took over USL they made the mistake of ignoring the issues and did not look to make peace with the TOA. Look for MLS to form some allegiance with the new league that will eventually lead to further PDL and USL teams leaving their ranks. The battle lines are drawn. Sit back and enjoy the war of the Soccer Leagues.
Miami FC finally gave us the press release go to http://www.miamifc.com/
Miami Herald on Miami FC and the New League.
More sites with New Soccer League info:
The Kartik Report
Pitch Invasion
Soccer by Ives
Match Fit USA
WVHooligan
Inside Minnesota Soccer
UPDATE 11/10/09 2:30PM
In a comment left below by Eric he points out some interesting information straight out of the Montreal Impact website where joey Saputo says Montreal is still in talks with USL. As Eric says as much as a blow the joining of Tampa would be if they leave USL the same if not bigger would happen if Montreal leaves the TOA. The drama never ceases!
I wish to reiterate that there are still ongoing talks between the Montreal Impact and the USL. We continue working on different options for the 2010 season, including the possibility that the Impact take part in the USL-1 or in a new league.
Check it out HERE
Match Fit USA has some valid questions for the TOA
1. Who's the eighth team? (or, What happened with the Rowdies?)
2. Will the league be broadcast?
3. Are the Impact sticking around?
4. What role does MLS/SUM play?
5. Are your clubs stable?
Read about it HERE
