Connect with us

Uncategorized

US Soccer Grants Provisional Division 2 Status To USL And NASL


Finally, a decision. 
Almost a month after it first met to review the issue, U.S. Soccer’s Board of Directors voted Friday to grant provisional Division 2 status to both the North American Soccer League and United Soccer League for the 2017 season.

So, what does this mean for the two soccer leagues, and to the local pro soccer team here in Pittsburgh?
It provides the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, and it’s upstart league, USL with the status it has coveted.  

The NASL, on the other hand, teetering on the brink of extinction, gets to fight another day. 
But both leagues now share the same designation.  
While Neither league meets all the U.S. Soccer standards for D2 status, U.S. Soccer said through its statement tonight that it “will work with the leagues on a pathway to full compliance.”
The NASL was in danger of folding after Minnesota United moved to MLS and Tampa Bay and Ottawa joined the USL, leaving the league with 10 teams for 2017. But the three-time champion New York Cosmos, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville and Rayo OKC all have had financial problems.
The USL has increased from 14 teams in 2014 to 30 in 2017 but not all teams meet D2 requirements on such things as the size of their stadiums.

“After an exhaustive process working with both leagues, in the best interest of the sport the U.S. Soccer Board of Directors has decided to grant provisional Division 2 status to the NASL and USL,” said U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati in a statement. “U.S. Soccer will create an internal working group that will work with each league to set a pathway to meet the full requirements for Division II and allow for the larger goal of creating a sustainable future. We look forward to another productive year for professional soccer in this country.”

The decision immediately sparked a lot of confusion, some outrage from many fans, lots of cynical response from soccer media, but also relief to some of the die-hard fans of each entity, particularly to NASL, which gets to live to fight another day.
https://twitter.com/jeffreycarlisle/status/81755168441499648
 
Stay tuned folks, U.S. Soccer stated thru its release that it will determine the additional requirements and a timeline for completion in the coming weeks.
I’ll have more on this in the coming days and weeks.  

John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of 'Miracle on the Mon' -- a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).

Glory on the Grass

Riverhounds MF Kenardo Forbes

Subscribe to PGH Soccer Now

Enter your email address to subscribe to PGH Soccer Now and receive notifications of new posts by email.

More in Uncategorized