US refuses to sanction second-tier leagues
Source: Agencies |
January 1, 2010, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THE United States is without an authorised second tier of soccer after officials declined to sanction the two league's claiming to be a second division.
The long-standing second-tier United Soccer Leagues (USL) and the recently-formed breakaway North American Soccer League (NASL) had both applied for second-tier status.
Major League Soccer (MLS) is the first division in the United States and Canada but with no promotion or relegation in the region, USL has been run as a separate entity.
The US Soccer Federation said on Wednesday that neither USL, which has been operating since 1986, or NASL were in a position to be up and running for the 2010 season due to begin in March.
"The decision was made on the recommendation of the Professional League Task Force which determined that neither organization on its own was able to provide a viable and sustainable operation during the upcoming season," said the federation.
"Both organizations were unable to meet US Soccer's requirement of a minimum of eight viable teams for 2010."
NASL has announced it has 10 teams signed up including newly formed sides in Tampa Bay and St Louis as well as teams who have quit USL such as 2009 champions the Montreal Impact and beaten finalists the Vancouver Whitecaps.
There is evident bitterness between the leagues and USL has filed lawsuits against three of the teams who have left their organization for the NASL. US Soccer said it had given both organizations a week to try and reconcile their differences.
The long-standing second-tier United Soccer Leagues (USL) and the recently-formed breakaway North American Soccer League (NASL) had both applied for second-tier status.
Major League Soccer (MLS) is the first division in the United States and Canada but with no promotion or relegation in the region, USL has been run as a separate entity.
The US Soccer Federation said on Wednesday that neither USL, which has been operating since 1986, or NASL were in a position to be up and running for the 2010 season due to begin in March.
"The decision was made on the recommendation of the Professional League Task Force which determined that neither organization on its own was able to provide a viable and sustainable operation during the upcoming season," said the federation.
"Both organizations were unable to meet US Soccer's requirement of a minimum of eight viable teams for 2010."
NASL has announced it has 10 teams signed up including newly formed sides in Tampa Bay and St Louis as well as teams who have quit USL such as 2009 champions the Montreal Impact and beaten finalists the Vancouver Whitecaps.
There is evident bitterness between the leagues and USL has filed lawsuits against three of the teams who have left their organization for the NASL. US Soccer said it had given both organizations a week to try and reconcile their differences.
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