At the time of the announcement there were nine teams listed: Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina Railhawks, Crystal Palace Baltimore, Miami FC, Minnesota Thunder, Montreal Impact, St. Louis Soccer United, Tampa Bay Rowdies and Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
On November 30th, the Rochester Rhinos announced they were leaving the USL-1 for the new NASL. The Rhinos bring the NASL total to 10 teams and reduces last year's USL-1 line-up from 11 teams to 4. The Charleston Battery have self relegated themselves to the USL-2 division and the Portland Timbers are scheduled to join the MLS in 2011. That leaves the USL-1 will a three team 'league' in 2011 after the new expansion FC New York team joins in 2010.
Additional news today from the Edmonton Sun reports that when Vancouver joins the MLS in 2011 a newly formed team in Edmonton will join the NASL.
So how will all of this shake out for the 2010 season, your guess is as good as anyones at this point. The NASL has several hurdles to clear: 1) USSF approval to to play as a Division 2 soccer league, 2) resolve any legal issues with the USL-1 and teams which were scheduled to play for that organization in 2010, 3) verify all 10 proposed teams are financially able to field a team for the first season of play, and 4) build the organizational structure, front office, marketing, TV contracts, etc.
I'll be the first to admit, that is a lot to accomplish in any amount of time, let alone 4-5 months. But as a US soccer fan and local resident in Raleigh, NC (Carolina Railhawks) I really hope this can all work out and build a stronger soccer foundation in America. Stay tuned for more news.
What are your thoughts about the break away league? Re-using the NASL name? The clubs which have jumped ship?
I believe it is GREAT that they are forming. Sure it will be a lot of details to overcome but I am hoping it will all come together.
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