The 2010 season of the USSF 2nd Division, aka the NASL, aka the former (and still slightly) USL, kicked off this past weekend. After a very tumultuous off-season which saw Nike sell the USL to the NuRock group, several clubs break away to form a rival second division league - the NASL - and then a series of law-suits. It was not the ideal situation for the US Soccer Federation, what with trying to boost support for the upcoming World Cup team and win a future World Cup hosting spot in 2018 or 2022. Thus the powers to be in US soccer stepped in a formed a one-year 'fix' in the form of a new league which combines teams from the old USL and the new NASL.
Luckily for soccer lovers in America, and especially those in smaller markets which do not have a MLS team (like myself), we are glad to see the season get started and know that soccer will be in our towns for at least another year.
Last weekend saw eight clubs kick off their seasons including a victory by the Carolina Railhawks over the new expansion side - AC St. Louis, the Austin Aztex upset the 2009 USL champions Montreal, Vancouver topped the new club from Minnesota (after the Thunder closed during the off-season), and a 1-1 draw between Rochester and Miami. As the season gets into full swing I'll make sure to report back with recent results, current standings, and any news about the future of the second division in US soccer.
If you would like some more information on the new league check out the follow sites:
- The USSF has an official website for the new D2 league, but you don't want to go there - trust me. Instead just refer to wikipedia's page on the USSF Division 2 Professional League.
- NASL launched its official website (NASL.com) which features up-to-date information on the teams in the D2 league that are under the NASL umbrella.
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