USL Statement regarding USL-1

USL News Release

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

TAMPA, FL – United Soccer Leagues issued the following statement regarding the USL First Division in response to the announcement of an application before the United States Soccer Federation for a new Division II Men’s Outdoor Professional League submitted, in part, by former USL-1 franchises.

Statement:

United Soccer Leagues, founded in 1986, continues to be the only organization with Division II and III Men’s Outdoor Professional Leagues sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation, providing over 20 years of professional league management experience to its member clubs at all levels of the game.

The new ownership of NuRock Soccer Holdings has made a significant investment in United Soccer Leagues through its acquisition of the business and the retaining of strategic business partners such as Nike, Inc. and Premier Partnerships, which is led by the highly-respected duo of Alan Rothenberg and Randy Bernstein.

While USL does not oppose the right of an entity to affiliate with USSF per the governing organization’s bylaws, it does oppose the current application before the Federation on the grounds that there is misrepresentation, interference with USL business operations and substantial debt amongst the membership of the parties applying for certification.

Although USL is currently working with USL-1 member teams on reforming the structure of league management, USL’s ownership structure and franchise system has been, and will continue to be, in compliance with all USSF and FIFA statutes since its membership as a professional league with the USSF began in 1993.

There is no FIFA regulation stipulating that member leagues be owned by their respective clubs, and in many cases around the world, leagues consist of individual clubs that play in league competitions managed by the respective Federation such as the English leagues (excluding the Premiership), Bundesliga (Germany), La Liga (Spain) and Mexican Primera Division. While some management systems are similar, the models of ownership structure vary greatly throughout FIFA based on each country’s business regulations as well as respective regional confederation and federation guidelines and principles. While there are universal principles woven throughout FIFA, league ownership models are among concepts such as promotion/relegation and the prohibition of two equal-tiered leagues that are not mandated and not necessarily applicable for every federation, such as is the case in the United States. Every league in every federation has its own nuances that make it unique.

The ownership structure of United Soccer Leagues has played a crucial role in maintaining a stable foundation while advancing the sport over decades of growth through both prosperous and difficult financial times. This structure has allowed USL to support and maintain the operation of member clubs such as Montreal and Vancouver during times when the then ownership of the clubs were unable to continue operating, which would have had detrimental affects on both the competition and on all respective markets across the league. With continued financial difficulties being experienced by clubs all around the world as well franchises and leagues in various United States sports entities, USL believes its model, with upcoming reforms to better serve its teams, is an important aspect to a successful future in the USL First Division.

Addlery, el refuerzo jamaiquino

Águila

Addlery ha jugado en la MLS y con la Selección de Jamaica. Ya llegó a Águila. FOTO EDH / ARCHIVO

Franklin Ponce / Varinia Escalante
Elsalvador.com

Jueves, 5 de Noviembre de 2009

Tal y como se esperaba, Águila tiene nuevo fichaje. El delantero Nicholas Addlery, de origen jamaiquino, llegó ayer en horas del mediodía al país y se convierte en el nuevo elemento emplumado.

Proveniente del Islanders de Puerto Rico, donde militó el salvadoreño Edwin Miranda, y con 27 años, este auténtico 9 se convierte en el sustituto de Leonel "Apache" Guevara, y firmó por un año, según confirmó Will Salgado, pope migueleño.

"Esperamos que sea nuestra solución en el ataque. Mañana (hoy) haremos los trámites para poder inscribirlo, pero no creemos que esté el fin de semana, sino para miércoles", dijo Amílcar Mijangos, gerente del equipo.

La lesión de Guevara, una contractura en el muslo derecho, lo deja fuera del torneo de uno a tres meses. Addlery sería inscrito por el brasileño Allison Batista.

Equipo Femenino Mayaguez 2010 comienza seleccion de jugadoras

Comunicado de Prensa: Federacion Puertoriquena de Futbol

Salinas, PR.- En el Abergue Olimpico en Salinas comenzaron los "try outs" para comenzar el proceso de preparar el equipo Nacional que nos representaran en la Categoria Femenina en Mayaguez 2010. El Director del Albergue, Gino Guerra, siempre en total apoyo a nuestras Selecciones Nacionales. El campo impecable.

Oscar Rosa, DT y su Grupo de Trabajo, asesorado por el DT Nacional Richie Romano, llevaron a cabo el inicio del proceso el cual sera por "try outs" y por convocatoria, ya que a diferencia de los varones, la categoria es abierta sin limitacion de edad.

El presidente de la Federacion Joe Serralta le dio las gracias a los padres y jugadoras`por el apoyo al proceso. Serralta explico que las olimpiadas al igual que los Pan- Americanos la categoria femenina es abierta, los Centro Americanos y del Caribe tienen que ser igual ya que la justificacion deportiva asi lo requiere. Tambien comunico que es la primera vez que se jugara la categoria femenina en los CAC, esfuerzo de la FPF para que se incluyera. "Estamos solicitado que la competicion sea oficial y no de excibicion a la ODECABE. Esperamos tener el endoso oficial", aseguro Oscar Rosa.

"Nos soprendimos de la calidad de las destrezas de las jovenes", indico Serralta, el progreso ha sido tremendo en comparacion a la primera Seleccion Mayor para la Copa de las Antillas 2005 en Dominicana, ha pesar de la poca tecnica individual, el trabajo colectivo, establecido por Oscar Rosa, empato con Haiti (0-0), se impuso sobre la 2nda Seleccion Dominicana (3-1) y se perdio solamente con la primera Seleccion Dominicana (con un trabajo de 8 meses) apenas (1-0) con un Gol anulado en perjuico de nuestro quipo.

Vancouver Whitecaps look to join breakaway soccer league

Bill Beacon THE CANADIAN PRESS

MONTREAL–The Vancouver Whitecaps want to go ahead with a new league that would break away from the United Soccer Leagues First Division, but the Montreal Impact have yet to decide whether to join.

Seven clubs, including Vancouver and Montreal, who are unhappy with how USL-1 is owned and managed have applied to the U.S. Soccer Federation for sanctioning as a Division II league. They will apply shortly to the Canadian Soccer Association as a Division I circuit to begin play in April.

But while Impact president Joey Saputo was named chairman of the new league's board of governors and was quoted speaking enthusiastically about it in a statement released Tuesday, he issued his own statement later saying he was still negotiating with USL-1 and hasn't ruled out staying put next season.

The Impact defeated Vancouver in the USL-1 final last month for its third championship since 1994.

"I wish to reiterate that there are still ongoing talks between the Montreal Impact and the USL," Saputo said. "We continue working on different options for the 2010 season, including the possibility that the Impact take part in USL-1 or in a new league."

A team spokesman said he was told a decision would be made within a week to 10 days.

Clubs needed to get their application in to the U.S. federation as soon as possible to keep the option of starting a new league open, Saputo added.

The USSF is expected to rule on the application at a meeting following the Major League Soccer final on Nov. 22.

For now, the new league would have Montreal, Vancouver, the Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina Railhawks, Miami FC, Minnesota Thunder and a new team, St. Louis Soccer United. They are looking at other teams and organizations that have expressed interest in joining, said St. Louis principal owner Jeff Cooper, who was named spokesman for the league. They include international organizations looking to establish a presence in North America.

Tampa, which had been part of the dissident group called the Team Owners Association, dropped out last week.

Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi would not comment on the mixed messages in Saputo's statements. But he said his club favours going ahead with the new league.

"Our position is that we're going to see the TOA position through to its conclusion," said Lenarduzzi. "We are not in negotiations with the USL.

"As far as Vancouver is concerned, we're forging ahead. That's our objective – to help that league get off the ground."

He added that the Whitecaps are not at war with the USL. The organization will maintain a women's team and squads in development leagues that are also run by the USL.

"Our only is in dispute is with USL-1," he said.

The Whitecaps and another USL-1 team, the Portland Timbers, have only one more season to play before they join Major League Soccer in 2011. But Lenarduzzi said it is still important to his club that there is a strong Division II league to aid in developing the sport in North America.

Team owners were unhappy when Nike/Umbro rejected their bid to buy the league and instead sold to a private owner, NuRock Soccer Holdings, on Aug. 27. They threatened to start their own league unless they were given more say in how USL-1 is run. The owners believe only a league that is owned by its teams can be properly managed.

While the level of play of the top USL-1 teams is close, the league remains far behind MLS in its marketing, its playing venues and overall credibility.

Lenarduzzi said details such as finding a name for the new league, hiring a commissioner and drawing up a schedule are still to be worked out. They are also at work on a marketing plan.

The new league's statement, which was released to the media by the Whitecaps but not by the Impact, had Saputo sounding gung-ho to go ahead with the new league.

"This is not your typical new league," it quoted Saputo as saying. "Most of our teams have existed for years.

"We have united some of the best owners, teams and markets around a new vision for a professional soccer league in North America."

The Impact are also looking to get into MLS either in 2011 or 2012.

NuRock broke off talks with the TOA last month, but said it would continue to negotiate with individual clubs. It also issued a statement praising the rise of soccer in Canada and announcing the USL would soon open a full-service office north of the border. Ottawa has applied to join USL-1 in 2012.

The other USL-1 clubs – Portland, the Puerto Rico Islanders, Charleston Battery, Rochester Rhinos, Austin Aztecs and Cleveland City Stars – did not join the breakaway league.

Selección Mayagüez 2010 comienza proceso de escoger jugadores

Domingo 8 de noviembre de 2009
Por Edwin R. Jusino/ futbolboricua.net

Condado- En el estadio de Ocean Park en Condado, desde el pasado sábado 9 de noviembre se comenzó los trabajos de la Selección 2010. A su cargo, Modesto Montero, con su equipo de trabajo, que ahora incluye a Ricardo Romano, quien estará asesorando a ambas selecciones por su vasta experiencia, examinaron aproximadamente unos 55 jugadores que se dieron cita a la convocatora.

El presidente de la federación de futbol de Puerto Rico hizo acto de presencia durante la mañana de hoy, y observó a los jóvenes de las edades de 20, 19, y 18 años que practicaban en el campo. Luego de la práctica, el presidente de la federación aprovecho la oportunidad para hablarle al grupo de jóvenes y técnicos que estaban allí.

Serralta resalto que Puerto Rico ah crecido mucho en el área de CONCACAF, e hizo referencia a un comentario de un alto ejecutivo de la Federación Mexicana: “Los equipo mexicanos no quieren venir a Puerto Rico por qué no salen con victorias”. Serralta hizo referencias a la era dorada del futbol puertorriqueño. “Esta en ustedes mantener el progreso que se ha hecho, y de llevarlo mas allá.”

El ejecutivo aprovecho para comentar que la propuesta del Proyecto Gol fue aprobada en el Senado, pero en la Cámara de Representantes se ha estancado. Esperan lograr impulsar el proyecto en la Cámara para poder comenzar a ejecutar el mismo.

Comienza la Copa de Fútbol Juvenil Puerto Rico TV

Los equipos de Guaynabo Conquistadores, Gallitos UPR, Indios Mayagüez y San Juan Bosco comenzaron ayer sábado 7 de noviembre, a jugar en la Copa Puerto Rico TV. La misma estará siendo transmitida por el canal del gobierno en vivo; narrando las incidencias esta Sergio Castro, quien firmo un contrato con Puerto Rico TV para ser el narrador oficial de dicha televisora para los eventos de futbol.

Los Indios de Mayagüez comenzaron con una victoria 1-0 sobre los Gallitos de la UPR, y Conquistadores de Guaynabo terminaron empatados 1-1. La copa continuara el próximo fin de semana, en los predios del parque Baldrich.

Rowdies Invite Only Combine Review

11/03/2009 12:17 PM

Tampa Bay Rowdies Press Release The Tampa Bay Rowdies took another step forward toward the 2010 season as they hosted their first invitation only combines in Tampa, FL. Spectators had the chance to see the first batch of Rowdies hopefuls, as 44 players were invited out to the Ed Radice Sports Complex for a three day try-out Oct.27th through the 29th. Rowdies Technical Director, Perry Van Der Beck, and Owner and President Andrew Nestor assessed the players with the aide of many former professionals from the NASL and MLS. The players came from far and wide, representing 4 continents, for a chance at playing for the Rowdies. The invitees all have played at a high level including national teams, MLS and USL teams. Seven familiar faces to the Tampa Bay area were on the pitch as well, including former MLS first round draft picks USF alum Jordan Seabrook, and UT alum Ryan Maxwell. “Forty players plus four goalkeepers were invited,” Van Der Beck remarked. “I wanted to get a look at some of the local players, players that had played in the USL Div 1 or comparable to it and also some international players.” The players were put through five separate training sessions during the combine. “The first morning on Tuesday we did some Technical work and then about a half hour of Possession, then finished up with some shooting on the keepers. Tuesday night we played 11v11 with 30 min. halves,” Van Der Beck recalled. “Wednesday morning we ran a few drills and played 7v7 with keepers for 35 min. That night we played 11v11 again and it was a good level. On Thursday morning we played 2 games, 30 min halves.”

The Florida weather played an interesting role throughout the combine as players were put through morning skills sessions in record highs and eight full matches that included a lightning storm. The heat took its toll on some players not familiar with this climate, but they battled through for their chance to showoff their skills. “The heat and humidity was an issue and we knew going in that most would not be match fit. But it’s all about opportunity,” said Van Der Beck. “The longer the players can stay on the field the more opportunity I have to evaluate for our 2010 team.”

The invitees all fought for a chance to shine and impress Rowdies staff and scouts. “I’m very pleased with the quality of players that we had at our first combine. It’s not easy for players to come in on short notice, be in match shape and perform well over a 3-day period, alongside players they don’t know,” said Nestor. “You can start to see character come through when you’re asking these players to train for two mornings and play three games in three days with the heat and rain mixed in.”

Van Der Beck was also impressed with the performance out on the pitch, “overall the tryout was competitive. I saw a couple of players that in my opinion can play at the next level. I will submit their names to the head coach and we will have to make some decisions down the road.”

For the 2010 inaugural season, the Rowdies’ roster will consist of twenty-two players, which can include as many as seven international players. The Rowdies will be holding the next combine in London during November and have plans for two more combines, including another in Tampa. In addition to the combines, the Rowdies will also be evaluating free agents from the MLS and USL to form the roster.

Owners meetings update: ‘Sweeping reforms’ business-wise in USL

Posted by Jeff Di Veronica • Devo's Direct Kicks • November 4, 2009 •

Rhinos owner Rob Clark left Monday for a USL owner’s meeting in Portland, Ore., to discuss league matters with the USL’s new owners, NuRock Soccer. Clark said this morning much of the discussion has NOT been TOA-related or about the teams who have not committed to the USL First Division for 2010.

“Sweeping reforms in the league,” is how he described the talks, mostly from a business aspect for clubs. On-the-field matters, along with follow-up to what has been discussed the past few days, will be a bigger topic at the USL’s annual meetings in Tampa later this month. “There will be a new board of directors of the USL which will consist approximately five individuals (four team owners and NuRock rep),” Clark said. “We’re all partners, not individuals. We’ve discussed greater transparency among the ownership groups. The player component is one of those. Ticket sales, corporate sponsor sales is another.”

Teams represented in Portland: Rochester, Portland, Tampa Bay, Puerto Rico, FC New York, Cleveland and Austin. Charleston officials couldn’t make it, but “don’t read into that,” Clark said, “they had prior commitments.” There also were four expansion candidates. So, that’s at least an eight-team USL next year but Clark said it could be as many as 14 teams and certainly “the possibility of Montreal and Vancouver staying in the league is not being ruled out.”

SPENCERPORT’S NEW STADIUM: Got my first glimpse at Spencerport High School’s new soccer stadium last night and what a great job they did giving the facility a facelift. It’s certainly some place the Rhinos should look at to have a preseason match next spring if they want to move some out of their own park and have a more intimate atmosphere (instead of so many empty seats). I know area soccer fans appreciate things when they’re done FOR soccer and Spencerport has a truly soccer-specific field, meaning right now there are only soccer lines on the pitch. (Unfortunately, there will be lacrosse lines in the spring because it’s a multi-sport facility).

Even if a preseason match doesn’t happen, the place is worth a look. There will be some high-quality girls games in Spencerport tonight and the boys take over on Thursday and Friday. If you’re an area soccer fan craving some live games and we catch a decent night weather-wise, tickets are $4, parking is free and near the field — come take a look.

I’m sad sectional soccer isn’t at Rhinos Stadium this fall, but right now Section V football has the prime dates and I get that because they’ll draw more fans. The videoboard also was never used for soccer (it is for football), and I thought that was a disservice to the soccer kids. Also at Rhinos Stadium, fans had to pay for parking. Not at Spencerport. We have other area schools with turf fields — and that’s key because this time of year fields get wet and muddy and organizers don’t like to see a slip or wet ball determine a championship — like Aquinas, East Rochester, Irondequoit, etc. … but Spencerport looks to be the jewel.

With the additional bleachers athletic director John Pelin brought in for Section V tournament, seating capacity is about 1,300 and with standing room that could push 1,800. Should be a great atmosphere on Friday for the championship doubleheader.

COACHING SEARCH: Who will the next Rhinos’ coach be? If you saw my article off last week’s press conference announcing Pat Ercoli as the new GM, he made it clear Rochester has found its man but a deal was not done. Ercoli sure looked confident, though. Two names fans are centered on: ex-Rhinos star Scott Schweitzer, who coached Carolina in 2007-08 with a playoff berth in only his rookie season, and former Hershey (1997-2001), Montreal (2002-03) and Vancouver (2005-07) coach Bob Lilley, whose resume as a winner in this A-League/USL culminated with the 2006 title with the Whitecaps (who embarrassed the Rhinos, 3-0, in the ‘06 title game at then-PAETEC Park).

They have very different personalities and coaching styles. Schweitzer is fiery and brash. Lilley is more reserved (but we all saw him get hot, ironically because of Schweitzer’s antics, during a playoff game when Lilley was with Hershey). Who will it be?

Steve Guppy, player/assistant coach with the Rhinos in 2008 under Darren Tilley, is another man fans have speculated about but would he leave being an MLS assistant in Colorado to come back to Rochester?

Will Ercoli choose a former defender who was largely the emotional leader of Rochester’s title teams from 1998-01 or a former rival coach like Lilley, who Ercoli always seemed to get the best of when the matches mattered most (except, of course, the 2001 U.S. Open Cup when Hershey beat the Rhinos at Frontier Field)?

Stay tuned.