That wacky NASL

[jloome]

This is a laughable launch, courtesy of the new NASL team in San Fran:
http://www.indomitablecitysoccer.com/2016/1/31/10881452/the-san-francisco-nasl-team-is-in-the-tyson-zone

Honestly, if people knew what amateur hour much of that league really is, it wouldn't hold onto that div. 2 status for very long.

[Brooker]

I like the logo. That's the only thing they've seem to done okay with.

[OgtheDim]

They are competing with a supporter owned PDL team http://sfcityfc.com/

[Fort York Redcoat]

I like the "Support Local" shirt dude is wearing.

[Fort York Redcoat]

This is a laughable launch, courtesy of the new NASL team in San Fran:
http://www.indomitablecitysoccer.com/2016/1/31/10881452/the-san-francisco-nasl-team-is-in-the-tyson-zone

Honestly, if people knew what amateur hour much of that league really is, it wouldn't hold onto that div. 2 status for very long.

On comparing the 2 leagues one would have difficulty saying either is run exceptionally professionally. USL is just the bigger circus that has been around longer as I see it.

[zeelaw]

Fans of MLS teams shouldn't throw stones in all honesty.

[Cashcleaner]

http://www.empireofsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/img_0370.jpeg

Like the name, but not the logo. And it's not just because it's a "modern" crest- there are more than a few clubs with non-traditional crests that I think really work well, but the lack of any bordering and lines of definition create a bit of a mess here. It reminds of some generic logo of a Californian IT company or accounting firm, not a soccer club. I sorta like where the designers are going here, but their work is incomplete.

[ensco]

The guy who wrote that is kind of missing the obvious. Not saying I love the name or logo.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_Force

[jloome]

On comparing the 2 leagues one would have difficulty saying either is run exceptionally professionally. USL is just the bigger circus that has been around longer as I see it.

It's nowhere near the circus the NASL is; the wacky owners club in that league is beyond USL's history of general incompetence by some margin. But USL certainly has a weak history as well. I think the MLS affiliation will help with that somewhat, just because of money.

[jloome]

http://www.empireofsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/img_0370.jpeg

Like the name, but not the logo. And it's not just because it's a "modern" crest- there are more than a few clubs with non-traditional crests that I think really work well, but the lack of any bordering and lines of definition create a bit of a mess here. It reminds of some generic logo of a Californian IT company or accounting firm, not a soccer club. I sorta like where the designers are going here, but their work is incomplete.

Maybe they're shooting for cheap flights from Delta.

[DinamoTFC]

I like the nasl because at least they are trying to be something. They are trying to create history with old teams and cement 2nd div status even if they self proclaim trying to compete with mls.

USL on the other hand will forever be a lower tier league with academy/reserve teams mixed. They have been around longer but clubs change every year.

Support both as both will promote soccer development. But to me NAS is way more interesting and vision focused for 2nd division.

[C.Ronaldo]

I like the nasl because at least they are trying to be something. They are trying to create history with old teams and cement 2nd div status even if they self proclaim trying to compete with mls.

USL on the other hand will forever be a lower tier league with academy/reserve teams mixed. They have been around longer but clubs change every year.

Support both as both will promote soccer development. But to me NAS is way more interesting and vision focused for 2nd division.
Agreed

USL will not push the evonolope for teh MLS to have a higher cap and better quality

NASL is the only real competition to MLS, competition is good.

[Fort York Redcoat]

USL will not push the evonolope for teh MLS to have a higher cap and better quality

NASL is the only real competition to MLS, competition is good.

Also just providing more options in NA footy is a very big deal. The league sounds crazy but I'm glad it's there.

[Initial B]

Being a Fury supporter as well, the league isn't too bad. As the quality of MLS improves, those players who can't keep up start floating down to NASL, thereby increasing the quality of the talent at that level as well.

[OgtheDim]

Being a Fury supporter as well, the league isn't too bad. As the quality of MLS improves, those players who can't keep up start floating down to NASL, thereby increasing the quality of the talent at that level as well.

Just like 2nd divisions around the world. Personally, I just find the whole "MLS is evil" thing a bit grating.

[Initial B]

Maybe that's a US thing. None of the FCE or Fury supporters I talk to seem to think it's the evil empire or anything. We all just want to see an MLS team on our home field in the Voyageur Cup. g:D

[C.Ronaldo]

Well MLS is the anti capitalist arm of a american soccer. Its socialist soccer and at its core is very unamerican

[molenshtain]

Well MLS is the anti capitalist arm of a american soccer. Its socialist soccer and at its core is very unamerican


All the other NA leagues are run in a relatively similar fashion. I don't think that's what Americans have a problem with.

[C.Ronaldo]

All the other NA leagues are run in a relatively similar fashion. I don't think that's what Americans have a problem with.

i dont think they do, im just stating the obvious/ irony

[zeelaw]

All the other NA leagues are run in a relatively similar fashion. I don't think that's what Americans have a problem with.
The irony of something so American (NFL) being ran so un-American is really interesting.

[Mark in Ottawa]

Fans of MLS teams shouldn't throw stones in all honesty.
^^+1

[Mark in Ottawa]

The irony of something so American (NFL) being ran so un-American is really interesting.
Meanwhile a whole lot of American capitalists take their $$ and invest in soccer ... overseas. Man Utd, Liverpool, Arsenal, Aston Villa and the list goes on.

As an NASL, Ottawa Fury, fan I get it. MLS is run as a franchising business ... like McDonalds. It probably has to do so to make the money it needs to to compete with other established North American sports.
But the continual fighting between the MLS and NASL for territory and teams really does not seem to be in the best interests of growing the sport in North America.
I would much rather see a promotion/relegation system with some sort of financial fair play rules to keep us from the "Spend till you die" sort of scenario that killed the original NASL.

[zeelaw]

I would much rather see a promotion/relegation system with some sort of financial fair play rules to keep us from the "Spend till you die" sort of scenario that killed the original NASL.

I don't understand those who don't want Prom/Rel. It's rewards hard work and punishes incompetence. It sets a clear objective and path for any team starting out and shows with hard work and the correct decisions, no matter how little money you have, you can belong if you earn it.

It's clear fans have no influence on this matter and we'll never see it in MLS though. That's why I hope the NASL stays around to at least offer an alternative and some competition to MLS.

[OgtheDim]

Pro-Rel is not financially viable in North America.


:deadhorse::deadhorse::deadhorse::deadhorse::deadh orse::deadhorse::deadhorse::deadhorse:

[Kingvikingstad]

I don't understand those who don't want Prom/Rel. It's rewards hard work and punishes incompetence. It sets a clear objective and path for any team starting out and shows with hard work and the correct decisions, no matter how little money you have, you can belong if you earn it.

It's clear fans have no influence on this matter and we'll never see it in MLS though. That's why I hope the NASL stays around to at least offer an alternative and some competition to MLS.

That, or it rewards money and punishes those without it...

[Fort York Redcoat]

That, or it rewards money and punishes those without it...

Not always. We live in a sports town that proves that.

[zeelaw]

Pro-Rel is not financially viable in North America.


:deadhorse::deadhorse::deadhorse::deadhorse::deadh orse::deadhorse::deadhorse::deadhorse:
Not right now, but maybe down the years. Not having Pro/Rel doesn't benefit us, only the owners of teams.

I'd love to have a Maple Leafs alternative in this town, but nope, the chance of that isn't even possible.

[zeelaw]

Not always. We live in a sports town that proves that.
Ironically the money available to the Leafs can't be spent because of a structure of the league. It's actually a hindrance in many ways. How can the leafs compete with much warmer climates, less busy places and less media-crazy places if the leafs can't flex the only muscle they have.

[Fort York Redcoat]

Ironically the money available to the Leafs can't be spent because of a structure of the league. It's actually a hindrance in many ways. How can the leafs compete with much warmer climates, less busy places and less media-crazy places if the leafs can't flex the only muscle they have.

I believe NHL is like other sports structure in that they have no limitations when it comes to management. Who one plays for is a big incentive. By no means the only or biggest incentive for some...