TFC USL Team

[Leedsoronto]

This was discussed earlier this year on another thread, I lightheartedly spoke of a TFC United USL or NASL team.

Well, I found this and it looks like this maybe a reality in 2014.

http://blogs.canoe.ca/reds/sports/to...pro-affiliate/

“We are exploring that possibility and it’s our hope that rather than participating in the reserve league next year that we instead have an affiliate agreement with a USL team.”

This after MLS executive Todd Durbin mentioned earlier this month that it was the league’s hope that every MLS club will be participating in USL PRO (North America’s third tier) through an affiliation or a stand alone team by 2015.

“There will still be some teams in the reserve league (next season),” Payne explained. “The USL team that we partner with might actually occasionally play MLS reserve teams.

“It’s much better for the development of younger players to be playing in games that really matter (in front of) fans that care.”

[Damien]

I think Ottawa or Hamilton will end up being our affiliate.
Hamilton would be preferable due to proximity.

[burlington Red]

makes sense to do so, probably 5-6 yrs too late but better late than never

[Wolves_On_Tour]

Does Hamilton have a team anymore? Please excuse my ignorance.
I ask because the Hamilton PDL team moved to Kitchener and is now KW United FC.

[Oldtimer]

If it's a USL affiliation it will be with a US club, because USL Pro (D3) is not sanctioned in Canada, and won't be.

[Yohan]

If it's a USL affiliation it will be with a US club, because USL Pro (D3) is not sanctioned in Canada, and won't be.

Which is too bad. Sign a young int prospect, loan him to TFC USL team in canada, get him residency after 3 yrs.

[MartinUtd]

Paul Bernie: "We have a plan to win.... and it involves entry into the USL"

[Detroit_TFC]

I doubt that MLSE is going to flip the bill for a whole new USL team in the States, too much hassle. This means they will likely jointly affiliate with a USL team along with one or more other MLS teams. IIRC there was some mention initially that some teams would be going that route. I don't think the Canadian MLS teams will be allowed to make non-USL affiliations to meet the reserve league obligations.

[Red CB Toronto]

If it's a USL affiliation it will be with a US club, because USL Pro (D3) is not sanctioned in Canada, and won't be.

The only loophole that the CSA gave to the three MLS is that they would be allowed to have their reserve team in USL Pro as it would be viewed as an extension of an already existing soccer entity in this country. So if Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal were to have there reserve team in USL Pro they could do so in their market.

[TFC07]

Isn't Toronto Lynx part of USL Pro already? If so, that isn't good news for TFC. CSA and Lynx stand in TFC's way right now, so it will be better for TFC to get a partnership deal with Ottawa Fury next season. I am sure Montreal Impact is thinking of doing same as well.

[Leedsoronto]

Payne goes on to say:

“We’ve had conversations with Hamilton, Ont., which will become a USL team next year, I believe,” Payne said. “We think that kind of relationship would make a lot of sense. Our players can go there but also can be, in certain situations, available to us.”

Maybe Hamilton then ?

[NolbertoS]

Are the Toronto Lynx still alive?? Haven't gone to a game in over a decade. Are the Hartrells still the owners?? Can't believe before TFC's entry, tried to get my local soccer fix there

[CFL]

Paul Bernie: "We have a plan to win.... and it involves entry into the USL"

One more team for MLSE to mismanage and drive into the ground.

[Leedsoronto]

Hmmm

http://www.hamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/.../0/Aug1656.pdf

[pdogg]

Isn't Toronto Lynx part of USL Pro already? If so, that isn't good news for TFC. CSA and Lynx stand in TFC's way right now, so it will be better for TFC to get a partnership deal with Ottawa Fury next season. I am sure Montreal Impact is thinking of doing same as well.

AFAIK, the Lynx are USL PDL, not USL Pro.

[Gilberto9]

A team in Hamilton sounds great to me.. Will be able to catch local games for once. Where are they expected to play home games?

[TFC07]

AFAIK, the Lynx are USL PDL, not USL Pro.

Thanks. But it seems like they want to move to Hamilton and partner up with TFC. Hopefully this happens because we need an Under 23 team to develop our players.

[TFC07]

A team in Hamilton sounds great to me.. Will be able to catch local games for once. Where are they expected to play home games?

New Ti-cat stadium (Tim Hortons Field aka Ivor Wynne) opening next year.

[Gilberto9]

New Ti-cat stadium (Tim Hortons Field aka Ivor Wynne) opening next year.

My thought too, but would much rather see them playing in a smaller stadium. I think Ron Joyce Stadium will be an option.

[TFC07]

My thought too, but would much rather see them playing in a smaller stadium. I think Ron Joyce Stadium will be an option.

Based on letters posted by Leedsoronto, they want to play at new stadium being built for Ti-Cats.

[Leedsoronto]

Isn't Toronto Lynx part of USL Pro already? If so, that isn't good news for TFC. CSA and Lynx stand in TFC's way right now, so it will be better for TFC to get a partnership deal with Ottawa Fury next season. I am sure Montreal Impact is thinking of doing same as well.

The letters in the link show that the CSA and Lynx are on board with this, plus they have $2m funding lined up.

Link again now I read it all:

http://www.hamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/.../0/Aug1656.pdf

[Gilberto9]

One more team for MLSE to mismanage and drive into the ground.

MLSE would manage this team? I thought it was just affiliation.

[OgtheDim]

Kinda like the Urruti thing, I'll applaud when they hold up the jersey.

[Leedsoronto]

Kinda like the Urruti thing, I'll applaud when they hold up the jersey.

Good point

Bit tongue in cheek at the moment. Interesting though ?

[OgtheDim]

Isn't that field going to be turf?

[Damien]

did anyone see this yet?

http://www.wakingthered.com/2013/8/1...-hortons-field

[Detroit_TFC]

Having the reserve team local like some do, makes a lot of sense. 3 USL Pro teams within driving distance (Rochester 2 hr, Pittsburgh 4 hrs, Harrisburg 6 hrs)

[Leedsoronto]

did anyone see this yet?

http://www.wakingthered.com/2013/8/1...-hortons-field

Just had a read, it was posted 5 mins ago so this idea is raising quite a bit of awareness around the footie forums. :@)

[ag futbol]

The letters in the link show that the CSA and Lynx are on board with this, plus they have $2m funding lined up.

Link again now I read it all:

http://www.hamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/.../0/Aug1656.pdf

Yep, a quick glace through that and it appears it is all there.

So I'm guessing the main opposition to "USL" would be sanctioning additional PDL franchises at this point. Maybe that's the more direct overlap with the proposed league 1 structure? It would be hard to reason that the regional setup in Ontario would have clubs with similar to USL Pro teams.

[mowe]

Excellent initiative, much needed for the development of TFC and Canadian soccer as a whole. Looks like all systems are go, with the support of the CSA, USL, Lynx, and TFC. All that's needed is the city of Hamilton's approval to use the new stadium.

Interesting on TFC's role in this:

The plan would have the Hamilton franchise play in the USL PRO division and become the developmental team for Toronto FC's MLS team -with significant technical, marketing, sponsorship and financial assistance from Toronto FC.