Assuming everything goes according to plan (and assumption) and Montreal, Portland, and Vancouver join MLS; USL-1 is going to be in trouble. USL exists according to its gate revenue and MLS is about to strip 3 of their top 4 markets. Montreal (12,060), Portland(8,544), and Vancouver(5,290) see far more than the league average of 4,678 and in reality really up those numbers. Without these three markets the USL attendance average this year would be a meager 3196. Can the USL continue to exist with these kinds of numbers?
Tampa Bay and New York are set to join the league in 2010. I am sure New York will meet the leagues average but I dont see Tampa doing very well. Furthermore, it is highly unlikely Miami will still be in the league see as how they barely fielded a team this year and continue to have just pathetic attendance (last 6 games didnt break 1000 and one game only had 348).