USL releases statement regarding USL-1 and TOA's filing of papers to create new Division II league.

While yesterday was an eventful day with the Team Owners Associations (TOA) releasing an official statement saying it had filed papers with the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) to start a new Division II league in the US, it seems today could also be full of fireworks.

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USL releases statement regarding USL-1 and TOA's filing of papers to create new Division II league.

While yesterday was an eventful day with the Team Owners Associations (TOA) releasing an official statement saying it had filed papers with the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) to start a new Division II league in the US, it seems today could also be full of fireworks.

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Via Andy Mead:

Nov. 10, 2009 – The owners of the Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina Railhawks, Miami FC, Minnesota Thunder, Montreal Impact and Vancouver Whitecaps, formerly of USL-1, together with St. Louis Soccer United today announced that they have formed a new professional soccer league to play in the United States and Canada beginning in April 2010.

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With talks at a stand-still between the Team Owners Association and Nurock Soccer Holdings, new owners of USL, the chances of a breakaway league led by numerous USL 1 clubs next year is looking more and more likely. Vancouver and Montreal became the latest teams to reportedly sever ties with USL this week, and are part of the group looking to start a new league.

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With talks at a stand-still between the Team Owners Association and Nurock Soccer Holdings, new owners of USL, the chances of a breakaway league led by numerous USL 1 clubs next year is looking more and more likely. Vancouver and Montreal became the latest teams to reportedly sever ties with USL this week, and are part of the group looking to start a new league.

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Canadian Press are reporting that USL league owners, Alek Papadakis is saying that "The negotiations are finished," Papadakis told CKAC.� "We decided to continue our preparation for the season 2010 with the teams which wished to remain with us." Papadakis was refering to the ongoing talk with the Team Owners Association or TOA that have been organized for well over a year and have failed to pay renewel fees to the USL for the 2010 season.

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Canadian Press are reporting that USL league owner, Alek Papadakis is saying that "The negotiations are finished," Papadakis told CKAC.� "We decided to continue our preparation for the season 2010 with the teams which wished to remain with us." Papadakis was referring to the ongoing talk with the Team Owners Association or TOA that have been organized for well over a year and have failed to pay renewal fees to the USL for the 2010 season.

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Boston Pro Soccer Examiner L.E. Eisenmenger has a Vancouver stadium update, courtesy of her interview with Vancouver Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi. BC Place won't only get a roof, he says, it...

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First of all, let me say sorry for the lack of updates this week. I've gone into full site design mode here for this place and for another couple project that I am working on for other folks.

And on that note I will also be heading out of town early this weekend for a long weekend in Austin for the Austin City Limits music festival.

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US soccer has progressed to the level where like the rest of the world, MLS clubs should considering paying modest youth transfer fees to local clubs that develop the young players they select for their U16 and U18 academy teams.

Reimbursement in the form of scholarships would encourage local clubs to develop complete players instead of focusing on wins and also to invest in low-income players, further improving the vision of youth player development in the US.

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This information comes directly from Marc Webber of the Vancouver Province.
September 1, 2009
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VANCOUVER — Before Monday, the United Soccer Leagues' Team Owners' Association was a relatively-unknown entity.

That changed when the group fired a salvo expressing "extreme disappointment" in Nike's decision to sell the USL to NuRock Soccer Holdings last week, and made public its desire to pursue "all league options for the 2010 season and beyond.

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According to today's Globe and Mail, The future of Vancouver's Major League Soccer franchise could be in jeopardy if the financially strapped provincial government bails on a retractable roof project for B.C. Place Stadium.

The provincially owned and operated stadium is the future domicile of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, and is slated to undergo a $365-million renovation in phases before and after the 2010 Olympics.

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We've been talking long and hard about Portland's troubles with their stadium but now it looks like Vancouver could be joining the mix? While both cities were awarded expansion bids it went with certain stadium situations that the league agreed on. Now Portland seems to have taken care of their issues but now Vancouver could be headed down a tough road of stadium fun.

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From rumor to fact in less than 48 Hours.
If you are an avid reader of MLSR (and we know you are), then you were once again ahead of the game as we were the first on Monday to report that Vancouver's retractable roof could be in trouble.
And despite Whitecaps Chairman, Bob Lenarduzzi, cleverly dodging the question while seeming to dismiss it, on the always excellent It's Called Football this week, three reputable news services, two print, and one TV, have confirmed our rumor. Click to continue reading...

With special guest Vancouver Whitecaps honcho Bob Lenarduzzi. Click to continue reading...

Our good friend Ben Rycroft of "It's Called Football" fame, writing for his day job at the Metronews scooped many when he learned that there has been interest by MLS in buying the USL. Here's an excerpt from his article:

In what amounts to a Major League Soccer fan's wet dream, the lower-level United Soccer Leagues has been put up for sale and two league sources have confirmed that MLS has inquired into purchasing it.

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Wesley Charles and Charles Gbeke of the Vancouver Whitecaps have both received a one match ban from the USL and an additional one match ban from the club for their unsportsmanlike behavior over the weekend against Miami FC. In addition, each player was fined an undisclosed amount by the Whitecaps.
Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi:

"As a club, we do not condone any violent conduct on or off the field, the events that took place near the end of Friday's match are inexcusable and there are consequences the players must now face for their actions.

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As we covered on Saturday, Vancouver Whitecaps teammates Charles Gbeke and Wesley Charles nearly came to blows during their match against Miami FC.
The USL will announce the player's punishment today. On Monday, Vancouver indefinitely suspended the two players pending USL review of the incident. Click to continue reading...

The USL-1 season has begun, Bob Lenarduzzi clues us in on Vancouver's new MLS franchise, Seattle comes back to Earth and whither Bruce Arena's career? It's all on the new episode of Four At The Back.

Download the latest show here, subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and send us your feedback so we know what you like and don't like, or what you want to hear.

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The 2011 expansion team Vancouver Whitecaps has hit the ground running as it looks south to the success of Seattle in securing a shirt sponsor early.
We just received this from a loyal MLSR reader:

just read this article where Bob Lenarduzzi admits he's had very
primary talks with EA Sports
"Interesting you ask about EA Sports," said Lenarduzzi.

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It's not often that I have two posts back-to-back on Canadian soccer, but here they are. CBC Sports conducted an interview with Bob Lenarduzzi, former player of the NASL's Vancouver Whitecaps, former Canadian national team coach, and current president of the USL Whitecaps, who will make the jump to MLS in 2011. Click to continue reading...

A great interview with Whitecaps President Bob Lenarduzzi on It#8217;s Called Football this morning. Now, it#8217;s probably not news to those who are more in the loop than I that the franchise fee Vancouver paid to the MLS was $35 million - $5 million less than the (what I thought) was a #8220;non-negotiable#8221; $40 mil MLS [. Click to continue reading...