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.
Click to continue reading...
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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WVHooligan 29 September @ 06:32 PM EST
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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SoccerLens 28 September @ 08:01 AM EST
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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MLS Rumors 01 September @ 06:58 AM EST
This information comes directly from Marc Webber of the Vancouver Province.
September 1, 2009
-------------------------------------
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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MLS Rumors 27 August @ 10:39 AM EST
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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WVHooligan 26 August @ 01:21 PM EST
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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MLS Rumors 26 August @ 11:33 AM EST
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.
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MLS Rumors 17 August @ 01:54 PM EST
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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USL News 16 June @ 07:06 PM EST
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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USL News 16 June @ 08:39 AM EST
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.
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kenn.com 24 April @ 12:30 AM EST
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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MLS Rumors 22 April @ 03:20 PM EST
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.
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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 [.
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