It has been a long time and I mean a very long time since I have tried to come up with anything worthwhile to say about the USL. That does not mean, however, that there have not been many things great, and on the other hand awful, taking place around the Leagues. Just taking a quick glance from my last time around these parts it looks like we have a healthier system of leagues up and running than in the past.
The Super Y looks stronger than ever, with the new initiative in place from Adidas and MLS, to the number of participants in the league it really seems that this idea of a more professional standard for youth development has reached a point of realization. This has become a true method of teaching youngsters the game and providing a heck of an arena to do it.
Hopefully, much like Red Bulls' participation, we will see more MLS teams take a stronger approach to guiding teams through the Super Y. This could even be a great way to start more integration for the leagues that might possibly-maybe-hopefully-somehow worm its way into a form of promotion/relegation at the highest levels that some fans have always desired. I may or may not support that idea but then, that's not really the point here. The point is that the Super Y could be a gateway to a very real cooperation between the two leagues for pro soccer here that goes beyond previous agreements.
Expansion of the upper divisions is also a welcome thing to see, especially Bermuda. It makes me wonder aloud how many vacation days I have saved up and if it is remotely feasible to take a cruise leaving Miami to get to Puerto Rico and Bermuda before a return to South Beach. Seems like a fun way to take in the top two tiers of the USL if you ask me. Really, mention it to the boss one casual Friday or the significant other the next time things get heated over your passionate support of soccer. Who knows, maybe we can have ourselves a wonderful little USL time on our way to the islands complete with deck chairs and Romario as our shuffleboard partner? Yet I digress.
The addition of the Carolina Railhawks and California Victory are also tremendous positives with the usual caveats there about sound fiscal ownership and realistic expectations of revenues and crowds. Hopefully, the supporters in Atlanta and Charleston have already welcomed their brethren into the fold for the Southern Derby or have plans to do so underway. Expansion, as always, is an up and down prospect but overall it is a good sign whenever anyone is interested enough in the USL to go ahead and put the cash up to start a team.
Not to be overlooked will be new teams also in Cleveland and Baltimore. It's nice to see these two cities getting outdoor soccer after their illustrious history with the indoor game. Baltimore's case will be quite intriguing because of what appear to be ties with English side, Crystal Palace, currently residing in the Coca Cola Championship, the tier just below the Premier League. Meanwhile, the City Stars should provide an interesting little incubator as MLS continues its overtures to the Wolsteins and their effort to complete an expansion deal for that area. These two cases, along with Bermuda, show a nice level of ambition on the USL's part to enhance the USL2.
Then there is the intriguing situation in Toronto. Any soccer team playing in what is an ostensibly American league inside a soccer-specific facility is a big plus. What I have been curious about for a very long time since the Toronto FC announcement is how exactly the approach changes for the Lynx? I know about the move down to the PDL which in many respects is sad to see, but in a developmental aspect, how do they co-exist with their new neighbors? I see it as filled with intriguing possibilities and will be following their organization closely in 2007.
Last but not least, you have the 2006 AGM, with news coming out fairly quickly on all kinds of issues affecting the USL. Outside of that, though, take a look at the kind of animal the USL put on in their annual late November show in Florida. This was a showcase that makes the League look more viable than ever when you really think about it. Not to glad-hand it too much, but they managed to turn this thing into a fairly legit event by bringing together some Super Y teams, their vendors, and of course the League operators and owners. As a matter of fact, it even appears to be getting more and more fan friendly. So, maybe next November I'll join some of you in Florida for a pre-Thanksgiving (US) feast of futbol. Until next time, that's the View from Here.
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