USSF To Oversee Division 2 Soccer League Featuring USL, NASL Clubs

USSF Will Operate Combined Division 2 Soccer League

The U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) will oversee the formation and operation of a new Division 2 pro soccer league, ending a dispute between the United Soccer Leagues (USL) and the North American Soccer League (NASL). The USSF refused to sanction either the USL or NASL last week, giving the leagues seven days to work out a solution for the '10 season. Under the agreement reached Thursday, the new league will consist of two six-team conferences -- the USL Conference and the NASL Conference. USSF will work with both the USL and NASL on day-to-day league activities. The agreement pertains only to the '10 season, and during the next year the USSF will continue to work with the USL and NASL to build a long-term solution (THE DAILY). Sources said that USSF and MLS officials "were concerned" that with Brazil-based Traffic's backing, the NASL "would import players from South America and in essence become the anti-MLS by allowing teams to sign players without worrying about a salary cap or a single-entity setup" In N.Y., Jack Bell noted some of the functions of the new league "will be administered by the USSF, including the construction of a schedule of between 28 and 32 games; the assignment of officials; establishment of rules that apply to the employment of foreign and youth players; and coordination of publicity." However, it is possible that the federation "could farm out those administrative functions to a third party."(NYTIMES.com, 1/7). In St. Louis, Tom Timmermann notes there "won't be a commissioner, but whoever is the federation's representative" on the league's executive committee would "presumably serve as the tiebreaking vote on any contentious issues and hence be the main decision-maker for the league." Two previously announced teams, an NASL club in Atlanta and a USL franchise in N.Y., "decided to sit out the season" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 1/8).

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS: USSF President Sunil Gulati said that the organization "will require each team to reach quantitative benchmarks, such as financial stability, staffing and stadium size to ensure the long-term viability of a second-tier league" (MIAMI HERALD, 1/8). Gulati: "The most important thing is long-term stability. What we've achieved here today gives us a short-term solution for the 2010 season" (CARYNEWS.com, 1/7). Gulati said of this season's arrangement, "It's a holding situation to allow us to have a league this year and get things stabilized." Gulati: "Frankly, we'll play the role of mediator but also of the role of regulator" (Rochester DEMOCRAT & CHRONICLE, 1/8).