NASL Commissioner Bill Peterson on Wednesday said that the league "has more interest from ownership groups and cities than it has ever had at one time," according to Paul Kennedy of SOCCER AMERICA. Peterson, ahead of the '15 NASL season kicking off on Saturday, said that the league "has not even 'scratched the surface' among the hundreds of the potential cities for pro soccer" in the U.S. and Canada. Peterson: "I have no doubt we're going to have more teams playing next year than we do this year, and when those are ready we'll make the announcements. But we're going to avoid having any timelines that we can't control." Kennedy noted NASL "has been quite successful with the teams that have gotten off the ground." The San Antonio Scorpions, a team "with MLS ambitions, entered in 2012 and the New York Cosmos joined for the second half" of the '13 season. But the league "lost a turf war to the USL between rival ownership groups in Oklahoma City and efforts to launch a team in Northern Virginia -- it even had a name, Virginia Cavalry FC -- halted." Peterson on Wednesday listed the West Coast, Midwest and Canada as "potential markets for expansion" (SOCCERAMERICA.com, 4/2).
CHICAGO HOPE: Peterson said that he has talked to Chicago Sting Supporters Trust, the group "spearheading the effort" to bring a team to Chicago under a type of fan ownership. In Chicago, Brian Sandalow noted Peterson "praised the idea of fan ownership and a possible return of the Sting, saying 'would we love to see that come back? Absolutely.'” Peterson added that he "thinks the CSST is 'exploring an idea of fan ownership, which I think is very intriguing and an interesting idea to follow up on,' but that when the NASL discusses expansion it’s talking about more traditional types of ownership groups" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 4/2).
NORTHERN LIGHTS: In Ottawa, Chris Hofley noted Peterson "seems to know that the league hasn't been giving the same attention to Canadian expansion possibilities as it has" in the U.S. Hofley: "Granted, the dollar isn't exactly making people run to their nearest NASL franchise recruiter, but still, more needs to be done and Peterson is promising to do just that." Peterson said of the league's presence in Canada, "I think we have to do a better job there. We spoke with the (Canadian Soccer Association) back in August/September ... I think they're supportive of our efforts to expand, but I'm not happy with the progress we've made." He added, "I believe we can probably, at least, have two more teams in Canada as part of the 20" (OTTAWA SUN, 4/2).
TOUGH LOSS? SOCCER AMERICA's Kennedy noted Peterson "admitted it was a little bittersweet to see Minnesota United win MLS's Minnesota expansion wars." He said that MLS' courtship of the Vikings "forced the hand" of Minnesota United Owner Bill McGuire "to seek out an MLS team or potentially lose the market to the Vikings." But Peterson "refused to say the loss of Minnesota United will be a setback for the league." Peterson: "We are all aware that this is the state of the pro game right now in this part of the world. There is no promotion and relegation. ... There is no league that has started in this country that hasn't had some teams come and go. It's great to try to not allow that to happen, but at the end of the day it's going to happen" (SOCCERAMERICA.com, 4/2).
