The Indy Eleven will join the USL following "several days of speculation and reports surrounding the club's move away" from the NASL, according to Dakota Crawford of the INDIANAPOLIS STAR. Indy Eleven President Jeff Belskus said, "It's a very stable, growing league. This is very positive for Indy Eleven." The club's future has been "up in the air since U.S. Soccer didn't grant the NASL Division II status in September." Indy Eleven joins Fresno FC, Las Vegas Lights FC, Nashville SC, North Carolina FC and Atlanta United 2 as "new additions to the USL." Indy Eleven "plans to remain at Carroll Stadium on IUPUI's campus." The club averaged 9,170 fans per game across its four prior seasons, making it "one of the strongest lower-division clubs" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 1/11).
LOOKING FOR A FIT: Jacksonville Armada Owner Robert Palmer said that his club "will be playing soccer this year" and that they are "exploring options" outside NASL. Although the Armada’s league for '18 is uncertain, Palmer said that the team will "take the field at some level." He added that he is "having conversations with 'multiple leagues' and plans to make the decision in the next three or four weeks" (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 1/9).
ALL SHOOK UP: USL announced that Memphis will be the home of an expansion club in '19. The ownership group is led by Triple-A PCL Memphis Redbirds Principal Owner Peter Freund and President, GM & Minority Owner Craig Unger. The team will play at AutoZone Park. Memphis is the third team to join the USL for the '19 season, with the league having previously plans for Birmingham and Austin (USL).
