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Per an embargoed press release provided to Soc Takes, NISA applied for divisional sanctioning from the USSF on Friday, Aug. 31. The press release reads: “On Friday, August 31 the National Independent Soccer Association (“NISA”) formally petitioned the United States Soccer Federation for admission as a Men’s Division III...
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Per a source close to NISA, the league will apply for Division 3 sanctioning for the fall 2019 season. The source informed Soc Takes and Midfield Press reporter, Chris Kivlehan, that due to the planned delay in the start of the season, the deadline for submitting the application to...
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Soc Takes understands that ex-USMNT international John Harkes is the current front-runner to be Greenville Triumph Soccer Club’s first head coach. Harkes has previously coached in the United Soccer League (USL) at FC Cincinnati — currently a D2 franchise — from 2016 to 2017. If confirmed, this would be Harkes’...
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The United Soccer League (USL) has continued its expansion through successful D2 expansion as well as its soon-to-be-launched USLD3 division with a rumored 8-12 teams. However, lapses in franchise registration filings in a number of states may pose a problem for the league’s expansion hopes. Soc Takes has learned...
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Whether or not you’ve heard the term, you’ve experienced an example of Shepard tone. Think of the endless stairs in Super Mario 64 or even in the soundtrack of Christopher Nolan films. It is the (auditory) illusion of ascendancy; the feeling that the music is rising in scale, seemingly...
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Soc Takes understands that an unidentified investor (see update for identity of the investor) has secured the USL territorial rights for Chattanooga. This new team will be unaffiliated with Chattanooga FC. Currently, Chattanooga FC operates in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) playing their homes games at Finley Stadium....
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Per information provided to Soc Takes, the initial franchise expansion fee for USL is now $7 million. This is an increase from their 2017 fee which was $5 million. This fee increase would apply to teams signing franchise agreements in 2018 and beyond, and would not affect recently announced...
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The career arcs of Zinedine Zidane and Paul Pogba are eerily similar. Both born to immigrant parents who eventually settled in Paris, both Pogba and Zidane had impoverished childhoods which possibly gave them the inner drive to succeed at the highest level. Both found football to be a canvas...
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Who is in Group B? Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Iran. Who are the favorites to go through? Portugal and Spain are heavy favorites in this group. GROUP B TEAM PREVIEWS Portugal – The reigning European Champions possess a team full of recognized names such as defenders Pepe and Jose Fonte,...
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As originally reported by ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle, New York Cosmos owner and de facto NASL leader Rocco Commisso had extended his “let’s talk about this” deadline to the USSF until May 31. On May 30, a letter from USSF secretary Dan Flynn was emailed to Commisso. U.S. Soccer provided...
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As revealed by Wes “Mantooth” Burdine of FiftyFive.One, the USSF decided to reject NASL’s application for Division II sanctioning last year. Since that time, lawsuits, injunctions and rejections have been the story of the North American Soccer League (NASL). As teams continued to exit the league and other leagues...
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The lower divisions of American soccer are a tumultuous place. Whether it is the collapse of individual clubs, irresponsible behavior toward players or the death of an entire league, the stories of instability are as commonplace as a PBR at your local dive bar. Yet, there is one narrative...