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With the United Soccer League set to field three separate divisions for the first time since 2009, I think it’s time we talked about the history of the various USL-operated leagues, and of the USL as an organization. Consider this adjacent to my recent “Understanding the pyramid” piece. The...
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Ahead of their launch as a founding member of USL League One in 2019 — during which they will continue to field a League Two team as well — South Georgia Tormenta FC founder and president Darin Van Tassell, vice president of soccer operations (and former PDL co-director) Mike...
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The history of lower-division soccer in the United States is a rocky journey through a rotating door of clubs, acronym-heavy leagues and the aspiring saviors of U.S. Soccer who mastermind them. As evidence, one needs only to look at two images sourced from the United States Soccer League System...
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So, you’re new to American soccer. Maybe you caught the MLS bug, maybe your city just joined the USL, maybe you’re trying to figure out how the Open Cup works, or wonder what all this talk of divisions and tiers is about. That’s understandable! You’ve entered into something that...
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The past few years have been remarkably eventful for the United Soccer Leagues, LLC, and now the organization that has a strong grasp on lower-division professional soccer in the United States has unveiled a new look to highlight its growing position in the landscape. The company unveiled Tuesday new...
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While it’s awfully common for clubs to seek out local players to help connect with their fan bases, OKC Energy U23 has taken the personnel strategy to a whole new level. Hey, why go “loco” when you can go local? On Tuesday, the team announced the addition of 11...
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Current WPSL associate commissioner for the central region and former Des Moines Menace general manager Matt Homonoff guests on the podcast to touch on the WPSL, PDL, FC Edmonton and MLS SuperDraft. Homonoff also spent several years working in D.C. United and FC Edmonton’s front offices. In 2015, he...
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Soc Takes had previously characterized Albuquerque as a “less likely” destination for the USL in 2019. Yet, multiple sources inform Soc Takes that Albuquerque will be part of the USL in the 2019 season. Currently, Albuquerque Sol FC plays in the PDL and is expected to continue to do...
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While the NASL is fighting to abolish professional league standards (PLS), the organization overseeing amateur soccer in the country — the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) — is about to institute a new set of standards of its own. Standards facilitating a tiered system that would sequester leagues...
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In their press release, NPSL’s Lansing United confirmed that they will be playing in the PDL next season, thereby becoming the first team to swap between the two leagues for next year. Lansing United President/CEO Jeremy Sampson said in the release: “We are honored to be joining the PDL...
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The National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) has sent a letter of complaint to U.S. Soccer about what they perceive as “continued tampering” with NPSL teams. The letter of complaint was sent during the week of September 25th-29th, 2017. The letter is addressed to Lydia Wahlke, legal counsel for the USSF...
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FC Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic regularly plays at the Nou Camp; a magnificent and historic stadium that can hold just under 100,000 people. 7500 miles away sits Des Moines, Iowa with a population of 200,000. In other words, half the population of Des Moines could fit in the Nou Camp....
With the United Soccer League set to field three separate divisions for the first time since 2009, I think it’s time we talked about the history of the various USL-operated leagues, and of the USL as an organization. Consider this adjacent to my recent “Understanding the pyramid” piece. The...
Ahead of their launch as a founding member of USL League One in 2019 — during which they will continue to field a League Two team as well — South Georgia Tormenta FC founder and president Darin Van Tassell, vice president of soccer operations (and former PDL co-director) Mike...
The history of lower-division soccer in the United States is a rocky journey through a rotating door of clubs, acronym-heavy leagues and the aspiring saviors of U.S. Soccer who mastermind them. As evidence, one needs only to look at two images sourced from the United States Soccer League System...
So, you’re new to American soccer. Maybe you caught the MLS bug, maybe your city just joined the USL, maybe you’re trying to figure out how the Open Cup works, or wonder what all this talk of divisions and tiers is about. That’s understandable! You’ve entered into something that...
The past few years have been remarkably eventful for the United Soccer Leagues, LLC, and now the organization that has a strong grasp on lower-division professional soccer in the United States has unveiled a new look to highlight its growing position in the landscape. The company unveiled Tuesday new...
While it’s awfully common for clubs to seek out local players to help connect with their fan bases, OKC Energy U23 has taken the personnel strategy to a whole new level. Hey, why go “loco” when you can go local? On Tuesday, the team announced the addition of 11...
Current WPSL associate commissioner for the central region and former Des Moines Menace general manager Matt Homonoff guests on the podcast to touch on the WPSL, PDL, FC Edmonton and MLS SuperDraft. Homonoff also spent several years working in D.C. United and FC Edmonton’s front offices. In 2015, he...
Soc Takes had previously characterized Albuquerque as a “less likely” destination for the USL in 2019. Yet, multiple sources inform Soc Takes that Albuquerque will be part of the USL in the 2019 season. Currently, Albuquerque Sol FC plays in the PDL and is expected to continue to do...
While the NASL is fighting to abolish professional league standards (PLS), the organization overseeing amateur soccer in the country — the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) — is about to institute a new set of standards of its own. Standards facilitating a tiered system that would sequester leagues...
In their press release, NPSL’s Lansing United confirmed that they will be playing in the PDL next season, thereby becoming the first team to swap between the two leagues for next year. Lansing United President/CEO Jeremy Sampson said in the release: “We are honored to be joining the PDL...
The National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) has sent a letter of complaint to U.S. Soccer about what they perceive as “continued tampering” with NPSL teams. The letter of complaint was sent during the week of September 25th-29th, 2017. The letter is addressed to Lydia Wahlke, legal counsel for the USSF...
FC Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic regularly plays at the Nou Camp; a magnificent and historic stadium that can hold just under 100,000 people. 7500 miles away sits Des Moines, Iowa with a population of 200,000. In other words, half the population of Des Moines could fit in the Nou Camp....