The Soccer Nobody Mailbag: The Future of Minor League Soccer
Confessions of a Soccer Nobody is our home here on Daddy's Sugar Ball for all things soccer and Harrisburg City Islanders. If you want to see anything in this weekly post, please drop us a line at EditorsDSB@gmail.com.
Eduardo sent in this e-mail: “I enjoy reading your observations on soccer from your viewpoint in Harrisburg. I have observed that the temporary NASL division 2 set devised by the USF for this year seems to be in a bad financial situation. Since the clubs are fully professional; how are they able to show a profit without any substantial revenue streams? Can you tell me: are all the clubs in USL-2 like Harrisburg semi-professional? Do you see a future where there will be just MLS and then just the amateurs like PDL and US Adult soccer Leagues? In other words is there a future for a fully professional 2nd division soccer league in this country; considering we don't support minor league sports especially in major league cities such as Baltimore and St. Louis. Thank you for your continued insight into soccer.”
Eduardo, you ask some great questions. First, we should distinguish between the USL-2, home of the Harrisburg City Islanders, and the current USSF Division 2 comprised of the USL-1 and NASL. For those who aren’t aware, minor league soccer is composed of tiers like minor league baseball, with the USL-1 being the soccer equivalent of AAA baseball (i.e. the highest level below MLS/MLB), the USL-2 similar to AA, and the PDL equating to class A. Generally speaking, teams from USL-1 operate with larger budgets and operating costs than USL-2. The clubs in both leagues are fully professional; however, the contracts can be shorter in duration and value depending upon the situation. The PDL remains nominally “amateur,” a means for college players to stay in shape and play competitively during the summer. Teams from all levels of minor league soccer generate revenue from ticket sales, merchandising, youth academies, sponsorships, and so forth. Some franchises are strong, others struggle. Several standout clubs have been “promoted” to MLS, namely the Seattle Sounders last season, and Portland Timbers, Montreal Impact, and Vancouver Whitecaps in the near future.
Minor league soccer became really complicated last year when teams from the USL-1 broke away and attempted to form their own league. Rebranding themselves the NASL, these clubs hoped to offer a new second division alternative to the USL-1. The problem was that many of the teams had contracts with the USL and their attempts to secede resulted in legal disputes and acrimonious relationships. The United States Soccer Federation opted not to take sides, sanctioning only a collaborative second division. Thus, the USSF Division 2 was created from rival NASL and USL-1 teams. Sound confusing? It is. And this mess has not been sorted out. This second division was a temporary agreement for only the 2010 season, and there has been no indication which league the USSF will authorize in 2011. Both sides are proceeding with expansion plans, determined to exist separately rather than collectively.
So what has this meant to the USL-2? In some ways, it strengthened the league. Franchises like the Charleston Battery, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, and Richmond Kickers have left the USL-1 or former A-League to remain at the less expensive USL-2. Despite fielding only six teams this season, the league is committed to expanding and will add a Western Conference in 2011. The exact number of teams has yet to be determined, but it will be a combination of “promoted” PDL clubs and expansion franchises, such as the Kitsap Pumas, Hollywood United, BYU, Fresno, San Diego, El Paso, Victoria, Laredo, and Tacoma. In addition, the Dayton Dutch Lions will join the USL-2 Eastern Conference, and the Wilmington Hammerheads, Northern Virginia Royals, and Westchester Flames have been exploring a return to the league. Even though the USL-1/NASL is a mess, it seems like we’ll see a strong USL-2 next season and beyond.
Despite the legal maneuverings and financial losses of some franchises, a market exists for minor league soccer in America. MLS does not have the funds to field reserve teams, and the small size of the league means that many cities wouldn’t have a professional soccer team without the minor leagues. Some smaller cities, such as Rochester and Charleston, have had tremendous support by filling a void in their sports marketplace. Many franchises partner with youth clubs, meaning they attract fans and consumers at an early age. The low cost of attending matches and growing popularity of soccer makes the sport appealing to families as well as younger generations. Things might not always be rosy for clubs with sagging attendance, but as long as there are fans and groups interested in supporting their community, minor league soccer will continue.
Hope that answers your questions, Eduardo. The landscape of minor league soccer will change considerably over the next few months, but in some form the second and third divisions of American professional soccer will exist.
Throw-Ins
Eduardo sent in this e-mail: “I enjoy reading your observations on soccer from your viewpoint in Harrisburg. I have observed that the temporary NASL division 2 set devised by the USF for this year seems to be in a bad financial situation. Since the clubs are fully professional; how are they able to show a profit without any substantial revenue streams? Can you tell me: are all the clubs in USL-2 like Harrisburg semi-professional? Do you see a future where there will be just MLS and then just the amateurs like PDL and US Adult soccer Leagues? In other words is there a future for a fully professional 2nd division soccer league in this country; considering we don't support minor league sports especially in major league cities such as Baltimore and St. Louis. Thank you for your continued insight into soccer.”
Eduardo, you ask some great questions. First, we should distinguish between the USL-2, home of the Harrisburg City Islanders, and the current USSF Division 2 comprised of the USL-1 and NASL. For those who aren’t aware, minor league soccer is composed of tiers like minor league baseball, with the USL-1 being the soccer equivalent of AAA baseball (i.e. the highest level below MLS/MLB), the USL-2 similar to AA, and the PDL equating to class A. Generally speaking, teams from USL-1 operate with larger budgets and operating costs than USL-2. The clubs in both leagues are fully professional; however, the contracts can be shorter in duration and value depending upon the situation. The PDL remains nominally “amateur,” a means for college players to stay in shape and play competitively during the summer. Teams from all levels of minor league soccer generate revenue from ticket sales, merchandising, youth academies, sponsorships, and so forth. Some franchises are strong, others struggle. Several standout clubs have been “promoted” to MLS, namely the Seattle Sounders last season, and Portland Timbers, Montreal Impact, and Vancouver Whitecaps in the near future.
Minor league soccer became really complicated last year when teams from the USL-1 broke away and attempted to form their own league. Rebranding themselves the NASL, these clubs hoped to offer a new second division alternative to the USL-1. The problem was that many of the teams had contracts with the USL and their attempts to secede resulted in legal disputes and acrimonious relationships. The United States Soccer Federation opted not to take sides, sanctioning only a collaborative second division. Thus, the USSF Division 2 was created from rival NASL and USL-1 teams. Sound confusing? It is. And this mess has not been sorted out. This second division was a temporary agreement for only the 2010 season, and there has been no indication which league the USSF will authorize in 2011. Both sides are proceeding with expansion plans, determined to exist separately rather than collectively.So what has this meant to the USL-2? In some ways, it strengthened the league. Franchises like the Charleston Battery, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, and Richmond Kickers have left the USL-1 or former A-League to remain at the less expensive USL-2. Despite fielding only six teams this season, the league is committed to expanding and will add a Western Conference in 2011. The exact number of teams has yet to be determined, but it will be a combination of “promoted” PDL clubs and expansion franchises, such as the Kitsap Pumas, Hollywood United, BYU, Fresno, San Diego, El Paso, Victoria, Laredo, and Tacoma. In addition, the Dayton Dutch Lions will join the USL-2 Eastern Conference, and the Wilmington Hammerheads, Northern Virginia Royals, and Westchester Flames have been exploring a return to the league. Even though the USL-1/NASL is a mess, it seems like we’ll see a strong USL-2 next season and beyond.
Despite the legal maneuverings and financial losses of some franchises, a market exists for minor league soccer in America. MLS does not have the funds to field reserve teams, and the small size of the league means that many cities wouldn’t have a professional soccer team without the minor leagues. Some smaller cities, such as Rochester and Charleston, have had tremendous support by filling a void in their sports marketplace. Many franchises partner with youth clubs, meaning they attract fans and consumers at an early age. The low cost of attending matches and growing popularity of soccer makes the sport appealing to families as well as younger generations. Things might not always be rosy for clubs with sagging attendance, but as long as there are fans and groups interested in supporting their community, minor league soccer will continue.
Hope that answers your questions, Eduardo. The landscape of minor league soccer will change considerably over the next few months, but in some form the second and third divisions of American professional soccer will exist.
Throw-Ins
- The resurgent Harrisburg City Islanders won their fourth straight match with a crucial 1-0 road win against Real Maryland on Thursday. Geoff Bloes scored in the 48th minute (assisted by Kai Kasiguran), and Danny Cepero (right) made four saves in recording the shutout. The City Islanders (3-6-4, 13 points) host Maryland (3-5-5, 14 points) on Saturday at the Skyline Sports Complex in a must-win rematch. Another victory would pull Harrisburg within two points of the final USL-2 playoff spot.
- Reading United tied the Ironbound Express 2-2 on Wednesday in a showdown of the PDL Mid-Atlantic Division’s top two teams. Corey Hertzog had a goal and an assist for Reading (8-1-3, 27 points), who remain two points behind the Express (9-2-2, 29 points). Reading travels to Ocean City FC in their next match Saturday.
Posted by Soccer Nobody at 7/9/2010 11:00 AM 
Categories: Confessions of a Soccer Nobody
Tags: USF PDL Harrisburg City Islanders USL-2 USL-1 MLS
Categories: Confessions of a Soccer Nobody
Tags: USF PDL Harrisburg City Islanders USL-2 USL-1 MLS
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