VSI Tampa Bay FC and Antigua Barracuda FC will not be participating in the 2014 season. USL PRO TEAMS FOLD MLS and USL PRO agreed on a partnership in 2013 in which all USL PRO teams were supposed to partner with MLS clubs by 2015 and the other MLS teams fielding their own reserve/USL PRO squads. But the 2014 season will see two established clubs fold, according to RecklessChallenge.net – VSI Tampa Bay FC, which was an expansion club in 2013, and Antigua Barracuda FC. VSI Tamp Bay FC, which has a strong youth club setup and a USL PDL club, always seemed like a foolish venture. Not only was its stadium at Plant City, Fla. a bad choice for many reasons, the club was also fighting for fan support against the NASL’s Tampa Bay Rowdies, who have history and a vise grip on the city’s soccer fan community. VSI Tampa Bay FC averaged 381 fans per game. And that was being generous to the number of actual butts in the seats. Antigua Barracuda FC, meanwhile, played every single match in 2013 on the road. The club, founded in 2010, just could not survive with that kind of financial burden. http://odfcnews.com/2013/11/17/usl-pro-teams-fold-mls-field-squads-team-partnership/
OCSC owners are traveling up to Louisville next week to discuss moving the USL franchise Two of Orlando City's new MLS owners are coming to meet with The Coopers to discuss relocating their USL franchise to Louisville. Yes, you read that right. We're moving to Molly Malone's in the Highlands to accommodate a larger crowd. We need a huge turnout to make an impression on the Orlando City officials: Phil Rawlins (also a director for the EPL's Stoke City) and John Bonner. https://www.facebook.com/events/561268813956289/?ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular
USL PRO announces plan to stream all 2014 games free on YouTube Soccer in North America continues to grow in popularity, and with it the demand to watch games. In response, USL PRO announced Friday every game of the 2014 season, including the playoffs, will be streamed free on YouTube through individual team channels. Additionally, matches will be archived so they can be accessed on-demand by viewers, and the league plans to provide other video highlights on their own YouTube channel. The announcement also affects MLS fans, who will be able to see their teams' on-loan players in action with USL PRO sides. Seven of the 13 current teams have affiliate partnerships with MLS clubs, while others reportedly will be announced soon and a handful of MLS clubs likely will field their own teams in the third-flight league beginning this upcoming season. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...unces-plan-stream-all-2014-games-free-youtube
Republic FC Announce Dual Partnership Sacramento partners with Portland, San Jose of MLS Sacramento Republic FC News Release -- www.sacrepublicfc.com Thursday, January 23, 2014 SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sacramento Republic FC has entered into separate affiliate agreements between the Portland Timbers and the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer (MLS), making Republic FC the official USL PRO affiliate to both MLS clubs. The agreements come following a development partnership between MLS and USL PRO in 2013 to help further the development of professional soccer in North America. Each respective affiliate agreement between the Timbers, Earthquakes and Republic FC, set to play its inaugural season in USL PRO in 2014, encompasses multiple strategic elements including but not limited to player development http://www.reddit.com/tb/1vyl3y
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC Announced As Colorado's New USL-PRO Side The Switchbacks (a term for a winding trail joined with hairpin turns) will continue the tradition of Colorado-based sports teams being named for nature sounding things. (See: Rockies, Rapids.) It is, at the very least, a quite inventive name that should turn some heads when they officially join the ranks of the USL. http://www.burgundywave.com/2014/1/24/5343072/colorado-springs-switchbacks-fc-usl-pro
Kickers To Craft Official Team Beer Partner with Wild Wolf Brewing Company for team-specific beer Richmond Kickers News Release -- www.richmondkickers.com Tuesday, January 28, 2014 RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Kickers, in conjunction with Loveland Distributing, are pleased to announce that a partnership with Wild Wolf Brewing Company will craft a limited edition Kickers-specific beer for the 2014 season. The specialty craft beer will be a distinctive, one-of-a-kind blend, crafted specifically for Richmond Kickers fans. The limited edition beer will be exclusively available during Kickers 2014 home games and will also be featured at participating Kickers official bar partners http://www.wildwolfbeer.com/
LA Galaxy will field USL-Pro team in 2014, first games in March The LA Galaxy will become the first MLS team to form their own USL PRO franchise, and it will have a pretty familiar name. The Galaxy announced Wednesday that they have formed the LA Galaxy II, which will be owned and operated within the club’s player development structure and begin competition in the upcoming 2014 season. LA become the first MLS team to field their own USL PRO side, while most MLS clubs have formed player development partnerships with existing USL PRO franchises for the upcoming season. “The LA Galaxy are taking a monumental step for player development in North America,” Galaxy president Chris Klein said in a statement. “The creation of LA Galaxy II, through USL PRO, provides the Galaxy with a fully realized player development program starting with the Under-12 Academy teams through the LA Galaxy first team. The investment of [Galaxy owner] AEG and the Galaxy in LA Galaxy II allows us to continue to develop the best players in Southern California and bridge the gap between the Academy and the LA Galaxy.” http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...form-own-usl-pro-franchise-named-la-galaxy-ii
USL PRO's growth continues unabated. PDL St. Louis Lions and MISL Ambush partnering with aim to join the league in 2015. @davisjsn
USL PRO 2014 Schedule Announced Inter-league games vs. MLS Reserves featured in 210-game slate USL PRO News Release Thursday, January 30, 2014 TAMPA, Fla. – USL PRO announced its 2014 regular season format and schedule today, with each of its 14 clubs playing a 28-game regular season schedule opening on March 22 and concluding on September 7. As the league enters the second season of its groundbreaking partnership with MLS, every USL PRO squad will once again play a pair of regular season games vs. MLS Reserve teams. Three new teams have joined USL PRO in 2014: the LA Galaxy II, OKC Energy FC and Sacramento Republic FC. Expansion teams in Colorado Springs, Colorado and Tulsa, Oklahoma have been added for 2015, with more announcements in the near future. Antigua Barracuda FC and VSI Tampa Bay FC will not return in 2014 http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/784052.html
Jimmy Nielsen credits Peter Vermes, Sporting KC with preparing him to be Oklahoma City coach While his old teammates are in camp, preparing to defend their MLS Cup title, Jimmy Nielsen is trying to build a USL PRO side from the ground up. Nielsen, who retired from a 17-year professional goalkeeping career shortly after Sporting Kansas City won the 2013 title, has been spending a lot of late nights in his office as he works to build a roster for the expansion Oklahoma City Energy FC. “I kind of like it,” he told MLSsoccer.com by phone on Thursday. “It's not like you're taking over a roster of 26 players, or like you've had two or three years to build the roster up the way you want it. You're looking for players who can do a good job from the beginning.” Once he finds them, though, he then has to convince them to sign with a start-up club in the middle of the country – and do it within the constraints of a USL PRO budget. “The worst thing is when I want a player badly, when I put my heart and soul into giving him a sales speech to come to Oklahoma, spending hours on the phone, e-mails, and the guy chooses to take another place,” he said. “I know it's part of the game, but it will still piss you off a little bit.” http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...mes-sporting-kc-preparing-him-be-oklahoma-cit
Orange County Blues Set For New Era Club unveils new logo, set to play at Anteater Stadium Orange County Blues FC News Release -- www.ocbluesfc.com Wednesday, February 5, 2014 IRVINE, Calif. – After weeks of build-up on social media, Owner Ali Mansouri today officially introduced the Orange County Blues Football Club in front of a packed room at the Wyndham Hotel in Irvine. Formerly known as the Los Angeles Blues, the club will begin a new era in 2014 as it competes in USL PRO at its new home, Anteater Stadium, on the campus of the University of California, Irvine. The OC Blues were pleased to welcome the club’s loyal fans, staff, sponsors and members of the team to join in the celebration of today’s important announcements. The re-launch event also included the debut of the Blues’ 2014 jerseys, which feature the primary sponsor Sports 1 Marketing and the back of jersey sponsor Destination Irvine, and the new club crest. The new crest represents Orange County’s beautiful beaches, glorious sunshine, and the passion for soccer that exists throughout the county. The Blues also unveiled their new home, away and alternate kits. The home jersey is royal blue with white accents, the away kit is white with blue accents, and the alternate kit is orange with white accents, paying homage to their new home in Orange County. http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/785706.html
Dutch Lions Sign Partnership With Nike Three-year agreement covers USL PRO, W-League, PDL, Youth Dayton Dutch Lions FC News Release -- www.dutchlionsfc.com Thursday, February 6, 2014 DAYTON, Ohio -- The Dayton Dutch Lions USL PRO Team is proud to announce a multi-year apparel sponsorship agreement with Nike. The club's W-League, PDL, and youth academy teams will also benefit from the partnership by donning Nike kits this season. "We believe that innovative branding is one of the key aspects of professionalism and that's what Nike stands for," Dayton Dutch Lions Business Development Manager Koen Driessen said. "It's about recognizing quality and we trust that they will bring us that. We are looking forward to playing with passion under Nike." "We are looking forward to partnering with the Dayton Dutch Lions to bring innovative product and design to the pitch starting in the 2014 USL PRO Season," said Nike Soccer GM, Aaron Barnett. "We will work together to help all players reach their full potential and shape the future success of the team." http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/785751.html
LA Galaxy II to hold Inaugural Open Tryout at StubHub Center March 1 CARSON, Calif. (Tuesday, February 11, 2014) – LA Galaxy II announced Tuesday that the team will hold its Inaugural Open Tryout at StubHub Center on Saturday, March 1 and Sunday, March 2. The tryout is open to male soccer players ages 18 and older looking to fulfill their dream of playing professional soccer for one of the most storied clubs in North America. Members of the Galaxy Technical Staff will be on hand at the tryouts to observe and evaluate players. At least one player participating in the Open Tryout will be awarded a trial with LA Galaxy II during the team’s preseason camp and has the chance to play in Galaxy II’s inaugural USL PRO campaign. http://www.lagalaxy.com/news/2014/02/la-galaxy-ii-hold-inaugural-open-tryout-stubhub-center-march-1
Braun, Gissie Sign With Republic Former MLS forward reunited with Preki in Sacramento Sacramento Republic FC News Release -- www.sacrepublicfc.com Tuesday, Februay 11, 2014 SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sacramento Republic FC announced the signing of veteran Major League Soccer forward Justin Braun and 18-year-old rising star Mawolo Gissie pending league approval. Both players will report to Republic FC training camp beginning February 17. “I knew when I first saw Justin play in 2008 that he was a player with great potential, and now it will be even better to work with him due to his experience of playing in the MLS for five years,” said Sacramento Republic FC Head Coach Predrag “Preki” Radosavljević. “Justin’s veteran experience will be leveraged not only on the field but off it as he guides one of the sport’s most exciting young players in Gissie.” http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/786947.html
St. Louis duo seeking USL PRO expansion club, with long-term goal of MLS entry Two prominent figures on the St. Louis soccer scene want to bring a professional outdoor team back to the city, The Riverfront Times reported on Tuesday, and a place in MLS is their ultimate goal. Tony Glavin, who owns and coaches the St. Louis Lions PDL team, and Andrew Haines, owner of the St. Louis Ambush indoor team, told RFT that they have begun the process of founding a USL PRO club with an eye towards a 2015 debut. The duo launched a new website (http://stlprosoccer.com/) to gauge local interest by requesting contact info and ticketing preferences from would-be fans, and they make no secret of their long-term goal: following in the footsteps of the five former USL clubs who have moved up to MLS. "We felt the timing was right," Glavin said. "This has always been my goal. I think the area has been crying out for something … St. Louis has a rich history in soccer. We want to capture that. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...l-pro-expansion-club-long-term-goal-mls-entry
New Tulsa USL PRO team reaches back into city's soccer past for its new name: Roughnecks FC Tulsa's new USL PRO team officially has a name. And it's one with which Tulsans will already be familiar. The team announced on Wednesday it will be called the Tulsa Roughnecks FC, after that name emerged victorious in a fan contest over three other names. The Roughnecks name was held by the Tulsa team of the old NASL (original logo pictured above). “We want to have soccer fans strongly involved with this team,” said Mike Melega, GM of Tulsa's stadium-mates, minor league baseball team Tulsa Drillers, in a statement. “That is why we wanted to do a Name Your Team Contest, so we could see what fans wanted and preferred in their team’s name. “Throughout the voting process, it became clear that the nickname Roughnecks has come to be the name that soccer fans associate with Tulsa professional soccer. It is our city’s soccer identity here and throughout the country and we are excited to bring it back." http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...back-citys-soccer-past-will-be-called-roughne
Sacramento Republic FC's plans for new stadium approved by Cal Expo Sacramento Republic FC have their home. The Cal Expo Board on Friday unanimously approved a deal with Ovations Fanfare to build a multiuse stadium that will be home to the USL PRO expansion side, The Sacramento Bee’s Ryan Lillis reported via Twitter. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...ublic-fcs-plans-new-stadium-approved-cal-expo
New York Red Bulls ready to launch USL PRO side in 2015: "We see it as a big, big advantage" If all goes according to plan, the New York Red Bulls will soon follow the footsteps of the LA Galaxy and field a team in USL PRO. Red Bulls sporting director Andy Roxburgh said at the club’s media day on Tuesday that New York are currently well into the process of launching a third-division side, set to begin play next year. Roxburgh told reporters back in December that the Red Bulls had explored the possibility of launching a USL PRO club for 2014, but that they were not able to finalize the plans in time. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...-usl-pro-side-2015-we-see-it-big-big-advantag
USL PRO's Phoenix FC Wolves change owners, will become Arizona United SC for 2014 season With the start of the 2014 USL PRO season fast approaching, one team is undergoing a major makeover. Phoenix FC Wolves announced Wednesday on their website that the owners would no longer run a USL PRO team, leading to speculation about the future of the franchise. On Thursday, the league confirmed American Soccer Marketing was out as the owners of the franchise, and Arizona United Soccer Club would be taking over the franchise rights for Phoenix. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...ge-owners-will-become-arizona-united-sc-2014-
Queen City Soccer Club to replace Charlotte Eagles in USL PRO in 2015 Through some Internet sleuthing, it looks like we have found the Eagles' replacement, who have started following other USL PRO clubs on Twitter. The Queen City Soccer Club has begun to follow other USL PRO teams on Twitter, and their website has been registered by Wade Leaphart, the GM for the Charlotte Hounds. As a noted MLS Snob (TM Greg Roche), I approve of their use of Soccer Club rather than Football Club. While it is sad to see a long-standing USL PRO club leave, it is always good to see the health of the league improve. http://queencitysc.com/ https://www.facebook.com/queencitysc https://twitter.com/queencitysc http://www.reddit.com/r/queencitysc/ http://instagram.com/queencitysc#
