Another scenario is that the TOA application is accepted with the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA). The CSA is Canada’s equivalent to the USSF. If the application is accepted in the CSA, all teams could play within that league just as the other Canadian teams have been playing in the USSF-sanctioned USL.
Once again, Brian Quarstad has a great article up summing up the current situation in the TOA - USL dispute. When you go over -- and do go over -- make sure to read the comments. Here in Canada we are typically seeing pro-TOA perspectives, based on the fact that the Whitecaps and Impact are the leading voices on the TOA side. Quarstad's comment's section is more from a USL perspective.
As for the quoted passage above? Oh, dear. It certainly is an interesting, if bizarre, possibility. Imagine explaining that one to your friends from overseas. Yes, the Canadian domestic league has 80 per cent of its teams in the US. Don't ask, just roll with it.
I would hope that the CSA would require a bit more of a Canadian presence in the league before agreeing to be the sole sanctioning body. I would also think that FIFA might require that at least half the teams be from the nation that is sanctioning it, but then again who bloody knows with FIFA.
A true optimist could look at this as the impetus to the start of a Canadian league, I guess. American expansion didn't work for the CFL, but maybe this could be different. Personally, I can't see it, but Kool-aid is the favourite drink of a particular subset of Voyagers (the ones that like to post elaborate pan-Canadian league set-ups that include the possibility of FC Charlottetown Islanders taking on AFC Saskatoon in a two legged championship final).
The bottom line with all of this remains the same, however. Both sides need to suck it up and figure out a compromise. Otherwise, it seems, they are going to blow everything up.
12 comments:
NASL don't need to compromise anymore. They've won. USL-1 is essentially dead and I'm guessing that they will merge with USL-2 to become Division 3 in US and Canada.
Not if they can't get sanctioned, they haven’t.
Why would they not get sanctionned?? You think the USSF would actually tell most of the 2nd division teams to shut up and play in a league they want nothing to do with?? Especially when their is an alternative available?
True but some people in the "blogosphere" say their contacts don't think that will be a problem. I personally don't think it will be an issue. So far the TOA have outmaneuvered USL at every turn. I'm guessing they wouldn't have done so without some assurance of USSF sanctioning.
Hey, we all know AFC Saskatoon would walk away with it 5 or 6 - 0 on aggregate. Hail to the future champs, bitches!
I have a feeling the USSF is going to force USL to take in the TOA leagues, or else the NASL is going to take over USL and the team owners will win the day.
Puhllleaze. USSF will never give CFA the authorization to pull US teams to Canada, even though CFA does allow it.
NASL only has 6 teams, no matter what they say about this, and that is not enough to qualify under USSF rules. All the other teams had previous contractual commitments, and I can promise you this will be in the courts if this continues.
NASL actually have 9 teams, 8 if you don't think that Minnesota will survive. USL-1 currently only have 5.
The first anon poster said ''They've (TOA) won'', to which Duane replied ''Not if they can't get sanctioned...''
The moral victory is clearly there... The fact that the Nike/NuRock transaction occured in the shade, with very little input from the top clubs - clubs who seek to operate as healthy enterprises and legitimate professional football clubs - has had its consequences.
For the most part, since its acquisition, NuRock has shown mostly contempt and arrogance towards those clubs, the better part of their top tier...
How could this be considered anything but a losing battle (for NuRock)?
I think the NASL needs to outline what Vancouver and Montreal will do once they join the mls before any league is sanctioned. Also, will the USL1 lose it's sanction seeing how they have like 5 teams.
NASL does not have 9 teams. You can't count Baltimore or Tampa, they have previous contracts with USL, so NASL is now down to 7. Take Minnesota and St. Louis out of the equation, and that leaves 5. Take Vancouver and Montreal out next year, and you only have 3.
The numbers just don't add up.
I'm still holding out hope for Real Slave Lake.
Baltimore or Tampa joined NASL so those two don't think they have valid contracts with USL. In fact, it is doubtful they have even paid the full $750,000 league fee as yet. Both of them didn't even go to the league meetings that are held in Tampa last week.
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