North American Soccer League (2011–2017)

Last updated

North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League (NASL).svg
FoundedNovember 10, 2009;14 years ago (2009-11-10)
First season2011;13 years ago (2011)
Folded2017;7 years ago (2017)
CountryUnited States
Other club(s) fromCanada, Puerto Rico
Confederation CONCACAF
Number of teams7–12
Level on pyramid 2
Domestic cup(s) U.S. Open Cup
Canadian Championship
Copa Luis Villarejo
Last champions San Francisco Deltas
(2017)
Most championships New York Cosmos (3 titles)
TV partners
8 networks
Website nasl.com

The North American Soccer League (NASL) was a professional men's soccer league based in the United States. The league was named for, but had no connection to, the original North American Soccer League. The later NASL was founded in 2009, and began play in 2011 with eight teams.

Contents

From 2013 through 2017, the NASL used a split-season schedule running from April to early November, with a four-week break in July. The spring and fall champions, along with the two teams with best combined spring/fall records met in a four-team single-elimination tournament known as The Championship. [1] The winner of the final claimed the Soccer Bowl trophy. While there was no promotion and relegation with other leagues, former commissioner Bill Peterson repeatedly stated that the league had an interest in introducing promotion and relegation to the pyramid. [2]

During its seven seasons of play from 2011 to 2017, it was sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation (U.S. Soccer) as a Division II league in the United States soccer league system. In 2017, the Division II status was made provisional, as the league had consistently failed to meet the sanctioning criteria. In 2018, U.S. Soccer outright denied the league Division II status for 2018, as the NASL had not demonstrated a plan for moving into compliance with required standards. [3] [4] [5] The league first postponed and then cancelled its 2018 season, pushing back its potential return to the 2020 season. Its member clubs folded or moved to other leagues, and the NASL effectively became defunct in November 2018.

Background

A top-division professional soccer league known as the North American Soccer League operated from 1968 to early 1985. The modern league used the same name and a similar logo but had no official ties to the original NASL. [6] Several of the modern NASL teams, in particular the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Tampa Bay Rowdies, and New York Cosmos, shared the same names and similar jersey designs as their original-NASL predecessors. The new league had expressed its affinity to the earlier one, in fact inviting participation from longtime NASL Commissioner Phil Woosnam, who wrote them a letter wishing their success in the new league. [7]

In 1995, the USSF had created its first Professional League Standards (PLS) to regulate the first and second division of soccer in the United States. [8] They set out certain standards that leagues would need to meet in order to be sanctioned, and any league could apply for whichever tier status it could qualify for. [9] The NASL and USSF would be involved in several legal disputes over the PLS.

History

Founding

On August 27, 2009, multi-national sports company Nike agreed to sell its stake in the United Soccer Leagues (USL) to Rob Hoskins and Alec Papadakis of Atlanta-based NuRock Soccer Holdings, instead of to the USL Team Owner's Association (TOA), a group comprising the owners of several USL First Division clubs and St. Louis Soccer United. After the purchase, several prominent TOA members began to voice their concerns about the state of the league in general, its management structure and ownership model, the leadership of USL president Francisco Marcos, and about the sale of the league to NuRock, which the TOA felt was counter-productive and detrimental to the development of the league.

Within several weeks, a number of TOA member clubs threatened to break away from USL and start their own league. On November 10, 2009, six USL-1 clubs along with St. Louis applied for approval to create a new North American Division 2 league. [10] On November 20, 2009, one team from both USL-1 and USL-2 announced their intentions to join the new league, [11] taking the membership of the new league to nine teams. [12]

The official name of the league was announced on November 23, 2009. [13] According to the official press release, the NASL name was intended to "pay respect to the players, coaches and leaders who were pioneers for men's professional soccer in North America, many of whom remain involved and committed to the growth of the game in various capacities throughout the U.S. and Canada".

The USL issued several press releases questioning the legality of the teams choosing to break away, suggesting that it considered litigation to protect its interests and those of the USL-1 teams from any breach of contract. [14] The USL claimed that the NASL and the TOA ownership group was "interfering with USL-1 team owners that are contractually obligated to participate in the 2010 season" and "made several misleading statements in a variety of press releases to taint the reputation of USL and its long history of developing the sport of soccer." [15]

NASL's inaugural season was expected to begin play in April 2010. [16] However, after announcing that it would not sanction either the NASL or the USL First Division for 2010, [17] U.S. Soccer announced in January 2010 that it would run a temporary USSF Division 2 Professional League for the 2010 season that included 12 teams from both the NASL and USL-1, putting the NASL on hold for at least a year. [18]

League begins

Daniel Antoniuk and Tsuyoshi Yoshitake of the Tampa Bay Rowdies, an inaugural NASL club Rowdies2012.jpg
Daniel Antoniuk and Tsuyoshi Yoshitake of the Tampa Bay Rowdies, an inaugural NASL club

Following the 2010 season, NASL admitted its member clubs to meet the new Division 2 standards set out by U.S. Soccer. The NASL was provisionally approved by U.S. Soccer on November 21, 2010. [19] [20] The provisional sanctioning was briefly revoked by U.S. Soccer in January 2011 due to the collapse of two of the ownership groups involved with NASL and serious questions about several others [21] but was reinstated before the 2011 season. [22] [23]

As part of the re-organization that established the NASL as Division II, the USSF updated its Professional League Standards, in order to keep up with the growth of the sport and population growth in the United States since 1995. [9] Another update to the PLS took effect in 2014, while a further update was discussed in 2015 but was dropped.

Traffic Sports scandal

From the beginning of the league, Brazilian-based sports company Traffic Sports Marketing was a significant investor in the new league. Traffic Sports Marketing was heavily involved in its operations. Traffic was an early investor in four of the league's clubs, and the president of its American subsidiary, Aaron Davidson, also served as the chairman of the NASL's board of governors. [24] Both Traffic and Davidson himself were implicated in the 2015 FIFA corruption case, and both would eventually plead guilty to racketeering, conspiracy, and wire-fraud conspiracy. Traffic Sports continued to hold a large amount of stock in the NASL until the league finally arranged for a sale to an unnamed buyer in November 2016. [25]

Since the league's founding, the USSF had demonstrated a willingness to work with leagues who could show they were moving into compliance with the PLS; the NASL applied for, and was granted, waivers for specific provisions every year of its existence. [3]

In September 2015, the NASL announced its intent to challenge MLS and secure Division I status, despite never having met the criteria for Division II. To that end, the league sent a letter to U.S. Soccer president, Sunil Gulati, objecting to proposed updates to the Division I PLS. NASL took issue with three proposed changes: increasing the minimum stadium size to 15,000, increasing the minimum number of teams to 16, and changing the minimum population required in 75% of the teams from a population of 1 million to 2 million. NASL accused U.S. Soccer of colluding with MLS to protect MLS's monopoly as the only Division I league in the United States. [26] The USSF denied the league's Division I application on March 30, 2016, but continued to grant waivers for the NASL to play in Division II. [27]

In September 2017, it was reported that after having granted provisional Division II status to both the NASL and the MLS-backed United Soccer League in 2016, that U.S. Soccer had voted to stop extending PSL standards waivers to the NASL, resulting in the loss of its Division II status. NASL stated that it "does not believe that the federation acted in the best interest of the sport. U.S. Soccer's decision negatively affects many stakeholders in soccer: fans, players, coaches, referees, business partners, and the NASL club owners who have invested tens of millions of dollars promoting the sport. The decision also jeopardizes the thousands of jobs created by the NASL and its member clubs." For its part, the USSF explained its decision was the result of the NASL's continued failure to meet agreed-upon league standards, particularly that "(d)espite multiple chances, NASL has not even come up with a plan for eventual compliance with the Division II standards." [3]

On September 19, 2017, NASL filed suit against U.S. Soccer citing antitrust violations related to the change of sanctioning criteria. [28] The decision to pursue the lawsuit was not unanimous among NASL clubs. FC Edmonton was not involved in the lawsuit, having "found out about the lawsuit over the telephone"; [29] and North Carolina FC did not support the lawsuit. [30] The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York ruled against the NASL's motion for a preliminary injunction on November 4, 2017, [31] [32] and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit denied an appeal February 23, 2018. [33]

Following the District Court ruling, the NASL announced it would move to the "international calendar", playing from August through June. [34] The announcement was met with skepticism, with commentators pointing out the difficulty in playing a winter schedule in northern markets such as New York or Indiana. [35] Others characterized it as a desperation move, suggesting the change had more to do with the NASL not being able to field enough teams to play its regular spring schedule and that the league had not worked through the "logistical nightmare" of such a schedule change. [35] [36] [37]

On February 27, 2018, the league announced that the 2018 season had been canceled in the wake of the court ruling. They were looking for ways to return in 2020. [38] At that time, the New York Cosmos, Miami FC and Jacksonville Armada, chose to participate in the National Premier Soccer League for the 2018 season while the NASL's future was being determined. [39] FC Edmonton briefly stopped operations before joining the newly formed Canadian Premier League in advance of the 2019 inaugural season, [40] [41] while San Diego 1904 FC left the league and tried unsuccessfully to join the USL. [42] [43]

Demise

After initially postponing the 2018 season, the league was denied a preliminary injunction to prevent the loss of its Division II sanctioning and announced it had canceled its 2018 season and hoped to return for a 2019 season. [44] By July 2018, the league pushed back its potential return to the 2020 season. [38] In November 2018, two of the four remaining NASL clubs announced that they would launch a new professional league in 2019 associated with the National Premier Soccer League [45] and the NASL effectively became defunct.

Competition format

Toyota Field in San Antonio, Texas, host of Soccer Bowl 2014. Toyota Field Scorpions.jpg
Toyota Field in San Antonio, Texas, host of Soccer Bowl 2014.

The NASL began playing a split-season format in 2013. Similar to Liga MX, Central, and South American leagues, the schedule consisted of two competitions, Spring and Fall, with the winner of the Spring season earning the right to host the Fall champion in a one-game playoff, the Soccer Bowl. In 2014 the postseason was altered again with the introduction of The Championship: The NASL Spring Season and Fall Season champions were joined in the semi-finals of The Championship by the two clubs with the next best overall records from both seasons combined. The semi-final winners competed in The Championship Final, with "Soccer Bowl" being the name of the trophy itself. [46] The NASL Spring Season and Fall Season champions would each host a semi-final. The number one seed was awarded to whichever of the Spring or Fall champions posts the better combined regular season record. The number three and number four seeds were awarded to the next two clubs with the best overall records from both seasons combined. Clubs will retain their seeding throughout the postseason. The top-seeded semi-final winner hosted The Championship final. If the same club won both seasons, the clubs with the second, third and fourth best overall records from both seasons combined qualified for The Championship. [1]

The Spring Season ran from early April until July 4, and following a one-month break, the Fall season ran from early August until early November. [47]

The split-season model had several intended benefits for NASL. A break in July that coincides with the international transfer window allowed teams to acquire (or sell) players during the summer, providing ample time for new players to become acquainted with their new club and league. Secondly, NASL teams could use this break to generate additional revenue by hosting international friendlies or going on tour. [47] In prior NASL seasons, the competition featured 8 teams playing a 28-game regular season schedule, with 14 home and 14 away matches, meeting each opponent four times. The playoffs consisted of the top six clubs, with the first and second-ranked teams receiving a bye until the semi-final round. The bottom four competed in a knockout round before advancing to the semi-finals. Both the semi-final and the final rounds were played over two-legs, the winner advancing on aggregate goals. [20]

In July 2013, NASL teams took advantage of the break afforded by the new split-season schedule to host several international friendlies, including several matches against Mexican, Brazilian, and Guatemalan teams, while the NY Cosmos traveled to London to play lower division English teams. [48]

Similar to other American sports leagues (but unlike many European soccer leagues), NASL did not have promotion or relegation for its member clubs. The champion of Division II NASL was not promoted to Division I Major League Soccer, and the team finishing last in NASL was not relegated. Two NASL clubs did switch leagues to MLS (Montreal Impact in 2012, Minnesota United FC in 2017) as expansion teams following an application.

The NASL did not have a salary cap, [49] [50] limited active rosters to 30 players, and limited teams to seven foreign players. [51]

Other competitions

The Puerto Rico Islanders reached the semi-finals of the 2008-09 CONCACAF Champions League. Islanderspuertorico.JPG
The Puerto Rico Islanders reached the semi-finals of the 2008–09 CONCACAF Champions League.

Teams playing in the NASL represented three separate CONCACAF members, the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. NASL's U.S.-based teams played in the U.S. Open Cup, the winner of which provides one of the four U.S. representatives in the CONCACAF Champions League. The NASL did not participate in the 2011 U.S. Open Cup during the league's first season, but joined the tournament in 2012 to some success as the Carolina RailHawks reached the quarterfinals that year. In 2014, both the Carolina RailHawks and the Atlanta Silverbacks reached the Open Cup quarterfinals. [52] The league's Canadian teams, FC Edmonton and Ottawa Fury FC, participated in the Canadian Championship. This tournament consists of the Canadian Soccer Association's professional clubs, the winner representing Canada in the Champions League.

NASL teams also occasionally played in international competitions including friendlies during the league's summer break. [48] Additionally, the Puerto Rico Islanders were invited to participate in the CFU Club Championship by the Caribbean Football Union representing Puerto Rico, participation in which allowed them to qualify for the Champions League. The Islanders competed in Champions League twice during their time in NASL.

Clubs

ClubCityStadiumCapacityFirst seasonFinal seasonFate
Atlanta Silverbacks Atlanta, Georgia Atlanta Silverbacks Park 5,00020112015Folded
California United FC Fullerton, California Titan Stadium [lower-roman 1] 10,000never playedJoined NISA (2019)
FC Edmonton Edmonton, Alberta Clarke Stadium [lower-roman 2] 5,00020112017Joined the CPL (2019)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers Fort Lauderdale, Florida Central Broward Stadium [lower-roman 2] 20,45020112016Folded
Indy Eleven Indianapolis, Indiana Carroll Stadium [lower-roman 2] 12,10020142017Joined the USL Championship
Jacksonville Armada FC Jacksonville, Florida Hodges Stadium [lower-roman 2] 9,40020152017Joined the NPSL
Miami FC University Park, Florida (Miami) Riccardo Silva Stadium [lower-roman 2] 20,00020162017Joined the NPSL (2019)
Minnesota United FC Blaine, Minnesota (Minneapolis) National Sports Center 8,50020112016Joined MLS
Montreal Impact Montreal, Quebec Saputo Stadium 13,0342011Joined MLS
New York Cosmos Hempstead / Brooklyn, New York James M. Shuart Stadium [lower-roman 2] / MCU Park [lower-roman 3] 11,929 / 7,000Fall 20132017Joined NISA (2020)
North Carolina FC Cary, North Carolina (Raleigh) Sahlen's Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park [lower-roman 1] 10,00020112017Joined the USL Championship [53]
Oklahoma City FC Yukon, Oklahoma (Oklahoma City) Miller Stadium 6,000never playedAbandoned
Ottawa Fury FC Ottawa, Ontario TD Place Stadium [lower-roman 2] 24,00020142016Joined the USL Championship
Puerto Rico FC Bayamón, Puerto Rico Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium [lower-roman 1] 22,000Fall 20162017Folded
Puerto Rico Islanders Bayamón, Puerto Rico Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium 22,00020112012Folded
Rayo OKC Yukon, Oklahoma (Oklahoma City) Miller Stadium 6,0002016Folded
San Antonio Scorpions San Antonio, Texas Toyota Field 8,29620122015Folded
San Diego 1904 FC San Diego, California Torero Stadium [lower-roman 2] 6,000never playedJoined NISA (2019)
San Francisco Deltas San Francisco, California Kezar Stadium [lower-roman 2] 10,0002017Folded
Tampa Bay Rowdies St. Petersburg, Florida Al Lang Stadium [lower-roman 4] 7,22720112016Joined the USL Championship
Virginia Cavalry FC Ashburn, Virginia Edelman Financial Field [lower-roman 2] 4,000never playedAbandoned
  1. 1 2 3 Soccer-specific stadium
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Shared facility; not a soccer-specific stadium
  3. ↑ Baseball park stadium
  4. ↑ Redesigned ballpark for permanent soccer use

Team timeline

San Francisco DeltasPuerto Rico FCRayo OKCMiami FCJacksonville Armada FCOttawa Fury FCIndy ElevenNew York Cosmos (2010)San Antonio ScorpionsTampa Bay RowdiesPuerto Rico IslandersMontreal Impact (1992–2011)Minnesota United FC (2010–16)Minnesota United FC (2010–16)Fort Lauderdale Strikers (2006–2016)FC EdmontonNorth Carolina FCCarolina RailHawksAtlanta SilverbacksNorth American Soccer League (2011-2017)

Club folded Club moved to MLS Club moved to USL Club moved to other league

Founding members

CONCACAF countries location map.png
Red pog.svg
Blue pog.svg
Blue pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Blue pog.svg
Blue pog.svg
Blue pog.svg
Green pog.svg
Blue pog.svg
Blue pog.svg
Blue pog.svg
Blue pog.svg
Green pog.svg
class=notpageimage|
Locations of NASL clubs.
Red pog.svg Founding members; Blue pog.svg Expansion clubs;
Green pog.svg Abandoned expansion clubs

With provisional approval from U.S. Soccer to begin play as a Division 2 league in 2011, eight clubs were officially confirmed to launch the inaugural season: Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina RailHawks, FC Edmonton, Fort Lauderdale Strikers (formerly Miami FC), Montreal Impact, NSC Minnesota Stars, Puerto Rico Islanders and FC Tampa Bay. [20]

Four of these eight teams – the Carolina RailHawks, Miami FC, Minnesota United FC (formerly Minnesota Thunder/Stars) and Montreal Impact – played in the USL First Division in 2009, and were among the set of TOA teams that initiated the original breakaway from the USL. FC Tampa Bay had been scheduled to be a 2010 USL-1 expansion franchise, but switched to the NASL shortly after NASL was officially formed. The Atlanta Silverbacks played competitively in USL-1 in 2008, and spent 2009 on hiatus from the league prior to joining the NASL. FC Edmonton was an expansion team that was founded in 2010 and joined the Canadian Premier League in 2019 after suspending operations in late 2017. [4] The Puerto Rico Islanders played in the USL in the 2010 season.

Several teams expected to join NASL did not play in NASL during the 2011 inaugural season. Crystal Palace Baltimore of the USL Second Division had planned to join the NASL, but announced in late 2010 that it would not play in NASL in 2011 due to a necessary restructuring. [54] The Rochester Rhinos of the USL First Division initially joined the NASL on November 30, 2009, but jumped to the new USL Pro instead. [55] [56] AC St. Louis, part of the initial TOA group that formed NASL, closed in late 2010 after only one season due to financial difficulties. [57] The Vancouver Whitecaps did not play in NASL in 2011 because the Vancouver Whitecaps FC joined MLS in 2011. The Minnesota Thunder ceased operations due to financial problems, and were replaced by the NSC Minnesota Stars under different ownership.

On March 25, 2015, it was announced that founding team Minnesota would become a Major League Soccer expansion side in 2017.

When the owner of the Atlanta Silverbacks was unable to find a buyer for the club, the league assumed operations for the 2015 season. On January 11, 2016, the NASL announced that it was also unable to secure a new ownership group, and the club ceased operations. [58] [59] [60] [61]

On October 25, 2016, the Tampa Bay Rowdies announced that they would be moving to the United Soccer League for the 2017 season. [62]

Expansion teams

Progression of league size
Season# Teams
2011 8
2012
Spring 2013 7
Fall 2013 8
Spring 2014 10
Fall 2014
Spring 2015 11
Fall 2015
Spring 2016
Fall 2016 12
Spring 2017 8
Fall 2017

The league continued with eight teams in 2012, losing one team and adding one team, with the Montreal Impact joining Major League Soccer and the San Antonio Scorpions joining NASL as an expansion side. [63] The league played its 2013 spring season with seven teams, as the Puerto Rico Islanders suspended operations with uncertainty regarding a government subsidy. [64] The New York Cosmos restored the league to eight teams when it joined for the fall 2013 season, playing its home games at Hofstra University's James M. Shuart Stadium. [65] [66]

NASL's expansion into New York marked the first time the league expanded into a city where an MLS team was already present, marking the beginning of a shift in NASL expansion strategy, with NASL later considering expanding into other large markets with MLS teams, such as the northern Virginia suburbs of Washington DC, and Los Angeles. [67]

The NASL added two teams for the 2014 season: the Ottawa Fury FC and Indy Eleven of Indianapolis. The Ottawa Fury moved from the USL Premier Development League following the refurbishment of TD Place Stadium. [68] [69] The Indy Eleven played at Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis but planned to complete their own stadium. [70] [71] Virginia Cavalry FC was originally announced as a 2014 expansion team to be based in the planned Edelman Financial Field in Ashburn, Virginia, but could not find either a suitable venue or a stable ownership group. [72] [73] [74] [75] [76]

In July 2013, the NASL awarded two new expansion franchises to begin play in 2015: Jacksonville Armada FC and Oklahoma City FC. [77] [78] Jacksonville plays at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville and hopes to build its own stadium. [79] Oklahoma City FC did not join the league. An NASL team in Oklahoma City was eventually announced for a 2016 launch when Spanish club Rayo Vallecano launched Rayo OKC in November 2015. [80]

In 2014, the NASL indicated its vision to grow to 18 to 20 teams by 2018. [81] Former NASL Commissioner Bill Peterson expressed interest in Hartford, which had been home to the Connecticut Bicentennials in the previous version of the NASL. [82] However, the priority remained to add more teams in the West, Midwest and Prairies, with an eye on placing teams in the 25 largest metropolitan areas without professional soccer teams in order to tap into greater media exposure and sponsor interest. [47] [67] [83] NASL expansion conversations took place with interested parties from San Francisco, Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, and Las Vegas. [84] Also, the owners of Detroit City FC expressed a desire to join the NASL or USL if additional investors could be found. [85] In addition, Peterson criticized the MLS expansion plans in cities with existing NASL teams (Miami, Atlanta, Minneapolis, and San Antonio), suggesting a turf war and increased competition between the two leagues. [86] [87]

In May 2015, the NASL announced that the twelfth team in the league would be Miami FC,in Miami, Florida. Owned by international entrepreneur Riccardo Silva and former Italian international Paolo Maldini, the team began play in 2016. [88] In June 2015, professional basketball player Carmelo Anthony, announced that his new club Puerto Rico FC would join the league. [89] The team began play in the 2016 NASL fall season.

On December 22, 2015, it was announced that the City of San Antonio and Bexar County had purchased Toyota Field and S.T.A.R. Soccer Complex. Along with this came an agreement for Spurs Sports and Entertainment, owners of the San Antonio Spurs, to operate the facilities and field a team in the United Soccer League, effectively folding the San Antonio Scorpions. [90]

In February 2016, former Indy Eleven president Peter Wilt announced his ambition to create an NASL team in Chicago. Wilt had been the first president and general manager of Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire. The ownership group announced that the NASL Chicago club would not be called the Chicago Sting, but works were in progress to secure short-term and long-term stadium options. The efforts were combined with exploring investors and supporter ownership structures. [91] [92]

In February 2016, it was announced that the San Francisco Deltas would join the NASL in 2017. [93] Despite a championship season, the Deltas folded at the end of 2017. [94]

In October 2016, the Ottawa Fury FC announced that they would be moving to the USL for the 2017 season. At the time of their announcement, it had been reported that the Fury were losing approximately $2 million per year during their time in the NASL.

On May 10, 2017, it was announced that California United FC would join the league in Spring 2018 and play its home games at Titan Stadium on the campus of Cal State Fullerton. Following the cancellation of the 2018 season, the team announced on February 28, 2018, that it would explore professional league options for 2019. [95] On March 17, 2018, the NASL acknowledged that California United had withdrawn from the NASL. [96]

On June 25, 2017, it was announced that a San Diego 1904 FC franchise would be joining the league in Spring 2018. The club's founders include professional soccer players Demba Ba, Eden Hazard, Yohan Cabaye and Moussa Sow. [97] The club intends to build a soccer complex somewhere in San Diego's North County and will play its games at the University of San Diego in the meantime. [98] However, after the league announced it had cancelled the 2018 NASL season, the expansion team announced that they had quietly resigned from the NASL the month before and were finalizing an agreement to join the United Soccer League in 2019. [99] [42]

Indy Eleven announced on January 10, 2018, that they had left the NASL and would begin play in the USL starting with the 2018 season. [100]

Organization

Ownership

The North American Soccer League operated as a group of independent club owners as opposed to the single-entity structure of Major League Soccer. The league itself was owned and operated by its member teams through the board of governors, consisting of a representative from each member team. The board oversaw the league rules and regulations, and governed the expansion and commercial strategy of the league. [51] In accordance with the USSF's Professional League Standards for the second division, the league required that each club have a lead shareholder that holds at least 35% ownership in the club and had a net worth of at least $20M. [101]

The NASL issued Class A and Class B stock. Each club owned Class A voting shares, while the majority of Class B shares were owned by Traffic Sports Marketing, as the primary investor in the league. Class B shares did not have voting rights but did give Traffic certain veto power over the league's decisions. [102]

Structure

The NASL had a decentralized business model, in which many responsibilities that would fall to the league in other North American sports, such as marketing, were instead borne by the clubs. [103] [104]

This focus on "independence" as a key element of the league's identity caused difficulties at times. [105] The Cosmos vetoed league-wide uniform and TV contracts, contracts would have brought the league as a whole more money, because the team thought it could make more for itself on its own. [106] [107] The league also lacked an Expansion Committee, for developing new markets and vetting potential new owners, until January 2017. [108]

Commissioner

David Downs was named league commissioner effective April 4, 2011, just four days before the league's first match. [109] Downs had previously worked for ABC Sports where he had secured the U.S. television rights to every World Cup from 1994 to 2014, worked for Univision, and from 2007 through 2010 had been executive director of the unsuccessful U.S. Bid Committee to bring the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup to the United States. [110] NASL began regular league play in April 2011 with eight members comprising former clubs from the USL First Division, the USL Second Division, plus expansion sides. [20]

Citing a desire to return to his home in New York, Downs resigned after the end of the 2012 season. [109] Bill Peterson, formerly the Senior VP of AEG Sports and managing director of the Home Depot Center from 2000 to 2006, replaced Downs as commissioner. [111]

With teams leaving, divisional sanction revoked and the league on the brink of collapse, Peterson left the NASL in January 2017 and was replaced by Rishi Sehgal as Interim Commissioner. [112] Sehgal served in that position until the league closed its doors.

Sponsorship

Match ball
ManufacturerSeasons
Joma [113] 2011–2013
Voit [114] 2014–2015
Under Armour [115] 2016–2017

The league reached a deal with Seiko to serve as the official timekeeper of the NASL starting with the 2014 season. Seiko branding was prominent on the fourth official's substitution and timing boards, on goal line advertising boards, on the broadcast game clock and within the league's official website NASL.com. [116]

The NASL decided early on to seek a league-wide uniform contract, similar to that employed by all high-level American sports leagues, including Major League Soccer, the NBA, NFL, NHL, and MLB. [106] [117] The league lined up a manufacturer before the deal was unilaterally killed by Cosmos owner Seamus O'Brien, who believed he would be able to secure a more lucrative uniform contract for his club on its own. O'Brien reportedly regretted his action when he realized how much money such a league-wide deal would have brought to the NASL as a whole. [118] In the end, the Cosmos settled for a uniform deal that saw them buy their own uniforms from Nike rather than have the manufacturer supply them as part of a sponsorship deal. [119]

Some NASL teams were able to attract shirt sponsors. The Cosmos signed Middle Eastern air carrier Emirates from the Fall 2013 through Fall 2015 seasons for "about $1M" annually. [119] [120] FC Edmonton signed Sears Financial as a jersey sponsor, [121] and North Carolina FC had Blue Cross as their jersey sponsor. [122] Toyota's shirt sponsorship of the Scorpions was tied into several other sponsorship programs involving the team and team ownership. [123] Indy Eleven announced on October 1, 2013, that they had reached a three-year deal with Honda Manufacturing of Indiana LLC and central Indiana Honda dealers worth $1M annually to be the shirt sponsor for the team, the deal was on par with the one announced by the Cosmos earlier in the year. [124] The Rowdies announced they had reach a sponsorship agreement with Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tampa for the 2014 season. [125]

Beyond shirt sponsorship and kit production, teams had varying success in establishing sponsorship packages with local and national brands. The San Antonio Scorpions were able to land numerous sponsorship arrangements with the opening of Toyota Field including an innovative sponsorship by CST brands Valero Corner Stores. The sponsorship arrangement with Valero involved stadium branding and sponsorship of all corner kicks at home games. [126]

Media and digital coverage

The NASL originally sought a full-season league-wide television contract, similar to those of other professional sports leagues. This plan was vetoed by the New York Cosmos, who instead chose to partner with One World Sports in 2015; Cosmos chairman Seamus O'Brien was also chairman of the network's parent company. [107] [127]

NASL began a relationship with ESPN3 to broadcast selected games beginning with Soccer Bowl 2013. [128] [129] Starting in 2015, ESPN3 began airing over 100 league matches in 75 countries. [130]

For the 2016 season, One World Sports aired all Cosmos matches and an additional game of the week, on Saturdays in the spring season and on Wednesdays in the fall season. [131] Additionally for 2016, beIN Sports and CBS Sports Network each began airing a game of the week. [132] [133] Miami FC made a further deal with Gol TV to televise all games not carried by other providers.

For the 2017 spring season One World Sports, CBS Sports Network, and Gol TV did not return, but beIN Sports did return, airing a national game of the week featuring at least one appearance by all eight teams. [131] The San Francisco Deltas broadcast all their home games worldwide via Twitter. ESPN3 continued to stream all games not broadcast by beIN Sports or Twitter. [134] In addition to the national deals, many clubs had local broadcast deals.

Champions

NASL trophy winners
SeasonThe Championship
(Soccer Bowl Trophy)		Regular seasonSpring
championship		Fall
championship
2011 NSC Minnesota Stars Carolina RailHawks ––
2012 Tampa Bay Rowdies San Antonio Scorpions ––
2013 New York Cosmos Carolina RailHawks Atlanta Silverbacks New York Cosmos
2014 San Antonio Scorpions Minnesota United FC Minnesota United FC San Antonio Scorpions
2015 New York Cosmos New York Cosmos New York Cosmos Ottawa Fury
2016 New York Cosmos New York Cosmos Indy Eleven New York Cosmos
2017 San Francisco Deltas Miami FC Miami FC Miami FC

Notes

Championship results

SeasonChampionsScoreRunners–upVenueAttendance
2011 NSC Minnesota Stars 3–1 Fort Lauderdale Strikers National Sports Center
Lockhart Stadium 		4,511
6,849
2012 Tampa Bay Rowdies 3–3 ( p ) Minnesota Stars National Sports Center
Al Lang Stadium 		4,642
6,208
2013 New York Cosmos 1–0 Atlanta Silverbacks Atlanta Silverbacks Park 7,211
2014 San Antonio Scorpions 2–1 Fort Lauderdale Strikers Toyota Field 7,847
2015 New York Cosmos 3–2 Ottawa Fury FC Shuart Stadium 10,166
2016 New York Cosmos 0–0 ( p ) Indy Eleven Belson Stadium 2,150
2017 San Francisco Deltas 2–0 New York Cosmos Kezar Stadium 9,691

Note: The champion was determined by a two-leg series in 2011 and 2012, before switching playoff formats in 2013.

NASL club honors

NASL club records only include performance while team competed in the NASL. Order based on major honors (championships).

TeamSeasonsNASL playoffsNASL regular seasonDomestic
(USOC, CC, CFUCC)		Total honorsMajor honors / championships
Championship winnerChampionship runner-upRegular season winnerSplit season winner (2013–17)Regular season runner-upWinnerUSOC – top NASL club
New York Cosmos 4.53123––1105
San Antonio Scorpions 41–111–152
Minnesota United FC 61111––152
North Carolina FC 7––2–––242
Puerto Rico Islanders 2––––12n/a32
Miami FC 2––12–––31
Tampa Bay Rowdies 61–––2––31
San Francisco Deltas 11–––1––21
Ottawa Fury FC 3–1–11–n/a30
Indy Eleven 4–1–11––30
Atlanta Silverbacks 5–1–1––130
Fort Lauderdale Strikers 6–2––––130

Individual records

Regular season only. [136]

Rivalry cups

Some NASL teams participated in rivalry matches. Supporters of Minnesota United FC and FC Edmonton created the Flyover Cup, a nod to the clubs' geographic location with respect to the rest of the league. [137]

Starting in 2010 when the Tampa Bay Rowdies returned, the Florida Derby was revived with the creation of the Coastal Cup with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. The Rowdies claimed the first four Coastal Cups, with the Strikers winning the Cup for the first time in 2014. In 2015 Jacksonville Armada FC made the competition three-way, and the expansion Miami FC made it a four-club competition in 2016.

Derby nameMost winsTitlesOther club(s)Titles
Coastal Cup Tampa Bay Rowdies 5 Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Jacksonville Armada FC, Miami FC 2
Flyover Cup Minnesota United FC 3 FC Edmonton 1

Woosnam Cup

Woosnam Cup
Awarded forRegular season champion
Presented byNASL supporters groups
First awarded2011 (retroactively from 2013)
Last awarded2014
Highlights
Most awards Carolina Railhawks (2)
Final winner Minnesota United
Websitewww.woosnamcup.com

In 2013, a coalition of supporters groups proposed an annual award called the Woosnam Cup to be given to the team with the best regular season, as determined by the NASL points system on aggregate between the Spring and Fall championship seasons in year. [138] Akin to the Supporters' Shield in Major League Soccer or the Presidents' Trophy of the NHL, it would have been awarded each year in order to recognize overall consistent performance through the entire year. It was intended to replace the regular season champion trophy that was awarded by the league itself in 2011 and 2012. Prior years' winners, dating back to the league's first season, were retroactively recognized on the award's website. [139] [140]

The trophy was to be a collaboration between twenty-one supporters groups, representing supporters of eleven of the twelve then-current or announced NASL clubs. [141] They planned to collect money from each group, and design and commission a traveling trophy to be loaned to the winning team each year.

The award derived its name from the long time Commissioner of the original NASL, who died during the summer of 2013. [142] When the supporters failed to get permission from Woosnam's family to use his name, it was changed to "Supporters Cup". The "North American Supporter's Trophy" or "Nasty" was floated as a possible replacement name, but that was never reflected on the trophy's website or social media. [143]

No physical trophy was ever made or presented to the clubs, and the award itself was abandoned following the 2014 season.

Awards

Attendance

Stadium attendances were a significant source of regular income for the NASL and its clubs. The average and total attendances are listed below.

NASL regular season average attendance (excludes playoffs)
Season ATL CAR EDM FTL IND JAX MIA MIN MTL NY OTT PRFC PRI SA SF TB NASL
avg.		Ref
2011 2,8663,3531,8173,769–––1,67611,507–––2,161––3,0103,770 [144]
2012 4,5053,8831,5253,615–––2,796––––1,8649,176–3,1163,806 [145]
Spring 2013 5,0424,7072,0594,314–––5,338–––––7,140–4,0374,662 [146] [147] [ better source needed ]
Fall 2013 4,3644,7092,7614,223–––3,680–6,849–––6,763–4,0504,675 [146] [148]
Spring 2014 4,7305,3643,5693,82510,465––5,157–4,3232,684––6,476–4,9985,267
Fall 2014 3,7514,1803,2974,17710,465––9,234–4,9154,961––6,909–4,3005,619
Spring 2015 4,7605,1602,7646,35110,4009,758–9,192–6,7194,377––6,477–5,7006,514
Fall 2015 –––––––––––––6,866–––
2015 4,0244,5392,8894,5189,8097,927–8,748–4,9845,406––6,736–5,6485,912 [149]
2016 –4,8562,0201,3618,3623,5585,2058,570–3,4515,5213,567–––5,8204,684 [150]
2017 –4,4893,408–8,9543,0355,147––4,789–3,597––2,564–4,486 [151]
Bold denotes league's highest attendance that season.

    See also

    Related Research Articles

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Soccer Federation</span> Governing body of soccer in the United States

    The United States Soccer Federation (USSF), commonly referred to as U.S. Soccer, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the official governing body of the sport of soccer in the United States. Headquartered in Chicago, the federation is a full member of FIFA and governs American soccer at the international, professional, and amateur levels, including: the men's and women's national teams, Major League Soccer, National Women's Soccer League, youth organizations, beach soccer, futsal, Paralympic, and deaf national teams. U.S. Soccer sanctions referees and soccer tournaments for most soccer leagues in the United States. The U.S. Soccer Federation also administers and operates the U.S. Open Cup and the SheBelieves Cup.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">USL First Division</span> Former soccer league

    The USL First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States and Canada from 2005 to 2010.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">United Soccer League</span> American sports governing body

    United Soccer League (USL) is an organizer of soccer leagues in the United States. It operates several men's and women's leagues, both professional. Men's leagues currently organized are the USL Championship, USL League One, USL League Two, and the youth Super Y League. A women's league, the USL W League, began play in 2022. It is directly affiliated with the United States Soccer Federation and the United States Adult Soccer Association. The USL is headquartered in Tampa, Florida.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Vancouver Whitecaps (1986–2010)</span> Defunct Canadian soccer club

    The Vancouver Whitecaps were a Canadian professional soccer club based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Founded in 1986, the team played its final year in the second tier of the United States soccer pyramid in the NASL Conference of the USSF Division 2 Professional League coached by Teitur Thordarson. The team played its home games at Swangard Stadium in nearby Burnaby, British Columbia. The team's colours were blue and white.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Soccer in the United States</span>

    The United States Soccer Federation (USSF) governs most levels of soccer in the United States, including the national teams, professional leagues, and amateur leagues, being the highest soccer authority in the country. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) governs most colleges; secondary schools are governed by state-level associations, with the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) setting the rules at that level. The match regulations are generally the same between the three governing bodies although there are many subtle differences.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Rochester New York FC</span> American soccer team

    Rochester New York FC, formerly known as the Rochester Raging Rhinos and later the Rochester Rhinos, was an American soccer team based in Rochester, New York, United States. In 2023, the club withdrew from the professional level in MLS Next Pro. The club won the 1999 U.S. Open Cup, marking the only time a non-MLS team has won the U.S. Open Cup since MLS started play in 1996.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">United States soccer league system</span> Series of professional and amateur soccer leagues

    The United States soccer league system is a series of professional and amateur soccer leagues based, in whole or in part, in the United States. Sometimes called the American soccer pyramid, teams and leagues are not linked by the system of promotion and relegation typical in soccer elsewhere. Instead, the United States Soccer Federation defines professional leagues in three levels, called divisions, with all other leagues sanctioned by the USSF not having an official designated level or division.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">North Carolina FC</span> Soccer team based in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina

    North Carolina FC is an American professional soccer team in Cary, North Carolina, a suburb of Raleigh, and member of the USL Championship. Founded in 2006, the team previously was named the Carolina Railhawks.

    The Canadian soccer league system, also called the Canadian soccer pyramid, is a term used in soccer to describe the structure of the league system in Canada. The governing body of soccer in the country is the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA), which oversees the system and domestic cups but does not operate any of its component leagues. In addition, some Canadian teams compete in leagues that are based in the United States.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyle Reynish</span> American soccer player

    Kyle Patrick Reynish is a former American soccer goalkeeper.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg Janicki</span> American soccer player

    Gregory Janicki is an American former professional soccer player who last played for Detroit City FC in the NPSL.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Heinemann</span> American soccer player

    Tom Heinemann is an American former professional soccer player who is currently head coach for the United States U15 team.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Marc Dos Santos</span> Canadian soccer coach

    Marc Dos Santos is a Canadian soccer coach who is an assistant coach for Los Angeles FC in Major League Soccer. He was previously the head coach of Montreal Impact in D2 Pro League and the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, was North American Soccer League Coach of the Year in 2015, when he led the Ottawa Fury FC to the North American Soccer League Championship Final after a first-place finish in the Fall Season, coached at Swope Park Rangers of United Soccer League, San Francisco Deltas of NASL and assistant coach of Los Angeles FC. Prior to that, he focused on youth initiatives in Brazil with FC Primeira Camisa (U-20's) and SE Palmeiras (U-15's), culminating with a Copa do Brasil Sub-15 championship and a technical director position with Desportivo Brasil.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">New York Cosmos (2010)</span> American professional soccer club in New York

    The New York Cosmos is an American professional soccer club based in Uniondale, New York, that is an inactive member of the third-tier National Independent Soccer Association (NISA). The organization, established in August 2010, is a rebirth of the original New York Cosmos (1970–1985) that played in the previous North American Soccer League, which was at the time the first division of North American soccer.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">USL Championship</span> Professional soccer league in the United States

    The USL Championship (USLC) is a professional men's soccer league in the United States that began play in 2011. The USL is sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation as a Division II league since 2017, placing it under Major League Soccer in the hierarchy. The USL is headquartered in Tampa, Florida.

    The history of Vancouver Whitecaps FC, a professional soccer team based in Vancouver, Canada, spans over four decades. The first team to use the "Whitecaps" name was the Vancouver Whitecaps of the now-defunct North American Soccer League, playing from 1974 to 1984. After two years while the core of the players were focused on preparations for the 1986 World Cup, a second version of the club was founded in 1986 as the Vancouver 86ers. This team bought back the Whitecaps name in 2000 and has operated continuously in various leagues since 1986. A Whitecaps FC team began play in Major League Soccer starting in 2011 making it the first time since 1984 that a "Whitecaps" team played in the top tier of soccer in the United States and Canada.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Ottawa Fury FC</span> Canadian soccer team

    Ottawa Fury Football Club was a Canadian professional soccer club based in Ottawa, Ontario. The club competed in the North American Soccer League and USL Championship and played its home games at TD Place Stadium.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Indy Eleven</span> Indianapolis-based soccer team

    Indy Eleven is an American professional soccer team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. Founded in 2013, the team made its debut in the North American Soccer League (NASL) in 2014, before moving to the United Soccer League (USL) in 2018. The franchise plays its home games at IU Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium with plans for a new stadium at Eleven Park currently in doubt.

    The 2017 New York Cosmos season was the new Cosmos' fifth season of existence, playing in the new North American Soccer League. Including the previous franchise, this was the 19th season of a club entitled New York Cosmos playing professional soccer in the New York metropolitan area.

    The 2018 North American Soccer League season would have been the eighth season of the modern North American Soccer League (NASL), but was canceled after the league was denied a preliminary injunction to prevent the loss of their Division II status.

    References

    1. 1 2 "NASL Clubs To Compete For 'The Championship'". Archived from the original on March 3, 2014.
    2. ↑ "NASL's response to MLS: Promotion-relegation is viable in North America". Sports Illustrated. August 6, 2014. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
    3. 1 2 3 Burdine, Wes (October 12, 2017). ""Nonsensical": USSF Files Motion to Dismiss NASL's Lawsuit". FiftyFive.One. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
    4. 1 2 "FC Edmonton leaving league, discontinuing professional operations". CBC News. November 24, 2017. Retrieved November 24, 2017.
    5. ↑ "U.S. Soccer denies NASL Division 2 status for 2018". ESPNFC.com. Associated Press. September 5, 2017. Retrieved November 26, 2017.
    6. ↑ "NASL 2011 Media Guide" (PDF). November 7, 2011.
    7. ↑ "Letter from Phil Woosnam". Archived from the original on November 23, 2011.
    8. ↑ "US Soccer Federation Scores Big Win In Antitrust Lawsuit". Ass'n: The Newsletter of the Trade, Sports & Professional Associations Committee. The American Bar Association. Spring 2018.
    9. 1 2 Russo, Kenneth (October 23, 2020). "USSF Professional Standards". kennethrusso.com. Russo Law and Soccer. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
    10. ↑ "Teams Split From USL-1; To Form New League in 2010". Goal.com. November 10, 2009. Archived from the original on November 13, 2009. Retrieved November 20, 2009.
    11. ↑ "Palace Join New Professional Soccer League". Crystal Palace USA. November 20, 2009. Archived from the original on December 7, 2009. Retrieved November 20, 2009.
    12. ↑ Hayes, Pete (November 23, 2009). "The NASL is Returning". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on May 25, 2012. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
    13. ↑ "New Men's Second Division Professional Soccer League Announces Name: North American Soccer League". Carolinarailhawks.com. Archived from the original on April 1, 2016. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
    14. ↑ "USL Statement regarding USL-1". United Soccer Leagues. November 10, 2009. Archived from the original on November 16, 2009. Retrieved November 23, 2009.
    15. ↑ "USL statement regarding Tampa, Baltimore". United Soccer Leagues. November 20, 2009. Archived from the original on November 24, 2009. Retrieved November 20, 2009.
    16. ↑ "It's not MLS, but St. Louis gets an outdoor men's pro soccer team". stltoday.com. November 10, 2009. Retrieved October 21, 2010.
    17. ↑ "Whitecaps 2010 soccer season in jeopardy". The Vancouver Sun . December 30, 2009. Archived from the original on January 2, 2010. Retrieved October 21, 2010.
    18. ↑ "US Soccer Federation To Oversee Combined NASL/USL League". Goal.com. January 7, 2010. Retrieved January 8, 2010.
    19. ↑ "NASL Concludes AGM and Finalizes USSF Application". nasl.com. November 11, 2010. Retrieved November 11, 2010.
    20. 1 2 3 4 "NASL Provisionally Sanctioned by USSF". nasl.com. November 21, 2010. Retrieved November 23, 2010.
    21. ↑ Wittmann, Gerry (January 25, 2011). "NASL Taking Proactive Stance on Schedule Announcement". insidemnsoccer.com. Retrieved February 15, 2011.
    22. ↑ "NASL Provisionally Sanctioned by USSF for 2011". nasl.com. February 12, 2011. Retrieved February 15, 2011.
    23. ↑ "NASL Provisionally Sanctioned as Division 2 Professional League for 2011". ussoccer.com. February 12, 2011. Archived from the original on February 16, 2011. Retrieved March 31, 2011.
    24. ↑ Rueter, Jeff (November 10, 2017). "From Raúl to ruin: the rise and fall of the NASL, once MLS's challenger". The Guardian. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
    25. ↑ Nutting, Jake (November 23, 2016). "NASL Severs All Ties To Traffic Sports". empireofsoccer.com. Empire of Soccer. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
    26. ↑ "NASL accuses U.S. Soccer and MLS of violating antitrust laws". ESPN FC. September 2015. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
    27. ↑ "NORTH AMERICAN SOCCER LEAGUE LLC v. UNITED STATES SOCCER FEDERATION INC". caselaw.findlaw.com. FindLaw. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
    28. ↑ Filing, Legal. "NASL Lawsuit". NY State Courts. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
    29. ↑ Chopra, Nipun (September 20, 2017). "The NASL's decision to litigate was not unanimous". soctakes.com. Soc Takes. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
    30. ↑ Neil Morris [@ByNeilMorris] (September 20, 2017). "@NorthCarolinaFC not issuing statement. But sources close to club say NCFC does not support NASL lawsuit v USSF" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
    31. ↑ Scupp, David (November 16, 2017). "North American Soccer League Misses Shot Seeking Preliminary Injunction, But Appeals the Ruling". Antitrust Today. Constantine Cannon. Retrieved November 26, 2017.
    32. ↑ Kaufman, Michelle (November 24, 2017). "Miami FC's future is in jeopardy. A court ruling could save the team". The Miami Herald. Retrieved November 26, 2017.
    33. ↑ Carlisle, Jeff (February 23, 2018). "Court denies NASL's appeal for injunction". ESPN. Retrieved February 23, 2018.
    34. ↑ "NORTH AMERICAN SOCCER LEAGUE ANNOUNCES MOVE TO INTERNATIONAL CALENDAR". nasl.com. North American Soccer League. January 8, 2018. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
    35. 1 2 Karell, Daniel (January 8, 2018). "NASL adopts international calendar, cancels spring season". Yahoo!. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
    36. ↑ Ilyas, Adnan (January 8, 2018). "NASL's Fall-Spring calendar announcement hiding the league's struggles". Stars and Stripes FC. SB Nation. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
    37. ↑ Reuter, Jeff (January 25, 2018). "The NASL's International Calendar Problem". ussoccerplayers.com. United States National Soccer Team Players Association. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
    38. 1 2 Rhodes, Adam (July 5, 2018). "Soccer League Fights For June 2019 Trial in Antitrust Suit". Law360. Retrieved July 7, 2018.
    39. ↑ "NASL cancels complete 2018 season after court ruling". ESPN. February 27, 2018. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
    40. ↑ St-Onge, Josee. "Edmonton expected to join new Canadian soccer league". CBC. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
    41. ↑ "FC Edmonton officially joins Canadian Premier League". Edmonton Sun. June 9, 2018. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
    42. 1 2 "1904 FC Ownership Group Issues Official Statement on Tuesday". 1904 FC. February 27, 2018. Archived from the original on February 28, 2018. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
    43. ↑ Zeigler, Mark (June 7, 2018). "USL Denies Expansion Application for San Diego Pro Soccer Team 1904 FC". U-T San Diego . Retrieved August 5, 2018.
    44. ↑ "North American Soccer League Announces Cancellation of 2018 Season". nasl.com. North American Soccer League. February 27, 2018. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
    45. ↑ "Eleven Founding Members To Launch A New League in Association with the National Premier Soccer League". New York Cosmos. November 15, 2018. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
    46. ↑ "NASL clubs to compete for 'The Championship'". nasl.com. Archived from the original on March 3, 2014. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
    47. 1 2 3 Cesar Diaz (October 2, 2012). "Q & A with N.A.S.L. Commissioner David Downs". New York Times Soccer Blog. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
    48. 1 2 "Summer of International Friendlies in Store For NASL Clubs | North American Soccer League". Nasl.com. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
    49. ↑ "New York Cosmos return to NASL is first step in franchise revival - Grant Wahl". Sports Illustrated. July 13, 2012. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
    50. ↑ White, Ron. "The Pay for a Pro Soccer Player". Houston Chronicle. Hearst Newspapers. Retrieved January 9, 2017.
    51. 1 2 "NASL 2012 Media Guide" (PDF). July 19, 2012.
    52. ↑ "Atlanta Silverbacks 1, Chicago Fire 3 - US Open Cup Quarterfinals Match Recap". MLSsoccer.com.
    53. ↑ "USL Adds North Carolina FC for the 2018 Season". United Soccer League. November 16, 2017. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
    54. ↑ "Crystal Palace Baltimore to Sit Out 2011 Season | North American Soccer League". Nasl.com. December 3, 2010. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
    55. ↑ "Rochester Rhinos Back in USL". uslsoccer.com. October 25, 2010. Archived from the original on October 27, 2010. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
    56. ↑ "NASL Continues to Build on Strong Foundation". nasl.com. October 28, 2010. Retrieved November 11, 2010.
    57. ↑ Quarstad, Brian (January 17, 2011). "AC St. Louis Closes its Doors for Good | IMS Soccer News". Insidemnsoccer.com. Archived from the original on July 23, 2012. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
    58. ↑ "Atlanta Silverbacks set to play in 2015". North American Soccer League (NASL). December 2, 2014. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
    59. ↑ "NASL Suspends Operation of Atlanta Silverbacks". North American Soccer League (NASL). January 11, 2016. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
    60. ↑ "Atlanta Silverbacks of NASL halt operations - ESPN FC". ESPNFC.com. January 12, 2016. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
    61. ↑ Roberson, Doug (January 11, 2016). "Silverbacks cease operations". ajc.com. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved January 4, 2019.
    62. ↑ "Tampa Bay Rowdies Announce Move To United Soccer League". rowdiessoccer.com. November 6, 2016. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
    63. ↑ Oliver, Richard (April 10, 2010). "S.A. gets professional soccer team". mysanantonio.com. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
    64. ↑ Sandor, Steven. "Islanders won't play in NASL spring session". the11.ca. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
    65. ↑ "New York Cosmos Join NASL". North American Soccer League. NASL.com. Retrieved July 12, 2012.
    66. ↑ "New York Cosmos Return to Roots at Hofstra University". New York Cosmos . New York City. September 25, 2012. Retrieved October 29, 2012.
    67. 1 2 Morris, Neil (June 15, 2013). "Interview: NASL Commissioner Bill Peterson talks expansion (NASL and MLS), U.S. Open Cup, and other soccer league issues | Triangle Offense". Indyweek.com. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
    68. ↑ Bottjer, Steve. "BOTTJER ON OTTAWA: NASL'S CAPITAL GAINS". Sportsnet. Retrieved May 15, 2012.
    69. ↑ Starnes, Richard (June 20, 2011). "Ottawa lands pro soccer franchise". Ottawa Citizen. Archived from the original on August 30, 2011. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
    70. ↑ "Indy officially lands 12th North American Soccer League Franchise". Indianapolis Star. January 16, 2013. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
    71. ↑ "NASL Awards Team To Indianapolis". North American Soccer League. January 16, 2013. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
    72. ↑ Jackman, Tom (November 27, 2013). "Bob Farren steps down as head of Loudoun Hounds, VIP Entertainment". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 26, 2014.
    73. ↑ "NASL coming to Northern Virginia". The Washington Post. November 5, 2012. Retrieved February 26, 2014.
    74. ↑ Boehm, Charles (February 14, 2014). "NASL: Amid delays, Virginia Cavalry's parent company brings back former CEO". soccerwire.com. Retrieved March 3, 2014.
    75. ↑ Boehm, Charles (February 21, 2014). "UPDATE: NASL's Va. Cavalry FC respond to SoccerWire.com". soccerwire.com. Retrieved March 3, 2014.
    76. ↑ Levine, Matthew (July 10, 2014). "Virginia Cavalry won't play until 2016, says NASL commish Bill Peterson". soccerwire.com. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
    77. ↑ Freeman, Clayton (July 25, 2013). "Jacksonville awarded NASL team to begin play in 2015". The Florida Times-Union . Retrieved February 26, 2014.
    78. ↑ Soergel, Matt (February 18, 2014). "Jacksonville soccer team to be called the Jacksonville Armada FC". The Florida Times-Union . Archived from the original on July 2, 2017. Retrieved February 19, 2014.
    79. ↑ "Soccer fans! Jacksonville Armada FC to play Baseball Grounds". jacksonville.com.
    80. ↑ La Liga's Rayo Vallecano And Local Businessman Team Up To Bring NASL Club To Oklahoma City, NASL, November 10, 2015, retrieved November 10, 2015
    81. ↑ Peter Robb (September 18, 2014). "NASL boss bullish on league expansion". Ottawa Citizen.
    82. ↑ Steven Sandor (July 10, 2014). "NASL Commissioner talks about Canada's long-term plans, expansion and league format". The 11.
    83. ↑ Sandor, Steven (July 3, 2013). "Floods could delay Calgary NASL franchise by one season; Winnipeg investor making inquiries". The 11. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
    84. ↑ Neil Morris (April 8, 2014). "NASL Commissioner Bill Peterson discusses league expansion, playoffs, MLS, paid match streaming and other topics in advance of 2014 regular season kickoff". Indy Week.
    85. ↑ Stephen Schmidt (April 19, 2015). "Detroit City targeting move to the NASL or USL". SB Nation.
    86. ↑ Charles Cuttone (February 27, 2014). "TURF WAR BREWING? NASL questions MLS expansion plans". LA Soccer News.
    87. ↑ Franco Panizo (March 1, 2014). "Peterson reveals details on NASL expansion, takes shot at MLS's plans". Soccer By Ives.
    88. ↑ "MIAMI FC BECOMES 12TH NASL CLUB". NASL. May 20, 2015.
    89. ↑ NBA star Carmelo Anthony announces purchase of NASL team Puerto Rico FC, ESPN, June 11, 2015
    90. ↑ "Scorpions Soccer Club Thanks Fans for Supporting Soccer for a Cause". San Antonio Scorpions PR. San Antonio. December 22, 2015. Archived from the original on December 23, 2015. Retrieved December 22, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
    91. ↑ Guillermo Rivera (April 8, 2015). "NASL looking to expand in Chicago - new ownership group has expressed interest". Chicago Fire Confidential. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
    92. ↑ John Cass (February 17, 2016). "Chicago needs a second soccer team". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
    93. ↑ Jake Nutting (January 1, 2016). "NASL San Francisco Group Unveils Name: San Francisco Deltas". Empire of Soccer. Retrieved March 26, 2016.
    94. ↑ Leuty, Ron (November 24, 2017). "In one season, S.F. Deltas won a soccer championship – and now they're done". San Francisco Business Times. American City Business Journals. Retrieved November 27, 2017.
    95. ↑ United, California (February 28, 2018). "@calutdfc would like to confirm that we are very much still alive and will play in the UPSL Spring and Fall Seasons in 2018! We will continue to explore all professional league options for 2019 and beyond. #homeofthedream". Twitter.
    96. ↑ "North American Soccer League Amends Complaint in Federal Antitrust Suit". nasl.com. North American Soccer League, LLC. March 17, 2018. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
    97. ↑ NASL (June 26, 2017). "NASL announces expansion club in San Diego for 2018 season". NASL press release. Archived from the original on June 28, 2017. Retrieved June 26, 2017.
    98. ↑ De Crescenzo, Sarah (June 26, 2017). "North American Soccer League Coming to S.D". San Diego Business Journal. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
    99. ↑ Zeigler, Mark (February 27, 2018). "San Diego's 1904 FC soccer team to join USL after NASL cancels season". U-T San Diego. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
    100. ↑ Whitaker, Tricia (January 10, 2018). "Indy Eleven announces it will join USL for 2018 season". fox59.com. Tribune Broadcasting. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
    101. ↑ Quarstad, Brian (August 12, 2010). "USSF D-2 Professional League Standards | IMS Soccer News". Insidemnsoccer.com. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
    102. ↑ Tannenwald, Jonathan (April 3, 2015). "NASL commissioner Bill Peterson sets out league's present, future goals". inquirer.com. The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
    103. ↑ Freeman, Clayton (June 6, 2015). "Ponte Vedra Beach resident and NASL commissioner Bill Peterson a global overseer". Jacksonville.com. The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
    104. ↑ Straus, Brian (April 3, 2015). "NASL seeks to outgrow 'minor league' label as fifth year kicks off". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
    105. ↑ Araos, Christian (March 23, 2015). "Empire XI: Decentralized Philosophy Backfiring for NASL". Archived from the original on March 23, 2015. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
    106. 1 2 @DaveMartinezNY (December 21, 2018). "So I guess the answer depends on the health of NASL. Clearly they had MLS ready owners. But lots of folks pulling in different directions. In one case (apparel), it was the #NYCosmos that hurt the league, refusing the idea of a single provider (which would have helped all teams $" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
    107. 1 2 @DaveMartinezNY (November 12, 2021). "Related: NASL needed Cosmos to get in on a league wide initiative for a TV deal. Seamus wanted OWS and used same thinking to justify not joining forces. Cost league potential opportunity" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
    108. ↑ Reichard, Kevin (January 9, 2017). "NASL Makeover Continues: Bill Peterson Departs". soccerstadiumdigest.com. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
    109. 1 2 Quarstad, Brian (October 5, 2012). "David Downs to Leave NASL Commissioner Position at End of 2012 Season | IMS Soccer News". Insidemnsoccer.com. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
    110. ↑ Quarstad, Brian (March 28, 2011). "North American Soccer League Names David Downs as Commissioner | IMS Soccer News". Insidemnsoccer.com. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
    111. ↑ "Bill Peterson Named Commissioner of the North American Soccer League | North American Soccer League". Nasl.com. November 27, 2012. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
    112. ↑ "Bill Peterson out as NASL commissioner". Time. Associated Press. January 9, 2017. Retrieved January 9, 2017.
    113. ↑ "NASL Announces Joma Partnership | North American Soccer League". Nasl.com. April 7, 2011. Retrieved December 28, 2013.
    114. ↑ "NASL, VOIT Announce Official Match Ball Partnership". NASL. January 25, 2014. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
    115. ↑ "NASL, Under Armour Announce Groundbreaking Match Ball Partnership". NASL. March 3, 2016. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
    116. ↑ "NASL: NASL Welcomes Seiko As Official Timekeeper". Archived from the original on April 13, 2014.
    117. ↑ @DaveMartinezNY (December 21, 2018). "Wasn't reported. Early days. They wanted to go the adidas/MLS route in an attempt to create ancillary revenue streams for all teams and strengthen the NASL FO. Seamus saw more profit in making his own apparel deals but quickly realize it came at the cost of the league" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
    118. ↑ @DaveMartinezNY (December 21, 2018). "They had a distributor lined up. Seamus unilaterally opposed (and apparently regretted his decision weeks later after he saw what it could have meant for the league). Why it wasn't picked back up is (shrug emoji)" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
    119. 1 2 Bell, Jack (June 4, 2013). "Pelé Comes to Town as Cosmos Take Flight (Sort of)". The New York Times . Retrieved November 3, 2021. The red Fly Emirates logo is splashed across the Cosmos white home and green away jerseys, which are made by Nike. But unlike with many of its other deals, Nike's relationship with the Cosmos is as a supplier (the club pays for the uniforms) rather than a sponsor (free gear).
    120. ↑ "New York Cosmos Land Emirates Airline Sponsorship Deal | North American Soccer League". Nasl.com. June 4, 2013. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
    121. ↑ "FC Edmonton Announce Sears Financial as Jersey Sponsors | North American Soccer League". Nasl.com. March 31, 2011. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
    122. ↑ "News". Carolina RailHawks. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
    123. ↑ "Toyota Announces Presenting Sponsorships of Morgan's Wonderland, New Scorpions Stadium". Toyota Press Release. August 28, 2012.
    124. ↑ "City's pro soccer team signs sponsorship deal with Honda". IBJ. October 1, 2013.
    125. ↑ McPherson, Ian (March 3, 2014). "Tampa Bay sign first-ever shirt sponsor". Sports Pro Media. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
    126. ↑ "NASL's Scorpions sign corner sponsor - Sports Sponsorship news - Soccer North America". July 3, 2013. Retrieved December 28, 2013.
    127. ↑ "One World Sports Furloughs Staff". Multichannel News. November 30, 2016. Retrieved March 17, 2017.
    128. ↑ "2013 Season: By The Numbers". NASL. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
    129. ↑ "NASL Soccer Bowl 2013 To Air Live on ESPN3 And ESPN Deportes | North American Soccer League". Nasl.com. October 25, 2013. Retrieved December 28, 2013.
    130. ↑ "North American Soccer League Announces Global Agreement With ESPN". nasl.com.
    131. 1 2 "North American Soccer League, ONE World Sports Set To Kick Off Second Season Of Broadcast Partnership". www.nasl.com.
    132. ↑ "North American Soccer League, CBS Sports Network Announce National Television Partnership For 2016". www.nasl.com.
    133. ↑ "NASL Releases Full Schedule Of Matches On BeIN SPORTS". www.nasl.com.
    134. ↑ "NASL Releases Spring Season TV, Streaming Schedule". Empire of Soccer. January 2023.
    135. ↑ "Players" . Retrieved March 27, 2016.
    136. ↑ "Individual Leaders | North American Soccer League". Nasl.com. Retrieved December 29, 2013.
    137. ↑ "Flyover Cup on the Line Saturday Night when Edmonton faces Minnesota". Boxscorenews.com. July 15, 2009. Retrieved July 15, 2013.
    138. ↑ "Phillip A. Woosnam Memorial Cup". December 10, 2013. Retrieved December 10, 2013.
    139. ↑ "Welcome". Woosnam Cup. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
    140. ↑ "Yearly Results". Woosnam Cup. Archived from the original on April 6, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
    141. ↑ "Supporters Groups". Woosnam Cup. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
    142. ↑ "RAILHAWKS WIN SECOND WOOSNAM CUP | North American Soccer League". Nasl.com. November 5, 2013. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
    143. ↑ Price, Dan (November 18, 2014). "NASL To Launch A Nasty Trophy". Caught Offside. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
    144. ↑ "2011 NASL season attendance". Star Tribune. April 6, 2012. Retrieved December 29, 2013.
    145. ↑ "NASL Regular Season Attendance Rises in 2012 | North American Soccer League". Nasl.com. September 25, 2012. Retrieved December 29, 2013.
    146. 1 2 "Home - nasl.com".
    147. ↑ "2013 NASL Attendance". Doherty Soccer. Archived from the original on June 25, 2014. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
    148. ↑ "2013 NASL Attendance Logs". Doherty Soccer. September 18, 2013. Archived from the original on June 25, 2014. Retrieved December 28, 2013.
    149. ↑ "NASL Attendance: 2015". Soccer Stadium Digest. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
    150. ↑ "2016 NASL Attendance". Soccer Stadium Digest. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
    151. ↑ "2017 NASL Attendance". Soccer Stadium Digest. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
    This page is based on this Wikipedia article
    Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
    Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.