USSF Division 2: What USL D3 potentially means for the NASL

3 of 3

Jun 15, 2016; Bridgeview, IL, USA; The Indy Eleven react during the second half at Toyota Park. The Chicago Fire and Indy Eleven tie 1-1. Chicago advance on penalty kicks 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

“12 teams by 2018”

The NASL has changed significantly in its relatively short existence. While it looked like the league was going to suffer the same fate as it’s name-sharing counterpart in the 80’s, a last-minute sale of the New York Cosmos allowed for one more lifeline. The league changed it’s tone and direction, but are left with just eight teams. They are required to bring that total to 12 before the 2018 season in order to maintain their own status.

There is a small sense of irony with the NASL needing to reach 12 clubs. Since their inaugural season in 2011, the league has lost several strong teams to both USL and MLS. Of the eight teams who played that first season without USL sides, only three remain in the league today. Since then, the Montreal Impact and Minnesota United have both moved to MLS. The Tampa Bay Rowdies, Ottawa Fury, and San Antonio Scorpions (sold and rebranded as San Antonio FC) all moved to USL. The Rowdies, Fury, and SAFC have all shown well in their short time in USL. Losing strong D2 teams makes their loss that much more disappointing.

Rumors abound of four potential markets the league is using to satisfy that expansion goal, but the clock is ticking. Coincidentally, rapid expansion was one of the issues that took down the original NASL. The league has also lost Puerto Rico Islanders, Fort Lauderdale, the Atlanta Silverbacks, and Rayo OKC in their short existence, which doesn’t create a very compelling history. On top of that, stalwart NASL sides Indy Eleven and North Carolina FC have submitted bids for upcoming MLS expansion. Losing any more top clubs, to either league, would be devastating.

Not only will the NASL be competing with USL for D2 markets, but will now also have to face the Canadian Premier League. The CPL limits expansion partners north of the border. Regardless, getting to 12 teams is only a short-term fix for a league that plays in three different countries, with several teams located on islands, both literally and figuratively, compared to their partners. The league needs closer to 20 teams to remain healthy. The NASL definitely has an uphill climb.

And then what happens?

If the NASL is unable to make it to 12 teams, it remains to be seen what happens to the remaining clubs. In the off-season it seemed the easy answer was to swap USL and NASL. Simply moving USL to D2 and dropping NASL D3. It was later revealed that a drop in status would likely result in the folding of NASL. Teams in the NASL have a relatively inexpensive buyout clause should the league lose Division 2 status. Meaning they would be free to go in a different direction should they so choose.

It’s not hard to see teams like Indy, NCFC, and San Francisco Deltas being picked up by USL. All three are strong, well run clubs who are surrounded by USL sides geographically. The New York Cosmos and Miami FC have also showed plenty of promise, but have done so by spending significantly more than their league counterparts. It was rumored that USL was not interested in bringing in heavy spenders should the NASL collapse. With Phoenix Rising and Tampa Bay Rowdies spending a pretty penny this year those feelings may have changed.

Jacksonville Armada are currently league owned, and would likely cease operation. Puerto Rico FC and FC Edmonton have shown a lot of promise in NASL. However, their location would demand a compelling case for USL to accept them. With the uncertainty surrounding the majority of the NASL sides should they continue without the NASL, keeping the league alive is the only option. For now at least.

What’s Left?

With MLS expansion winding down, Division 2 could be the home of all future ambitious soccer expansion. The league they expand to remains to be seen. Should the MLS reserve sides drop to D3, the differences between USL and NASL will decrease even further. For fans of lower division teams, it’s easy to hope for one exclusive league in D2. Regional rivalries would abound, and all teams would be more likely to survive and thrive.

Next: 3 Reasons Why USL Should Not Have A Division 3 (yet)

On paper it seems perfect, but the situation is much more complex. Goals, net-worth, and ambition all vary for teams outside of Major League Soccer. It’s more likely that the turmoil in the lower levels will continue for the next few years, at least. Until then, all teams, regardless of league affiliation, look to find their own niche and secure a place for themselves in the future.

Home/NASL