Category: Sidewinder Insider

All who know me understand that when I hear the phrase “alternative league,” my spider senses start to tingle.

My sports memories date back to being a young kid who was a much bigger fan of the American Football League than the National Football League. As painful as it is, I still cheer for the New York Jets.

My favorite basketball team?

I gave me heart to the New York Nets of the American Basketball Association.

Hockey?

I was a proud supporter of the World Hockey Association’s Birmingham Bulls.

And even though the New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League were the primary object of my association football affections, I also tried to keep track of the American Soccer League.

Sure, the ASL was much older than the NASL so you can’t really assign it “alternative status,” but once the league that featured the likes of Pele, George Best, Johan Cruyff and Rodney Marsh became a sensation for a few remarkable years, the ASL was an afterthought.

Not to me, though. While teams came and went at a sometimes alarming pace, I did my best to follow such lost-to-history franchises as the New York Eagles, Carolina Lightnin’ and Los Angeles Skyhawks.

(Fun fact: Basketball legend Bob Cousy was ASL commissioner from 1974 to 1979).

So naturally, when Jacksonville Armada owner Robert Palmer dangled the carrot of an “unsanctioned professional league,” well, that got me really, really interested.

The Armada, of course, are part of the modern NASL, which is on life support since the United States Soccer Federation refused to grant it second division status for 2018. The league is hoping for relief from the courts, but failing that, the NASL might never host another competitive match.

In the interim, Jacksonville will compete in the National Premier Soccer League, a fourth-tier circuit that bills itself as a “national league with regional focus.”

And while Palmer released a statement assuring fans that his club is “engaged in discussions with other start-up leagues that intend to seek sanctioning from the United States Soccer Federation,” this was the part that caught my eye:

“For the future security of the Armada, I have put together a task force comprised of the brightest minds across my companies and soccer experts. This task force is exploring the possibility of funding and operating an unsanctioned professional league. It would be an option if the other leagues are not able to successfully navigate the political landscape of the USSF.”

Translation: In the current landscape of the USSF, it’s Major League Soccer’s world and only the United Soccer League (and its amateur Premier Development League) truly get to breathe the same air.

I had really hoped that the new NASL would survive and thrive and eventually provide MLS with some competition, because competition is healthy. That, however, now seems unlikely.

But let’s be extremely optimistic for a moment – or at least indulge me as I immerse myself in a soccer fantasy world.

What if Palmer’s task force comes up with the audacious idea of building a top-tier league from the ground up? And what if that American soccer alternative featured a promotion/relegation system? And what if the future USSF leaders decided it was ultimately worthy of sanction?

I’d get behind such a league in a heartbeat.

I’m already smitten with the fledgling third division National Independent Soccer Association, which will be built around pro/rel. It features fan ownership, has a forward-thinking business model, and checks all the boxes when it comes to how play-for-pay soccer leagues can grow and thrive.

Imagine that model applied to a “major league” that isn’t afraid to be part of a system that has helped make soccer the world’s most popular sport.

Let’s face it … MLS is a closed system and will almost certainly always be a closed system. Once an ownership group buys a franchise they know that win, lose or draw, that franchise will always be part of the first division.

(When Forbes looked at the value of MLS clubs in 2016, it determined they are worth $185 million on average).

In the current environment, about the best pro/rel proponents can hope for is a pyramid with a second division ceiling.

USL president Jake Edwards told the Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News last month that his league, which will feature USL D3 starting in 2019, is taking a hard look at the model.

“I think it would be very interesting to look at pro/rel between those two divisions,” Edwards told the paper. “We certainly could do it now and I think there’s an interest to do it among our board.

“We are going to experiment with precursors, such as maybe some sort of inter-league competition, an inter-league cup. We’re going to look at options like that to see if that works.”

Maybe that’s what America’s current soccer overlords see as a compromise. They can say, “See, we have promotion/relegation!” even though it stops short of its ultimate purpose.

If I could work my will with a “renegade” league, it would start in August, end in May, crown a champion based on best record through 38 matches, send teams up, and send teams down.

The 24 flagship clubs (aside from Jacksonville, of course) would be in hotbed soccer markets large and small as well as cities that, to date, have been snubbed by MLS. San Francisco, Cincinnati, St. Louis, San Antonio, Charlotte, Detroit, and Phoenix come to mind immediately.

It would all be part of a real pyramid that includes some of the great lower division leagues already in existence, and built on the same foundation that has been the tried and true soccer blueprint used – with great success – across the world.

And every single club in that pyramid could dream of moving up.

Did I read too much into Palmer’s “funding and operating an unsanctioned professional league” remark?

Perhaps.

Are there too many obstacles to clear?

Probably. If you don’t get USSF sanctioning, you don’t get access to current and future United States Men’s National Team players or the governing body’s resources. Plus, I just don’t know if there are enough people (with enough cash and patience) willing to step into the ring and fight for the soul of U.S. soccer.

But I could be wrong. And if such a league is ever formed, I’ll be solidly in its corner.

By Scott Adamson
Adamsonmedia.com

The motto, “Yeah, That Greenville,” emphasizes the Upstate South Carolina city’s uniqueness, as well as its rise as one of the top tourist destinations in the south.

Marco Carrizales hopes there will come a day that when people hear that catchphrase, they’ll also think about soccer.

Carrizales is the CEO and president of Greenville FC, the city’s entry in the National Premier Soccer League. The expansion club will begin play this spring, competing in the Southeast Conference.

The NPSL is a grassroots league that functions as a fourth division in the United States soccer pyramid.

“For us, (joining the NPSL) made the most sense when looking at the viability and long-term sustainability of this club,” Carrizales said. “We are in no rush to become the next FC Cincinnati, but do understand we have that capability. We simply need time to grow into that. We plan to stick around for many years and hope to become engrained in Greenville’s fabric, but to jump to the conclusion that the road will be an easy one is a misunderstanding of the current nature of soccer in the United States.”

Sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation, the NPSL features franchises that are individually owned and operated. Entry fees are reasonable and the NPSL’s goal is to grow the game by creating an “all-for-one” philosophy among its members.

They are rivals on the field, but partners in business.

“We are thrilled to see Greenville FC joining the NPSL family,” NPSL chairman Joe Barone said in November. “They are a wonderful addition to one of our country’s most competitive conferences. Soccer fans in South Carolina should be very excited about GVL FC.”

Carrizales says joining the circuit – which fielded 96 clubs nationwide last year – is the perfect fit for Greenville.

 

“We are at the ground level and are extremely comfortable exploring innovative and strong partnerships that will only enhance Greenville FC as well as soccer in the Upstate,” Carrizales said. “The NPSL offers something unique in its operating model, and also placed us into one of the strongest conferences in the league and country, with Asheville City SC and Chattanooga FC leading the pack. We are excited at the opportunity to grow our club with their already well-established clubs.”

Carrizales is no novice when it comes to the Beautiful Game. A native of Dallas, he was selected by Dallas FC in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft and started his college career at SMU before transferring to Furman.

“Coming from Dallas, one of the biggest hotbeds in youth, collegiate and professional soccer, I had the luxury of being amongst some of the most professional clubs out there,” Carrizales explains. “I was fortunate enough to have been an integral part of the inaugural years of FC Dallas Development Academy system, which is ranked in the top five academies in the country on a yearly basis. Coming to the Upstate really opened my eyes to the potential here. I see local players all the time and am amazed at the level of talent that, unfortunately, doesn’t have access to the platforms I was accustomed to.”

Certainly, Greenville FC will look to find the best available players to compete for roster spots – regardless of where they’re from. However, Carrizales is confident the fledgling NPSL team can write homegrown success stories.

“Some of these players can be great, it’s just a matter of getting them proper and professional training that will get them to that next level,” he said. “I hope Greenville Football Club can provide them with that clear pathway to the next level and I hope we are that next step for some of that talent here in the Upstate. I plan to bring my expertise and connections to Greenville to place soccer at the forefront.”

Only 23, Carrizales admits the business side of the game wasn’t on his radar as he plied his trade as a midfielder.

“Growing up seriously committed to the sport as early as 7 years old, my Plan A was always to play soccer at the highest level,” Carrizales said. “I didn’t have the time nor effort to think of a Plan B. I was fortunate to have played at the highest youth, collegiate and professional level, while all along I think I was being molded by those experiences for this opportunity. Not to say it has been a seamless transition, but it definitely has been something I’m comfortable saying I feel like I’ve always been a part of.

“Being at the ground level is exciting for us because we have no traditions or any standard to uphold, so we have the flexibility to hopefully become that innovative club teams will look to emulate.”

Carrizales said the team will announce its coaching staff and venue in the coming weeks. The NPSL season begins in May.

“Through my time in Greenville, I have had the pleasure of growing a strong connection with local clubs and universities as well as local talent that I plan on bringing into the club,” he said. “I hope to have a little say in the choosing of our roster, but ultimately I think it’s important for our staff to be the decision makers in crafting our inaugural roster.”

Birmingham’s United Soccer League team now has a name, crest and colors.

But if you want to get really technical, Birmingham Legion Football Club is not the Magic City’s first franchise in this organization.

Remember Birmingham Grasshoppers FC?

Anyone?

Anyone?

Led by Birmingham-Southern boss Preston Goldfarb – one of the greatest college coaches to ever grace the game – the Grasshoppers competed in the United States Interregional Soccer League from 1992-96.

The USISL did have a Pro League, but Birmingham was part of the Premier League, which was the circuit’s elite amateur division. Still, it was an early iteration of the USL and for a Birmingham-bred soccer fan like myself, it was well worth watching and following.

Now, however, the stakes are much higher.

“This is a new chapter in Birmingham’s sports history,” James Outland, member of Legion FC’s ownership team, told Ashley Foster of bigcom.com on Tuesday. “The name ‘Legion’ is synonymous with Birmingham and sports. It has a cultural significance that runs deep and is truly unique to our community.”

The USL is growing like kudzu, and stands as the largest (and, if the North American Soccer League fails to get relief from the courts, only) second division league in North America.

This year 33 teams will take the field, while in 2019 Austin, East Bay (Oakland) and Memphis will join Legion FC as expansion franchises.

“Birmingham, for us, is a tremendous addition,” USL president Jake Edwards said last summer when the city was granted a franchise. “From a regional point of view, there are some great natural rivalries, and Birmingham has long been a hotbed for the fans of the sport. It’s a market we’ve kept our eye on for a long time, but I think they won’t know what has hit them when this soccer juggernaut comes to town. They’re going to be a great addition to the USL.”

Birmingham has, indeed, shown its potential as a soccer hotbed before, albeit in a “big event” capacity.

There was a time when the United States Men’s National Team as well as the World Cup-winning U.S. women made Birmingham a regular stop. Fans showed up by the tens of thousands to watch their matches played at Legion Field – the inspiration for the USL club’s nickname.

And one of the most unforgettable memories I have as a sportswriter is Claudio Reyna’s goal just seconds into the United States’ match against Argentina in the 1996 Olympic Games.

I have spent more days that I can count covering American football games at the “Gray Lady,” but it was never louder or more electric than hearing 83,183 people erupt when the midfielder’s kick found the back of the nylon.

But Birmingham has mostly been overlooked when soccer leagues have been eying franchise spots, although the Birmingham Hammers of the National Premier Soccer League have given my hometown a quality club team to call its own for the last few years. This summer, the Hammers will compete in the Premier Development League before transitioning to the USL and new brand.

(The Hammers are a “gateway team” for the United Soccer League; they were co-founded by Legion FC vice president Morgan Copes and will live on as fans urge their team to “Hammer Down”).

The USL is a major step forward in the city’s soccer evolution, and now it’s up to the fans to prove they can and will support pro soccer on a regular basis.

With natural rivalries against the likes of Atlanta United 2, Charlotte Independence, North Carolina FC and Memphis, I have high hopes.

Legion FC will likely play its home games at UAB’s soccer facility, BBVA Compass Field. Plans are in the works to expand seating there to 5,000.

Ultimately the team hopes to be part of a new 45,000-seat stadium in downtown Birmingham, a project that is still in the wish list stage at the moment.

If that venue is ever built, though, it could lead to more major soccer events coming to town – and give the Magic City more chances to further prove its bona fides in the Beautiful Game.

For more information on Birmingham Legion FC, go to www.bhmlegion.com.