USL-1 in Review, a look back at the history and today

UPDATE 12/24/09 2:22 AM :

A phone message from Robert Scorca indicated interesting happenings over at the USL website. It turns out they updated the USL Teams page and excluded the Tampa Bay Rowdies and FC New York. Furthermore, we still see The Cleveland City Stars and the Wilmington Hammerheads (under USL-2) even though these teams folded. Clearly, it is last years team line ups but what happened to the expansion teams? There is also no information concerning the Ft Lauderdale Shulz Academy PDL team... Things that make you go hmmmm.

I had a discussion with Robert Scorca the other day about the history of USL-1. Robert, for those that don't know him, is South Florida's own Soccer guru. He has seen many South Florida Soccer teams come and go. Starting with the Miami Gatos, the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, the Miami Fusion and now Miami FC. Robert has Soccer paraphernalia that is older then I am! So when you talk to him he pretty much knows what he is talking about.

My questions to him were about what he thinks of this whole USL vs NASL mumbo jumbo? Was he for one side or the other? Robert preferred a solution that would allow the USL-1 and NASL to both coexist. As most of the NASL clubs are on the east coast he feels the USL could have a western league. Maybe both leagues could have an East-West Championship Game. This solution would cut down on travel expenses which has always been a concern of the USL. He feels this solution would be best for the sport.

He pointed out the many virtues of USL and it's long history but he also pointed out the failure in vision as they let MLS become the First Division of United States Soccer instead of taking the reigns of such a project which would have led to a real Soccer league with a definite pyramid much like that of leagues all over the world. He feels that although relegation and promotion is a great idea it would not work. If soccer was the number one sport in America then it might have a chance, but the additional cost can not be absorbed by clubs or leagues today. To be promoted (a reward) would cost teams a fortune. Teams who paid to become a MLS club would most likely fold before moving down to the second division.

Robert continued:

I went over the last 10 years of the USL-1. Ten years ago (2000) there were 25 teams and it was called the A-League. Now there are only 4 teams left. 36 teams came and went with Seattle moving up to the MLS. Seven more joined the NASL. The remaining 25 were not so lucky as they either folded or moved down to USL-2 or the PDL.
In 1998, the A-League consisted of 28 teams. By 2006, only 12 remained in the USL First Division. For the most part, the teams that left dropped down to lower classifications, such as the USL Second Division and Premier Development League. These teams generally dropped down to rid themselves of the high costs of travel and player payrolls.

Here is a list of former teams come and gone:
* Atlanta Silverbacks (1997-2008) (now in the NASL)
* Boston Bulldogs (1997-2000, as Worcester Wildfire in 1997-98)
* Calgary Mustangs (2002-04, as Calgary Storm in 2002-03)
* California Jaguars (1997-98)
* California Victory (2007)
* Carolina Dynamo (1997) (now in the PDL)
* Charleston Battery (1993-2009) (Now in the USL-2)
* Charlotte Eagles (2001-03) (Now in the USL-2)
* Cincinnati Riverhawks (1998-2003)
* Cleveland City Stars (2009)
* Connecticut Wolves (1997-2001)
* Edmonton Aviators (2004, as Edmonton F.C. at the end of the season)
* El Paso Patriots (1997-2003) (now in the PDL)
* Hershey Wildcats (1997-2001)
* Indiana Blast (1999-2003)
* Jacksonville Cyclones (1997-99, as Tampa Bay Cyclones in 1995-1996)
* Lehigh Valley Steam (1999)
* Long Island Rough Riders (1997-2001) (now in the PDL)
* Maryland Mania (1999)
* Milwaukee Rampage (1997-2002)
* Milwaukee Wave United (2003-04)
* MLS Project 40 (1998-2000)
* Nashville Metros (1997-2001, as Tennessee Rhythm in 1999-2000) (now in the PDL)
* New Orleans Storm (1997-99, as New Orleans Riverboat Gamblers in 1997)
* Orange County Waves (1997-2000, as Orange County Zodiac in 1997-99. Now play in the PDL as Orange County Blue Star)
* Orlando Sundogs (1997)
* Pittsburgh Riverhounds (1999-2003) (Now in the USL-2)
* Raleigh Express (1997-2000, as Raleigh Flyers in 1997-98)
* Richmond Kickers (1997-2005) (Now in the USL-2)
* Sacramento Geckos (1998-99, as Albuquerque Geckos in 1998)
* San Diego Flash (1997-2001, as Colorado Foxes in 1997)
* San Francisco Bay Seals (1998-2000, as Bay Area Seals in 2000)
* Seattle Sounders (1997-2008) (now in MLS as the Seattle Sounders FC)
* Staten Island Vipers (1998-99)
* Syracuse Salty Dogs (2003-04)
* Toronto Lynx (1997-2006) (now in the PDL)
* Virginia Beach Mariners (1998-2000, 2002-2006, as Hampton Roads Mariners 1998-2000, 2002)

Now only 4 teams remain in USL-1
Austin Aztex · F.C. New York · Portland Timbers · Puerto Rico Islanders

A little history... The old American Professional Soccer League (APSL) became the A-League in 1995. The A-League played in 1995 and 1996. After the 1996 season the Rochester Raging Rhinos, Vancouver 86ers, Montreal Impact, Colorado Foxes, Seattle Sounders, Atlanta Ruckus, and 2 expansion teams set to play that year ( Toronto Lynx and Hershey Wildcats) are absorbed by the United Systems of Independent Soccer Leagues (USISL) after the A-League folds.
At this point the USISL Select League (Division3) from 1996 becomes the USISL A-League (Division 2) in 1997. The USISL A-League carries this name for 1997 and 1998. In 1999 the name is changed to the United Soccer League (USL) A-League (Division 2). In 2005 the league changes its name to the United Soccer League Division 1 (USA Division 2).

Today there is some speculation that several USL-1/NASL clubs are waiting for the top-tier Major League Soccer to expand, in hopes that they will be given the opportunity to move up. For now we wait for the final word from the United States Soccer Federation to see if they approve the North American Soccer League. If approved this could be a blow to the United Soccer Leagues USL-1. But the fact that so many teams have come and gone is a sign that USL-1 does not have the right soccer model.

For more Soccer history check out Robert's History of South Florida Soccer at MiamiSoccerFan.com

Part I - HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
Part II - PRO SOCCER COMES TO MIAMI
Part III - Pro Soccer Leaves Miami...
Part IV - NASL is Gone, What’s Next

Sources:

http://www.uslsoccer.com/
http://a-leaguearchive.tripod.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Soccer_Leagues
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USL-1

and

Robert Scorca's Brain

Pele and Garrincha, Gods of Brazilian Football

I ran across this BBC documentary about Pele and Garrincha put together in 2002. The film starts off in the 1950's, as Brazil lost in the Maracana versus Uruguay. It follows the careers and lives of Brazilian football stars Pele and Garrincha.
When they played on the same team, they never lost a game but by themselves their lives and careers took diffrent paths.

Pele and Garrincha are both footballing legends in Brazil. The film uses archive footage and details the story of these two men and explains how one became the World's Greatest Soccer player and the other died a broken alcoholic at the age of 49.

See the video below or HERE I highly recommend it!

A Great Gol and Video by Burrito

Today Burrito bring you videos!

Here is a golazo scored by catracho Maynor Figueroa! In case you carnales didn't see this over the weekend check it out!
Now Burrito bring you video of guy with mucho ability!
WARNING: Kids do not try at home! This vato is a professional!

An Interview with Zourab "Zee" Tsiskaridze‏

We recently found out that Zourab Tsiskaridze, better known to Miami FC fans as "Zee", was signed by the Vancouver Whitecaps. Here is a recap of his career. Taken from the Whitecaps site:

Zourab Tsiskaridze aka "Zee", 23, played with Miami FC Blues in 18 USL-1 matches. He is 6-ft, 185-pounds and a left-sided player who scored one goal and added one assist in 836 minutes of action. His only goal came during Miami's 3-2 defeat to the Whitecaps at Swangard Stadium on June 12, 2009.

Prior to joining the Blues, Zourab spent 18 months with the reserve and first team of FC Sète 34, who play in France’s third division.

In 2004, Tsiskaridze began his professional career in Brazil with the U-20 side of Associação Atlética Internacional - a club based in Limeira, São Paulo. He then played the first six months of 2005 with the U-20 side of Grêmio Recreativo Barueri, who are based in Barueri, São Paulo.

A native of Tbilisi, Georgia, Tsiskaridze first moved to Poland in 1990 before moving to the United States in the spring of 2001. It was in the U.S. that he quickly became a standout soccer player at McLean High School in McLean, Virginia.

Our good friend Robert Scorca asked "Zee" a few questions and here is his response :

Robert Scorca (RS): You came for an open tryout with Miami FC. How many players participated? How many signed on with Miami FC?

Zourab Tsiskaridze (Zee): There were 128 players trying out, 4 players were invited back to train with the team, I was the only one who signed.

RS: After the tryout was over did you feel good about your chances to make the team?

Zee: Yes of course, I talked to (Coach) Zinho and he was very pleased with my performance and he liked me a lot, so I felt that I had a good chance of signing.

RS: What was it like during your first days here in Miami?

Zee : I was getting to know the city a little bit and it was chaotic in the beginning because I was looking for an apartment with Facundo Erpen and we were staying in Diego Serna's house for about 3 weeks until we found a place.

RS : What position did you play before joining Miami FC? I feel you were stuck as a defender with the injury to Facundo Erpen but did not feel comfortable there.

Zee : I played a left sided midfielder or a left sided forward all my life. At the beginning of my career I had played as left back also, but I learned the center back position in Miami thanks to Zinho. I'm glad I did because it made me a more versatile player even though I had trouble learning the position in the beginning.

RS : In your time here we saw your growth as a player. How much of this was because you were more comfortable when you were moved to an attacking roll?

Zee : I love creating, scoring goals or making assists, that's the way I always played. I adjusted to the system we played here in Miami and when I was moved back as an attacker I felt very comfortable.

RS : Do you have any superstitions before a game?

Zee : I like to talk to my dad the day before games, he gives me the best advise and he's my best fan and critic, without his support and advise I wouldn't be able to do what I love.

RS : Which player or coach do you feel was most helpful during your career?

Zee : Coach Greg Petrosian, is a great part of my becoming a complete player. He helped me develop my strength, power and speed. He was a strength and fitness coach in DC United for many years, He won 3 MLS championships with them and also was a Olympic gold medalist in long jump in the 80's. He still performs and he's a world champion in long jump in masters. I've been training with him for the past 6 years, he's a great teacher, great person and a great coach that influenced my professional career.

In my time in Miami I'm very thankful to Zinho for bringing me into the team and giving me the opportunity to perform. He gave me a lot of advise and I'll be always thankful and proud that I had him as a coach. My teammates were there for me too, I had a great relationship with everyone, I still talk to many of the guys, they helped me and I helped them in different situations, we had good chemistry.

RS : What are you going to miss most about your time here in Miami?

Zee: My teammates, the city and the beach, the great weather and of course you Robert:)

RS: Any idea what position Vancouver plans on playing you?

Zee : There are several positions that the coach wants me to learn and be ready to perform in if necessary, I'm waiting for the preseason to start to find out what my roles are.

RS: Any closing thoughts on your time here in Miami?

Zee : I think if Traffic invests more money into the team they'll be able to establish a core of players that will be there for a few seasons. Every team has that. Its a shame that so many good players came and went. The past few years the squad had changed every season making it difficult not only for the coach, but for the whole organization to be successful. I want to wish Miami FC the best of luck in NASL, and I'm thankful for the opportunity to play here last season.

The most important thing about last year is that I grew as a player and person. I'm very happy and glad to have meet so many great people in South Florida. If I had to say something that sums up the whole thing is that a soccer career is only for couple of years and it passes, but the friends you make along the way are forever. I want to thank ALL my friends including you Robert for the support now and for bringing happiness to my life.
Here is a video of Zee scoring on his new team!

Email Sunil Gulati to approve NASL! The Beautiful game at Art Basel Miami and more by Burrito

Burrito is tired of all this War of the Soccer Leagues between USL and NASL!

The latest comes from Burrito's compadre Kartik. It look like USL has sued teams for breach of contract!

Florida court documents filed on Tuesday indicate that the United Soccer Leagues have sued the Rochester Rhinos and two other clubs for breach of contract.

The Rhinos had allegedly committed contractually to play 2010 in USL’s First Division but instead opted to play in the yet to be sanctioned North American Soccer League. Also filed on Tuesday were lawsuits against prospective USL-1 clubs in Tampa Bay and (Crystal Palace) Baltimore who also have joined NASL after committing to the play 2010 in USL’s First Division.

Read more at the Kartik Report

Burrito believe USL is destroying the game with their arrogance. They never look to compromise, they no care about the game.
This is just a USL tactic to delay the creation of the NASL in hopes it will force the rest of the teams to join USL again! Pinches vatos!
It time for Soccer Fans to do something about it and write to Sunil Gulati to approve NASL for the sake of Futbol in the United States.

Email USSF Presidente Sunil Gulati at:

skg21@columbia.edu

Tell him not to be a puppet of MLS and to do the right thing for the sport in America! Rejecting NASL would mean losing teams and fans! Do the right thing Approve NASL!

In other news Burrito attended Art Basel in Miami this past weekend and for you carnales who no liver here in South Florida, Art Basel is the most important art show in the United States, a cultural and social highlight for the Americas. It is the sister event of Switzerland's Art Basel, the most prestigious art show in the world.

The Beautiful game was present in the art too as you can see in the pictures before Burrito was kicked out.

For more pictures and Art information go to Local Motion Miami. Stay tuned tomorrow for an Interview made by Burrito's amigos Robert Scorca and Uncle Ed to a player Miami FC fans will miss!

Can Miami FC succeed in NASL?

With the creation of NASL things need to change for Miami FC. Fans don't want to hear any more excuses. If approved by the USSF then USL will be in the past and it's time for Traffic to take ownership of this baby!
I don't claim to be a Soccer expert, nor can I say I know how to run a soccer company such as Traffic or a Soccer Club like Miami FC. It's easy to sit outside and criticize, But I do run my own business and I know when things are being done half ass (Pardon the French).
Over at Miamisoccerfan.com Brian Corey wrote a piece called "Hopes and Fears for Miami Soccer Fans". In it Brian goes on to describe the ideal scenarios needed for the "Blues" to be successful in Southern Florida. Following I'll continue that discussion with a few points of my own. Here are a few things that I think need to be done:

-If they change the name it should be "Strikers" no city name needed. Focus on South Florida the region. People identify with the name and tradition. The rivalry with the Tampa Rowdies needs to be a focus. Time to organize the road trip! This one game needs to be a sellout in South Florida. I'm sure we can get a few hundred Rowdies fans down here.

- Play at either Lockhart or FIU Stadium, anything else is a step in the wrong direction. Landshark is too big. Tropical Park is too amateur looking. Signs are needed outside of the stadiums and on the main roads. Let people know you exist!

- Market the team as a major league team! If they do a half ass job like they did last year they will never get more then a few hundred people. They need billboards, advertising, sponsors on the jersey. Look at those people and companies supporting the World Cup bid. Those are the same people that need to be involved with this team. Get Local Celebrities on-board!

-Bring quality players. There needs to be at least one player that will be the face of the team at events and TV. Last year that player could have been Diego Serna but they didn't even use him to attract the Colombians, nor the one time Miami Fusion faithful.

-More exposure on TV, they got on Spanish Network Univision's Republic Deportiva a few times and thats great! If you can't get away games on TV then get them on the Internet like USL did (But better quality). Go Viral, improve the website, (sorry but it sucks). Use fan Blogs and sites to get the word out.
- Study the calendar, take advantage of festivals, events, fairs. Place booths at these events and use the Ultras, volunteers, interns to get the word out. This team is owned by a Brazilian company. Where are the Brazilians? Offer a season ticket package and organize a yearly Soccer tournament during the off season where The German club goes against the Brazilian Club and so on! This year go after the Social Clubs!

- Miami FC Blues Jerseys, shirts, hats and scarfs are hard to get. I've had people contact me on this site looking for jerseys which are hard to find. Create a site where products are available. It's not hard nor expensive. Look at the banner to the right with Miami Ultras gear, there is an example of how to do it!

- We don't know what the budget will be this year for the team, we hope its something substantial since they need to come out with a bang taking advantage of the new league. But as much as they need to market, they also need facilities for the players. I've heard nightmare story's from players that I wont repeat. If you want the players to perform then you need to give them the tools to succeed.

Finally, it's no secret South Florida fans are fickle, stuck up and bandwagon jumpers. Call us Soccer snobs but we want quality football. Give us a winning team and we will get some butts in the stadium. Everyone wants MLS, I hate to compare but back in 2001 with the Miami Fusion we averaged over 11,000. It took 4 years to get there and unfortunately they pre-maturely pulled the plug right when people started to care for the team. Miami FC has already been around for 4 years but many people still don't know they exist! Its time to change that.

If you have any more ideas leave a comment or send suggestions to Miami FC

Ocho Cinco backs Miami's World Cup Bid, Miami FC Player on the move

Miami native, Chad Ochocinco (formerly known as Chad Johnson) is a supporter of the beautiful game here in the United States and as evidenced by the picture supports Miami's bid for the World Cup. The American Football star who plays for the Bengals as a wide receiver is also said to be a Fan of the Miami FC Blues!

In case you didn't know Chad changed his surname from Johnson to Ochocinco prior to the 2008 regular season to reflect his Bengals uniform number.[85] More info HERE

Currently Miami's World Cup bid has picked up steam and has surpassed 9,000 votes, but we need your support to be one of the cities to host world cup games go to http://www.gousabid.com/city/local/MIAMI-FL and support Soccer in South Florida!

Meanwhile it looks like Miami FC has lost one of its most popular players, it is defender Zourab Tsiskaridze better known as "Zee" by the fans. Last week soccer guru and Miami Ultra Robert Scorca mentioned to me that he heard Zee was on trial with the Whitecaps and sure enough this week he was signed. We want to wish Zee luck with his new team and tell him to expect some heckling from the Ultras when he visits Southern Florida with his new team. More on this HERE

Talk about the Blues, they continue to Support Local Youth Soccer Tournaments as this past weekend, Miami FC's front office and Mascot, HotShot, attended one of the more prestigious youth soccer tournament in South Florida, the Plantation Eagles Thanksgiving Classic. Check it out HERE