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Keeping Central Florida connected with all its sports options
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Keeping Central Florida connected with all its sports options
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Mar
04
2010
Official: Orlando getting USL First Division soccer team in 2011 Posted on 15:36, March 4th, 2010 by Jeff Leadbeater Orlando Titans president Steve Donner fielding press questions following the press conference announcing an Orlando team for the United Soccer Leagues First Division on March 4, 2010. And it’s official. At a press conference at the Orlando Titans team hotel, the Courtyard by Marriott Downtown, this afternoon, the United Soccer Leagues announced that a USL First Division soccer team will be established in Orlando for the 2011 season. This will be the second tier of soccer competition in the United States, equivalent to a Triple A to Major League Soccer (MLS). NY Empire Lacrosse, LLC, the parent company of the Orlando Titans lacrosse team, will be the primary owners, and will seek minority owners for the club. I had a chance to speak to Titans president Steve Donner and USL president Tim Holt. Mr. Donner told me that there are currently three, and possibly four, possibilities for an immediate home for the new team: the Citrus Bowl, Tinker Field and UCF (likely Bright House Networks Stadium). The fourth possibility is a currently-in-planning full soccer stadium that may be erected at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on Disney property. The name of the soccer group currently is Orlando Pro Soccer. Their website currently has a mailing list signup form and a link to their Twitter feed. They are planning on taking season ticket deposits very soon. ******** We ask everyone who wishes to support soccer in Orlando to go to the Orlando Soccer Supporters Club. It is a movement started by Tusker House/Inside the Jungle blogger Adam Soucie, which I am a big part of. Together we can take this club far…all the way to Major League Soccer.
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They should have put this team in the new NASL. There were three teams left in USL1 after the discourse and I wouldn’t bet on the ownership groups that left ever coming back.
That is a valid concern, Jay. But one cannot expect the USL to just give up on its First Division. I have a feeling they will either attempt to fold in some second-division clubs, or add more ownership groups in the coming months.
There are only six teams left in USL-2 and four of those voluntarily moved themselves down from the top level at one point.
There are only five teams under USL-1′s banner now, one of which will be in MLS by the time the league can stand alone again. After that I’d be shocked if FC NY didn’t go to the NASL and I wouldn’t be remotely surprised if Austin folded.
From there the best thing USL could do for itself is turn USL-2 into it’s top level, but as the third tier of US soccer and strictly in the northeast, as it has been for years. That wouldn’t do much for Orlando and Puerto Rico…which should stick with Miami and Tampa in the NASL. I’m sure the USSF isn’t going to let the two organizations compete with one another or the USSF banner wouldn’t be in use this year for the second tier of US soccer.