Dilbert

Honestly USL and MLSNP can both operate teams in the same city. MLSNP wasnt created to attract fans but merely just to operate a reserve club, and doesnt record attendance figures but from what Ive seen, only the independent Rochester New York FC, St Louis City 2 (who did not have the MLS parent operating last season), and Crew2 were able to draw crowds of up to 3,000. The rest, all reserve clubs, drew what they typically did in USL of just a few hundred people. I imagine if both USL and MLSNP put teams in the same city, fans will support the USL club over the MLSNP club.

No, Crew2 is staying put in Columbus, however the Haslems (owners of the Crew, Crew2 and the Browns) assisted Michael Murphy, who led the efforts to bring MLSNP to Cleveland. Exactly this. MLS came in and has already swooped Huntsville, from USL. They are trying to do the same in Baltimore. USL was successful in taking Spokane from MLSNP. Its why MLS is allowing independent clubs in MLSNP and not just the reserve clubs. Despite USL Championship and USL League One being the superior quality leagues over MLSNP, MLS ultimately has the money that USL doesnt and outbids when it comes to the city, stadium and potential ownership contracts.

MLS Next Pro is scheduled to be in Cleveland tomorrow to announce an expansion team at 1PM tomorrow. The team will be an independent club. Many soccer fans in Cleveland are said to be disappointed by this announcement. I would be too.

overall a very clean and crisp rebranding. Kinda wish the old M was used but I do like the North Star being added.

Two bits of news from USL Championship: First Phoenix Rising are on the move again. They will dismantle their stadium and relocate it near the Phoenix Greyhound track. Second expansion club Queensboro FC (who was supposed to begin play in 2023 is either DOA or could be switching leagues. Ive seen some reports that they will now join MLS Next Pro in 2024 and Ive seen some reports that they wont have a team at the professional level. With the NYCFC stadium now being pretty much official for Queens and the fact that nothing has happened on a stadium being built for QFC, dont expect them to play, at least in 2023.

IT'S HAPPENING!!!!! NY Times says NYCFC has reached a deal to build a stadium in a new Queens mixed development near Citi Field. Plans to open in 2027. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/15/nyregion/soccer-stadium-nycfc-willets.html

I mean its like West Virginia in the Big 12 with the closest team in Iowa. At least they will have Cincinnati in between them next year.

If this team is here for the same reason Huntsville is, its because MLS outbid the USL on the contract with the city/venue to host the team. USL had Huntsville eyed for League One but MLS outbid them so Huntsville is in MLS Next Pro as Nashvilles club. USL and MLS Next Pro are also eyeing Baltimore. Both leagues were looking at Spokane but USL won that one. As for being an independent club in MLS Next Pro, I dont know but Id rather play in MLS Next Pro than in the beer league that is NISA.

Hearing there will be three hubs. 4 teams based in Detroit, 2 in Memphis and 2 in Birmingham. If I had to guess Michigan, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and New Jersey in Detroit. The Southern hubs are a tossup. Obviously the Stallions in Birmingham and the Showboats in Memphis but Houston and New Orleans could be at either one. UPDATE: Birmingham leaders have confirmed that the city will also host the New Orleans Breakers alongside the Birmingham Stallions.

Looks to me like the Daytona Beach Hawgs, a 2005 one year wonder in the NIFL

MLS Next Pro has announced its second independent club (alongside Rochester New York FC) set to join in 2024. Carolina Core FC will play in High Point, North Carolina. https://www.mlsnextpro.com/news/new-independent-club-led-by-soccer-legend-eddie-pope-to-join-mls-next-pro-in-202

Nashville SC unveiled their MLS Next Pro Club scheduled to begin play in 2023 in Huntsville as Huntsville City FC. Kinda surprised they didnt do a copy/paste of Nashville and call them Huntsville SC

Nashville SCs MLS Next Pro club joining next season will be playing in Huntsville, Alabama. Huntsville City FC has been unveiled.

Last I heard about Rising is that they will have confirmation on a stadium site by mid December. While Wild Horse Pass still remains a possibility, Old Phoenix Greyhound Park has now supposedly emerged as a site.

Michigan Stars defeat Albion San Diego in the NISA Finals. South Georgia Tormenta defeat Chattanooga Red Wolves in the USL League One Final. One more champion to crown for the 2022 North American soccer season. San Antonio FC defeated Colorado Springs Switchbacks and will host Louisville City for the USL Championship Final next weekend.

Joe Mixon with 5 touchdowns today for the Bengals. Its like the Panthers didnt even bother to study game video of him

Wrong thread

Rough day for Philadelphia. First time a city lost a championship twice in the same day. (Phillies in the World Series and Union in MLS Cup)

So how about SMU and Houston. putting up a college basketball score. SMU wins 77-63! A combined 140 points scored. The most in regulation in the AP Poll Era (since 1936) and only behind 2018 Texas A&M-LSU with 146 (that game went to 7 overtimes). Teams combined for 1,352 yards of offense (710 for Houston, 642 for SMU). QBs Tanner Mordecai and Clayton Tune combined for 906 passing yards and 16 TD passes.

How bout Louisville City in USL Championship. They've been to the conference finals every season they have played. They now head to the finals for a fourth time in 8 years (winning two titles). They will either host Colorado Springs or play at San Antonio.

Two very deserving teams in the MLS Cup today. Congrats LAFC.

Xavier University is looking at restarting its football program in the next couple years. They are looking at joining the non scholarship Pioneer Football League. Xavier last hosted football in 1973 https://local12.com/sports/xu-musketeers/xavier-university-musketeers-football-team-new-stadium-pioneer-league-musketeer-report-cincinnati-ohio-sports-college-athletics

It could work for a handfull of games, like Montreal did in Puerto Rico. I guess if the Coyotes can do it in a 5,000 seat arena then the A's can do it at a 10,000 seat ballpark.