U.S. Soccer’s board of firectors have voted unanimously not to sanction either the USL or the NASL to operate a Division II professional league in 2010.
However, the board gave both leagues a week to try to work out an interim solution for the 2010 season.
Here’s the release from US Soccer.
Christmas day also marked the start of the one-month countdown to the start of Sounders preseason camp.
Any thoughts (other than what a short off-season MLS has)? What are the goals between here and First Kick? Any ideas for discussion during our shrinking off-season? Etc.
Here’s his post. And all holiday wishes to you, too.
For all the disruption at the top of the United Soccer Leagues, the coming PDL season looks pretty normal.
That includes the Northwest Division, which is home to the Tacoma Tide and four other Washington teams. However, there are some changes, as the former Seattle Wolves are now the Washington Crossfire, and the Cascade Surge has dropped out.
Here’s the Northwest alignment for 2010:
Abbotsford Mariners, Kitsap Pumas, Portland Timbers U23, Spokane Spiders, Tacoma Tide, Vancouver Whitecaps Residency, Victoria Highlanders, Washington Crossfire, Yakima Reds
And here’s the full release from the USL.
Oh the heels of the Portland Timbers’ stadium news below comes word that the Vancouver Whitecaps will indeed begin their first MLS season in a temporary home.
The Whitecaps will play in a stadium on the old site of Empire Stadium, which was home of the original Whitecaps. Then they will move into their permanent home at the renovated BC Place around mid-season.
While this probably isn’t anyone’s first choice, everyone does seem to be pointing to the nod to history and nostalgia that will ultimately come from beginning play on that old hallowed ground.
Lots of …
What will Sounders fans find when they travel to Portland for the resumption of the Sounders-Timbers rivalry in 2010?
Apparently a somewhat larger and more comfortable PGE Park with east-side seating, more restrooms and a nice new souvenir shop.
It seems like a fairly modest re-do for all the trouble it’s causing, but here it is.
On the other hand, while the changes don’t seem massive, PGE was a pretty cool place already, so keeping a lot of what was already there makes sense. There wasn’t — and won’t be — any other place like it …
Here’s the overview from U.S. Soccer. And here are the details on Evans from the Sounders:
Brad Evans has been invited to the U.S. National Team annual winter training camp, to be held in Carson, California, beginning Jan. 4. Evans, 24, is one of 30 mostly domestic-based players being called to U.S. Soccer’s National Training Center at The Home Depot Center.
Evans, a regular midfield starter for Seattle in 2009, earned his first three international caps during last summer’s Gold Cup, starting one match and coming off the bench in two others.
After being selected by Seattle in
Former University of Washington star Hope Solo has become the first goalkeeper to be named U.S. Soccer Federation’s Female Athlete of the Year, and Landon Donovan has won the male award for the third time.
Solo was voted MVP of the Algarve Cup in Portugal and was voted WPS Goalkeeper of the Year. She allowed one goal in six international matches.
Donovan, who was named MLS most valuable player, also was honored as athlete of the year in 2003 and 2004. He is the second three-time winner of the male award, joining current Sounders FC goalkeeper Kasey Keller.
Here …