Breakaway soccer league picks NASL as their name

The owners of clubs in the United Soccer Leagues Division One who have broken away to form their own professional soccer league announced on Monday that the new league would be called the North American Soccer League (NASL). Sound somewhat familiar? The name is of course already of historical importance in the history of American soccer as the brand given to the league that erupted in the 1970's with the Seattle Sounders and New York Cosmos, among others.

American pro soccer is at another crossroads now as the USL figures out what to do with its top division. Late last week the new Tampa Bay Rowdies and Crystal Palace Baltimore both announced they would be leaving the USL for the new NASL. The Charleston Battery announced on Monday that they would be self-relegating to USL's Second Division.

Vancouver's Whitecaps will play a season in the new NASL before joining Major League Soccer in 2011. Portland's Timbers are, as of now, staying in the USL.

US Soccer and FIFA still must grant the new league official status. Should they do so the American soccer divisional ladder could look like:

1. MLS (Sounders FC, etc.)
2. NASL (Vancouver Whitecaps, etc.)
3. USL / Pro (clubs from old USL-1 and USL-2)
4. USL / PDL (Clubs like Kitsap Pumas, Seattle Wolves, etc.)
5. NPSL (Elite amateur clubs)
6. USASA (Adult amateur clubs)

The next few months will decide how the United Soccer Leagues might piece together a top division out of the fractured mess left by the departure of so many USL-1 clubs.

From the Whitecaps: Formally announced two weeks ago, the new men’s second division professional soccer league slated to begin play next spring has announced its name, and it is a familiar one to soccer fans and players in the United States and Canada – the North American Soccer League (NASL).

NASL was the name of the men’s outdoor professional league that operated in the United States and Canada from 1968 to 1984, which played its final match 25 years ago last month and generated historic moments and memories for players and fans alike throughout its 16-year run. Legends such as Pele, Franz Beckenbauer, Giorgio Chinaglia, Johan Cruyff and Karl Heinz-Granitza played in the NASL, which served as the birthplace for numerous men’s professional outdoor franchises still in action today.

“By becoming the NASL, we are paying respect to the players, coaches and leaders who were pioneers for men’s professional soccer in North America, many of whom remain involved and committed to the growth of our game in various capacities throughout the U.S. and Canada,” said Selby Wellman, principal owner of the Carolina RailHawks and newly appointed president of NASL, LLC. “For that, we honor and thank them with a new era for the NASL.

“Further, by going with NASL, we’re obligated to operate our league at a high standard befitting a name that means so much to the soccer community throughout North America. Our intention is to offer an elite brand of soccer and outstanding experience for our partners and fans, something the old NASL did very well during its day. We will do the same in the new NASL.”

Currently comprised of nine teams – the Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina RailHawks, Crystal Palace Baltimore, Miami FC, Minnesota Thunder, Montreal Impact, St. Louis Soccer United, Tampa Bay Rowdies and Vancouver Whitecaps FC – the league has submitted an application to the United States Soccer Federation for sanctioning as a Division II Men’s Outdoor Professional League.

NASL is also active in its search for a full-time commissioner and will introduce an extensive marketing campaign in the coming months.

Around the Internet

Brand Republic: US Second Tier Invokes Cosmos

Triangle Biz Journal: Railhawks' new soccer league to be called NASL

Examiner: Tampa Bay Rowdies & NASL make a return