Considering that they will be playing in the combined 2010 USSF Second Division League, the NASL's teams confirmed that they will work with the USSF and representatives of the three teams from the United Soccer Leagues (Austin, Porto Rico and Portland) to finalize the schedule for the season as soon as possible.
The members also unanimously approved a partnership with MRX, a leading full-service event and technology company in Canada, to build an online network for the NASL and its member teams. The league's website will be launched later this week.
Other decisions taken by the members during the general meeting included: the establishment of several working committees of the Board of Governors, including the Executive, Finance, Expansion, Marketing, Broadcast and Competition Committees; the submission to the USSF of recommendations regarding competition-related matters for the 2010 season; and league executive staffing hires which will be announced in the coming weeks.
Montreal Impact President Joey Saputo, who will sit in the executive, expansion and marketing committees, was satisfied with the initial planning for the 2010 season.
“We have felt lots of enthusiasm and a very positive collaboration between the NASL teams,” mentioned the Impact president. “Everyone is working towards cementing the various key elements for the upcoming season. Needless to say there is a marked desire from all NASL teams to improve soccer in Canada and in the United States, for the good of the soccer fans and franchises.”
Following month-long negotiations, the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) decided to create a new second division league composed of nine NASL teams and three USL teams. The 12 clubs will match up in a single league featuring two symbolic divisions: the NASL division and the USL division. In a spirit of collaboration, the NASL accepted that three of its clubs (Rochester, Tampa Bay and Minnesota) play in the USL division.
ABOUT THE NASL
The North American Soccer League (NASL) was established in November 2009 and is currently comprised of the following nine teams: Carolina RailHawks, Crystal Palace Baltimore, Miami FC, Montreal Impact, Rochester Rhinos, AS St. Louis, Tampa Bay Rowdies and Vancouver Whitecaps and a team in Minnesota whose name is still to be determined. In 2011, these teams will be joined by teams in Atlanta and certain other cities to be named later. The NASL and its member teams are committed to building on their long tradition of providing a high level of soccer to fans across the United States and Canada in 2010 and beyond.
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Source: NASL and Montreal Impact
Info: Patrick Vallée, 514-328-3668 (ext. 227)
