[Schfourteenteen]

TAMPA, Fla. – United Soccer Leagues continues to spur the growth of soccer in North America with the launch of Indoor Professional Soccer (the “I-League”), a national professional men’s indoor league that is scheduled to begin play in 2011. The formal introduction of the USL I-League was made today at a news conference in Rochester, New York featuring one of the new league’s founding franchises – the Rochester Lancers.

Announcements regarding additional I-League franchises in Syracuse, New York and Hampton Roads, Virginia are expected shortly with several other markets currently participating in advanced discussions with USL. Short-term plans for the league include regional divisions in the Northeast, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, Mid-South and Southeast.

“Today’s announcement was made possible by a lot of hard work and dedication from many people, but it’s only the first step in what will ultimately become an exciting new entertainment option for soccer fans throughout the United States and Canada,” USL CEO Alec Papadakis said. “With the direction and leadership provided by USL’s experienced management team, the USL I-League is destined to become a huge success while providing many new opportunities for players and fans alike.”

The establishment of the I-League fills a marketplace need for a professional indoor soccer league model that is economically viable for team owners. The I-League is scheduled to kick off in November of 2011 and conclude with its inaugural championship in February/March, 2012. Consistent with the model that has properly served USL for the past quarter-century, competition will be regionally based in order to contain travel expenses, and culminate with a national championship. USL intends to affiliate the I-League directly with the U.S. Soccer Federation, which is currently without a sanctioned professional indoor soccer league. Details regarding I-League format and competition will be released at a later date.

http://www.uslsoccer.com/home/449021.html


If this is promoted right, this could be a huge hit. Hampton Roads? Interesting. I wouldn't be surprised if something popped up in Fredericksburg, or even the Triangle(I dont see a current club supporting it there...Triangle FC isn't ready for it IMO)

If the Texas Super-20 League goes through(decent chance) I wouldn't be surprised if those clubs got in the mix.

[Sly Fox]

Is it wise to be launching a rehashed product in medium markets under current economic conditions? Have we not learned lessons from the Arena League & the MISL?

[flamesfilmguy]

Not that it is related but I just went to my first WPS game here in kennesaw to see the Atlanta Beat play in Kennesaw state/Atlanta Beat stadium. The only womens soccer specific stadium in the country. REALLY nice digs. it rained a lot and still about 5-6 hundred people showed up in the storm. If the WPS can succeed in a town like Kennesaw I think the I-league can. The Major Arena football league may have tanked but arena 2 is thriving from what i've gathered because of the model the I-league seems to want to use with regional competition and cutting cost for travel and other unnecessary expenses that former leagues made the mistake of ignoring.

[Sly Fox]

As long as 500-600 fans can be used as a measure of success, then the league could succeed. I guess I have a different threshold for making a project like this worth everybody's time, effort and resources.

Incidentally, what makes the place in Kennesaw "the only womens soccer specific stadium in the country"? I was under the impression the fields were the same dimensions.

[Schfourteenteen]

Is it wise to be launching a rehashed product in medium markets under current economic conditions? Have we not learned lessons from the Arena League & the MISL?

Not the same.

MISL operated within one league - the clubs that came in were brand new organizations and had no other platforms to work with.

The league will be operated by the most stable "minor league" soccer organization, and a good portion of clubs joining are stable clubs with management history, current sponsors, and teams that operate at the professional and developmental levels. Instead of 12 new organizations popping up, you're going to see maybe a couple new franchises and the rest will be existing clubs expanding their setup.

The clubs will also be using players they currently own. The year-round activity will help the club financially and keep players training throughout the year, which will both improve the team and improve the value of the player.

And as FFG mentioned, there will be a regional setup.....probably with a national championship event that runs on a bid basis. Everything below the MLS, 1st Division and 2nd Division run with regions - but that's to be expected.

The fastest growing soccer club in the U.S. is in Dayton. If anything, the lessons should have taught us not to put teams in cities with pro franchises (NYC and a few others excluded)

[NG33]

I actually know a lot of people that would be interested in watching Indoor soccer as opposed to outdoor. Mainly because they want to see scoring and could care less about the build-up, strategy, etc. lol

[Schfourteenteen]

As long as 500-600 fans can be used as a measure of success, then the league could succeed. I guess I have a different threshold for making a project like this worth everybody's time, effort and resources.

Incidentally, what makes the place in Kennesaw "the only womens soccer specific stadium in the country"? I was under the impression the fields were the same dimensions.

I believe the rest of the statement is supposed to be "of it's kind." I heard it holds 16K(?) and was a partnership between KSU and the Beat....it is off campus though.

Some WPS clubs play on college soccer and football fields. Chicago uses the Chicago Fire stadium. Atlanta is the only organization that can claim partial ownership of their stadium.

[flamesfilmguy]

As long as 500-600 fans can be used as a measure of success, then the league could succeed. I guess I have a different threshold for making a project like this worth everybody's time, effort and resources.

Incidentally, what makes the place in Kennesaw "the only womens soccer specific stadium in the country"? I was under the impression the fields were the same dimensions.

They are. However the stadium was designed for KSU womens soccer(they do not host a mens NCAA team and the WPS Atlanta Beat team. the stadium may someday be expanded to house football for KSU but it was built specifically for womens soccer. and they normally run around 4,600 -6,000 on a normal weekend game. this however was a weeknight game during a thunderstorm so I'm guessing the majority stayed in tonight. This town is soccer mom heaven. one of the reasons i think it will succeed here.

[Sly Fox]

I see now, FFG. That just struck me as an odd proclamation.

Sch14 - The MISL (or one of the many name derivations) has been around for a third of a century. So it is hardly a new development from a franchise perspective. I get that it will be used to generate additional income for these lower division clubs. But my original point was questioning why now in the midst of a economic crisis when dispensable income is practically non-existent would a league like this be formed? Preki's coaching in Toronto and Tatu is coaching high school teams in Dallas last I heard. I'm just of the opinion that indoor soccer is not a viable professional spectator sport. Count me among those who has a blast playing indoors. And as I mentioned in another thread, I was a big St. Louis Steamers fan back in the day when (believe it or not) their home games were televised regionally. But this is a new day. Minor league baseball & hockey have been able to create a niche but it took both of those sports decades to make it work.

[Th3rd]

a team in Hampton Roads will have to compete with ODU Soccer, not to mention ODU Football (depending on schedules), and also Minor League baseball if the league runs into April, plus the minor league hockey team that is in Norfolk (again depending on scheduling and all)

Norfolk had a minor league soccer team from what I remember as well and I want to say they were at least a good draw for people who wanted soccer. I could see indoor going over really well in this area. I mean when you have a 500-600 crowd turn out for a weekend sand soccer tourney, I could deff see indoor being a huge draw.

I know that I would attend an indoor soccer game if they were available so it should be interesting (already making plans to hopefully go see DC United) So it should be interesting if this takes off

[Sly Fox]

Careful, Th3rd. The EPL snobs may take note of your slumming around the MLS.

[Th3rd]

Careful, Th3rd. The EPL snobs may take note of your slumming around the MLS.

i would much rather be going to a Barca game, but i mean you take what you can get haha

[Sly Fox]

Come on down to Houston next week for the MLS All-Star Game and take in Man U.

I saw FC Barcelona here at Reliant about 2-3 years ago when Ronaldinho was in his prime.

[Th3rd]

Come on down to Houston next week for the MLS All-Star Game and take in Man U.

I saw FC Barcelona here at Reliant about 2-3 years ago when Ronaldinho was in his prime.

I envy you Sly. I envy you (im hoping to catch Henry against DC United though)

[Sly Fox]

I'm still working on trying to get media credentials so I can be field level like I have been in the past for USA-Mexico & Barcelona.

[flamesfilmguy]

I'm going to Man city vs. Club America in the Georgia Dome this coming wed. however i do enjoy the MLS as well. and as a man U fan I still hope the all-stars win. i'll be watching that game.

[Sly Fox]

I'll bet there are a slew of America fans in the Georgia Dome. Is Man City the team Stu Holden is with now?

[flamesfilmguy]

He plays for bolton last I heard. could have been traded at some point I don't know though. and yes everyone here will be america supporters lol i'll be wearing my Man U jersey

[Schfourteenteen]

He plays for bolton last I heard. could have been traded at some point I don't know though. and yes everyone here will be america supporters lol i'll be wearing my Man U jersey

I don't fault you for wearing the jersey, it's just an ugly one. I'll be sporting my Pompey jersey when they play D.C. United.

On a side note, I found myself rooting for a Philly team for the first time ever when the Union played ManU.

[flamesfilmguy]

I think it becomes a national pride thing. I will cheer for an MLS team over an EPL team if they happen to play each other for the most part.

[NG33]

Is Man City the team Stu Holden is with now?

He's currently playing for Bolton. I found myself being a huge Stuart Holden fan from watching him play against the Revolution these past couple of years. He could become a REALLY good player for the US next World Cup.