USL Expansion – Where in Canada?

By: Lee | June 13th, 2009

A lot of attention hasn’t been given to Canadian expansion into MLS. The Whitecaps are jumping into MLS in 2011 and the Montreal Impact are eager to follow suit not long after. Even Ottawa with its (legal) drug money has gotten into the mix. (See I just made something ordinary sound illicit and intriguing )

But what about USL expansion? Having these two teams promoted to MLS (along with Portland) is going to leave a big void in the USL. Whose going to replace them?

This could be another great opportunity for soccer to expand in this country. Canadian soccer is definitely on a roll with the success of it’s three professional clubs. There are murmurs about teams in Victoria, Hamilton, Edmonton and Winnipeg, but very little that is actually concrete. It would be great to see teams from these small markets compete in the USL and against the ‘Big Three’ in an expanded Voyageurs Cup.

However, running a successful USL club requires more than just fervor. Many clubs have come and gone, including two Canadian teams. The Impact and Whitecaps have shown that with solid ownership a USL team can be successful and establish itself in the sporting landscape.

So where next?

Ottawa: Eugene Melnyk is very interested in getting an MLS team for Ottawa, but we would he be willing to pursue a team one level lower. Generated a lot of interest during U20 World Cup.

Victoria: New PDL team is thinking of moving up to USL once the Whitecaps move to MLS. They are building a new stadium, albeit outside of Victoria in suburbia. Where will they be in two years?

Edmonton: City has hosted many big soccer events, including an Everton vs. River Plate game this summer. Rumors of a group interested in owning a USL team.

Hamilton: The group that is building a new CFL stadium for the team says they are also interested in running a USL team. Though this could be just a ploy to get more taxpayer funding.

Winnipeg: Not much out there in the media, but from my inside sources tell me is that there is a lot of interest at the grassroots in getting first a PDL and then a USL team.

Calgary: It’s the 4th largest city. I would expect there to be some interest, but I haven’t heard any.

What do you think?

Where in Canada will the USL expand next?(polls)

	EPL Match Schedule			Discount Travel to London & Arsenal
	Arsenal Scores			Emirates Stadium information & hotels

Category: Canadian Soccer News, Information

Tags: Calgary, Canadian Soccer, Canadian Soccer News, Edmonton, Information, MLS Expansion, Ottawa, PDL, USL Expansion, Victoria USL, Winnipeg

« Whitecaps-Impact Player Ratings | Home | WTF??? Vancouver 3-2 Miami (Singing the) Blues »

Subscribe   The Offside RSS Feeds

Print

Share

Comments  

• Franck |  June 13th, 2009 at 7:48 am

  
  
  

  I honestly don’t expect much Canadian expansion in USL…rather, expect the CSL to expand westward in Manitoba, Saskatechewan and Alberta.

  Posted from Canada

  

• seathanaich |  June 23rd, 2009 at 4:50 pm

  
  
  

  In terms of who the USL would want, and which Cdn cities are capable of getting 5,000 fans to every game to make it viable, Cgy, Edm and Ott are the only real options. Ottawa is close to existing D1 teams; travel would be an issue for Cgy and Edm unless both came in together. The big question though is appropriate facilities, which none of these three cities have. So . . . is there a soccer loving wealthy owner of the Saputo or Kerfoot class in any of these cities? Would they build one half of a 5,000 seater stadium, and be patient enough to build from PDL up to D2 and D1? Because that’s what it’s going to take. 3 MLS teams will be good, but we already know that the difference between MLS and USL isn’t really that wide. We need Cgy, Edm and Ott to get involved, to take Canada to the next level in terms of pro culture, media awareness, and pro player, coach, and official development.

  Posted from United States

  

• Stefan |  June 28th, 2009 at 11:01 pm

  
  
  

  Ottawa should get a team next. It’s the only one of these cities with some kind of soccer culture plus a large quantity of european immigrants. Also, Ottawa is the 4th largest city, not Calgary. It’s also well located and easily accessable. Hamilton should also do well. The problem with cities like Winnipeg, Edmonton and Calgary is that there are so isolated for a league with a small budget.

  Posted from United States

  

• Andrew |  October 14th, 2009 at 11:47 pm

  
  
  

  Shouldn’t we also consider Quebec City and Halifax/Atlantic region if we’re looking at expansion? Anyway, for what it’s worth, I think Victoria will get it first. Ottawa won’t have a potential owner looking at usl seriously. I think the Hunt group and the Young group in Hamilton are using usl soccer in an effort to get more money and to win favour with the city councils for looking more inclusive.

  P.S. What’s with all the Canadians in HK?

  Posted from Hong Kong

  

Comments are closed