It appears a new team will be present for the start of the North American Soccer League’s 2015 season.
Current USL Premier Development League side, Oklahoma City FC, are set to become the NASL’s newest team in 2015. This news comes after the league invited a ownership group from Oklahoma City to their Board of Governors meeting on July 25 to tie everything up.
North American soccer’s second-tier Tweeted out a slightly cryptic message yesterday evening, but nonetheless it seems as if OKC is going to get a NASL franchise.
NASL said in the Tweet: “We’ve invited a group from Oklahoma City to make a final presentation at our July BoG meeting. Look forward to their admission to NASL.#2015"
With various responses coming from the NASL’s official feed following their announcement, it seems as though the franchise is all but sealed for Oklahoma. So what do we make of this?
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First of all, it is awesome news for the Midwest and for soccer rivalries within NASL. Now fans in cities such as San Antonio and Indianapolis will be able to travel to Oklahoma and help fuel soccer and its burgeoning reputation in the Midwest region.
But does this further imply the NASL’s aim to become a strong and meaningful second-tier for North American soccer and reignite hopes for promotion and relegation?
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. But there is hope for those who want to see movement between North America’s top two leagues.
So the NASL is building quite a nice little portfolio for itself as the league, reborn in 2011, reaches out to new markets amid rapid expansion in the next two to three years.
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In 2014 three new teams will take to the field, with the Ottawa Fury, Virginia Cavalry and Indy Eleven all arriving on the NASL scene. While, of course, the New York Cosmos begin play this season when the second half of the NASL campaign which begins this fall. Then there is the Puerto Rico Islanders who are on hiatus but should return next season in a stronger NASL.
With the current sides, and Oklahoma City joining, that will bring the total number of NASL teams to 13, which is a number that will continue to grow. And amid recent reports that up to six more professional teams will be created in the Western half of the United States, lower-tier soccer is stronger than it has ever been in the US.
Like I said, promotion and relegation is a long way off. But if the NASL and USL Pro continue to develop at this rapid pace and feed of the success of Major League Soccer, then why can’t it happen between the second and third tiers of North American soccer?
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That is opening up a whole new can of worms given the struggle both leagues went through to become affiliate. Tensions do exist between the two. But the lower-tiers of North American soccer can prosper if all three professional leagues work together more. Which will only reap benefits in the future.
Discuss.