Is the Future of the NASL Doomed?
As soccer is growing in popularity in the USA, the future of the NASL is unsure. Even speculation on the existence of the North American Soccer League (NASL) could help further its demise. Could the possible failure of the NASL could have a bright side? It could be an opportunity for soccer in America to grow and flourish with a clear, unified strategic plan. But questions will always linger though — for example, how can the famed NY Cosmos win the Championship and be in trouble?
The North American Soccer League (NASL) is clearly in trouble. Financial woes are rearing their head and NASL teams teeter — with the NY Cosmos leading the pack in the headlines, reporting staffers scrambling before the holiday season.
Was the NASL business model just wrong? The crazy amount of travel for the remaining NASL teams remaining — the teams are spread out all across the country — will increase the already heavy financial burden. Does the market size allow for the survival of the NASL? What happens if the NASL fails?
While is it sad to even discuss this possibility, the outcome on American soccer could be interesting.
Does the soccer pyramid become simpler? If the NASL dies, then it makes the pathway to the professional level — the MLS — less complication.
If the NASL shuts down — the USL will rise. And, the USL offers a clear pathway to the professional ranks of soccer in the USA.
What does U.S. Soccer say?
The USL has been working diligently to create opportunities for soccer to grow in the USA and provide a clean road from the grassroots level to the ranks of the pros.
USL president Jake Edwards has forged several milestones — he has overseen the growth of the USL into a thriving second tier men’s soccer league with a vibrant partnership with MLS which has spawned multiple MLS clubs to kick off their own USL teams. A clear pathway in American soccer is born.
While the USL PDL and the NPSL may still fight for teams and supremacy as the starting point for men’s amateur soccer, the higher levels of soccer are aligned.
We wish all the teams and leagues a prosperous and successful end of 2016 and a great 2017.
