masster Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 Johnnie Monster found this article and posted in on the Southsiders board. http://www.whitecapsfc.com/archive/feature03280901.aspx In it there is one small paragraph that I'm sure will be of major interest. Too bad this wasn't expanded upon. "The Whitecaps won the United Soccer League's First Division title last year and Lenarduzzi suggested that part of the team's player development could include having a USL team based in Edmonton." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ed Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 Sweet. That would motivate Calgary of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VPjr Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 I have heard an idle rumour or two from relatively reliable people about Edmonton returning to the USL but this is the first I've heard that the Whitecaps would be involved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 There currently isn't an adequate USL stadium in Edmonton and the travel bill would be quite expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snake Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 isnt clarke field adequate? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonm Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 Clarke field seats only 1300 people and has field turf, I believe. But is suppose to be upgraded to 10000 people if Edmonton wins the the summer universiade bid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piltdownman Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 On the Southside Forum, Footie Field at the Uni was mentioned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nazzer Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 quote:Originally posted by Daniel There currently isn't an adequate USL stadium in Edmonton and the travel bill would be quite expensive. Can you explain why this always gets said about USL1 expansion talk? The travel didn't keep Seattle, Vancouver, Portland out of the league. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew W Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 Foote Field has a 3,500 seat astroturf facility for football and a 1,500 soccer/track facility. Went to a Golden Bears football game a couple of years back at the turf stadium. Good views but not comfortable seating. I believe the Aviators or Edmonton FC (as they became) played Milwaukee or someone at the track stadium. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Bob Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 Foote Field would be perfect for a USL team. Easily accessible, with the LRT reaching right next door by the end of the year. Good capacity, fairly cheap to rent, and the CIS football season is short enough that there wouldn't be much competition for field time. Clarke Park is seriously undermaintained and hasn't got enough seats to make me comfortable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 ^ Relatively minor investment by the Whitecaps could expand the seating capacity to 5,000+. I would not be at all surprised to see the Whitecaps move their USL-1 operation to Edmonton after 2011. By then I am sure that MLS will have amended their rules to accommodate 'full service' clubs like the Whitecaps which are the obvious way to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 quote:Originally posted by nazzer Can you explain why this always gets said about USL1 expansion talk? The travel didn't keep Seattle, Vancouver, Portland out of the league. You're right, but those three teams had... well, had each other, as well as California Victory and (at a certain point) more Central-Western teams. Let's say Edmonton starts up in 2011. If no other teams join and everyone stays, their closest opponent is Minnesota (2,000km by road) and then Cleveland (3,200). Austin is similarly isolated, but air travel inside the US is usually cheaper, and they have a foreign backer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmcmurph Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 quote:Originally posted by Ed Sweet. That would motivate Calgary of course. True but we are in an even worse situation than Edmonton for stadiums. I have always wondered about the Stampede grounds. The grandstand there is great and can hold 12,000. You couldn't use it for a month of the year (setup, Stampede, takedown) and it would probably have to be artificial turf. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue and White Army Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 I'm not sure if USL-1 would accept an MLS reserve side. It would be an outright admission that USL-1 is a minor league, as opposed to the current line that they're a competitor with MLS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 No legal reason why one investment group shouldn't operate two soccer franchises in different cities in two different markets. The Whitecaps are a model for the professional soccer industry in north America, the leagues would be foolish to break it down for the sake of short term parochial interests. The Whitecaps move to MLS was no surprise for the USL and the Whitecaps stated publicly a while back after the very successful LA Galaxy game in Edmonton that they were looking to extend their brand to the whole of Western Canada. They already own a USL franchise and an MLS team in Vancouver plus a USL-1 team in Alberta would be good for the game and good for both leagues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keegan Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 MLS has a rule that you MLS owners can't own a USL team too. Because I believe Seattle wanted to keep their USL team and move them but MLS blocked it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piltdownman Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 ^Yes, thats USL-1, they are currently allowed to be affiliated with a PDL club. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Impact Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 I don't see why Edmonton needs the Vancouver Whitecaps, to bring them a USL-1 side. An owner or ownership group that is comitted to the devlopment of the game, and that is solid enough and able to incur short term financial losses is what is needed. The same could be said about other potential Canadian USL markets. The other challange for Edmonton and other potential western cities, is that they would be competing with the CFL for customers entertainment dollars, given the population base of these cities (i.e Edmonton,Calgary Winnipeg, Regina). Edmonton must also learn from the errors that were made by the owners of the defunct Edmonton Aviators. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmonton_Aviators. I think these cities should look at what the Montreal Impact have done in their community, and more importantly learn from how they can implement a similar business plan for their franchises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 Watch for MLS to change some of their rules and restrictions before 2011 with the Whitecaps as their model for the future. "I don't see why Edmonton needs the Vancouver Whitecaps, to bring them a USL-1 side. An owner or ownership group that is comitted to the devlopment of the game, and that is solid enough and able to incur short term financial losses is what is needed. The same could be said about other potential Canadian USL markets." And the Whitecaps FC / Vancouver 2011 MLS ownership group doesn't meet these criteria? What other ownership group do you know of that is waiting in the wings to bring USL-1 back to Alberta? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keegan Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 quote:Originally posted by piltdownman ^Yes, thats USL-1, they are currently allowed to be affiliated with a PDL club. Oh well I think I Edmonton should be looking at a USL1 team it would seem kind of dumb a city that big having a PDL team. Im assuming the Whitecaps are going to keep their PDL team anyways right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MegasAlexandros1555362277 Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 quote:Originally posted by Mr.Impact Edmonton must also learn from the errors that were made by the owners of the defunct Edmonton Aviators. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmonton_Aviators. Fascinating read that wikipedia article.....[xx(] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piltdownman Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 Also just because MLS says its not allowed, doesn't mean that that will change or that there is a legal loophole. I would expect the MLS whitecaps to be affiliated with Derby County (As Mallet owns a stake in both), whats to keep this Edmonton USL club from being affiliated with Derby as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brettinhalifax Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 When the Whitecaps played Beckham, er the Galaxy, at Commonwealth, didn't Lenarduzzi make some sort of comment about branding the Whitecaps in Western Canada or something of the sort? Makes me wonder if they have been thinking about this for a little while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Impact Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 quote:Originally posted by Richard Watch for MLS to change some of their rules and restrictions before 2011 with the Whitecaps as their model for the future. "I don't see why Edmonton needs the Vancouver Whitecaps, to bring them a USL-1 side. An owner or ownership group that is comitted to the devlopment of the game, and that is solid enough and able to incur short term financial losses is what is needed. The same could be said about other potential Canadian USL markets." And the Whitecaps FC / Vancouver 2011 MLS ownership group doesn't meet these criteria? What other ownership group do you know of that is waiting in the wings to bring USL-1 back to Alberta? They meet the criteria alright, but apperantly you cant be the owner of an MLS Franchise and a USL-1 Franchise at the same time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Impact Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 quote:Originally posted by MegasAlexandros Fascinating read that wikipedia article.....[xx(] Sorry about the dead link. Here is the article[:I] Edmonton Aviators From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search Edmonton Aviators Founded 2004 Dissolved 2004 Ground Commonwealth Stadium Clarke Stadium League United Soccer Leagues The Edmonton Aviators were a soccer club based in Edmonton, Canada. They were a member of the North American A-League and folded after playing only one season, 2004. Midway through the season, with the club in financial trouble, the league took it over to save it from folding. The renamed Edmonton F.C. only lasted until the end of the year. Expectations that Edmonton could support an A-League team were high, as the city had recently hosted the inaugural FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship at Commonwealth Stadium to tremendous success and similarly had success in hosting a number of the Canadian men's international games. The group that brought the Aviators to Edmonton claimed that they were in it for the long haul, believing that they could keep the team in Edmonton for three years at a minimum, offering both men's and women's soccer to the city of Edmonton. However, the owners were planning for average crowds of 11,000 at Commonwealth Stadium, which some members of the local press held as unrealistic. This would have placed the Aviators, a mere expansion team, near the top of the A-League in attendance. On April 29th, 2004, they announced their men's roster, including former Drillers Kurt Bosch, Rick Titus, Nikola Vignjevic, Eric Munoz, and Sipho Sibya, as well as a number of highly regarded local players such as U-20 National Team player Chris Lemire. To round out the roster, internationals Claudio Salinas, Jamie Lopresti, and Jose Luis Campi were added. There was great hope and optimism for the local teams success. [edit] Franchise Failure The team was dogged by a number of problems:[1] 1. According to the local press, one of the main problems was the venue. Commonwealth Stadium was the home of the Canadian national soccer teams, but with a seating capacity over 60,000 people, the smaller crowds were utterly dwarfed by the large stadium. Rent was extremely high, and the Edmonton Eskimos had priority with Commonwealth's facilities. As a result, the Aviators were constantly restricted in what they could do at Commonwealth. Smaller Clarke Stadium was just across the street, but the Aviators did not move there until late in the season. Also, as a result of the venue choice, the Aviators were unsuccessful at getting weekend dates for their games. Only 3 out of 11 matches were scheduled for the weekend, owing to previous bookings for the Edmonton Eskimos, the local CFL football team, and the international rugby tournament, the Churchill Cup. 2. Moreover, the men's team had the worst performance in the league, as might be expected for a new team, but still to the displeasure of Edmonton sports fans. The team's performance was not helped by difficulties between the players and the team's administration. Rick Titus, one of the veteran players, encountered some friction between him and the former president Wylie Stafford, through to head coach Ross Ongaro, and on down to several teammates. According to the Edmonton Sun (July 4th, 2004), the centre of this dispute was the requirement that approximately half of the team had to consist of local players. As a consequence, Titus was released by the Aviators in midseason, eventually joining the Toronto Lynx. Shortly thereafter, Titus attempted to amend this area of difficulty but as was reported, Joe Petrone, then heading the club, maintained that the damage was done and that the player was not going to be accepted back. In the same atmosphere, as noted in the Edmonton Sun (July 6, 2004), Waldemar Dutra, a promising local goal-scorer who trained with the Aviators, left for Schweinfurt, a Third Division team in Germany. 3. Further, as cited in the Edmonton Journal (July 20th, 2004, p. A4), the business plan of the team's owners was a source of some concern for local soccer officials. As noted in the press, with lower attendance than expected and higher costs than anticipated, the owners returned their franchise on August 15th, after it failed to meet its revenue expectations for the three months it existed. The club’s ownership group, Edmonton Professional Soccer (EPSL) Ltd admitted to the league that the business plan, put in place at the start of the franchise, was flawed. With ticket sales much closer the league average of 3000 people, the EPSL was suffering large operating losses. The club’s 19-person ownership refused to provide immediate cash injection to keep both the men and women’s teams afloat, and chose to see the franchise fold. As a consequence, the league took over operation of the Aviators, renaming the team Edmonton F.C. as the old owners took the rights to the Aviators name with them. The team was run on a shoestring budget, transferring away what few skilled players the Aviators had acquired and moving to the much smaller Foote Field where, incidentally, attendance was noticeably better. [2] The team was folded by the league after the 2004 season. After the club's folding was announced, it was speculated by some in the local press that the team could have worked if a better business model was arranged from the outset. The team's only coach was Ross Ongaro. [edit] Year-by-year Year Division League Reg. Season Playoffs Open Cup 2004 2 USL A-League 6th, Western Did not qualify Did not qualify [edit] Sources ^ euFootball.BIZ covering the professional football (soccer) business - Edmonton Aviators has returned its franchise ^ Ibid. 2004 Roster This article about a North American football club is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmonton_Aviators" Categories: Teams in the United Soccer Leagues | Defunct Canadian soccer clubs | Sport in Edmonton | North American football (soccer) club stubs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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