NASL expansion in Canada

[An Observer]

i was wondering about the stands at Clarke...when I saw the highlights i saw no stands on the other side from the camera which seem contrary to what they had intended. Then I saw the low attendance and was a bit concerned for them. Hopefully once they get the stands up, they can get the attendance up to the 3 or 4k mark.

[alberta white]

i was wondering about the stands at Clarke...when I saw the highlights i saw no stands on the other side from the camera which seem contrary to what they had intended. Then I saw the low attendance and was a bit concerned for them. Hopefully once they get the stands up, they can get the attendance up to the 3 or 4k mark.

Actually having played on there, with the East stand erected it will kinda look like Soccer stadium (except the lines will still be there-boo!)

[-Hammer-]

Here is an honest question, has NASL perhaps thought about contacting the Saskchewan Roughriders. I know Saskchewan is making a lot of money, as are the Riders. I dunno if such a team would have the same fanatical support as the Roughriders, but I'm a firm believer that if you have a stadium, you want it used as much as possible.

I also hope that Bob Young is still looking to get a NASL team for Hamilton. It strikes me that he might just opt to reinvest in the Railhawks, but you never know. It just strikes me as the perfect chance to poach some of TFC's fanbase (or at least have them start buying tickets so they can first crack at a potential Canadian Championship/Friendly game) as a result of their most recent performances.

[Soccerpro]

Here is an honest question, has NASL perhaps thought about contacting the Saskchewan Roughriders. I know Saskchewan is making a lot of money, as are the Riders. I dunno if such a team would have the same fanatical support as the Roughriders, but I'm a firm believer that if you have a stadium, you want it used as much as possible.

I also hope that Bob Young is still looking to get a NASL team for Hamilton. It strikes me that he might just opt to reinvest in the Railhawks, but you never know. It just strikes me as the perfect chance to poach some of TFC's fanbase (or at least have them start buying tickets so they can first crack at a potential Canadian Championship/Friendly game) as a result of their most recent performances.

Saskatchewan loves football, not soccer. And isn't their stadium a tad big?

[-Hammer-]

Saskatchewan loves football, not soccer. And isn't their stadium a tad big?

And Ottawa with Frank Clair stadium isn't? There is no question that the Riders are the sports rulers of Sask, but I'm just saying you have a franchise that could likely buy an NASL team outright with one year of team profits and have a chance to get in on the ground floor and build the sport up. However, I guess someone from Sask would be a better judge on a such a possible market.

[Olympique_de_Marseille]

Although there was never really any doubt, Landsdowne is now officially a go. Ottawa will have its new stadium. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/story/2012/10/10/ottawa-lansdowne-waterfall-agreement.html

[narduch]

Although there was never really any doubt, Landsdowne is now officially a go. Ottawa will have its new stadium. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/story/2012/10/10/ottawa-lansdowne-waterfall-agreement.html

Sorry I haven't really followed this issue, but is Ottawa a serious NASL candidate?

[El Hombre]

Sorry I haven't really followed this issue, but is Ottawa a serious NASL candidate?

The Ottawa Fury guy (John Pugh) said yesterday that they're now going to start looking for a coach. Everything they talked about yesterday made it seem like NASL was a foregone conclusion. Sounds like it's a go.

[ted]

Sorry I haven't really followed this issue, but is Ottawa a serious NASL candidate?

Very serious and a great location for an NASL team.

[alberta white]

Ottawa is on the NASL banner as competing in 2014.

The furys website has the page below on their website.

http://www.ottawafury.com/ottawaNASL

As we know however it does not automaticaly follow that the Club will transfere the Fury name over in 2014. Reading the blub however makes one feel that the Fury is the outfit in question.

[narduch]

Thanks for the responses, sounds promising.

[Red and White]

Its completely confirmed, and yesterday it became official with the stadium getting its final approval for redevelopment. And yes, the Fury is the club in question. Now, knowing both Ottawa and 2nd tier North American soccer, its not really set in stone till opening day arrives, but this as close to a done deal as it gets.

Speaking of which, how is Hamilton coming along? I haven't heard anything from them for a while. And are there any other cities in Canada with a serious shot at NASL?

[alberta white]

The problem for future NASL expansion in Canada is the 75% rule imposed by the USSF. Its proported to be a bit of a movable feast at times, with Puerto Rico Islanders falling across two Football Associations ( in a manner not to dissimilar to Swansea or Cardif in the English League).

However, for another team from above the 49th to be allowed in would mean the League would have to be operating on a 12 team basis with 3Canadian and PRI included as one of the 7 American. Its worth Noting that Vancouver and Montreal still retain their voiting rights within the NASL fold and will be at the Commisioners table for the AGM.

Personal prefrence would be to see the next NASL Canadian expansion side develop in a similar way the Fury's expansion. Ergo an existing set up with some established roots, rather than another "Hail Mary" Job like FCE.

Much as its a lot of fun been an ESG-er, without a determined grass roots base, you do wake up at night thinking its all gone away overnight.

[kodiakTFC]

Good to see Ottawa coming along. Hopefully we'll see Calgary and Hamilton eventually. I would love the derby games against Hamilton if TFC drew them in the Voyageurs cup.

[Olympique_de_Marseille]

Good to see Ottawa coming along.

Yup. (Although I wasn't a big fan of the way the Ottawa city council -mostly the previous one- delt with the redevelopment). The result should be good. Now as someone who doesn't give 2 sh!ts about the CSL coming back, do we know if the new Landsdowne will have natural grass(Prescription Athletic Turf or other)? It would seem if Toronto and Montréal can do it, so can Ottawa. It would allow for another venue that our CanMNT would want to play in. Granted Lansdowne won't be soccer specific, but I think natural grass is something (if not in their plans) that we should lobby for.

[Redcoatsforever]

Yup. (Although I wasn't a big fan of the way the Ottawa city council -mostly the previous one- delt with the redevelopment). The result should be good. Now as someone who doesn't give 2 sh!ts about the CSL coming back, do we know if the new Landsdowne will have natural grass(Prescription Athletic Turf or other)? It would seem if Toronto and Montréal can do it, so can Ottawa. It would allow for another venue that our CanMNT would want to play in. Granted Lansdowne won't be soccer specific, but I think natural grass is something (if not in their plans) that we should lobby for.

Lobby for Desso GrassMaster, they use it at Wembley, and it would allow natural grass to hold up under Rugby, CFL, and Soccer, as well as reduce maintenance in Ottawa springs.

[alberta white]

^ Also if Desso goes in then Lansdown is almost a Lock in for the WWC final.

[Redcoatsforever]

^ Also if Desso goes in then Lansdown is almost a Lock in for the WWC final.

Right you are, mr.White.

[Joe MacCarthy]

^ Also if Desso goes in then Lansdown is almost a Lock in for the WWC final.

Why? Just because it has turf? If they're going to play most of the tournament on artificial turf I doubt that it would matter. Also, Frank Clair will hardly be the showpiece stadium as it is also one of the smallest. Buddy you gotta stop thinking you're still in England, it ain't.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Speaking of which, how is Hamilton coming along? I haven't heard anything from them for a while. And are there any other cities in Canada with a serious shot at NASL?

Interesting note from Hamilton City Council meeting: Ticats have a year to bring in a soccer team; if they don't, city can pursue another soccer tenant

Hamilton Soccer Stadium

[Macksam]

Buddy you gotta stop thinking you're still in England, it ain't.

Albert White has done nothing to warrant such an insolent remark Joe.

[alberta white]

Got nothing to do with been English.

Grass is just a better surace for Playing soccer on. Always has been, always will be. FIFA might accept turf, but they prefer grass.

Also, beleive me, I know for a fact that this isn't England.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Grass is just a better surace for Playing soccer on. Always has been, always will be. FIFA might accept turf, but they prefer grass.

You're forgetting though, that the whole impetus for the stadium in Ottawa was created by football people. There would be no new Frank Clair and an opportunity for NASL if it wasn't for football. They've put up with the BS from the NIMBYS for several years delaying construction. They're going to do what's best for football.

There are several places in the world where a turf installation is not better than an artificial surface and you can get that from FIFA themselves. There may be purists who deem turf better but turf fields still have to be mowed, watered, fertilized, covered and have proper exposure to sunlight, that costs a few sheckels more than AT.

[Macksam]

There would be no new Frank Clair and an opportunity for NASL if it wasn't for football.

There would have been an MLS franchise if it wasn't for football.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Apparently, more people wanted football than soccer. And if you feel you have to blame somebody, try Melnyk. It was he who wouldn't play ball with OSEG when given the opportunity.