Next Canadian NASL City?

[madmonte]

http://rednationonline.ca/RedNationInterviewSeriesEduardoBadescu.aspx

In this interview, RedNation and Eduardo discuss WSA Winnipegs's vision of professional soccer in Winnipeg and the state of player development in Canada. He specifically mentions joining NASL in the future

http://the11.ca/2012/12/12/new-nasl...pansion-stadium-traffic-and-working-with-mls/

NASL Commissioner Peterson said he still has eyes on Canadian expansion.

“Maybe it’s a little premature to say anything. But the city everyone says first is Calgary. It makes a lot of sense geographically. But I have spent a lot of time in Winnipeg. And they have a new stadium. And they great sports-fan base. I think they could be an option, as well.”

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/spor... potential Eddies Edmonton/7684283/story.html

“It’s obvious we need some Western expansion.”

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/sports...ssioner visit city January/7618027/story.html

Commissioner Peterson spent nine months in Manitoba as a consultant for the CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers

So Peterson is familiar with Manitoba. Winnipeg may sound a little more like a pipe dream than the other two options, but it's good that he's noting it AS an option.

Last I checked in Hamilton, Bob Young (the owner of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and previous part owner of the Carolina Railhawks) was talking about moving a team to Hamilton when the new Ivor Wynne Stadium got built in 2013. However, I believe there was a falling out that occurred shortly after it was announced that Ottawa got a team. I have long suspected this may have been because of the USSF team limit that is imposed upon NASL, which basically means unless NASL gets 2 extra US based teams, expanding into Canada isn't possible without twisting the USSF's arm (although I heard talks of Baltimore getting a team) and possibly the CSL's given that stupid ban on no new Canadian teams playing in US leagues.

I know Mr. Young has made some posts in the CFL Ti-Cat forum on the subject, although this was January of 2011

------I'm hoping the NASL can pull through their current challenges, as Soccer is growing rapidly in players, teams, and popularity in North America. As a former minority partner of my friend Selby Wellman's Railhawks in Raleigh I am very aware of the state of flux in professional soccer in North America.

Regardless of whether the Hamilton team plays in the MLS, the NASL, the USL, or a Canadian Pro Soccer League - we are committed to bringing Pro Soccer to Hamilton and the proposed new PanAm Stadium. I would love nothing better than to beat the Toronto FC in the Canadian Championship competitions, as Montreal Impact have done:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nutrilite_ ... ampionship

We will, in due course, have to have a "name the team contest". I really like a bunch of the suggestions in these forums for names. Although I will not give away which I like best for fear of corrupting the competition. ;-)

Cheers, Bob. --------------------

As a side note, I almost wish that NASL could steal a couple of the good USL Pro teams away.

One big pro for Hamilton is the stadium.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Hamilton_Stadium

It's already being built. You can't really beat that. And soccer is a much more proven model in Ontario than in the prairie provinces right now as well.

I think FC Edmonton have needed waivers from the USSF every season so far where their stadium is concerned. The sanctioning rules are usually applied flexibly and intelligently, so there is no reason to believe that a Canadian team would ever be denied entry or told to leave due to the 75% American content thing. Calgary was being mentioned as the top candidate for Canadian expansion by the new NASL commissioner, recently:

http://the11.ca/2012/12/12/new-nasl-commissioner-in-edmonton-on-expansion-stadium-traffic-and-working-with-mls/

Peterson envisions the NASL growing to 16-18 teams in short order. Ottawa and Virginia come in for the 2014 season. The New York Cosmos come in for the second half of the 2013 season. Peterson said he has been impressed by the passion and the government support from the Indianapolis bid, spearheaded by American soccer executive Peter Wilt.

But Peterson said he still has eyes on Canadian expansion.

“Maybe it’s a little premature to say anything. But the city everyone says first is Calgary. It makes a lot of sense geographically. But I have spent a lot of time in Winnipeg. And they have a new stadium. And they great sports-fan base. I think they could be an option, as well.”

Yes, I know, the same article is quoted twice. It should be noted that Peterson was in Edmonton when he said that. One problem with Calgary is interest (success in Edmonton could go a LONG way to proving it could be sustainable, though. The second major problem is the stadium. Of which there isn't one, really. Someone posted a pretty ingenious article about Foothills stadium being converted a while back though, which could be the most inexpensive option.

[mmd]

I would love to see an existing Toronto Club....maybe Toronto Lynx, they have Centennial Field. Would need up grades, but a team to challenge TFC. The Lynx have an existing history with an academy style program.

I want to see existing clubs move up the ladder. Mississauga Eagles have a great system with their House League & Rep Prgram to Semi-Pro in the CSL(if still around).

[dmont]

.

The Calgary Flames and the Calgary Stampeders have the same ownership, and both play in outdated facilities. My prediction is that the ownership will propose a big project for a new stadium and arena. Don't be surprised if they follow Ottawa's lead and sweeten the deal by promising a professional soccer team to share the stadium. Given that the Oilers recently raided the public coffers to get an arena built, and FC Edmonton is attempting to secure some modest funds for their own stadium, I expect that Calgary will wait a while before seriously pursuing this.

[madmonte]

.

The Calgary Flames and the Calgary Stampeders have the same ownership, and both play in outdated facilities. My prediction is that the ownership will propose a big project for a new stadium and arena. Don't be surprised if they follow Ottawa's lead and sweeten the deal by promising a professional soccer team to share the stadium. Given that the Oilers recently raided the public coffers to get an arena built, and FC Edmonton is attempting to secure some modest funds for their own stadium, I expect that Calgary will wait a while before seriously pursuing this.

Which is fine. I'm thinking the NASL will hold on for a couple of years anyways before talking about more expansion, to analyze the growth of the league as it stands.

[alberta white]

Yellowknife Wanders..... Just for the road trip!

[narduch]

I would love to see an existing Toronto Club....maybe Toronto Lynx, they have Centennial Field. Would need up grades, but a team to challenge TFC. The Lynx have an existing history with an academy style program.

I want to see existing clubs move up the ladder. Mississauga Eagles have a great system with their House League & Rep Prgram to Semi-Pro in the CSL(if still around).

The problem with an NASL team is where would they play? Centennial is in a crappy location. All other existing stadiums won't really work either (I guess you could upgrade Lamport).

I do think there is/was a small window of opportunity to enter the market as the anti-TFC. But I'm wondering now if that has passed with a new regime and a massive price drop.

[mmd]

I really can't see TFC becoming a threat. Anything MLSE owns is just not competitive. If this continues which I'm guessing it will,I think another team in Toronto can do well in the NASL. And for myself,I consider myself an anti TFC, so I would watch another team in Toronto in the NASL. And a private owner like Saputo is what that new team would need. It can play in North Toronto, maybe build a field with York University, seeing they have one of the top soccer programs in the country! Just some crazy ideas but something to think about.

[Ivan]

^ Hey, maybe they can build a new stadium in Markham!

[alberta white]

I really can't see TFC becoming a threat. Anything MLSE owns is just not competitive. If this continues which I'm guessing it will,I think another team in Toronto can do well in the NASL. And for myself,I consider myself an anti TFC, so I would watch another team in Toronto in the NASL. And a private owner like Saputo is what that new team would need. It can play in North Toronto, maybe build a field with York University, seeing they have one of the top soccer programs in the country! Just some crazy ideas but something to think about.

Can such a program be considered an Professional academy?

[narduch]

^ Hey, maybe they can build a new stadium in Markham!

LOL. Right next door to the planned NHL sized hockey arena!

I think you need a downtown location to do well. A team in the suburbs will fail.

[alberta white]

Unless you elevating an existing amature organisation, then I would agree.

Thats a general observation rather than specific to Markham, as I have never been there.

[Trillium]

NASL in Toronto at Lamport with a private ( well funded ) owner would be hit, and have a 8k plus attendance, and probably be a profitable club if they control concessions etc.

A good owner could recruit players of equal or better quality then TFC and make a solid run in Voyageurs Cup, getting into CONCACAF Champions league with broadcast of the games on over the air TV could build a solid regional following.

Of course you would want to name the team the Blizzard and open against the Cosmos.

First game promo... bring a TFC ticket and get in at half price.

[alberta white]

NASL in Toronto at Lamport with a private ( well funded ) owner would be hit, and have a 8k plus attendance, and probably be a profitable club if they control concessions etc.

A good owner could recruit players of equal or better quality then TFC and make a solid run in Voyageurs Cup, getting into CONCACAF Champions league with broadcast of the games on over the air TV could build a solid regional following.

Of course you would want to name the team the Blizzard and open against the Cosmos.

First game promo... bring a TFC ticket and get in at half price.

You forgot the Tag line, "we promise not to snigger";)

I've read a fair bit on Lamport on these threads, And it sounds like it a stadium in search of a Pro Team. However I have never seen it. If I was to google map it what address should I use?

Edit, whoa found it!

NASL would kill for that stadium. the ESG and FCE would KILL for that stadium.

[Ivan]

LOL. Right next door to the planned NHL sized hockey arena!

Haha. You got it Narduch.

[mmd]

I love it. Especially bringing back the Blizzard name. That promo would be a hit!!!!!

[Tuscan]

I've always wondered, how much of TFC's fanbase would go to both TFC and a Canadian D3 or NASL club's games and how much would simply jump ship away from TFC to a new Toronto club? Thoughts folks?

I think a D3 club in Toronto would probably be TFCA if anything, so I doubt they'd be able to play in the Vs Cup which would be a shame. Only the NASL option offers a way for there to be a second Toronto team that would actually challenge TFC for Toronto supremacy.

[David C.]

NASL in Toronto at Lamport with a private ( well funded ) owner would be hit...

I would love to see Toronto/Lamport land an NASL franchise. There is no reason why a city this size couldn't provide the talent pool and fan base to support a team playing just a notch below MLS calibre.

As I noted in previous posts/topics, I think that NASL is the (current) best way to go, in providing pro development opportunities for our U-23 player pool. What the Eddies have done so far has been nothing short of fantastic. Toronto could benefit from that type of environment.

[alberta white]

London (UK) has a population a little over 8 million and currently supports Six clubs in the top flight. four in the championship if you wish to include Watford (although they may get a bit sniffy about calling 'em London).

Toronto metro has 5 million.

Remember the NASL doesn't care about treading on MLS broadcast rights issues, as they have no tie in at any level really.

[Keegan]

I've always wondered, how much of TFC's fanbase would go to both TFC and a Canadian D3 or NASL club's games and how much would simply jump ship away from TFC to a new Toronto club? Thoughts folks?

I think a D3 club in Toronto would probably be TFCA if anything, so I doubt they'd be able to play in the Vs Cup which would be a shame. Only the NASL option offers a way for there to be a second Toronto team that would actually challenge TFC for Toronto supremacy.

I don't think the average TFC fan would go for anything below 1st division with Toronto preceding the name, just look at the Lynx and their attendance.

The game still needs more exposure locally and then I think people would get behind it, sort of like major junior hockey. For example, I think a team in Brampton could be a hit and something the community could rally around as well know the footballing talent coming out of there.

[Macksam]

I don't think the average TFC fan would go for anything below 1st division with Toronto preceding the name, just look at the Lynx and their attendance.

The game still needs more exposure locally and then I think people would get behind it, sort of like major junior hockey. For example, I think a team in Brampton could be a hit and something the community could rally around as well know the footballing talent coming out of there.

I think a L1O (D3) team in Brampton could be a hit if a proper venue (about 2,500 capacity) is built. However, the key for it (and any other Canadian D3 team for the matter) to get support is that it needs to serve a purpose. If we can develop regional D3 leagues that can develop talent that gets drafted by MLS clubs, the country we'll start to support that league.

[DigzTFC]

http://the11.ca/2013/02/27/ottawa-will-stick-with-fury-name-for-nasl/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ottawa-will-stick-with-fury-name-for-nasl

As well, the NASL Commissioner said that he sees Regina, Quebec City, Calgary and Winnipeg as potential markets in the future. Peterson, who has acted as a consultant for the CFL Blue Bombers before coming to NASL, has been bullish about Calgary and Winnipeg before, but the mention of Regina and Quebec City is new

[Olympique_de_Marseille]

but the mention of Regina

Besides the stadium, why Regina over the 'toon? Regina already has the CFL team, why not give Saskatoon the NASL team?

[Blackdude]

I fully doubt there`s a chance with Quebec City. The Rouge et Or own the sports landscape (except for hockey). The TD says he doesn`t want a PLSQ team saying that if Quebec has a team in a league, it has to be over a short season, like the PDL and the W-League.

[Macksam]

I fully doubt there`s a chance with Quebec City. The Rouge et Or own the sports landscape (except for hockey). The TD says he doesn`t want a PLSQ team saying that if Quebec has a team in a league, it has to be over a short season, like the PDL and the W-League.

Unless somebody else decides to build his own little stadium in the city. Also, TD?

[Blackdude]

Unless somebody else decides to build his own little stadium in the city. Also, TD?

Technical Director. Laval is hand and hand with the Quebec Regional Soccer Association, so it`s hard to work if the people running soccer in the region don`t want to jeopardize their relationship with the University.