Stateside Soccer is Now on Facebook

Stateside Soccer launched its Facebook fan page Friday. The page is open to any fans of soccer from the United States and abroad.

Blog readers and followers of @StatesideSoccer on Twitter can enjoy the same level of news and commentary on soccer leagues, teams and trends from around the globe, including:

• The one stop shop for breaking news from FIFA, the US Men's National Soccer Team, Major League Soccer, USSF-D2, and the USL Premier Development League.
• Easy to read guides to the fundamentals of soccer for new-comers to the Beautiful Game.
  
• Exclusive commentary on soccer trends in the United States.
• Predictions and brackets for major tournaments and matches.
  
• Analysis of soccer in the US media by a communications professional with experience in journalism and public relations.
• The occasional off-beat post by Ms. FootyNut, a new-comer to the sport and an expert in layperson soccer commentary.
  

In the next few months following the unfortunate, but unavoidable end of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Stateside Soccer will examine the gains soccer has made in the US, the return of MLS soccer and the ramp up to the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup and the announcements of the host countries for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

For more information on Stateside Soccer, the information it covers and any media inquiries, email StatesideSoccer (at) gmail (dot) com.

Stateside Soccer is a soccer blog based in Detroit, Michigan covering US soccer and soccer from around the globe, including Major League Soccer (MLS), the US Men's National Team (USMNT), English Premier League (EPL), UEFA Champions League, Australian A-League and the general popularity of soccer in the United States. Follow Stateside Soccer on Twitter @StatesideSoccer and on Facebook.

Promotion/Relegation League System Part of US Soccer's '50 Year Plan'

Sunil Gulati (left), President of the US Soccer Federation (USSoccerPlayers.com)

A Stefan Fatsis article published Saturday on Slate Magazine's website has wrenched my attention from the World Cup for a minute. In the article, US Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati implies that a promotion/relegation league system with a fall-winter-spring season will be given a strong consideration by the USSF in the next 25 years.

According to Gulati, such changes are part of a 50 year plan aimed at cementing the United States' status at soccer's "adult table." Never mind that the plan was unheard of before last year. Never mind that there has been no serious talk of how to go about implementing such a plan in light of the MLS's fierce protection of its centralized franchise system and the inability of second tier professional leagues to maintain a viable business model. And never mind that it was more of a rhetorical reaction to FIFA president Sepp Blatter's joke that after a conceding 3 goals in the second half of the 3-2 loss to Brazil in the final of the 2009 Confederations Cup, the US would do well to remember that soccer is a game of two halves.

My main concern when it comes to a promotion/relegation league system in the United States is the question of financial and organizational viability. While a most of America's "big" sports have multi-tiered leagues, non of them are interconnected and most of them are set-up as player "farms" to feed top-tier teams. In fact, a number of second and third and even more fourth tier soccer teams in the United States have developmental ties to Major League Soccer franchises. If these teams were to become independent, self-determined entities, it may become more expensive for teams to recruit and develop players, which in turn may increase player development costs across all tiers.

So while Gulati's statements may be less of a concrete plan and more abstract conjecture, they have basis in a comforting truth: Soccer's progress in the United States over the past 25 years has been meteoric and the next 25 years may be even bigger.

A Detailed Look at the Geography of US Soccer

Taking a look at the locations of the US's soccer teams can tell you everything from who has to travel the most to which states are closeted soccer lovers. Stateside Soccer is convinced that they will also tell you where the next 4 MLS teams will be located.

The announcement that the Montreal Impact would become the 19th team in Major League Soccer and that a second New York team would likely be the 20th team, there has been quite a bit of speculation high and low regarding just what the next 10 years will bring for top flight soccer in the United States.

MLS (click to enlarge)

The current 19 confirmed MLS teams are predominantly spread across the Mid Atlantic, Lower Plains and Pacific Coast. A second team in New York would make 20. The most notable geographical gap in the distribution of the teams is the total lack of teams in the Deep South. After that gap, the Northern Plains stand out.

USSF DIVISION 2 (NASL + USL-1) (click to enlarge)

This map pinpoints the locations of the second tier professional teams. Note that come 2011, there will be no second tier teams west of the Rocky Mountains.

USL DIVISION 2 (TIER 3) (click to enlarge)

This map sets out the locations of this year's USL Division 2 teams. It doesn't tell us much about national trends, particularly because of the USL's difficulties this year. The lower down a team is on the pyramid, the less budget it is likely to have for travel. Therefore, teams in any third tier league would need to be located close to each other. However, it is interesting to note where these are located. Once again, there is a splattering of teams in the Mid-Atlantic region with one team each for the Carolinas.

USL PREMIER DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE

NATIONAL PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE (click to enlarge)

This map shows the location of the 100 amateur clubs who play in either the USL PDL or the NPSL. The prevalence of these teams can be an indication of the foundation and interest in soccer in any given region. Note the concentrations around the Seattle and Philadelphia.

SO WHAT DO ALL THESE DOTS TELL US?

If you've stuck with me this far, you'll more than likely want to know what all of these maps mean. In my opinion, these maps make three main points:

A second New York Metro MLS team is inevitable.

With 9 amateur teams in the Tri-State Area, there is clearly a cultural foundation on which to build a successful, grass-roots franchise. Like it or hate it, the Big Apple is going to get a second MLS franchise.

Florida cannot be ignored.

Since both the Tampa Bay Mutiny and the Miami Fusion shut their doors in 2001, Flordia has seen the resurgence of two professional teams and three more amateur teams. Major League Soccer will return to Florida, it's just a question of when.

Where the next four MLS teams are likely to be located.

These maps outline clearly to me where the next four teams will come from, should the MLS elect for a 24 team league. I know where I think they'll come from, but which four cities do you think will be the next to open their doors to top flight professional soccer?