By TRAVIS CLARK
A second division soccer league is on the verge of kicking off, a moment many U.S. soccer observers thought impossible earlier this year.
With the NASL-USL hatchet buried (for the time being, at least), the 12 clubs that comprise the USSF-run league will leave controversies behind and get down to the business of competing for a championship.
Two brand-new teams will see action for the very first time this week. A.C. St. Louis travels down to WakeMed Soccer Park to face the Carolina Railhawks, while NSC Minnesota makes the journey west to visit the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Here's a look at this weekend's match-ups:
SATURDAY
A.C. St. Louis at Carolina Railhawks, 7pm
As newcomers St. Louis visit Carolina, championship talk abounds in Railhawks camp. A strong and confident team last season, Carolina's stingy defense anchored their second place finish in USL. A.C. St. Louis will have a tough go of it in their first-ever match. With Gregory Richardson leading the line up front, the Railhawks should have little trouble with St. Louis.
Rochester Rhinos at Miami FC, 7:30pm
Two teams with entirely new looks heading into 2010 meet in South Florida. The buzz surrounding Miami is driven by Christian Gomez, and the former D.C. United midfielder leads Miami's attack against a Rochester squad ripe with change. Rochester's high rate of roster turnover, coupled with Miami's home field edge, gives the Blues the slight advantage. And if Gomez brings his A game, the home team should have no problem with a Rhinos squad that is still coming together.
SUNDAY
Montreal Impact at Austin Aztex, 7pm
Home side and second year Austin will be up against it when they host Montreal on Sunday. Defending champions a season ago, Montreal's established core returns and will put Aztex goalie Miguel Gallardo to the test early and often. While a result for Austin is a tall order, getting a point or even a win against the Impact would be a real signal of intent that the Aztex are ready to contend this year.
NSC Minnesota Stars at Vancouver Whitecaps, 7pm
Another new side opening play this weekend, Minnesota's hastily-assembled club travels to take on established power Vancouver. The Whitecaps will challenge the thin defensive corps of Minnesota, with veteran Roberto Brown leading the charge. Any chance that Minnesota has in this one will boil down to the performances of Johnny Menyongar and Melvin Tarley. Getting even a point in British Columbia would be a rousing success for the Stars.
I like the idea of a USSF run league, I get the impression it will be more stable than the others that have come before it. It’s a shame this is only supposed to be for 1 season.
I wanna see Ralston and St.Louis do well.
The Islanders are getting rocked this year. The league has gotten MUCH better and the Islanders have gotten MUCH worse. Plus you guys have awful fixture congestion with CFU, Concacaf, etc. You do not have the depth you used to have, PRI had better depth than 90% of the MLS teams two years ago. Now they would be the MLS team with the least depth. Come to think of it, if St Louis and Minnesota were not new teams, PRI would have the least depth in D2 now.
Can’t wait to start building an atmosphere at House Park. Has everything we need except grass..and beer. But we can get that next door. Come on you Aztex!
zing!
You don’t have to miss it. Just watch the Sounders now and then;)
Last year, a number of teams got players on loan from MLS teams. The Aztex wouldn’t have survived the year without players from RSL and Houston (and Colorado, but that one wasn’t as key).
This season should be a blast.
I am looking forward to seeing how my beloved Puerto Rico Islanders do having lost so many key players. And probably qualifying for Champions’ League play agin. Colin clarke will have a huge challenge on his hands.
I am also looking foward to my local D2 side, Crystal Palace Baltimore as it makes the jump to the second division. Medd & Cherneski have brought in a ton of new guys. How long will it take the for the chemistry to develop? How will guys who thrived at 3rd division level like Gary Brook and local product, Andrew Marshall do when facing stronger competition. Did Red Bulls ruin Matthew Mbuta? or will he shine now that he has security and steady playing time.
Get your popcorn ready…
Looking forward to the new D2 in pro soccer. Go Aztex.
cool feature and good job. i’ll be curious to track former MLS players and MLS hopefuls.
This.
Sorry, but I beg to differ. I have enjoyed D2 for many years. The skill level is surprisingly good and team play is well developed. The players play with heart. The fans are hard core football fanatics. In some ways, I will miss D2 when my Timbers move to MLS next year.
If it’s free and it’s on the Internet then I’ll be watching.
The Portland Timbers have had such loan deals, both ways, with MLS teams for some time. Go, Timbers.
I think the D-2 league is going to be very strong this year. The addition of several good foreign players and two big names from MLS makes it more relevant and compelling than past years when it was not worth watching.
All games in the USSF Division 2 will be shown online, just check out the teams playing websites and (hopefully) you’ll find a link.
and it will be free. A very nice touch if you ask me.
I hope MLS and the second division can work up a partnership where MLS teams can loan players to the 2nd division. I think between this and the MLS reserve league player development will thrive.
Officially, they postponed their entry to next year.
They will be on each team’s website.
I can’t wait. I think I’ll even watch games not featuring my team!
are these matches all available via usllive.com? or is that now defunct?
What ever happened to FC New York. Does that no longer exist?