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Post by nhstokie on Mar 16, 2009 22:25:49 GMT
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Post by walrus on Mar 16, 2009 22:26:35 GMT
Good times! ;D
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Post by Jug Bank Stokie on Mar 16, 2009 22:28:46 GMT
Is Gifton banging them in yet?  |
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Post by nhstokie on Mar 16, 2009 22:38:56 GMT
Gifton picked up an ankle injury and didn't play according to the link.
nh
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Mar 17, 2009 8:26:12 GMT
On the third of the links on the top post there is an interesting message board discussion on the relationship (or lack of it) between the USL and the MLS and why at least one fan doesn't see relegation happening in the MLS because it doesn't suit the franchise holders as opposed to the fans.
Slightly worrying for Phil and the USL that a couple of Canadian clubs want to migrate from the USL to the MLS. No doubt things will sort themselves out eventually.
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Post by Northy on Mar 17, 2009 8:48:42 GMT
Sullivan Silva and Zack Pope, couple of great names there, give em a run in the reserves next season  |
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Post by roro on Mar 17, 2009 12:32:50 GMT
Does any really care how well or not Aztex do? To be honest I'm not that overally fussed about them at all! I'll wish them good luck, but that is as far as it goes for me.
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Post by th05 on Mar 17, 2009 13:13:44 GMT
Goarnnnn Gift.
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Mar 17, 2009 13:15:42 GMT
Yes, I do, roro. I know Phil and like him and hope his team does well. I also hope that they can attract some talent who might go on to play for Stoke some day. By the same token it would be good if some of our players (especially the young ones) could go and play for the Aztex as part of their development.
Plenty of clubs these days have affiliated clubs abroad - if ManU think it is a good idea then it probably is.
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Post by roro on Mar 17, 2009 13:42:39 GMT
Fair enough Lakeside if you take an interest, just stating that I don't myself. Hopefully one day we might see a benefit, guess time will tell.
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Post by exiledstokie on Mar 17, 2009 14:09:40 GMT
can somebody explain to me the difference between the MLS and the league the Aztexs are in? They seem to be a pretty decent team, if they can beat the champions of the MLS.
Am i reight in thinking that Aztex can't be promoted to the MLS, that they have to be invited to join?
I'd love to see some of our younger players sent over there to gain experience, much as i'd love some of their players to make the grade here at Stoke, it all benefits the club doesnt it
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Mar 17, 2009 14:16:24 GMT
MLS and USL are totally separate leagues. MLS clubs are franchises who don't own their players - the players belong to the MLS. USL clubs are franchises (I think) but they do recruit and own their own players much as we do in Europe.
MLS is a closed league with no promotion or relegation. USL does (I think) have relegation and promotion between two leagues.
So the two systems run in parallel with the MLS (at present) being the bigger league but the USL has a more competitive structure on European lines so it might overtake the rather sterile MLS system one day.
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Post by exiledstokie on Mar 17, 2009 14:31:13 GMT
cheers lakeland, thats cleared it up for me
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Post by stokecity4eva on Mar 17, 2009 17:23:16 GMT
they have signed a few good youngsters so far that lad sullivan silva is suppost to be quality
and you can tell philr owns them as the kit they play in looks awesome and has proper stripes and looks like a proper stoke top
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steino
Academy Starlet
Posts: 119
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Post by steino on Mar 17, 2009 17:40:44 GMT
I'll be keeping an eye on them. I'm not sure of their chances of gaining entry to the MLS though, Texas already has Houston participating and (I think) only California has more than 1 team in there.
Most 'soccer' loving Americans I have met prefer to watch the premiership from a distance due to the poor standard in the MLS. They need to introduce promotion/relegation or it will never catch on.
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Mar 17, 2009 18:34:00 GMT
Didn't Phil say that he wasn't interested in the MLS as he preferred the player development potential of the USL clubs?
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Post by bayernoatcake on Mar 17, 2009 18:42:51 GMT
I care actually, they're like our American team! |
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Post by nhstokie on Mar 17, 2009 20:38:52 GMT
I think that the $40 million (or more) franchise fee to join the MSL is a major reason that Phil likes the USL. Starting up an MSL team is huge gamble as only a couple of the MSL teams are profitable at the moment. It's going to be a tough season for many teams as money is still very tight for recreation.
I am thankful that many risked huge sums to get the game going over here, most have done it for their passion for the game and not any financial gain.
nh
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Post by mgrayscale on Mar 17, 2009 21:13:08 GMT
A couple of quick clarifications as I went through the string. There is no promotion/relegation process in any of the leagues, including in the USL. Right now we have USL1, USL1, and PDL (U23), but there's no system to move up or down in these. Many of us in the US feel that for soccer to really take off, a promotion/relegation system has to be in place. Additionally, we need to go to a straight points based system to determine League Champions. In MLS, it's a combination of points and playoff, which I don't like. The Aztex USL1 side has some massive potential in the player areas. Sullivan Silva (Brazilian born, came from a university in Oklahome) has very good footwork in a striking position, and is resilient (knock him down and he just bounces up again). I'm really eager to see how he does throughout the season. Miguel Gallardo is our GK, brought up from the U23 squad. Amazing ability to keep the ball out of the net, almost (not quite) as good as what we've seen from Sorensen on the TV. Gifton has been okay, but we've only seen him in 2 out of the 3 matches. Against the Rev's, the cold seemed to really limit his motion, and we only saw him for 39 minutes in the Dynamo match before getting 2 bollocks cautions. We're also seeing a great growth in the Supporters sections as well. We're not up for Delilah yet, but we're making as much noise as possible. Anyone who is planning on coming over to Austin be sure to give us a yell. You can reach one of the supporters groups, Chantico's Army, by visiting the groups www.chanticosarmy.com. So all in all, we're getting there. I think in the next few years you'll see the USL really grow as the football is much better, and the Aztex will be right at the front of the tables. As evidence of the leagues quality, our version of the Champions League starts semi-final play tonight. The USL has one team (Puerto Rico Islanders) in the semis with 3 Mexican sides. No club from MLS made it...again. Sorry for the length. |
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Mar 17, 2009 21:19:25 GMT
Cheers, grayscale - make sure you stay in touch and keep us updated.  Oh, and don't forget to visit the city of Stoke on Trent, the Britannia Stadium and Delilah's bar if ever you are in the UK. You'll find the atmosphere at a home match quite unique - providing we stay in the Prem of course. PS - what determines if a USL side goes into USL1 or USL2 ? Is one league "better" than the other, or are they organised geographically? |
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Post by mgrayscale on Mar 17, 2009 21:30:45 GMT
I'm definitely eyeing a trip to Stoke. I'm going to be in Glasgow, but naturally, it's during the off season.  Usually what determines if a club is going to be USL1 or USL2 is the crowd size, market (city) size that they're going to be hosted in, and the budget they have for travel and that. One of the other arguments I've heard is that there may not be a massive need for USL2, as many see it really as a stepping stone for players/teams who are currently in the PDL (of which there are 67) who want to go to USL1 level, but see the jump as being too large. This year, for instance, Cleveland City is another new USL1 team that came up from USL2 ranks. Not through promotion, but simply as a result of being ready and having one of the expected USL1 teams (Atlanta Silverbacks) not play this season. You will typically find the quality of football better in USL1 than USL2. Think of it as the difference between the Prem and Championship leagues, with no promotion/relegation. Ironically, US media has taken to referring to the USL1 league as the "Championship" to MLS's "Prem". Something that really pisses us USL1 fans off. |
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Mar 17, 2009 21:39:02 GMT
Cheers for that - very useful.
Hope you enjoy Glasgow - they virtually speak a different language up there - the Glasgow accent is so strong and very un English! Mind, you as a Yank might struggle with the Stoke accent! ;D
As it happens I live virtually half way between Glasgow and Stoke. 130 mile journey to home games for me. The away games I go to (in the north of England) are mostly closer than the home ones.
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Post by nhstokie on Mar 17, 2009 22:09:46 GMT
Thanks for the clarifications and update Greyscale.
I'm planning to attend a couple of games, maybe the game on May 29th against Puerto Rico.
Do you know if there are any other Stokies planning on traveling to home games? I might make get down there if a large crowd of Stokies is expected.
nh
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Post by mgrayscale on Mar 17, 2009 22:30:32 GMT
In conversations with folks from the Aztex organization, I understand there is a group of Stokies coming to Austin for the USL1 League opening on April 18th versus Minnesota, and will also be here for the second league match on April 21 versus Vancouver. We in the supporters group are already training our livers for the abuse, and look forward to getting out with the guys. If you wanted to come down when they're here, I would say that's the best time.
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Post by burberrybassist on Mar 17, 2009 23:34:19 GMT
GOOOOAAAAARRRRNNNN AZTEX!!!
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Post by bayernoatcake on Mar 18, 2009 0:27:36 GMT
Cheers, grayscale - make sure you stay in touch and keep us updated. Oh, and don't forget to visit the city of Stoke on Trent, the Britannia Stadium and Delilah's bar if ever you are in the UK. You'll find the atmosphere at a home match quite unique - providing we stay in the Prem of course. PS - what determines if a USL side goes into USL1 or USL2 ? Is one league "better" than the other, or are they organised geographically? *Pedant Alert* It's Stoke-on-Trent! |
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Mar 18, 2009 7:32:00 GMT
My hyphen key was wonky last night - sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't! ;D
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Post by aztexan on Mar 18, 2009 17:57:48 GMT
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Mar 18, 2009 18:21:34 GMT
Excellent Aztexan, very useful.
Just one bit I didn't understand. There are 11 teams in USL-1 but the Aztex will play 15 home games in addition to the 3 MSL friendlies! 11 teams - 15 home games - confused? You bet I am! ;D
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Post by stokelad84 on Mar 18, 2009 18:29:48 GMT
Lakeland, they are making it up as they go along |
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