Friday News Roundup

This is not a regular feature, so don’t get used to it. BUT, there’s a lot going on in American soccer right now, so pay attention:

Rochester Rhinos announced yesterday that they hadn’t met internal financing requirements to play the 2018 season in the USL. This is pretty sad for a club with the kind of history that the Raging Rhinos have, but also very much expected. The Rhinos don’t have a lot of support from fans or the soccer community in Rochester, and this is their life now. Let’s hope this hiatus doesn’t go the same way as Austin Aztex and Crystal Palace Baltimore did.
The NASL vs. USSF lawsuit continues apace. Rumors of a settlement around Thanksgiving have given way to silence from both sides. NASL filed its reply brief in US Circuit Court earlier this week over its appeal of the lower court’s ruling that they weren’t entitled to an injunction. These Twitter threads from Miki Turner and Steven Bank are good reads if you’re into that sort of thing. Oral arguments on the appeal will be heard on December 15, and are likely open to the public. Fun fact: people used to go to court to hear lawyers argue for fun! I’m a lawyer who sometimes gets paid to do that and man it’s pretty dull.
Very short-term would-be rivals Nashville SC signed some players the other day.
Joe Cole and Marcel Schäfer return to Tampa Bay for 2018.
Bob Lilley was disgusted by Pittsburgh’s defense (probably) and could be replacing the Hounds’ entire roster for the upcoming season. The Hounds have just one (ONE!) player under contract for 2018 right now.
I’ve been more than skeptical that USL was going to win a bid to play soccer in Hartford, Connecticut at Dillon Stadium over NASL and NPSL bids that required little to no public money. However, the USL-aligned bid from Hartford Sports Group, which asks for nearly $11 million in public funds to renovate the stadium, won the recommendation of the Hartford Capital Region Development Authority yesterday. Things could be looking up there from a league perspective.
Last but certainly not least, the UofL men play Akron tonight at Lynn Stadium at 7. The winner goes to the College Cup. Tickets are just $3 if you’re wearing Louisville City gear to the game, which is a little odd but good on the Cards for making us feel special. Good luck to Ken Lolla and his team!