A couple of new developments in soccer happened recently, so let’s discuss:
New US Soccer CEO
US Soccer has a new CEO (finally), Will Wilson. Wilson is Oliver Luck’s brother in law and Andrew Luck’s uncle. His experience is mostly with the NFL but he’s got an interesting educational background, having gotten his post-graduate degree in business in Monterrey, Mexico. He’s also got experience working with MLS and SUM (perhaps not great) as EVP of international business and special events. The most recent entry on Wilson’s resume was working for the Wasserman sports agency which represents a lot of American soccer talent abroad, including Weston McKinnie and Gio Reyna.
US Soccer is more than just a little bit of a train wreck right now, what with its downright horrible labor and discrimination dispute with the US Women’s National Team in the federal courts, the abrupt but necessary resignation of former president Carlos Cordeiro, the ongoing litigation with the NASL and a floundering men’s program. And that’s just what we can see – lower down the ladder, it’s even worse from what I can gather. Wilson’s going to have his work cut out for him. All we can do is say “good luck.”
Asheville City withdraws from League Two
Asheville City SC released a statement yesterday announcing that they were withdrawing from USL League Two for the 2020 season. They’ve left open the door for returning in 2021, however, which is a positive sign.
USL’s announcements on the matter are ambiguous enough to leave open the possibility that there may not even be a 2020 season. Asheville City may not have been comfortable enough with that uncertainty to spend the money on a lease or personnel that it couldn’t ever recoup. It will not surprise me in the least if there are several more clubs to follow suit in the weeks to come. Louisville City’s U23 team, which was set to play its first season in League Two this year, may be in similar circumstances. How can you scout or train a team for a league that may not even play?
We’ll keep an eye on this as things develop.
ROCKET LEAGUE!
I didn’t even know what this game was until a few months ago, but it looks fun. Since USL’s clubs aren’t featured on FIFA, they’ve decided to form an eSports tournament for Rocket League instead! The tournament, which will be called the USL eCup, will begin on March 31 and continue through April 24. It will be a World Cup-style event with a group stage and knock-out rounds featuring 32 USL Championship and USL League One clubs who will each be represented by players, supporters, and team ambassadors such as famous fans or club owners.
This looks like fun! I don’t do video games much at all myself, but I might be willing to learn this one.
VAMOS MORADOS!
