I think soccer is a lot like baseball. Boring as hell to watch on TV unless it's the world series, but can be really fun in person if there is a good game atmosphere.

(01-25-2018 08:42 AM)ValleyBoy Wrote:  

Quote:STATESBORO, GA (WTOC) -
Tormenta FC will be announced as the first official team in the new United Soccer League - Division 3.

The USL vice president said on a radio show/podcast, Soccer Down Here, that Tormenta will be a founding member of the league.

The official unveiling will be on Thursday and you can watch the news conference live on D3’s official Facebook page.

Quote:The league is set to begin sometime in 2019. Again, the official announcement is expected on Thursday. More information is also expected on the proposed Tormenta stadium.

http://www.wtoc.com/story/37321780/torme...l-division

Is the USL the minor league of MLS or a semi-pro league ?

(01-25-2018 08:24 AM)eaglewraith Wrote:  

(01-25-2018 07:58 AM)OsageJ Wrote:  

(01-25-2018 02:54 AM)chiefsfan Wrote:  Completely unrelated to the thread, but after going back and reading all the hate for Soccer, it became prudent to mention.

Gallup just recently finished their polling to discover the most popular sport for Americans. As expected, Football was number 1 by a very wide margin. What was unexpected is that Soccer had made significant gains on both basketball and baseball. Despite almost no one in the United States over 55 watching Soccer (Literally, It was less than 1 percent) Soccer was only 2 percentage points behind baseball to become the 3rd most popular sport in the country. Among Young Adults, up to age 35 I believe, Soccer is the 2nd most popular sport in the country. Ahead of baseball and tied with basketball.

Given that eventually all those old fogies who hate everything they think is un-American will die off, Soccer will probably become the first sport to supplant the Big 3 in the next decade or so.

Not being an American sport has nothing to do with it. Watching two teams running around all game and maybe scoring once is beyond boring. I thought the indoor game might be better. Smaller field more goooooaaaaallllsssss. Still not that good.

Best thing about it is no commercials.

You have to look at investment of your time as well. It's about 2 hours to watch a soccer game, football and baseball can stretch into the 4 hour mark. Hell, to watch the last 30 seconds of a close basketball game can take 20 minutes with all those damn timeouts.

(01-25-2018 09:21 AM)Cajun_lannister Wrote:  

(01-25-2018 08:42 AM)ValleyBoy Wrote:  

Quote:STATESBORO, GA (WTOC) -
Tormenta FC will be announced as the first official team in the new United Soccer League - Division 3.

The USL vice president said on a radio show/podcast, Soccer Down Here, that Tormenta will be a founding member of the league.

The official unveiling will be on Thursday and you can watch the news conference live on D3’s official Facebook page.

Quote:The league is set to begin sometime in 2019. Again, the official announcement is expected on Thursday. More information is also expected on the proposed Tormenta stadium.

http://www.wtoc.com/story/37321780/torme...l-division

Is the USL the minor league of MLS or a semi-pro league ?

MLS is the top tier league in the USL. Previously, the USL only had two tiers: MLS and division 2. Tormenta FC will be the founding member of a new tier: division 3.

(01-25-2018 09:25 AM)TrueBlueDrew Wrote:  

(01-25-2018 09:21 AM)Cajun_lannister Wrote:  

(01-25-2018 08:42 AM)ValleyBoy Wrote:  

Quote:STATESBORO, GA (WTOC) -
Tormenta FC will be announced as the first official team in the new United Soccer League - Division 3.

The USL vice president said on a radio show/podcast, Soccer Down Here, that Tormenta will be a founding member of the league.

The official unveiling will be on Thursday and you can watch the news conference live on D3’s official Facebook page.

Quote:The league is set to begin sometime in 2019. Again, the official announcement is expected on Thursday. More information is also expected on the proposed Tormenta stadium.

http://www.wtoc.com/story/37321780/torme...l-division

Is the USL the minor league of MLS or a semi-pro league ?

MLS is the top tier league in the USL. Previously, the USL only had two tiers: MLS and division 2. Tormenta FC will be the founding member of a new tier: division 3.

I think the debunked LA Swamp Cats were in the USL .. Cool

Ok...serious question. To the soccer fans on here what makes this a great spectator sport? As a young kid I could see how much fun it could be to play.[/i]

(01-25-2018 03:12 PM)OsageJ Wrote:  Ok...serious question. To the soccer fans on here what makes this a great spectator sport? As a young kid I could see how much fun it could be to play.[/i]

Not all sports are for everyone, but understanding the rules and nuances of the game help. A 1-0 game can be very exciting. You have to understand that a good defensive stand is as important as a goal. When scoring is at a premium, your goal protection must be just as strong.

Ever watch hockey??? A big save by the keeper gets just as much applause as a goal. Soccer is the same way.

(01-25-2018 03:12 PM)OsageJ Wrote:  Ok...serious question. To the soccer fans on here what makes this a great spectator sport? As a young kid I could see how much fun it could be to play.[/i]

You have to understand the game and understand what's actually going on out there.

A Soccer match can be exciting and end 0-0. Watched a match on Monday that was in England. Featured the 3rd place team against the last place team in the league. Last place team scored an early goal, and then literally sat 11 guys behind the ball and dared their opponent to try and get by them. They got outshot 25-2 and won the game 1-0 because try as they might, their opponent could not break down a defense that dove in to deflect anything that looked like it might be heading towards the net.

Ultimately, that's part of the allure of the sport. You can be entirely outclassed by talent all over the field and still win a game by simply planning the game correctly.

It was announced at the basketball game last night that the future stadium of Tormenta FC will also be the future stadium of Georgia Southern Men's and Women's soccer.

That's a good get, still wish South would bring back men's soccer....one day maybe...

(01-25-2018 09:25 AM)TrueBlueDrew Wrote:  

(01-25-2018 09:21 AM)Cajun_lannister Wrote:  

(01-25-2018 08:42 AM)ValleyBoy Wrote:  

Quote:STATESBORO, GA (WTOC) -
Tormenta FC will be announced as the first official team in the new United Soccer League - Division 3.

The USL vice president said on a radio show/podcast, Soccer Down Here, that Tormenta will be a founding member of the league.

The official unveiling will be on Thursday and you can watch the news conference live on D3’s official Facebook page.

Quote:The league is set to begin sometime in 2019. Again, the official announcement is expected on Thursday. More information is also expected on the proposed Tormenta stadium.

http://www.wtoc.com/story/37321780/torme...l-division

Is the USL the minor league of MLS or a semi-pro league ?

MLS is the top tier league in the USL. Previously, the USL only had two tiers: MLS and division 2. Tormenta FC will be the founding member of a new tier: division 3.

Not really sure that's correct.

MLS, USL, and other professional leagues are apart of the US Soccer Pyramid. MLS is the top tier of that Pyramid. Until previously, the North American Soccer League was Tier 2, and USL was Tier 3. USL had a fair number of MLS Teams reserve sides. Then there were regional parts of a 4th tier.

Last season, US Soccer announced they were stripping NASL of its 2nd tier rights and granting those 2nd tier rights to the USL instead. That sparked a massive lawsuit out of the NASL that is still pending in court. NASL claims that US Soccer worked with MLS to force NASL to fold so that the MLS Preferred choice for Tier 2 the USL could take their spot. Since the move a bunch of NASL sides have moved to the USL, and NASL has had to postpone the start of its next season while the court case works itself out

USL's intention is to create a 2nd division within itself that would work as the 3rd tier of the American Soccer Pyramid. That is where the Statesboro team would play.


Normally in real soccer countries, teams within a division must fight for promotion and relegation, in which bottom teams are dropped to a new division and top teams are moved up. But MLS has been overtly against all forms of promotion and relegation because it allows them to help fund themselves with $150 Million franchise fees.

In all likelihood, most of these issues will be laid at the feet of the next US Soccer President, after the current one decided not to run for reelection in the wake of the National Teams failure to qualify for the World Cup. There are 8 candidates. 6 of which have indicated they will implement promotion and relegation, whether MLS Likes it or not. A couple more are promising to address the status of the NASL as well.

(01-26-2018 01:59 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(01-25-2018 09:25 AM)TrueBlueDrew Wrote:  

(01-25-2018 09:21 AM)Cajun_lannister Wrote:  

(01-25-2018 08:42 AM)ValleyBoy Wrote:  

Quote:STATESBORO, GA (WTOC) -
Tormenta FC will be announced as the first official team in the new United Soccer League - Division 3.

The USL vice president said on a radio show/podcast, Soccer Down Here, that Tormenta will be a founding member of the league.

The official unveiling will be on Thursday and you can watch the news conference live on D3’s official Facebook page.

Quote:The league is set to begin sometime in 2019. Again, the official announcement is expected on Thursday. More information is also expected on the proposed Tormenta stadium.

http://www.wtoc.com/story/37321780/torme...l-division

Is the USL the minor league of MLS or a semi-pro league ?

MLS is the top tier league in the USL. Previously, the USL only had two tiers: MLS and division 2. Tormenta FC will be the founding member of a new tier: division 3.

Not really sure that's correct.

MLS, USL, and other professional leagues are apart of the US Soccer Pyramid. MLS is the top tier of that Pyramid. Until previously, the North American Soccer League was Tier 2, and USL was Tier 3. USL had a fair number of MLS Teams reserve sides. Then there were regional parts of a 4th tier.

Last season, US Soccer announced they were stripping NASL of its 2nd tier rights and granting those 2nd tier rights to the USL instead. That sparked a massive lawsuit out of the NASL that is still pending in court. NASL claims that US Soccer worked with MLS to force NASL to fold so that the MLS Preferred choice for Tier 2 the USL could take their spot. Since the move a bunch of NASL sides have moved to the USL, and NASL has had to postpone the start of its next season while the court case works itself out

USL's intention is to create a 2nd division within itself that would work as the 3rd tier of the American Soccer Pyramid. That is where the Statesboro team would play.


Normally in real soccer countries, teams within a division must fight for promotion and relegation, in which bottom teams are dropped to a new division and top teams are moved up. But MLS has been overtly against all forms of promotion and relegation because it allows them to help fund themselves with $150 Million franchise fees.

In all likelihood, most of these issues will be laid at the feet of the next US Soccer President, after the current one decided not to run for reelection in the wake of the National Teams failure to qualify for the World Cup. There are 8 candidates. 6 of which have indicated they will implement promotion and relegation, whether MLS Likes it or not. A couple more are promising to address the status of the NASL as well.

I hope, wish, plead, for them to go to promotion/relegation here. Adds excitement to the entire league and keeps teams from tanking like they do in the NFL and NBA.

(01-26-2018 08:46 AM)TrueBlueDrew Wrote:  It was announced at the basketball game last night that the future stadium of Tormenta FC will also be the future stadium of Georgia Southern Men's and Women's soccer.

One of the top college soccer venues in the country right on campus.

(01-26-2018 04:06 PM)EigenEagle Wrote:  

(01-26-2018 08:46 AM)TrueBlueDrew Wrote:  It was announced at the basketball game last night that the future stadium of Tormenta FC will also be the future stadium of Georgia Southern Men's and Women's soccer.

One of the top college soccer venues in the country right on campus.

Is it actually on campus? I thought it was next to campus, but not actually on campus.

Either way, this is big for Statesboro. How many towns the size of Statesboro have a professional sports team?

(01-26-2018 04:33 PM)Usajags Wrote:  

(01-26-2018 04:06 PM)EigenEagle Wrote:  

(01-26-2018 08:46 AM)TrueBlueDrew Wrote:  It was announced at the basketball game last night that the future stadium of Tormenta FC will also be the future stadium of Georgia Southern Men's and Women's soccer.

One of the top college soccer venues in the country right on campus.

Is it actually on campus? I thought it was next to campus, but not actually on campus.

Either way, this is big for Statesboro. How many towns the size of Statesboro have a professional sports team?

It's right across the street from campus but after the South Campus expansion is finished it'll be more like in the middle.

(01-26-2018 01:59 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(01-25-2018 09:25 AM)TrueBlueDrew Wrote:  

(01-25-2018 09:21 AM)Cajun_lannister Wrote:  

(01-25-2018 08:42 AM)ValleyBoy Wrote:  

Quote:STATESBORO, GA (WTOC) -
Tormenta FC will be announced as the first official team in the new United Soccer League - Division 3.

The USL vice president said on a radio show/podcast, Soccer Down Here, that Tormenta will be a founding member of the league.

The official unveiling will be on Thursday and you can watch the news conference live on D3’s official Facebook page.

Quote:The league is set to begin sometime in 2019. Again, the official announcement is expected on Thursday. More information is also expected on the proposed Tormenta stadium.

http://www.wtoc.com/story/37321780/torme...l-division

Is the USL the minor league of MLS or a semi-pro league ?

MLS is the top tier league in the USL. Previously, the USL only had two tiers: MLS and division 2. Tormenta FC will be the founding member of a new tier: division 3.

Not really sure that's correct.

MLS, USL, and other professional leagues are apart of the US Soccer Pyramid. MLS is the top tier of that Pyramid. Until previously, the North American Soccer League was Tier 2, and USL was Tier 3. USL had a fair number of MLS Teams reserve sides. Then there were regional parts of a 4th tier.

Last season, US Soccer announced they were stripping NASL of its 2nd tier rights and granting those 2nd tier rights to the USL instead. That sparked a massive lawsuit out of the NASL that is still pending in court. NASL claims that US Soccer worked with MLS to force NASL to fold so that the MLS Preferred choice for Tier 2 the USL could take their spot. Since the move a bunch of NASL sides have moved to the USL, and NASL has had to postpone the start of its next season while the court case works itself out

USL's intention is to create a 2nd division within itself that would work as the 3rd tier of the American Soccer Pyramid. That is where the Statesboro team would play.


Normally in real soccer countries, teams within a division must fight for promotion and relegation, in which bottom teams are dropped to a new division and top teams are moved up. But MLS has been overtly against all forms of promotion and relegation because it allows them to help fund themselves with $150 Million franchise fees.

In all likelihood, most of these issues will be laid at the feet of the next US Soccer President, after the current one decided not to run for reelection in the wake of the National Teams failure to qualify for the World Cup. There are 8 candidates. 6 of which have indicated they will implement promotion and relegation, whether MLS Likes it or not. A couple more are promising to address the status of the NASL as well.

Thanks for clearing that up

Soccer can be fun. When the World Cup was in the US (1994) Orlando was one of the cities hosting games- pool play and a round of 16 game. I attended several games and had an absolute blast.

As far as soccer in Statesboro is concerned, it should do just fine until ICE shows up.

Birmingham's USL team will be playing at UAB's "BBVA Compass Field", it is their on campus soccer field.

I was hoping Mobile (AFC Mobile) was going to make the move to USL3. I know league officials visited Mobile, but I didn't see much push from the team to move up. Could be a new team, leadership didn't want to commit to the increased cost, even though we lead the GCPL in attendance, by a large margin. They averaged about 1000 per game, and that was with a winless team.

(02-12-2018 09:36 PM)Usajags Wrote:  Birmingham's USL team will be playing at UAB's "BBVA Compass Field", it is their on campus soccer field.

I was hoping Mobile (AFC Mobile) was going to make the move to USL3. I know league officials visited Mobile, but I didn't see much push from the team to move up. Could be a new team, leadership didn't want to commit to the increased cost, even though we lead the GCPL in attendance, by a large margin. They averaged about 1000 per game, and that was with a winless team.

Statesboro’s team has been using GS’s soccer stadium and has better attendance than GS games so far so I guess the push for the new stadium is warranted. What a shame about Mobile’s team. I feel like that would have been a prime city for something like that.

(02-12-2018 09:43 PM)TrueBlueDrew Wrote:  

(02-12-2018 09:36 PM)Usajags Wrote:  Birmingham's USL team will be playing at UAB's "BBVA Compass Field", it is their on campus soccer field.

I was hoping Mobile (AFC Mobile) was going to make the move to USL3. I know league officials visited Mobile, but I didn't see much push from the team to move up. Could be a new team, leadership didn't want to commit to the increased cost, even though we lead the GCPL in attendance, by a large margin. They averaged about 1000 per game, and that was with a winless team.

Statesboro’s team has been using GS’s soccer stadium and has better attendance than GS games so far so I guess the push for the new stadium is warranted. What a shame about Mobile’s team. I feel like that would have been a prime city for something like that.

The USL3 is still a developing league, so maybe after we get through this season, with the same or better attendance success, AFC Mobile will attempt to make the move.