NASL Post Open Letter to Soccer Supporters

The purpose of this letter is to explain our story, how we arrived at this point and what our goals are for 2010 and beyond.

It is a clear fact that soccer continues its explosion in North America with record levels of youth participation and growing interest, all while professional teams are building successful traditions in every region of the continent. The owners of the NASL recognize this opportunity and have come together for the good of the game.

In 2006, we first met and laid out the plan to take our group of franchises to a higher level of quality and exposure to meet the growing expectations of the North American soccer supporter. This was the first of countless planning sessions that created a formidable cohesion of the individual franchises to work together to achieve set goals.

"With soccer in North America at record levels in terms of participation, interest and growth, the vision of the NASL is to raise the overall level of quality to meet the demands of the supporters. The USSF is rigorously pursuing hosting a World Cup in the next eight to 12 years and the owners of the NASL intend on being a major contributor to winning that bid" -Jeff Cooper, owner AC St. Louis.

Throughout the process the goal of the NASL was to achieve autonomy and become recognized as a newly formed independent soccer league. On Jan. 7, 2010, the U.S. Soccer Federation announced it plans to administer a new professional soccer league, including the nine teams of the newly formed NASL along with three teams from the USL-1, for the 2010 season.

The NASL is proud to work with the USSF in 2010 to provide consistency in competition for the players and the fans. This year the nine NASL teams will compete on the field in the newly formed 12-team league, while off of the field the owners will continue to develop forward thinking goals and the strategies to achieve them.

The goals being formulated will focus on proper branding, marketing and the commercial viability of the NASL. We will also place emphasis on exciting new player development plans for current players while allowing even more players opportunities for 2010 and beyond.

"With insight from general managers, coaches and players in the NASL, the owners will submit recommendations to the USSF on competition and player development. The purpose is to provide quality opportunities for current players and allow even more players opportunities to develop and thrive, all in the name of advancing the sport in North America" -Fernando Clavijo, director of player development of NASL.

Based on game results it has been demonstrated year after year that because of the high quality of players and coaches that the NASL teams develop, our clubs can compete with top professional clubs from around the globe. One core aspect of our mission is to raise the perception of the NASL from the perspective of current fans and quickly reach new fans through the most modern means of communication and media.

"In 2009 Carolina hosted exhibition matches with an MLS team, A Mexican Premier Division team and a CONCACAF National team, we won all three matches. Those matches need to be seen, that story needs to be told." -Selby Wellman, owner of Carolina RailHawks FC.

Beginning in 2010 fans can expect higher visibility from the NASL in several aspects. Fans can expect consistent real-time, insightful information from our communications department. In launching this first revolution of our web site, fans can instantly sign up for the NASL newsletter and receive up-to-date information regarding their favorite team and players. Also expect busy social networking traffic promoting fans the opportunity to have healthy discussions and debates on how the league is performing and suggestions on how to improve.

"The fans need to have a voice, we will listen; our fans are the number one asset to the success of the NASL, period." -Rob Clark, owner Rochester Rhinos.

This is just the start of an exciting new direction that the NASL plans to roll out in 2010 and well beyond. We know that with the experience in this group of owners and the cohesive bond we have established we will deliver on what we plan.

Thank you for visiting NASL.com and be sure to sign up for the NASL newsletter, which can be done on the home page. We thank you for the continued support and look forward to seeing you at all of our matches this season and beyond.