FC Tampa Bay Annouces Stadium, Players and Partnerships

Official Press Release



TAMPA, Fla. (January 27, 2025) - FC Tampa Bay Rowdies (FC Tampa Bay) announced today that the 2010 inaugural season will be played at George M. Steinbrenner Field. The announcement was made at a press conference in which team owner Andrew Nestor also released the names of players who have been signed to the 2010 roster and released ticket sales information.

FC Tampa Bay will begin the 2010 season in mid-April at George M. Steinbrenner Field, the 31-acre facility that is home to the New York Yankees spring training and the Tampa Yankees. The stadium soccer set-up and seat manifest will contain approximately 10,000 seats, including the Tampa Tribune Deck and luxury suites. Season tickets can be reserved with a $50 deposit online at www.fctampabay.com.


FC Tampa Bay will start its full team training camp and preseason on March 1, 2010. The team will play five to six preseason games throughout the Tampa Bay area. Season ticket packages and group tickets will go on sale in February and single-game tickets will go on sale in March.

“We are excited about playing at Steinbrenner Field and being involved with the Yankees. They are truly the most successful American sports brand, as well as an organization rooted deeply in the Tampa Bay community,” said Nestor. “The stadium is located at an optimal central location and the stadium fits our needs perfectly. We can’t wait to start the season at Steinbrenner Field.”

FC Tampa Bay also released the names of 13 players on the inaugural team roster, including three international players. Teams are allowed by US Soccer to have seven foreign players on the active roster. The international players are Jason Beardsley, Jeremy Christie and Adam Nowland. The domestic players also signed include Kwame “JJ” Adjeman-Pamboe, Dwight Barnett, Scott Buete, Yendry Diaz, Joe Donoho, Mozesh “Mozzi” Gyorio, Aaron King, Pascal Milien, John Raus and Graham Tatters.

Milien, a former University of Tampa (UT) player from Haiti, finished his college career at UT as the only player in NCAA Division II to be a back-to-back All-American. During his three years as a forward for the Spartans, Milien played in 57 games and scored 25 goals. His 79 points rank him ninth in UT’s history. Milien ranks third in UT history for game winning goals (10), and second in career assists (29). Milien also helped lead UT to the NCAA Division II Final Four in 2008.

“Its a historic day in the rebirth of professional soccer in Tampa,” said head coach Paul Dalglish. “With the players we announced today we have a terrific base for a winning team and look forward to announcing even more exciting players in the coming weeks.”

Mr. Tom Dempsey, owner of Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel, Fla. was also announced as a new team investor. Mainsail Lodging and Development Group was announced as the exclusive housing partner of the FC Tampa Bay organization.

Finally, FC Tampa Bay announced that its Academy International Residency Program will be headquartered at Saddlebrook Resort. TBR Academy Residency Program will start with 20 to 25 international and domestic players. Players will be housed and schooled at Saddlebrook, as well as trained by the FC Tampa Bay Academy coaching staff led by Technical Director Perry Van Der Beck.

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Crystal Palace Baltimore Press Conference Highlights

Official Press Release

A WHOLE NEW BALLGAME FOR CRYSTAL PALACE BALTIMORE
Press Conference Highlights Exciting Changes for 2010 and Beyond
January 27th 2010 - Baltimore, MD

2010 - A Whole New Ballgame!
The New Year rang in many changes for Crystal Palace Baltimore, the most notable being its inclusion in the new North American Soccer League (NASL) as a charter member and playing the 2010 season in the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) Division 2. We are excited and honored to be a part of this new league and to be able to compete against traditional powerhouses such as Vancouver Whitecaps FC, the Portland Timbers and the Montreal Impact.

Name and Crest
Crystal Palace is proud to call Baltimore its home and is humbled by the commitment of the city’s passionate soccer fan-base. The club is pleased to announce that the name Crystal Palace Baltimore will now be used exclusively, replacing all former use of the name Crystal Palace USA. This change will be reflected in the club's official logo (see email attachment.)

Website
As part of the official name change, the web address for Crystal Palace Baltimore is now www.PalaceBaltimore.com (www.CrystalPalaceBaltimore.com will also work)

New League - New Level - New Players
This new league brings with it a whole new level of competition to the city of Baltimore - something Palace and its fans alike will welcome. With perennial heavyweights in its ranks like the Puerto Rico Islanders and Montreal Impact (both of whom gave Mexican and Honduran teams a run for their money in international competition last season), as well as the Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Portland Timbers, Palace has had to beef up its squad with a host of off-season signings.


* Japanese midfielder Tsuyoshi Yoshitake played last season with the Charleston Battery, tallying 6 goals and 5 assists in 27 appearances. Before coming to the USA, the speedy 28-year old spent a year at Tokyo Verdy 1969, having spent the previous six seasons at Yokohama FC helping them win promotion to the J1 league in 2006. Yoshitake’s career J-League totals include 150 games played with 15 goals and 10 assists.

* Randi Patterson, a 24-year old forward from Hackensack, New Jersey, also comes to us from Charleston where he scored an impressive 19 goals in his two seasons with the club. He has full national team credentials having represented Trinidad & Tobago on two occasions. Patterson spent four years at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where he earned two-time Southern Conference Player of the Year and NCSAA All-American honors. He finished his college career with a remarkable 61 goals - fifth all time at UNCG - and 19 assists.

* Korey Veeder, whose signing was announced last week, is training in Baltimore before heading over to train and eventually play in Europe. The 18-year old St. Petersburg, Florida native was a member of the elite US U-17 National Team residency program in Bradenton, Florida from 2007 to 2008, representing his country on 21 occasions. The defensive midfielder is currently a member of the US U-18 National Team pool. Veeder was named to the NSCAA/ADIDAS All-American Team in 2007 and 2008.


The full line-up of the other eleven teams that Palace Baltimore will face in 2010:

* AC St. Louis
* Austin Aztex
* Carolina Railhawks
* Miami FC
* Minnesota (name to be announced shortly)
* Montreal Impact
* Portland Timbers
* Puerto Rico Islanders
* Rochester Rhinos
* Tampa Bay Rowdies
* Vancouver Whitecaps FC


Schedule
Opening weekend will be April 9th and the league schedule will run through the end of October.

New GM - Keith Lupton
Crystal Palace Baltimore is proud to announce the appointment of new General Manager, Keith Lupton. Lupton has spent 28 years refining his Midas touch in sports management. From his days of owning and operating the Winchester Royals Summer Development Team (where he helped 35 players sign with MLB affiliates), to starting and managing Baltimore Orioles affiliates in Hagerstown, Bowie, Frederick and Salisbury, and to his most recent endeavors in starting independent baseball teams in Lancaster, York and Waldorf, everything he has touched has turned to gold.

It is this level of success that he brings to Palace as the club embarks on its newest chapter as a charter member of the new NASL.

Keith Lupton's career highlights:

Hagerstown Suns, Assistant General Manager (Carolina League) 1981


Frederick Keys, General Manager (Class A), 1990-94

* League Champions, 1990
* General Manager of the Year, 1990-93
* General Manager of the Nation, 1990


Bowie Baysox, General Manager (Orioles Franchise Eastern League), 1994-96

* General Manager of the Year, 1994


Delmarva Shorebirds, General Manager (Southern Atlantic League), 1996-98

* League Champions, 1997
* General Manager of the Year, 1997


Maryland Baseball (Now Opening Day Partners), Vice-President, 1998-present


Fall Developmental League, President


New Orleans Zephyrs (Houston Astros AAA Affiliate), Full-time Consultant, 2001


Other Independent Teams started:

Lancaster Barnstormer

York Revolution
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs


Flex Season Ticket Package
This season, Palace Baltimore offers its fans an 18-ticket flex package at $188 (face value of $288). With the newer flex package format, fans are not limited to having to go to every game to get the full value of a season ticket package, but now have the freedom to pick which game they would like to see and also the number of people they would like to take. Flex Season Tickets can be purchased at Palace Baltimore’s online shop or by calling 410-933-8326

In attendance at today's press conference were:

* Randall Medd, Chairman - Crystal Palace Baltimore
* Pete Medd, President and Co-Head Coach - Crystal Palace Baltimore
* Jim Cherneski, Sporting Director, Founder and Co-Head Coach - Crystal Palace Baltimore
* Keith Lupton, Executive Vice President, General Manager - Crystal Palace Baltimore
* Peter Kirk, Chairman - Opening Day Partners
* Val Teixeira, Player - Crystal Palace Baltimore
* Andrew Marshall, Player - Crystal Palace Baltimore
* Korey Veeder, Player - Crystal Palace Baltimore

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Update on Crystal Palace Baltimore

News broke this morning that Crystal Palace, currently playing in the English Championship, will enter administration due to financial issues. We speculated that the news might effect Palace Baltimore since the two clubs are connected but thanks to a quick response from NASL and the club, we can report that there is no need for concern for Baltimore soccer fans.

First off some links...

HERE is a link to the story about Palace UK that details their situation from The Guardian

HERE is a link to the official statement from Palace UK


As for Crystal Palace USA, the club just released this statement via Twitter:

Unfortunate news from Palace (UK) - for the sake of all the staff, players and fans, let's hope for a speedy and positive resolution. This will not effect Crystal Palace Baltimore as we prepare for the upcoming USSF D2 season

It's important to note that Crystal Palace USA is 100% owned by local, Maryland investors and thus will not be affected by or involved with the UK administration proceedings.

Good news for both the club and the NASL.

One other point of interest. We looked in to the trademark of FC Baltimore and as expected, the NASL owns the trademark. We asked around about the possibility of a name change and were told by a sourcethat FC Baltimore will not be used for the foreseeable future.

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AC St. Louis Selects 14 Players From Open Tryouts

Official Press Release

ST. LOUIS, MO (January 24, 2025) - AC St. Louis of the new North American Soccer League (NASL) held open tryouts at The Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park on January 23 and 24. Nearly 90 players from the St. Louis area and from 12 different states attended the two-day session. Director of Player Development Francisco Filho and Head Coach Claude Anelka announced on Monday January 25 that 14 players from the open tryouts will move forward and participate in the club’s invitational tryouts to be held on January 30 and 31. The invitational tryout will feature at least 48 players who will be competing for a spot on the AC St. Louis roster. The invitational tryout will be conducted at Rams Park in Earth City, Missouri, which is the practice facility for the NFL’s St. Louis Rams.

“We were pleasantly surprised with the quality of player that turned out for this open tryout,” stated Claude Anelka. “We want to thank everyone who came for making the effort to be here, and for taking the time to be a part of this process.”

“We did our best to be just in our choices,” reflected Francisco Filho. “I want to state to those who we did not select that they must keep playing and moving forward in their careers. It is not over for them. These were difficult choices. I encourage those players to keep fighting and to keep trying until they find a team that is right for them.

The following players have been selected to attend the invitational tryout on January 30 and 31.



Joshua Aranda Midfielder Saint Louis University St. Louis, Missouri

Nikolay Aleksandrov Defender George Washington University Washington, DC

Chad Becker Goalkeeper Rockhurst University St. Charles, Missouri

Greg Crook Goalkeeper Southern Illinois-Edwardsville Collinsville, Illinois

William England Fwd/Mid Belmont Abbey Springfield, Illinois

Samuel Hackett Fwd/Mid Meramec Community College St. Louis, Missouri

Foday Kamara Defender Prince George’s Community College Hyattsville, Maryland

Damir Kordic Forward Missouri Baptist University St. Louis, Missouri

Ryanell McPherson Fwd/Mid Alabama A&M University St. Louis, Missouri

Ryan Moore Midfielder St. Lawrence University Keene, NH

Ian Quattrochi Fwd/Mid University of Connecticut St. Louis, Missouri

Juan Reyes Defender University of Central Florida Carol Stream, Illinois

Daniel Tongo Defender Lincoln Land Community College Springfield, Illinois

Gary Volk Defender Colgate University Lexington, Kentucky

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Palace Baltimore to Name New GM Wednesday

Jeff Hemelt of Examiner.com is reporting that Crystal Palace Baltimore will name Keith Lupton as the club's new general manager in a press conference on Wednesday. As part of the event, Palace will unveil their 2010 USSF 2nd Division schedule.

We'll have more on this announcement as it becomes available.

Crystal Palace Baltimore will hold a press conference at ESPN Zone in Baltimore on Wednesday, January 27th, at 11:30 am. The team plans to introduce new general manager Keith Lupton at the event, in addition to unveiling the schedule for the 2010 USSF Division 2 season.

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Rowdies to Sign Jeremy Christie

Official Press Release

FC TAMPA BAY ROWDIES SIGN NEW ZEALAND NATIONAL TEAM MIDFIELDER JEREMY CHRISTIE

TAMPA, Fla. - FC Tampa Bay Rowdies announce the signing of New Zealand midfielder Jeremy Christie to the inaugural 2010 team roster. Christie represents New Zealand on the Senior National Team. Most recently, Christie played a critical role in New Zealand qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, playing in five qualifiers and scoring a goal. Christie also played for New Zealand in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup.

“Jeremy Christie has the experience and skill to be a true leader on the field and in our locker room. He has played well at the highest level for his country since the age of 16,” said Andrew Nestor, team owner and president. “Jeremy is the kind of player whose skill and professionalism will exemplify our club.”

Christie began his extensive soccer career in New Zealand, serving as the captain of the U-17 World Cup team in 1999. Christie’s first professional club was Barnsley FC in England where he played for the first team. For the past five years, the midfielder has played in the Australian A-League for the New Zealand Knights, Perth Glory and Wellington Phoenix.

Christie, who debuted for the Senior National Team in 2005, has played more than 20 games for his country and is scheduled to represent New Zealand at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. New Zealand will play in Group F versus Italy, Paraguay and Slovakia.

“I’m excited to be a part of the Rowdies in their inaugural season,” said Christie. “I look forward to moving to Florida and working with the remarkable Rowdies coaching staff and organization.”

This is the first signing for the Rowdies, who will play their first match in April. Teams in the NASL are allowed to sign seven foreign players and Christie is the first international signed to the Rowdies 2010 roster.

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Kartik Krishnaiyer named NASL Director of Communcations and PR

Official Press Release

NASL Hires Director of Communications and Public Relations
Renowned Soccer Journalist and Blogger, Kartik Krishnaiyer becomes first Official NASL Employee

MIAMI, FL (January 20, 2025) - The North American Soccer League(NASL) announced the hiring of Kartik Krishnaiyer as its first Director of Communications and Public Relations.

Best known in soccer circles as the host of the EPLTalk.com and MajorLeagueSoccerTalk.com podcasts, Krishnaiyer's connection to the NASL date back to 1981, when he was a ball boy for the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.

Possessing an extensive background in public relations and communications (including experience at the local, state, and federal levels of government), Krishnaiyer has remained connected to soccer in the United States as host of the American Soccer Show on Champions Sports Radio Network(2007-2008) as well as through extensive writing about the game, which he has done since 2006. He has also been a guest analyst on several radio shows and podcasts including Inside the Six, Football Partnerships, the 710 ESPN Soccer Show, the Orange Slice show on 1560 AM in Houston, The Third Half, Soccerlens Podcast and The Football Pub.
Krishnaiyer, who also writes, maintains and owns the independent soccer website, the Kartik Report, will substantially reduce his outside writing and broadcasting work after January31st. Krishnaiyer's contributions to EPL Talk will be singly focused around the World Cup tournament this summer, while he will stop writing for Major League Soccer Talk and the Kartik Report completely.

Krishnaiyer's other experience includes working with candidates for public office, issue advocacy groups, and private sector corporations. As a co-owner, he has also recently been part of a new soccer-related website,SetPieceAnalysts.com.

"In todays 24/7 Internet world and given the fact that soccer fans in North America use the web as a primary resource for the sport, Kartik is undoubtedly the perfect person to lead communications and public relations for the new NASL. He is one of the most recognizable bloggers and soccer writers in general in North America and brings instant credibility. We look forward to growing the awareness of the new NASL and our teams amongst the media and fans under Kartik's leadership," commented Aaron Davidson, President of Miami FC, VP of Traffic Sports and also serving as Director of the Marketing Committee for the NASL.

Krishnaiyer's appointment is with immediate effect. He will begin working out of the Miami offices of Traffic Sports, the sales and marketing agency for the league.

"I am excited to join a group of innovative owners and clubs that are committed to growing the game in North America while honoring the history and legacy of the original NASL," Krishnaiyer said.

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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.

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Korey Veeder Signs With Palace Batimore

Official Press Release

PALACE BALTIMORE SIGN U.S. YOUTH NATIONAL TEAM PLAYER

Korey Veeder Inks 3 Year Contract, Heading over To Europe to Develop

January 18th 2010 - Baltimore, MD - Crystal Palace Baltimore have signed 18-year old Korey Veeder to a three-year contract. The former US U-17 National Team midfielder/defender will spend the next several weeks training in Baltimore before heading over to Crystal Palace in London. The St. Petersburg, Florida native will then train with the English Championship club prior to a loan move to a continental European club, which will allow him to obtain E.U. work status. A further announcement will be made once the loan move has been finalized.

"We initially saw Korey two and a half years ago in a tournament in New Jersey and we recognized that he had special talent," stated Palace Baltimore's Sporting Director and Co-Head Coach Jim Cherneski, who also serves as Chief Scout for North America for Crystal Palace in London. "Six months after that, we sent him over to the UK where he spent two weeks being looked over by our Academy staff. We all liked him a lot and the London club wanted to keep him, but due to FIFA rules on age and work permits, we weren't able to bring him over at the time. But we have a good relationship with Peter Mannino, Director of Coaching at the Clearwater Chargers, so we were able to stay in close contact over the following two years.

Cherneski concluded: "We're very pleased with Korey's continued development and now we're excited to help launch his pro career. We believe he's a special player with special talent and we believe he's going to be a very good professional player."

Gary Issot, Coach of the London club's U-18 Academy team, remarked: "When Korey was over here 2 years ago, he did very well. He played in a friendly against Queens Park Rangers and did very well at right back. We were really impressed with his passing from full back and his technical quality. At the time we would have loved to have signed him, but we weren't able to make it happen. He's got a terrific attitude and looks like he could adapt to English football well. We were really encouraged by his performances."

Born October 3rd 1991, Veeder was a member of the elite US U-17 National Team residency program in Bradenton, Florida from 2007 to 2008, representing his country on 21 occasions. He is currently a member of the US U-18 National Team pool. Veeder was named to the NSCAA/ADIDAS All-American Team in 2007 and 2008. He played his club soccer with the Clearwater Chargers Soccer Club in Clearwater, Florida from 2005 to 2008.

"I've loved watching and playing soccer since I was very young," said Veeder. "I'd been hoping to get signed as a pro one day, so this is a dream come true. I'd love to get to play for Crystal Palace in London and then eventually play in the Premier League."

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CP Baltimore Appoints New Assistant Coach

Official Press Release

PALACE BALTIMORE APPOINT TODD WAWROUSEK AS ASSISTANT COACH
Former Vancouver Whitecaps Assistant Brings Extensive Experience to New NASL Club

January 12th 2010 - Baltimore, MD - Crystal Palace Baltimore is pleased to announce the appointment of Todd Wawrousek as Assistant Coach. The former Vancouver Whitecaps FC Assistant Coach began his tenure at the club last week, in time to join the organization's owners and coaches for the inaugural NASL Annual General Meeting and the MLS combine.

"We are very excited and fortunate to be able to have Todd join our staff," stated Crystal Palace Baltimore President and Co-Head Coach Pete Medd. "He has 10 years of experience at the American Division 2 level, he's extremely knowledgeable about the game and about the player personnel at this tier. As we made the decision to go to the US second division, we felt it was crucial to add someone to our staff that has intimate knowledge of that level and personnel, and we couldn't have found a better fit than Todd."

Jim Cherneski, the club's Founder, Sporting Director and Co-Head Coach added: "We are excited to have Todd join us here. We did one of our coaching courses together last year and spent some good time getting to know him then. He's going to be a very valuable addition to our staff."

"I'm very pleased to have the opportunity to come to a club as ambitious as Crystal Palace Baltimore" remarked Wawrousek. "I'm very excited with the ownership group's vision for the team. I hope I can share a little bit from my toolkit to enhance the performance and the brand. I think this club has an extremely bright future and I feel very privileged to be a part of that."

"Todd and I had two very successful seasons together here in Vancouver. He not only did a tremendous job for me, but for the club as well," said Vancouver Whitecaps FC head coach Teitur Thordarson. "I’m very happy that Todd has received this opportunity with Crystal Palace Baltimore. I wish him all the best in his new role."

A native of Reading, Pennsylvania, Wawrousek has enjoyed an impressive coaching career spanning nearly three decades at both the professional and college levels, as well as in youth soccer.

PROFESSIONAL
As Assistant Coach for Vancouver Whitecaps FC for the past three seasons, Wawrousek helped guide the club to the 2007 USL1 playoffs, the 2008 USL1 Championship title and the USL1 Championship Finals in 2009. He held the same position with the Hershey Wildcats in the USISL A-League (the predecessor to USL1) from 1997 to 2001, where his team reached the 2001 Championship Finals.

COLLEGE
Wawrousek's lengthy college career culminated in an 18-year term as Head Coach of the Gettysburg College (Pennsylvania) Women's Soccer Team. Between 1990 and 2007, his team amassed an overall record of 195 wins, 108 losses and 12 ties, reaching the Centennial Conference Championships on five occasions and the NCAA playoffs six times. He was named NSCAA Coach of the Year for the Mid Atlantic Region in 1993, 1994 and 1998, and Mid Atlantic Conference Coach of the Year in 1992. Prior to 1990, he served as Assistant Coach with the men's soccer programs at Elizabethtown College (Pennsylvania) where his side won the 1989 Division III National Championship title, Alfred University (New York), Millersville University (Pennsylvania) and the University of Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania).

YOUTH
His youth coaching experience includes successful stints with various FC DELCO (Pennsylvania) teams and the Olympic Development Program in Eastern Pennsylvania.

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NASL Holds Inaugural AGM

NASL HOLDS INAUGURAL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Eleven Teams Meet in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to Plan for the Future

January 11th 2010 - Baltimore, MD - The North American Soccer League (NASL) held its inaugural annual general meeting in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, from January 7 to 9. Representatives of the 11 member teams attended the meeting and made several key decisions following the announcement by the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) last Thursday that teams from the NASL would play in a league administered by the USSF in for 2010 season.

The NASL's teams confirmed that they will work with the USSF and representatives of the three teams from the United Soccer Leagues which will be playing in the combined 2010 USSF Second Division League, to finalize the schedule for the season as soon as possible.

The members also unanimously approved a partnership with MRX, a leading full-service event and technology company in Canada, to build an online network for the NASL and its member teams. The league's website will be launched later this week in conjunction with the National Soccer Coaches Association of America convention being held from January 13 to 17 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at which the NASL will have a booth.

Other decisions taken by the members included: (i) the establishment of several working committees of the Board of Governors, including the Executive, Finance, Expansion, Marketing, Broadcast and Competition Committees; (ii) the submission to the USSF of recommendations regarding competition-related matters for the 2010 season; and (iii) league executive staffing hires which will be announced in the coming weeks.

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USSF's 2nd Division Plan for 2010

The US Soccer Federation announced today it will sanction and run a USSF Second Division in 2010 with 12 teams and two conferences. This agreement is for the 2010 season only and the two groups will continue to negotiate with the USSF to create a permanent solution to the USL/NASL split.

NASL Conference
Carolina Railhawks
Crystal Palace Baltimore
Miami FC
Montreal Impact
AC St. Louis
Vancouver Whitecaps

USL Conference
Austin Aztex
Minnesota
Portland Timbers
Puerto Rico Islanders
Tampa Bay Rowdies
Rochester Rhinos

Jeff DiVeronica of the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle has a complete rundown of the USSF announcement HERE.

Here is the official press release from the USSF:

DIVISION 2 PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE TO OPERATE IN 2010

U.S. Soccer Will Oversee Two Conference League


CHICAGO (Jan. 7, 2009) - The U.S. Soccer Federation, United Soccer Leagues (USL) and the North American Soccer League (NASL) have come to an agreement on the formation and operation of a Division 2 professional soccer league for the 2010 season. Under the agreement, U.S. Soccer will oversee the league for the 2010 season, working with both the USL and NASL on the day-to-day league activities.

The agreement pertains only to the 2010 season, and during the next year U.S. Soccer will continue to work with USL and NASL to build a long-term solution for the future. U.S. Soccer will also be developing new standards to govern Division 2 professional league applicants to ensure the long term viability and sustainability of the leagues and teams.

“We are extremely pleased that we were able to come to a solution that ensures we will have Division 2 professional soccer in the United States in 2010,” said U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati. “This agreement allows us to continue to develop the professional game in many important markets around the country, while at the same time working towards the long-term stability of Division 2 professional soccer. I’d like to thank the representatives from both the USL and NASL for the time spent during our negotiations, especially their efforts in the past seven days.”

The league will consist of two six-team conferences - the USL Conference and the NASL Conference. The USL Conference will include teams from Austin, Minnesota, Portland, Puerto Rico, Rochester and Tampa Bay. The NASL Conference will consist of teams from Baltimore, Carolina, Miami, Montreal, St. Louis and Vancouver.

In the near future, U.S. Soccer will announce details of the new league, including league rules, a match schedule, television rights and other important operational issues.

As part of the agreement, all pending claims between the USL and NASL will be dropped.

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