Internationals moving to Akron? New franchise for Cleveland?

[Spin]

The Cleveland Internationals were purchased and are moving to Akron U's Lee Jackson Field and St V/St M in 2011. They'll continue in the PDSL in the Great Lakes Conference as the Summit Assault (wtf?) of the Akron Metro FC.

Cleveland will be getting a new franchise, http://www.afccleveland.com/, unknown what level. And it will be affiliated with a long time English club. The first one that comes to my mind is, Cleveland? Premier League connection?

Aston Villa?

[Spin]

AFC Cleveland will play in the NPSL.

Not to be confused with the NPSL that resulted from the merger of the AISA and the ashes of the original MISL, which later changed it's name to the MISL. It's a new new NPSL.

OK, an outdoor NPSL. But not the original NPSL, which merged with the USA to form the NASL. The original NASL, not the now NASL. Which is a bunch of teams that broke away from the USL.


Awww to hell with it. When is Wolstein gonna bring us a dammed MLS team? Until then I'll just stick with college...

[Govbarney]

Well AFCCleveland and the Villans , both have lions in the crest, could be a sign... would be a natural fit. I do run into a supriseing amount of Villa Fans in Ohio, there used to be a Villa Supporters Club in Ctown as well, not sure if it still exists. Got one in Columbus as well, they get a nice showing Saturday mornings, at the local Soccer Pub.

[Spin]

It would be interesting to know if Randy Lerner (owner of Villa) has anything behind AFCCleveland somehow...

[Spin]

http://www.uslsoccer.com/home/502992.html

http://new.akronmetrofc.org/

[Govbarney]

Does anyone know if USL teams, and NASL teams can compete for the US Open cup? I assume as long as they play under FIFA rules they can...

[Spin]

As far as I know (which aint very far) the USL and MLS are sanctioned by FIFA. Whether the NASL and USL Second Divisions are this year, I have no clue. I don't believe the NPSL is.

Short answer, unless you keep up with the minute to minute alphabet soup of minor league and semi-pro soccer, it's hard to say. I have a very low opinion on the USL after the Caps and Stars debacles, and have lost touch with the whole three ring circus...