Are the days in the USL-1 over for both the Montreal Impact and the Whitecaps?
Yes, negotiations with the several existing USL First Division clubs considering forming a breakaway circuit are over says USL CEO Alec Papadakis.
“The negotiations are finished. We decided to continue our preparations for the season 2010 with the teams which wished to remain with us. I would like to thank the two Canadian teams, the Whitecaps and the Impact, for all that contribution to the USL for the past few years,” said Papadakis in a Montreal radio interview.
“While the statements made in the earlier interview were accurate in that we have ceased negotiations with the (breakaway) Team Owner’s Association as a group, we remain in dialogue with certain individual TOA teams about their possible participation in USL-1 for 2010. We are open to the return of the Montreal Impact and Vancouver Whitecaps to USL-1 for 2010; however, we continue to move forward with our preparations for next season.”
The Whitecaps have one more year to go before joining Major League Soccer in 2011. Yes, the Whitecaps are in limbo.
“While it’s true we haven’t been in dialogue with the USL we have never been told we wouldn’t be welcome back nor have we made a decision that we will be back. We’re still in limbo. One way or another the Whitecaps will be playing soccer next season,” president Bob Lenarduzzi said.
Yes, the Montreal Impact are in negotiations.
“Following the press release issued earlier by the USL, I would also like to confirm that there are still ongoing talks between the Montreal Impact and the USL,” declared Montreal Impact President Joey Saputo.
“The negotiations are not over. We continue to work on various options, including the possibility of seeing the Impact in the USL-1 in 2010.”
Team Ownership Association Update
The Carolina RailHawks, Miami FC and the Minnesota Thunder — are also unhappy with the ownership structure of the USL-1.
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