Association supports resolution for new soccer league

The US Soccer Federation, North American Soccer League (NASL), and United Soccer Leagues (USL) announced this afternoon the formation of a new North American Division 2 professional soccer league to begin play in April of 2010. The US Soccer Federation will oversee the league in 2010 while it develops a long-term solution for the future. The new league will consist of two six-team conferences – the USL Conference and the NASL Conference. Vancouver Whitecaps FC and the Montréal Impact will both play in the NASL Conference.
“The Canadian Soccer Association supports the resolution announced today for Division 2 professional soccer in North America,” said Canadian Soccer Association General Secretary Peter Montopoli. “The Montréal Impact and Vancouver Whitecaps FC contribute significantly in developing the game of soccer in Canada. We look forward to working with this new league to promote professional soccer in Canada.”
The 2010 Nutrilite Canadian Championship will feature Canada’s three top professional clubs – Division 2’s Montréal Impact and Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Major League Soccer’s Toronto FC – competing for the Voyageurs Cup. The 2010 winner of the six match tournament will advance to represent Canada in 2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League season.
The 12-team league will be made up of two conferences – the NASL Conference and the USL Conference. The six teams in the NASL Conference are, Montréal, Vancouver, Baltimore, Carolina, Miami, and St. Louis. The six teams in the USL Conference are Austin, Minnesota, Portland, Puerto Rico, Rochester and Tampa Bay.