Join Now  | 
Home About Contact Us Privacy & Security Advertise
Soccer America Daily Special Edition Around The Net Soccer Business Insider College Soccer Reporter Youth Soccer Reporter Soccer on TV Soccer America Classifieds
Paul Gardner: SoccerTalk Soccer America Confidential Youth Soccer Insider World Cup Watch
RSS Feeds Archives Manage Subscriptions Subscribe
Order Current Issue Subscribe Manage My Subscription Renew My Subscription Gift Subscription
My Account Join Now
Tournament Calendar Camps & Academies Soccer Glossary Classifieds
7. USL1: Mariners dumped overboard
March 29th, 2007 7:37PM
Subscribe to Soccer America Daily


MOST READ


USL has terminated its troubled USL-1 club, the Virginia Beach Mariners, releasing all their players and reducing the USL-1 to 12 teams just two weeks before the start of the 2007 season. The fate of the PDL's Submariners remains to be determined.

The Mariners' demise came after the apparent sale of the team from Norfolk businessman Jerry McDonnell to a company owned by Florida businessman Mike Sidebottom never went through. Sidebottom announced in December that he had bought the team but two weeks ago claimed he didn't own the team, saying McDonnell never followed through with the sale -- a charge McDonnell denied.

"This is an extremely unfortunate situation for everyone involved," said USL Executive Vice President and COO Tim Holt. "The Virginia Beach Sportsplex is an excellent facility, there is a great core of dedicated fans, and in many ways the Mariners were headed in a positive direction for the first time in several years. To have this happen in the 11th hour has been a stunning development for all, especially given the rise in the quality of ownership across the league the past few years and the stability that has come with it."

The Mariners were to be coached by former FC Dallas head coach Colin Clarke in 2007. Trouble surfaced in mid-March when the players and staff weren't paid, and Clarke canceled practice. Sidebottom downplayed the situation, telling the Virginia Pilot, "I don't think any harm has really been done to anyone other than the players missing practice, I'm sure the players were disappointed, but I don't think any particular damage has been done to sponsors or fans.''

Tidewater soccer had seen five ownership changes since the debut of the Hampton Roads Hurricanes in 1994. The Mariners became part of the A-League in 1998 but did not qualify for the playoffs in five of their eight seasons -- including the last three in a row. They were on hiatus in 2001.

The only other USL-1 team not returning in 2007 is the Toronto Lynx, which stepped aside with the arrival of MLS's Toronto FC. The Long Island Rough Riders and Pittsburgh Riverhounds, both former A-League clubs, did not return to the USL-2. New pro teams in 2007 include the USL-1's California Victory and Carolina RailHawks. There are new USL-2 teams in Bermuda, Baltimore and Cleveland. The Baltimore team is affiliated with English club Crystal Palace.

2007 USL PRO ALIGNMENT:
USL-1
Atlanta Silverbacks
California Victory (new)
Carolina RailHawks (new)
Charleston Battery
Miami FC
Minnesota Thunder
Montreal Impact
Portland Timbers
Puerto Rico Islanders
Rochester Raging Rhinos
Seattle Sounders
Vancouver Whitecaps
USL-2
Bermuda Hogges (new)
Charlotte Eagles
Cincinnati Kings
Cleveland City Stars (new)
Crystal Palace Baltimore (new)
Harrisburg City Islanders
New Hampshire Phantoms
Richmond Kickers
Western Mass Pioneers
Wilmington Hammerheads


No comments yet.

Sign in to leave a comment. Don't have an account? Join Now


AUTHORS

ARCHIVES
FOLLOW SOCCERAMERICA

Recent Soccer America Daily
What They're Saying    
"It's easy to enjoy your vacation and enjoy some cold beers and swimming pools on a ...
Gotta keep your eye on the ball, keeper!    
[VIDEO PICK: Off the Post] This own goal, which turned out to be a Finnish First ...
Mexico hopes to continue mastery of Brazil    
[CONFEDERATIONS CUP] Mexico may be slumping, but Brazil considers it a thorn in its side -- ...
Jozy and Johnson move USA closer to Brazil    
[USA-HONDURAS] Jozy Altidore has paved a smooth path to Brazil for the USA. The red-hot striker ...
Thorns FC lands Weimer from Fortuna Hjorring    
[NWSL] Portland Thorns FC, tied for first place with Sky Blue FC, signed forward Tiffany Weimer ...
Several scenarios possible for U.S. clincher on Day 7    
[HEXAGONAL] The USA clinched a berth in the World Cup 2006 finals when its 2-0 win ...
Bombazos keep Ticos in second place    
[HEXAGONAL] Costa Rica remained in second place two points behind the USA in the Hexagonal with ...
Altidore does it again to move Yanks closer to World Cup    
[USA-HONDURAS] The USA beat Honduras, 1-0, on Jozy Altidore's goal in the 73rd minute -- his ...
Important games on tap for Montreal and Portland    
[MLS SCHEDULE: Week 17] The surprise teams of the season so far face tough tests Wednesday ...
The 'Special 1' as you've never seen him before     
[VIDEO PICK: Special 1] Jose Mourinho opens up for a heartfelt chat where the coach talks ...
>> Soccer America Daily Archives