I've been saying this for a while... I don't think it's going to happen.

I've been saying this for a while... I don't think it's going to happen.

And even if it doesn't, there is STILL nothing wrong with a 2nd tier league stadium in the CO-OP spot. Soccer does NOT have to be MLS to be successful here. That said, it's nice to have the goal there, I like that they're striving for it.

Exactly, and there is nothing wrong with having a primary goal while giving yourself the option of pursuing a secondary goal if the opportunity comes up.

Work on making a great 2nd League experience: good product on the field and a great stadium to play in. And while a stadium is being build you can make sure that it either meets, or is able to be expanded to meet, 1st League standards.

The Peake wasn't always the arena the Thunder now call home, but it was build with the option to expand it into what we now enjoy.

https://twitter.com/usl/status/817553676843642880

Welp that settles that whole ordeal

Both USL and NASL have provisional D2 status now, so still confusion. The USSF probably just didn't want to get involved with lawsuits once NASL teams officially ditch the league, which they would be allowed to do without a penalty once it's D3.

What does this mean?

What does this mean?

In 2016, MLS was Division 1, NASL was Division 2, and USL was Division 3 (think MLB, AAA, and AA Leagues). NASL is falling apart and the USL is gaining strength (higher attendance and better financials) so they applied to become the Division 2 League rather than NASL. The US Soccer Federation has been delaying a decision for over a month now, and now decided that both will be considered Division 2 in 2017 instead of having one league in D2 and one in D3.

The standards that the leagues, and individual teams, have to meet is higher for Division 2 than Division 3, such as 5,000 seat stadium vs 1,000 seat stadium and having to have teams in metropolitan areas. The prestige is also higher for a Division 2 league, which would result in better sponsorship and television deals, and arguably better talent among players. Division 2 teams HAVE to compete in CONCACAF competitions if eligible, a requirement that doesn't exist for Division 3 teams.

Some other tangible benefits would also better seeding in the US Open Cup for Division 2 teams if the current system remains in place adding 3rd Division teams into the competition prior to adding 2nd Division teams.

The downside to NASL remaining Division 2 is that there are a few teams that are wanting to leave the NASL who do not want to pay the penalty. If the NASL drops below a certain number (I think it's 8 teams, and they currently have 8) then there is no penalty to leave the league, and I think 3 teams are currently wanting to split from the league. The first team will have to pay a very large fine, but then the other two teams get to leave for free. So no team wants to make the first move. If the league drops to Division 3, then the teams are free to leave (at least that is my understanding). Rumors have it that the USSF didn't want the possibility of a lawsuit by the NASL saying they caused the teams to leave by dumping them to D3.

Wow!

That's a heavy summary of the soccer levels, thanks d-usa.

My hope is that first & foremost that we all as a soccer community lend our support to the USL Oklahoma City Energy organization. They are poised to provide our community the best soccer available.

Our support will eventually lead to a soccer specific stadium in the core which will provide more entities & amenities for soccer fans.

Funk Jr., & McLaughlin's stated goal is to eventually construct a viable soccer specific stadium on the Producer's Coop Mill site to put us on the radar for future MLS expansion or relocation.


And even if it doesn't, there is STILL nothing wrong with a 2nd tier league stadium in the CO-OP spot. Soccer does NOT have to be MLS to be successful here. That said, it's nice to have the goal there, I like that they're striving for it.

Agree bradh, that's the best attitude we should all should take. Let's hope the city can work with the development of the 37-acre mill site to clean up that clinking, clanking clattering, collection of caliginous junk. OKC can provide help with the infrastructure.

Mayor Mick Cornett:
“I would think the city's involvement would be tied to an MLS franchise,” Cornett said. “We wouldn't be building it hoping a franchise might come, we would build if a franchise were coming.

The OKC skyline will look so much better.

Unless MLS eventually increase expansion beyond 28 teams (30 maximum like MLB NBA, NHL or 32 NFL) we're less likely to make expansion; relocation would be the only viable option.

One of the MLS expansion teams is going to fail, okc will be waiting to pounce. This is the line of thinking the energy is going with.

i think the Energy's line of thinking is build us a stadium, then maybe we will look and bringing a MLS club here. But they know people will go the the energy games in the new stadium for at least 3-4 years

i think the Energy's line of thinking is build us a stadium, then maybe we will look and bringing a MLS club here. But they know people will go the the energy games in the new stadium for at least 3-4 years

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tQNYaI5qi5Q/UE3aOZwG4XI/AAAAAAAAA-c/Jvne5GKkKSo/s1600/4-Phases-ScorpionsStadium.png
San Antonio's Scorpion Stadium plan: 4 Phases of expansion. Stadium is currently at the Phase II stage: 8,296

A new soccer specific stadium 7,000-8,000 seat starter could open up the downtown core to host some high school football contests.

Once you expand to an 18,500 - 20,000-seat venue, don't be surprise to see a bid go out for the state high school 6A & 5A championship games (Chapman Stadium current host). OKC area high schools are getting more competitive against Tulsa high school and those throughout the state.

In 2016, MLS was Division 1, NASL was Division 2, and USL was Division 3 (think MLB, AAA, and AA Leagues). NASL is falling apart and the USL is gaining strength (higher attendance and better financials) so they applied to become the Division 2 League rather than NASL. The US Soccer Federation has been delaying a decision for over a month now, and now decided that both will be considered Division 2 in 2017 instead of having one league in D2 and one in D3.

The standards that the leagues, and individual teams, have to meet is higher for Division 2 than Division 3, such as 5,000 seat stadium vs 1,000 seat stadium and having to have teams in metropolitan areas. The prestige is also higher for a Division 2 league, which would result in better sponsorship and television deals, and arguably better talent among players. Division 2 teams HAVE to compete in CONCACAF competitions if eligible, a requirement that doesn't exist for Division 3 teams.

Some other tangible benefits would also better seeding in the US Open Cup for Division 2 teams if the current system remains in place adding 3rd Division teams into the competition prior to adding 2nd Division teams.

The downside to NASL remaining Division 2 is that there are a few teams that are wanting to leave the NASL who do not want to pay the penalty. If the NASL drops below a certain number (I think it's 8 teams, and they currently have 8) then there is no penalty to leave the league, and I think 3 teams are currently wanting to split from the league. The first team will have to pay a very large fine, but then the other two teams get to leave for free. So no team wants to make the first move. If the league drops to Division 3, then the teams are free to leave (at least that is my understanding). Rumors have it that the USSF didn't want the possibility of a lawsuit by the NASL saying they caused the teams to leave by dumping them to D3.

Thank you very much for the detailed explanation!

Division II status pushes OKC closer to MLS

By: Molly M. Fleming The Journal Record January 17, 2017

OKLAHOMA CITY – The OKC Energy FC is now ranked just one division lower than Major League Soccer teams. The United States Soccer Federation this month granted the United Soccer League Division II provisional status, putting a likely end to a two-year quest.

For Prodigal LLC CEO Bob Funk, the move up is another ladder rung he’s climbed in his goal of getting an MLS team in Oklahoma City.

“There’s still a lot of work on our side to get to MLS,” he said. “Our No. 1 weak spot is the soccer-specific stadium.”

Funk is continuing to work with a group of local investors to purchase the 37-acre Producers Cooperative plant south of Bricktown. The soccer-specific stadium for an MLS team would be part of a larger mixed-use project that would include hotels, housing, retail, and structured parking.

“The other big piece that gets you noticed is fan participation,” he said.

During the 2016 season, the Energy had an average attendance of 5,178 people, which is an increase from the 2015 season, when 4,900 people on average went to a game. In total, 88,011 people caught a 2016 season match. There were two sold-out games, both during exhibition matches when the Energy placed Dallas FC and Chivas.

Ten soccer teams are on a short list now for MLS expansion, including Cincinnati, Ohio, which has a USL team. The team’s average game attendance last year was 11,500 people, with four matches bringing in more than 20,000 people. Across the USL, attendance increased 33 percent compared to 2015.

Prodigal has 16 sales staff members now working to sell season tickets, group packages, and other ticket offerings to fill the 7,500 seats at Taft Stadium.

“We do a lot within the community,” Funk said. “We support the community. We advertise in the marketplace. Now it’s up to us to get more people in the door.”

Last year, some of the fans in attendance were youth soccer clubs. The Enid Soccer Club brought nearly 400 people to a game, said managing partner Tim McLaughlin.

He couldn’t stop smiling when he was talking about how the game of soccer has grown as the Energy has become more popular in the metro. The Police Athletic League is expecting 980 youths to play soccer this year. Metro cities such as Norman are planning to update their fields, and Edmond is considering a renovation as well. Oklahoma City Public Schools are adding soccer teams as their fields are updated through McLaughlin’s organization Fields and Futures.

Having Division II status – making the team just a step below the MLS – kept the smile on McLaughlin’s face because he sees what it can do for the game’s future.

“This is another step in the right direction,” he said. “It’s great for growing the game.”

The Division II status will not come with any immediate changes noticeable to fans. Funk said he and McLaughlin have operated the team as a Division II team already.

The USL doesn’t have a salary cap for its players. Those salary decisions are made by each owner and Funk said he has tried to keep the players’ pay in line with the organization’s growth.

Player salaries are the biggest contributor to ticket prices increasing, he said. The market can support only certain ticket rates, and people want to make sure they’re getting a good value for their price.

“Letting your player costs get out of sorts is the No. 1 risk to a franchise and the continued operation of a franchise,” he said. “I’ve seen a lot of owners put themselves out of business by going for a championship.”

Should be almost time for a 2017 thread, shouldn't it?

Should be almost time for a 2017 thread, shouldn't it?
Start one! :)