CHICAGO (Feb. 12, 2011) – The U.S. Soccer Board of Directors provisionally sanctioned the North American Soccer League (NASL) to operate a Division 2 men’s outdoor professional soccer league in the United States. The sanctioning was approved this weekend at U.S. Soccer’s Annual General Meeting in Las Vegas.
The provisional sanctioning allows the NASL to operate a Division 2 league during the 2011 season. The NASL will need to meet certain requirements defined by the Board of Directors to be granted full sanctioning beyond the 2011 season.
“Division 2 soccer is an important element in the success and popularity of the sport in the United States and we are pleased the NASL will play professional games in their markets this season,” said U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati. “The Federation’s continued interest is in sustainability and stability at the Division 2 level of professional soccer.”
«Today is a historic day for soccer in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. We’ve worked dillgently over the past several years to implement a new vision for second division and would like to thank USSF President Sunil Gulati and the USSF staff for their leadership, cooperation and support in creating this next chapter for the professional game in the region,» Aaron Davidson, CEO of the NASL commented. «We are committed to buildling a new second division which will develop markets, players, coaches, referees, executives and administrators and give soccer fans throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico a league and teams to be proud of.»
