Friday, May 21, 2010
Reports suggest serious difficulties for AC St. Louis, second-division soccer
AC St. Louis, the expansion team for the USSF D2 Pro League, and the Saint Louis Athletica of the Women's Professional Soccer league, both owned in part (at least until very recently) by Jeff Cooper, a St. Louis lawyer, are in serious financial disarray, according to multiple reports.
Firm, on-the-record comments are in short supply, but different news sources are reporting that the cash flow for the two teams has dried up, and that payroll obligations have not been met. There appears to be the possibility that both clubs could fold mid-season.
Inside Minnesota Soccer's Brian Quarstad, the country's most informed reporter on America's lower divisions, extracted a vague quote from Neil Buethe, a spokesman for the U.S. Soccer Federation, in which he said, “U.S. Soccer is aware of some challenges that are currently going on and we are diligently working through the situation.”
Quarstad and others are reporting that Cooper, an owner of the franchises and the public face of professional soccer in St. Louis, has stepped away from the clubs. Tom Timmerman of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that two investors from London, Sanjeev and Heemal Vaid, are the majority owners of AC St. Louis.
There will be more to come. Reports suggest that the USSF is working to find fresh funds that will allow the two clubs to continue operating.
For Carolina RailHawks fans, the situation with AC St. Louis will seem disturbingly apt as they witnessed an inauspicious start for the club in its very first game, played Saturday, April 10, at WakeMed Soccer Park. The new team played the first 30 minutes with only 10 players.
There are many troubling ramifications of these reports. One of the less serious ones concerns scheduling: If AC St. Louis folds, Carolina would lose its one remaining game against that team, but other clubs, because of the unbalanced schedule, could be looking at three- or four-game holes in their schedules.
Of greater concern is what this means for the health of Division 2 soccer in America in general, and the fledgling North American Soccer League in particular. Cooper is the interim commissioner of NASL, and his involvement in NASL followed his unsuccessful bid for an Major League Soccer franchise and his unsuccessful attempt to purchase the United Soccer Leagues. Here's an interesting interview with Cooper that was conducted by Peter Wilt and published by pitchinvasion.net in February. The story begins with this:
This week’s column is a Q & A with Jeff Cooper, one of the most fascinating leaders in American soccer. Cooper, a St. Louis area attorney and businessman, plunged into professional soccer only a few years ago and in that short time has arguably emerged as the most powerful man in soccer in the Midwest and one of the most influential in the country.
A more telling exchange occurs midway through:
What more did your group need to show MLS to get a team? What obstacles prevented you from meeting MLS’ standards?JC: We needed more financial depth. It’s that simple.
We'll be following this story as it develops.
Comments (1)
Showing 1-1 of 1
Cooper is the leading force behind NASL. Cooper is the Interim Commissioner of NASL. Cooper claimed all the NASL teams were strong. Cooper sold the USL teams that were on the fence and convinced them to move to NASL.
All of this was smoke and mirrors, all of the NASL statements by Cooper were lies.
You look at the leader of an organization, you find the character of that organization. In this case, nothing but lies and garbage.
like
dislike
Latest in Triangle Offense
-
Town of Cary: We expect to have new seating open in time for Galaxy game
The facility has been under renovation all season as part of the $6.3 million dollar makeover that will add 3,000 seats to the north and east sides, along with dressing rooms and luxury suites to the 10-year-old facility.
- May 23, 2012
-
A Galaxy not so far away: Carolina RailHawks manhandle PSA Elite 6-0, will face MLS champs next Tuesday in Cary
Before visions of David Beckham could start dancing in their heads, the RailHawks had to accomplish something they haven’t all season: win a competitive soccer match.
- May 23, 2012
-
Doyle, Olmedo lead Charlotte over Bulls for series split
- May 22, 2012
- More »
More by Author
-
The Kid With a Bike is a moving tale from the great Dardenne brothers
While I'm grateful for any opportunity to see a film by les Dardennes, this latest makes me wonder if they've become risk-averse.
- Apr 25, 2012
-
The human beast in Bullhead and Thin Ice
Belgian crime drama Bullhead was an Oscar nominee; you've seen Thin Ice before
- Mar 21, 2012
- More »
