NASL Adds Two More Teams, Bolsters Division 2 Application

Two more teams have been added to the roster of teams planning to play in the reformed NASL next season, bringing the total number to eight for 2011 and potentially 10 by 2013.

The Atlanta Silverbacks and the NSC Minnesota Stars were surprise additions to the application and should bolster the league’s hopes of earning sanctioning for Division 2 from the U.S. Soccer Federation. The Silverbacks last played in USL First Division in 2008, while the Stars played in USSF D-2 last season but were believed to have played their final game.

They will be joined by five other current USSF D-2 teams (Puerto Rico Islanders, Carolina Railhawks, Miami FC Blues, FC Tampa Bay and Montreal Impact) and one new team (FC Edmonton). A team in San Antonio is currently scheduled to begin play in 2012 and another expansion team is expected to be announced for the 2013 season.

“This is an exciting time for the NASL as it nears the finish line in its two year quest for second division sanctioning from the USSF,” NASL CEO Aaron Davidson said in a release.

NASL is all alone in its quest to become a sanctioned Division 2 league, but has been in a de facto competition for teams with the already sanctioned Division 3 league, USL-Pro. The Rochester Rhinos and Austin Aztex had previously competed in NASL, but the Rhinos have announced intentions to play in USL-Pro and the Aztex have moved to Orlando with the intention of competing in the league as well.

The USSF is meeting on Nov. 21 in Toronto and will be considering the NASL application then.