USL News & Notes 3-19-2009

The Austin Aztex signed a Jamaican-born defender Lyle Adams yesterday. He will join his new teammates on Saturday when the Aztex travel to Sandy, Utah to take on Real Salt Lake.

Meanwhile the Aztex's next home preseason game opponent the Puerto Rico Islanders defeated Cruz Azul 2-0 in their first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals. The 2nd leg will be played at Estadio Azul on Tuesday, April 7 in Mexico City.

And most of USL-1 fans know that the Vancouver Whitecaps are moving to MLS in 2011 and most likely that the Portland Timbers will follow them as well. USL issued a statement regarding Vancouver MLS expansion. If the Portland situation follows, then the Pacific Northwest soccer fans would be looking forward to the 2011 season and their continued regional rivalry between Seattle, Vancouver & Portland.

Now the situation for USL-1 is what to do with finding new teams to join the league knowing that Tampa Bay and New York are in the cards for 2010. What about the situation in Orlando with Pachuca? What about Phoenix, Arizona? Is Atlanta getting it's soccer team back? At least one bright spot is that Miami FC is going to play this season. I hope Miami would get it's club going and grow in a stable manner.

BTW check out what the Cleveland City Stars "cut" as their new stadium. And you thought their new player's name was odd. ;-)