Thursday, January 20, 2005 - Tampa, FL

As an organization, United Soccer Leagues is as disappointed by the current labor impasse between US Soccer and the US Men’s National Team Players Association (USMNTPA) as both parties and US soccer fans are. At the same time, we wholeheartedly support the professional USL players who were invited to the US Men’s National Team training camp.

We are appreciative of US Soccer and Coach Bruce Arena’s confidence in deciding to invite our players to camp to be a part of the qualifying process. We have always felt our top professionals can compete on the international level for the United States. Numerous players in the USL First Division are regulars for nations like Canada, Liberia and, ironically, our first qualifying opponent, Trinidad and Tobago.

Knowing that this would be a unique opportunity for our players, we were glad to assist Coach Arena and his staff at the NSCAA Convention last weekend in Baltimore by arranging what proved to be a fruitful meeting of our available coaches to discuss potential players when the labor discussions reached another impasse. 

As USL President, a member of the US Soccer Federation Board of Directors and as a fan, it is unfortunate the labor dispute has reached a point at which a selection of alternate players would represent our nation in a World Cup qualifying match. Personally, I support US Soccer’s position on the negotiations with the USMNTPA, and feel the Federation has been very fair in the whole process.

Obviously, World Cup qualifying requires that a team is fielded and they play the game. With that in mind, it is important that the best available players take the field and we are confident our 22 players currently in camp would represent the US very well.

I know our fans are anxious to hear which of their favorite players are in camp, but Coach Arena and the players are working hard and from every indication, training is going well. At coach Arena’s request, we are keeping the names of the players confidential for a few more days as they focus on coming together for the task on hand.

As the largest organization of soccer leagues in North America, United Soccer Leagues is comprised of two professional leagues, two amateur leagues and a youth league. Its two-tiered professional division is comprised of the USL First Division (formerly A-League) and the USL Second Division (formerly Pro Soccer League). At the amateur level are the men’s Premier Development League and the women’s W-League. The Super Y-League is the youth level of USL with over 700 boys and girls teams. Committed to the grassroots level across the US and Canada, USL and its franchises provide a quality family entertainment experience that is community-centered, accessible, affordable, exciting and educational. USL is online at www.USLsoccer.com