Got What It Takes?

Building the Soccer Pyramid: Cash is king for aspiring USL PRO squads

Right now, there are operational professional soccer teams in 39 different markets across the first three tiers of US Soccer – MLS, NASL and USL PRO – and if everything goes according to plan, 2015 will see another two markets enter the fold.

But if you accept USL PRO president Tim Holt’s evaluation of the North American soccer landscape, that means we’re only at 50 percent capacity.

“I think there are anywhere between 50 to 75 different markets in the United States that can support, under the right circumstances, a professional soccer team,” Holt tells MLSsoccer.com. “It’s not the craziest thing. You’re talking about another 20 to 30 markets, potentially, that don’t have professional soccer that could support professional soccer.” ...

See the whole story here from MLSSoccer.com.

Kicking Back Comments: Current and aspiring professional referees take note - soccer is a business. Rightly or wrongly referees are thrust into business decisions of these smaller clubs.

Can we wait 5 more minutes to get everyone in the gate?

Can we hold off on that rain delay, the lightning is not that close?

Did you hear what #6 said? You have to send him off, he is offending my fans!

These are all questions I have faced as a referee at these smaller professional clubs.

So what do you do? Follow the letter of the LOTG, or flex a bit to give a small business its best chance? But just how far can you go?

Extend the kickoff, extend the match, give the home team "a break?"

For those looking to get into the MLS and beyond, be prepared to negotiate this small business landscape. Decisions you make, will follow you for the rest of your career.