THE CANADIAN PRESS
VANCOUVER -- The formation of a second division within the U.S. Soccer Federation means the Vancouver Whitecaps and Montreal Impact will have a league to play in during the 2010 season.
The creation of the league temporarily ends a dispute between the United Soccer League and the North American Soccer League.
The USSF last week refused to sanction either the USL or NASL, saying both were unable to meet the minimum requirement of eight viable teams.
The second division this year will have two six-team conferences, with Austin, Minnesota, Portland (Ore.), Puerto Rico, Rochester and Tampa Bay in the USL Conference. The NASL Conference will consist of Vancouver, Montreal, Baltimore, Carolina, Miami and St. Louis.
The two conference will play each other and there will be a championship game, leauge officials said during a telephone conference call.
The agreement announced Thursday is for the 2010 season only.
The USSF said it will develop new standards for second division leagues.
The NASL was formed this year by a group of team owners frustrated with the operation of the USL.
The Whitecaps are scheduled to join Major League Soccer in 2011. The Montreal Impact are also pursuing a MLS franchise.
VANCOUVER -- The formation of a second division within the U.S. Soccer Federation means the Vancouver Whitecaps and Montreal Impact will have a league to play in during the 2010 season.
The creation of the league temporarily ends a dispute between the United Soccer League and the North American Soccer League.
The USSF last week refused to sanction either the USL or NASL, saying both were unable to meet the minimum requirement of eight viable teams.
The second division this year will have two six-team conferences, with Austin, Minnesota, Portland (Ore.), Puerto Rico, Rochester and Tampa Bay in the USL Conference. The NASL Conference will consist of Vancouver, Montreal, Baltimore, Carolina, Miami and St. Louis.
The two conference will play each other and there will be a championship game, leauge officials said during a telephone conference call.
The agreement announced Thursday is for the 2010 season only.
The USSF said it will develop new standards for second division leagues.
The NASL was formed this year by a group of team owners frustrated with the operation of the USL.
The Whitecaps are scheduled to join Major League Soccer in 2011. The Montreal Impact are also pursuing a MLS franchise.