2011 media guide Nasl.com 2011 NASL Media Guide Last Revision: November 7, 2011 Table of contents NASL Vision .............................................................................................. 1 QUICK FACTS About The North American Soccer League ......................................... 2 League Information The Commissioner .................................................................................. 3 Phone: (786) 728-8990 Board of Governors ................................................................................. 3 Fax: (786) 221-4873 Directors and Staff .................................................................................. 3 Website: www.nasl.com NASL Clubs ............................................................................................... 4 Mailing Address Team Markets and Roster Breakdown ................................................ 5 North American Soccer League Atlanta Silverbacks ................................................................................. 6 501 Brickell Key Drive, Suite 405 Atlanta Silverbacks Roster .................................................................... 7 Miami, FL 33131 Carolina RailHawks ................................................................................. 8 Media Contact Carolina RailHawks Roster .................................................................... 9 Kartik Krishnaiyer FC Edmonton ............................................................................................ 10 Director of Communications & Public FC Edmonton Roster ............................................................................... 11 Relations (786) 728-8945 (office) Fort Lauderdale Strikers......................................................................... 12 (954) 881-5644 (mobile) Fort Lauderdale Strikers Roster ............................................................ 13 [email protected] NSC Minnesota Stars .............................................................................. 14 NSC Minnesota Stars Roster ................................................................. 15 The 2011 North American Soccer League Montreal Impact ...................................................................................... 16 Media Guide was published by the North Montreal Impact Roster ......................................................................... 17 American Soccer League, LLC. Puerto Rico Islanders.............................................................................. 18 Edited & Written by: Kartik Krishnaiyer Layout & Design: David Cruz Puerto Rico Islanders Roster ................................................................. 19 Contributors: Jessica Barrera, Connie Cruz, FC Tampa Bay .......................................................................................... 20 Jared Hawley, Darren McCartney, Rishi FC Tampa Bay Roster ............................................................................. 21 Sehgal Club Colors ............................................................................................... 22 San Antonio Scorpions ........................................................................... 23 Team Directory ........................................................................................ 24 Rules and Regulations ........................................................................... 25 Playoff Format and Qualification .......................................................... 26 Awards and Honors ................................................................................. 27 Players of the Month and Week............................................................ 28 the VISION The North American Soccer League (NASL) is committed to the principle that a rapidly growing number of soccer fans throughout North America and the Caribbean want to see high quality professional soccer in person, at affordable prices, and in an intimate setting conveniently located in their home towns. There is nothing quite like the shared experience of cheering on your home team in a true soccer atmosphere. We believe that our society is increasingly multi-cultural and that the love of “the beautiful game” is one of the few common passions that can bring us together regardless of our national origin, race, religion or socio-economic background. Our teams will always reflect this new reality and our stadiums will warmly welcome all who wish to attend our matches. Our team owners also believe in their local communities, recognizing that fan loyalty is a privilege to be earned over time by consistent hard work on and off the field, respect for the sport and our fans, and a willingness to listen to what our fans are saying. We are equally committed to our role in the development of the sport in North America. The NASL is proud to give professional players a chance to play in meaningful games while fine tuning their skills and athleticism, and also to provide professional coaches and referees with the opportunity to improve their own abilities and knowledge of the game. At the same time, we want to offer the amateur players in our communities an aspirational example of the sport being played at an even higher level. We are certain that our sport – whether one calls it soccer, football or fútbol – will reach even greater heights over the years to come, and the NASL intends to be at the forefront of that trend. Our league promises to be competitive, entertaining and innovative – while remaining true to the sport we love. 1 About the north American soccer league The new North American Soccer League (NASL) was officially first divisions, as well as at the national team level, while founded in November 2009 when a group of 2nd division others have MLS experience here in North America. Yet many men‟s professional soccer team owners banded together to NASL players are in the early stages of their professional form North American Soccer League, LLC for the purpose of careers, and using the league as a stepping stone to higher creating a team-owned and operated professional soccer professional leagues. While the clear majority of the players league in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. hail from the U.S. or Canada, 30 other nationalities were represented on the opening day rosters. In February 2011, the NASL received recognition from the United States Soccer Federation as the exclusive second Although the NASL shares its name with the league that division men‟s professional league and the inaugural season operated throughout North America during the period of 1968- kicked off on the evening of April 9, 2011, with games in Cary, 1984, there is no official tie to the business structure of the North Carolina; Atlanta, Georgia; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; and now-defunct NASL. However, with six of the new NASL teams St. Petersburg, Florida. operating in cities with a rich memory of past glory of the former NASL there is more than a hint of the former NASL‟s The NASL is an eight-team league featuring a fully-balanced heritage to be found in the new NASL of today – two examples schedule in which each of the eight teams plays the other being the Joma match ball whose design was inspired by the seven league members four times (twice at home and twice on ball in play some 40 years ago, and the Fort Lauderdale the road) during the regular season. The regular season is Strikers franchise whose name and jersey are virtually followed by playoffs featuring the top six teams in the points identical to those of the team that graced Lockhart Stadium in standings and culminating in a two-game, total goals series for the late 1970‟s and early 1980‟s and featured George Best, the NASL championship. Nene Cubillas and Gerd Müller. 2011 NASL member teams are: Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina NASL, serving as this region‟s second division, does not have a RailHawks, FC Edmonton, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, NSC system of relegation and promotion with the officially Minnesota Stars, Montreal Impact, Puerto Rico Islanders and recognized first (MLS) and third (USL Pro) divisions, nor is there FC Tampa Bay. The Montreal Impact have been admitted to an official working relationship between MLS and NASL. Major League Soccer (MLS) beginning with the 2012 season, However, in addition to the Montreal Impact next year, a and they will be replaced in the NASL by the San Antonio number of recent second division men‟s professional clubs Scorpions FC. On June 20, 2011, the NASL announced its have gone on to compete in MLS after successfully building a expansion into Ottawa, Ontario, pending the completion of team and fan base at the NASL level. The current MLS clubs renovations to Lansdowne Park. Seattle Sounders, Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps all played D-2 soccer prior to entry into MLS. Player movement between the leagues is facilitated by a strong working Every NASL team represents a metro market area not served relationship at the team levels, and the NASL is also working by a team from the U.S. and Canada‟s officially-recognized first with MLS at the league level to employ standards designed to division, MLS, and thus sits at the top of the men‟s professional foster player health and safety. soccer “pyramid” in their home market. Each of the NASL teams play their home games in stadiums (with capacities ranging from approximately 5,000 to 15,000) that allow fans to experience the games in a uniquely intimate setting. ABOUT THE BALL The NASL operates on traditional business practices