The second North American Soccer League is a USSF sanctioned
Division 2 league which began play in 2011. It was formed by
a group of breakaway owners from USL’s Division 1 (USSF Div.
2), who were unhappy about the nature of the sale of the USL to a
new ownership group. Due to lawsuits and other strife, the USSF ordered
the USL Division 1 teams and NASL clubs to play together in a
temporary circuit, the USSF Division 2 Pro League for 2010 while they
work out their differences and reach agreements for 2011.
The original breakaway teams were the Carolina Railhawks,
Miami F. C., Minnesota Thunder, Montreal Impact and Vancouver
Whitecaps. Shortly afterward, Rochester Rhinos and Puerto Rico
Islanders joined, along with the new expansion club Tampa Bay
Rowdies, and Crystal Palace Baltimore from USL Division 2.
Minnesota subsequently folded, and the league added the
expansion NSC Minnesota Stars and A. C. St. Louis.
2011
Before the season, Atlanta Silverbacks joined the league (from hiatus),
Miami became the Strikers, Rochester left for the USL Pro league,
and St. Louis and Baltimore went on hiatus. Vancouver left for MLS.
FC Edmonton was added.
GP W L D GF GA Pts
Carolina Railhawks 28 17 3 8 50 26 54
Puerto Rico Islanders 28 15 7 6 41 32 52
FC Tampa Bay 28 11 8 9 41 36 41
Fort Lauderdale Strikers 28 9 11 8 35 36 38
FC Edmonton 28 10 6 12 35 40 36
NSC Minnesota Stars 28 9 9 10 30 32 36
Montreal Impact 28 9 8 11 35 27 35
Atlanta Silverbacks 28 4 4 20 25 63 16
Quarterfinals: NSC Minnesota defeated FC Tampa Bay 1-0
Fort Lauderdale defeated FC Edmonton 5-0
Semifinals: NSC Minnesota defeated Carolina 0-1, 4-3 (SO)
Fort Lauderdale defeated Puerto Rico 3-1, 2-1
FINAL: NSC Minnesota defeated Fort Lauderdale 3-1.
After the season, Montreal left for MLS.
In this episode I discuss the Holyoke Falcos and use the club to illustrate some important points about researching the history of soccer in the USA. Goals