USL removes three Puerto Rico clubs By Steven Sandor Posted on May 10, 2011 Comments Off on USL removes three Puerto Rico clubs 0 628 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter The United Soccer Leagues’ ambitious plan to expand its fan base in the Caribbean has been dealt three major blows. The USL announced Tuesday that all three of its Puerto Rico-based franchises have been removed from the USL-PRO league, effective immediately. Puerto Rico United, River Plate Puerto Rico, and Sevilla FC Puerto Rico had all made the move to USL in 2011, joining a division with fellow expansion sides Antigua Barracuda and the L.A. Blues (giving Los Angeles one of the most difficult travel schedules you will find in any league outside of Russia). According to USL, “Due to severe economic difficulties and serious unforeseen medical situations involving owners from two of the three PRSL teams, the teams are unable to continue to meet league standards and obligations.” Of the 16 USL matches played by the three Puerto Rico clubs, only two of them had resulted in victories. “In the best interests of USL PRO and its teams, it was necessary to remove the three PRSL teams,” USL CEO Alec Papadakis said in the release. “USL PRO has established high standards which are an integral component of the league model, and we are determined to preserve the integrity of these standards on and off the field. Dealing proactively with this situation allows us to reset our daily focus on supporting the efforts of our USL PRO teams in maintaining the league’s position as the strongest, best operated domestic league below MLS.” The league will discuss reorganization this week; but for the existing clubs, the games played against the three Puerto Rico clubs will count in the standings for the year. The losses of the three Puerto Rico-based USL clubs means that the NASL’s Puerto Rico Islanders remain the big draw on the island.
