Earlier this week, we learned about the recent decision by the US Soccer Federation (USSF) to deny sanctioning to both the USL-1 and NASL. The USSF gave both parties 7 days to try to work out an agreement that would salvage the 2010 season for all the clubs involved. With the USL showing signs of good faith by dropping their lawsuit against 3 former USL clubs (Rochester, Baltimore, and Tampa Bay) as well as stating their willingness to find some sort of compromise, it certainly looks as if some agreement might be attained in the next few days.
Andres Guillemard
We spoke recently with Andres Guillemard, president of the Puerto Rico Islanders ownership group, in order to get his reaction to the USSF decision. When asked about his initial reaction to the news, Guillemard said he thought the USSF had essentially passed on the responsibility of their decision to the two conflicting parties: “The USSF has forced us to make the decision that they themselves were supposed to come up with.” said the club president.
“Regardless, we will be able to resolve this. 2010 is too important a year for world soccer with the world cup and all. I am very confident that the team will play this season. ” Guillemard expressed to PasionNaranja.
As to how the league controversy has affected the Islanders club, Guillemard replied: “It affects us positively in that we’re a very important club to both sides, it puts us in a good position. On the negative side, it hurts us in that we haven’t been able to begin our publicity campaign for the upcoming season.”
On a final note of concern we asked Guillemard if the uncertainty had affected the team negatively in resigning players to the team and finding new players for the roster, the club president told us that it hadn’t really affected the Islanders as they already had several players under contract and were moving ahead with signing new players.
“The USSF has forced us to make the decision that they themselves were supposed to come up with.”
Wrong. It’s not their job to make decisions for you. They’ve forced everyone to do what should have already happened.
DemonJuice has got it 100% correct.