Last week, the U.S. Soccer Federation issued a new set of rules and regulations for professional leagues in the United States, with particular emphasis placed on the current USSF Division 2 that is the second tier of professional soccer in the United States.

The changes will have a significant impact on the direction of the league by placing new restrictions that will keep the USSF Division 2 from becoming dominated by non-U.S. teams and small market teams. The new guidelines also put an emphasis on financially stable owners, with an eye toward giving the league some much-needed stability.

The full report, detailed on Inside Minnesota Soccer, is a rather lengthy and strict set of rules put into place. Here's a look at some of the new standards:

• 75% of the teams must be U.S.-based, and play in markets with a population of at least 750,000.
• Stadiums must seat at least 5,000 people.
• The league must have U.S.-based teams in at least two different time zones in the first year, three by the sixth year.
• Principal team owners must have an individual net worth of $20 million.
• League must have at least eight teams in the first year, 10 in the third, and 12 by the third year.
• A $750,000 bond is required to cover operational costs every year.

Share your thoughs in the forum.

Come join the Rochester Outlaws a USMNT

Supporters group and others at Murphy's Law to watch and support the Mens National team as they take on Brazil August 10 at 7:00. Wear your colors, be loud, be proud, be outlaws. Kick off is at 8:00 but we will be there early to organize and help answer any questions you might have about becoming a

Rochester Outlaw. Hope to see you there!

Murphy's Law is located at 370 East Ave.

and hopefully will become the home of the Roches

ter Outlaws. You can see pictures and video's of the USA vs England viewing party from Murphy's Law by clicking here. It is our hope to make every match that exciting and passionate for we are the US, the might might US!

The Rochester Rhinos will honor the Rochester Lancers and celebrate the 40th anniversary of the club’s North American Soccer League (NASL) Championship in 1970 when they host the Miami FC Blues on Saturday, August 21st at Marina Auto Stadium.  The celebration weekend will conclude on Sunday, August 22 with a luncheon featuring members of the Rochester Lancers Alumni at the Italian American Sports Club located at 1250 Buffalo Road in Gates.

The Lancers, Rochester’s original professional soccer team, played its matches as a member of the American Soccer League from 1967 to 1969.  After jumping to the NASL in 1970, the club captured its first and only league title, while playing its home matches at Aquinas Stadium, later renamed Holleder Memorial Stadium.  The club was led by Carlos Meditieri, a Brazilian striker who captured NASL Most Valuable Player honors following both the 1970 and 1971 seasons.  He was the only player in league history to capture the honor twice.

The roster of Lancer alumni who will be attending the 40th anniversary celebration is as follows:

Rochester Rhinos

Come join the members of RhinosZone.com, the Rochester Stampede and many others at Murphy's Law on Friday, June 18th at 10:00am to watch and support the USMNT as they take on Slovenia at the World Cup.

Murphy's Law is located at 370 East Ave.

and is open early for all the World Cup action.

You can see pictures and video's of the USA vs England viewing party from Murphy's Law in the forums. Click here or go to the USMNT - England viewing party thread located in the Football Talk section.

LET'S GO USA!!!!

The Rochester Ravens have decided that it is imperative to make travel easy on its players. An initiative has been started by the team to raffle off a 2010 Mercedes-Benz C300 Sport 4Matic and have all proceeds benefit the Ravens’ travel fund. The raffle will go until halftime of the Ravens home game on July 14. Raffle tickets are $100 and the drawing will be held during halftime of the July 14th game.

The Ravens would like to keep this raffle exclusive so that ticket buyers have an optimal chance at winning the luxurious car. There will be a maximum of 600 tickets sold and, in return, each ticket will have a 1-in-600 chance to win. If 600 raffle tickets are not purchased, all ticket buyers will be refunded.

All proceeds will be benefitting the Ravens’ travel fund so that they can travel in the most favorable conditions possible. With those conditions, the team hopes that its players can also perform at the highest level possible.

“I believe that this raffle is a win-win situation for both ticket buyers and the Ravens,” says Owner Doug Miller. “The ticket buyers have the ability to purchase a 2010 Mercedes-Benz for $100 and the Ravens are benefitting by upgrading their travel conditions.”

Fans can purchase tickets for the raffle at any Ravens home game this season or by calling the Rochester Ravens at 585-352-5300. Tickets are $100, but there isn’t any limit to the amount of tickets a person can purchase.

For more information about the Mercedes-Benz raffle, you can contact Devin at 585-352-5300 or by emailing him at devin@dougmillersoccer.com. The next home game is Wednesday, June 9th at Marina Auto Stadium. Individual tickets are $5.00 but high school students who are seniors can get in the stadium for free with a valid school ID on that date. Season tickets are $25.00 for adults and $10.00 for kids under the age of 15.

 

 

Come join the members of RhinosZone.com and the Rochester Stampede at Murphy's Law on Saturday, June 12th at 2:30pm to watch and support the USMNT as they take on England at the World Cup.

Murphy's Law is located at 370 East Ave.

For the Yank fans out there, this is the USA schedule:

June 12 @ 2:30 pm – USA v. England
June 18 @ 10:00 am – USA v. Slovenia
June 23 @ 10:00 am – USA v. Algeria

Textbooks for Tickets event!

The Rochester Rhinos have teamed up with Rochester Text Books in Henrietta to make the best deal in town a $35 Supporter season tickets even better. Thanks to the Rochester Rhinos and Rochester Text Books you can return one of your college books and receive season tickets in the supporters section. The deal is simple, turn in your used college textbook and present a valid College ID at the Rhinos box office and receive one free Student Supporters Season Ticket. ($35.00 value – One season ticket per person - Promotion is good through May 31st).

For more information call the Rhinos office at 585-454-5425 or simply log on to the forums.