From: archer@hsi.com (Garry Archer)
Subject: Re: US Soccer News and Thoughts
Summary: (* LONG RESPONSE *)
Keywords: USISL, Connecticut Wolves
Organization: 3M Health Information Systems, Wallingford CT
Date: Thu, 21 Jan 1993 17:34:38 GMT

In article <C15uuB.1DK@hsi.com> mallon@hsi.com (Dan Mallon-Kraft) writes:
>In article <1993Jan15.003015.21711@europa.asd.contel.com> andy@rocky.ndhm.gtegsc.com (Andrew Busa) writes:
><
><"THE USA"s HOTTEST SOCCER LEAGUE IS NOW THE LARGEST. The USISL is now the
><USA's largest national soccer league ever and it is poised to take over the
><role of pro soccer development.  Join the nation's league of choice and come
><see us sizzle.  The league was founded in 1986 with 5 indoor teams.  It will
><operate in 1993 with 40 outdoor teams in 16 states.  The USISL is set to
><expand to 64 teams for 1994 with USsF Pro Div. III status.  This is the only
><league to offer both indoor and outdoor seasons for opional year round 
><competition.  The indoor season runs from November to February and the
><outdoor season is April through August.  The individual clubs are eligible
><to operate under pro or amateur status.  The league's sensible budgetary 
><restrictions guarantee continuity and stability.  If your home area is not in 
><yet perhaps it should be; call us today."
><
><Its sounds like a wonderful start to me.
>
>You said it.  Did they happen to list the 16 states or 40 teams?  I'd
>be curious to see where they are located and if I'd be able to see any
>of the games.


Well, Dan, you'll be pleasantly surprised to know that there is a team
in Connecticut and they have just been accepted into the USISL (United
States Interregional Soccer League).

A conglomerate of soccer folks and families from the Ridgefield area of
Connecticut formed a company called Connecticut United back in late 1991,
early 1992.  The announcement of their existance was made at the annual
soccer convention in Cromwell, CT on February 1, 1992.  The general public
were invited to become members of this company by purchasing shares (which
you can still do).  I met the chaiman of the company, Jim Onalfo, at the
1992 convention (he was a guest speaker at our League's Annual General
Meeting).  I believe his son plays on one of the senior USA teams.  I'm
almost sure he played on the Barcelona Olympic team and has been considered
for a full call up to the first team for USA Cup '93.

The official name of the actual team is; Connecticut United Wolves Soccer
Club, albeit you will eventually know them better as Connecticut Wolves,
I hope!  They will play their home games in "the top soccer facilities in
central and southern Connecticut.  Final details to be released in
January."  Rumour has it that one site will be Willow Brook Park in New
Britain.

Connecticut Wolves are still accepting players for tryouts, scheduled
for March 1993.

Connecticut United Wolves Soccer Club will have a stall in the vendors
hall at the 6th Annual Soccer Convention in Cromwell, CT (sponsored by
the Connecticut Junior Soccer Association and the Connecticut State
Soccer Association).  The convention is all day on January 30, 1993.

I'll be attending the Shoreline Adult Soccer League Annual General
Meeting at 10.00 am, the CSSA Awards Luncheon at 12.00 noon and the
CSSA Annual General Meeting at 3.00 pm, all in my various offical
capacities.  I hope to get around all the vendors in the meantimes
though!!!  I will be stopping by the Wolves' exhibit.

Here is the United States Interregional Soccer League as it stands today
(Region, club, telephone number):

PACIFIC
Palo Alto Firebirds		415-286-1994
North Bay Breakers		707-584-3966
East Bay Red Riders		510-713-8664
San Francisco All Blacks	415-759-6927
San Francisco Bay Diablos	510-687-6309
San Jose Hawks			408-295-4295
Chico Pioneers			916-898-9214
Santa Cruz Surf			(new team just accepted)

SOUTH CENTRAL
Dallas Rockets			214-644-8023
Texas Lightning			214-741-7911
Austin Soccadillos		512-478-7232
San Antonio Pumas		210-525-8695
Oklahoma City Slickers		405-528-7515
Tulsa Roughnecks		918-254-6444
Arkansas A's			501-835-3252
Dallas/Fort Worth Toros		(new team just accepted)

SOUTHWEST
East Los Angeles Cobras		213-887-2576
Standard (So.Cal) Golden Eagles	805-297-0179
Arizona Cotton			602-842-0899
Tucson Amigos			602-623-1077
New Mexico Chiles		505-898-2489
El Paso Patriots		915-775-0097

SOUTHEAST
Memphis Express			901-755-4947
Atlanta Lasers			404-998-2302
Orlando Lions			407-862-3322
Chattanooga Railroaders		706-695-1681
Nashville Metros		615-459-7400
Coral Springs Kicks		305-345-9605
Boca Raton Sabres		407-732-2662
Birmingham Grasshoppers		205-226-4895

ATLANTIC
Connecticut Wolves		203-431-3315	(fax: 203-438-1399)
Delaware Wizards		302-738-3282
Richmond Kickers		804-741-2444
Greensboro Dynamo		919-294-5165
Charlotte Eagles		704-841-8644
Columbia Spirit			803-776-0402
Charleston Battery		803-740-5400  ext. 248
Raleigh Flyers			919-890-6065
Baltimore Bays			410-281-7294


UNITED STATES INTERREGIONAL SOCCER LEAGUE
4320 North Beltline Road,
Suite B-205,
Irving,
Texas  75038

Tel: 214-570-7575
Fax: 214-257-1493

Francisco Marcos, CEO/Commissioner
Neil MacPherson, Chairman, Greensboro Dynamo
Ron Higgins, Vice Chairman, Dallas Rockets
Terry Fisher, Palo Alto Firebirds
Joseph Shealy, New Mexico Chiles
Lynn Agee, Nashvill Metros
James Goodmon, Raleigh Flyers

Negotiations are now in effect for North East, North West, North Central
and and Central Divisions in 1994.


The Connecticut Wolves will play 20 home games consisting of 10 League
games and 10 Foreign Exhibition games, starting in April and running
through October.  Games will be played on Saturday nights at 7.30 pm.

The Connecticut Wolves are holding a press conference on Friday, January 22,
1993 at the Ramada Inn located in New Britain, CT on Columbus Avenue.  There
is an executive lunch buffet at 12:15 pm and the announcement will be at
1:00 pm.

Six teams in the 39 team league will make the play-offs (5 Division winners 
and 1 wild card team).  A schedule will be released in mid-January 1993.


So there you have it American fans of Association Football.  There _is_
an _OUTDOOR PROFESSIONAL_ league already in place and ready to start in
1993.  Albeit it is "only" classed as Professional Division Three status.

The fact remains, the ball is beginning to roll.  Perhaps slowly at first,
but the USISL have clearly taken the bull by the horns while the pathetic
APSL (American Professional Soccer League) is dragging its own anchors.

	GOOD JOB U.S.I.S.L. !!!

By the way, I _didn't_ make any of those team names up!  Chattanooga 
Railroaders?  Austin Soccadillos?  New Mexico Chiles?  !!! Perchance did 
you notice Tulsa Roughnecks?  I wonder if this is the same franchise as the 
one that played in the old NASL (North American Soccer League)?

Dan, for more details of the USISL and Connecticut Wolves, stop by my cube.

(All references are from CSJA and CSSA news bulletins and actual correspondence
I received from Connecticut United Wolves Soccer Club).


-- 
|                     Garry Archer Esq.     archer@hsi.com                     |
|                                                                              |
=========| Gresley Rovers Football Club ("The Moatmen"), founded 1882 |=========