UnitedMania.com

US Soccer has decided not to sanction the United Soccer Leagues or the North American Soccer League (Part Deux) for Division II status, giving the two leagues seven days to come up with an arrangement to establish one Division II.

Per US Soccer's press release:

CHICAGO (Dec. 30, 2009) – The U.S. Soccer Board of Directors voted unanimously on Tuesday to not sanction either the USL or the NASL to operate a Division II professional league in 2010.

The decision was made on the recommendation of the Professional League Task Force, which determined that neither organization on its own was able to provide a viable and sustainable operation during the upcoming season. Both organizations were unable to meet U.S. Soccer’s requirement of a minimum of eight viable teams for 2010.

Despite the ruling, the U.S. Soccer Board of Directors has given both organizations seven days to try to work out an interim solution for the 2010 season.

“After carefully reviewing the findings from the Task Force it was clear there are still too many uncertainties for both organizations, which would be extremely difficult to resolve in a timely fashion that would allow them to prepare for the 2010 season,” said U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati. “In the best interest of soccer in the United States, we decided to not sanction either league at this point. However, we did encourage both leagues to come together in the next week and attempt to develop another plan which would allow a single league to be approved on a provisional basis. We are committed to finding ways to improve the long-term viability of all leagues and teams and continue the growth of soccer in the United States.”

Regardless of which side is right, they need to come up with a compromise to ensure soccer's stability in 2010, particularly in a World Cup year.

Neither side wants to compromise, given that we're at this stage, with less than three months before preseason training begins. And Rhinos owner Rob Clark (on the NASL side of things), doesn't see the need for compromise.

It can't help the chances for the United States to host a World Cup if its soccer community has this kind of turmoil.

Also, for MLS teams that have used USL – particularly since MLS eliminated reserve teams – to give fringe players extra seasoning, it's not going to help if neither the USL nor the NASL is sanctioned by US Soccer.

Then there are still questions that players on one of these USL or NASL teams no doubt have to be asking themselves about their contracts, the quality of play in their "new" leagues, and more.

I want to know more about this Task Force that US Soccer CEO/Secretary General Dan Flynn chairs – formed to look into the USL/NASL dispute. I see, too, that board members include Carlos Cordeiro and Mike Edwards.

I plan to delve in this on all sides and form my own opinion on the mess. All I know is what I've already stated: I don't believe it's good to have two, Division II leagues.