Sorry for the absence. We’ll try to get back on schedule. Here’s your news from around the league. A little expansion heavy this week.

• The Vancouver Whitecaps announce their intent to start a USL team in New Westminster (just outside of Vancouver). This will include renovating a stadium. It makes a lot of sense for Vancouver since they’re a little isolated from current USL teams as far as affiliation goes. Something of note is it sounds like they won’t fully own the team, but will have additional local owners. It’ll be interesting to see if it’ll be like LA Galaxy II or some sort of hybrid.
• The New York Red Bulls received approval to upgrade and expand their practice facility. This site has always been linked to them possibly fielding a NYRB II squad in the USL, and this expansion could be the precursor for it. In a conference call this week NYRB head coach Mike Petke said a NYRB II is still very much a possibility.
• A Detroit team is still a possibility. Dan Duggan, owner of the Michigan Bucks (PDL) is shooting to make an announcement in August.
• Orlando City played the Tampa Bay Rowdies last weekend, and while they won, members of the Ruckus and Iron Lion Firm got into altercations with Tampa Bay fans and were arrested. It’s not the first time Orlando City supporters have caused issues. Seems like Orlando has a bit of a hooligan issue they need to work out before moving to MLS.
• Louisville City has hired a President with a lot of management experience in all North American soccer leagues.
• I don’t have a link but rumors are floating around again about Sacramento Republic expanding their stadium from 8k to the 12-14k range.

#UNLEASH