To the fans of lower division soccer. Specifically those that have recently (Oakland Roots) or will be in the near future ( Little Rock Rangers) or those that already represent independent soccer (Fwd Madison) in the USL. Understand why those of us that remain in NISA or other

independent leagues might be a touch salty. Some clubs have been in the trenches for years trying to fight the system to bring about change. There have been many clubs lost along the way both in independent soccer and USL (I can add MLS to this list as well). For what? So that

NuRock Soccer Holdings LLC can garner franchise fees and money that could go back into the system is shuffled away to an office in Alpharetta, GA? These clubs carried the flag of independent soccer in their locations and cried foul when teams were poached and and USL brought

unwarranted competition to fragile independent clubs attempting to grow sustainably. Have these former champions of independent soccer forgot that the battle rages on? Will they or have they continued to fight the system from within or have they moved to a position of

protectionism from Inde soccer, NISA, etc and only concerned about self preservation, wiping away the memory of the struggle of changing the system now that they have a seat at the table? I hope not. However, I no longer see Peter Wilt as the instrument of change I one did when

he published his “manifesto”. Instead of carrying the torch, he left it for others to pick up while I’ve heard little from him on the topic since. So what’s it going to be Fwd Madison, Oakland Root’s, and Little Rock (assuming). Are you going fight from the inside or roll over

and be the apologetic whipping boys of the USL and USSF? Time will tell and maybe one day teams like Chattanooga and a Detroit will be forced to join up for survival. Maybe your clubs were forced as well by threat of USL bringing in a team to your area. Chattanooga

knows a thing or two about that. Did the franchise fee buy your allegiance to USL or your freedom to speak against it and USSF? #ProRelForUSA