At the end of the season Darren and his staff were very honest about what we needed to be a team that can be in the championship conversation.not incrementally better than 2018…in the championship conversation. ![]() “Most of it is driven internally by what your needs are. Holt then spent time further discussing the process SAFC used in the offseason to build the 2019 roster. Holt commented, “Yes it was different that maybe there were some more higher end domestic free agents available out of MLS than there have been in the past, but I wouldn’t say it was a radically different market.” He added, however, that the market for the elite level players was extremely competitive this year, pointing out that the addition of the new USL expansion teams, USL League One and Cincinnati FC’s jump to MLS, created upwards of 300 new professional soccer roster slots to fill this year. In general he thought the process was more competitive this year among clubs, but not radically different. A growing trend in the offseason was the addition of former MLS players to USL rosters, who in prior years would likely still be competing in MLS. I asked Holt if the trickle down effect of higher MLS spending on international players using Targeted Acquisition Money (TAM) changed the landscape for SAFC’s roster building strategy this year. Finally he revealed that there will be an 18th home game again this summer against an international opponent…and teased that 2019’s match will feature an opponent from outside of North America. Holt also commented on how pleased he is with the addition of new teams in Austin, El Paso and New Mexico and is looking forward to continuing to build a strong Southwestern presence in the league. He added that a 34 game schedule is where the league clubs seem to be comfortable, so continued USL expansion means this may be the last time a balanced schedule like this is possible. Holt mentioned that the 34-game schedule means each of the 17 other Western Conference teams will visit San Antonio once this season. ![]() The USL playoffs, which have expanded to include ten teams from each conference, will begin on October 23, with USL Cup taking place on a TBA date between November 14-18. SAFC’s regular season schedule runs from this Saturday to October 19. ![]() A previously discussed restructuring to a three conference format has been deferred for at least another year. The 36-team league remains organized into two conferences, with SAFC still playing in the West. I had a chance to spend time with Tim at Toyota Field last week and below are the highlights of our wide ranging conversation. Holt joined San Antonio FC after a short stint at MLS side Orlando City FC during their inaugural season. He advanced through that organization, gaining increasing responsibility in a rapidly changing league and eventually led the USL from 2009-2015. Holt is a veteran soccer executive who began his career in the predecessor to the USL in the 1990’s. Tim Holt has been the Managing Director at San Antonio FC since its inception in 2016. The league added seven expansion teams, saw four teams move to either MLS or League One and will begin 2019 regular9 season play with 36 teams in two conferences. They also rebranded the entire league and its top level is now called USL Championship. Since the 2018 season ended (with Louisville City FC crowned as USL champions), the league has launched a new division to provide opportunities for professional soccer in cities that are not big enough to support a USL or MLS team (USL League One). ![]() San Antonio FC Managing Director Tim Holt (Image courtesy of San Antonio FC)Īfter a busy offseason, San Antonio FC (SAFC) begins their fourth season in the United Soccer League Championship (USL) this weekend.
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