North Carolina FC joins USL

The game of Russian Roulette continues within the NASL. Last week, the San Francisco Deltas were reported to have folded days after winning the 2017 Championship. Next up comes North Carolina FC in the game of trust.

NCFC, along with the Indy Eleven, have been rumored as being a potential MLS expansion side for some time now. As of a couple of days ago, North Carolina FC have officially taken another route, joining the USL.

This move surely comes as a response to the USSF’s decision to deny the NASL Division II status within U.S. Soccer. The formerly known RailHawks will begin USL play in the 2018 season.

The USL appears to be on the rise within North American Soccer, while the NASL is really uncertain about their future. New squads from Nashville, Las Vegas, Fresno and Atlanta United’s reserve team will all start USL play next year with NCFC.

When speaking with WRALSportsFan, North Carolina FC owner Steve Malik notes that the club’s goal is still to join the MLS one day:

While one club decided to book it from the potential disaster ahead, other teams such as expansion side Cal United FC are ignoring the buzz around the NASL.

It’s been rumored that Predrag Radosavljević, better known as Preki, is going to become the first head coach of the Orange County based club. Eric Wylanda is currently the expansion coach, but he will become the technical director of the new club.

Preki previously worked with Toronto FC and the Sacramento Republic, along with heading a struggling St. Louis FC side this past season.

Obviously there’s news that fans do not know at the moment. The Deltas might fold completely, Puerto Rico FC basically cleared their roster a couple of weeks ago, and now this recent development rose to the surface.

While all of this happens, some clubs remain confident not only about that status of their franchise, but the remaining of the NASL.

It’s a big game of Russian Roulette in the NASL at the moment. Nobody knows who is next in the game of stay or go. As of right now, it looks as if the NASL is under the “doubtful” section in terms of hosting play next season.

One thing we do know is that the New York Cosmos continue to remain silent. As of late, that might be the best thing the Originals can do.

Create an account with SB Nation and join the conversation right here on Twice A Cosmo. We all value your input on the New York Cosmos. Let us know what you’re thinking in the comments below!