The USL First Division owners are holding meetings in Beaverton, Oregon this week in the midst of the ongoing dispute with the Team Owners Association. On the docket was a revamping of the league in light of the likely departure of the TOA teams; what this means for the future of USL-1 will be revealed in the coming days, though word is that several changes are possible.


Among those changes could be expansion to fill the void created by departing teams, and NuRock president Alex Papadakis indicated Canada may be in those plans. Another possibility is Detroit, a city off the radar for MLS but seemingly appropriate for USL-1.


Though their showdown with the league is not yet over, several TOA owners did in fact attend the meetings in Beaverton. There's no indication that those attending were looking for a reconciliation with NuRock; the TOA clubs still take issue with the private ownership of the league and a few meetings in Oregon won't undo those concerns.


While USL looks to round out their top division for next year, it's possible that one of their lower divisions could take a hit. USL-2, populated with teams like Crystal Palace Baltimore and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, may go on hiatus. The waves caused by the TOA defection will likely be felt for years to come.


Much is still unknown about how USL will cope, and the status of the TOA teams and their potential new league still remains in question, but the next week should provide a few more answers.

*UPDATE* The USL didn't waste any time; here's a press release on the meetings. Expansion teams in Ottawa and Edmonton are mentioned, as well a groups from Baltimore and Detroit.