However, this brings up a huge question that remains unanswered; Will Syracuse once again host an outdoor soccer franchise? Right now, it is hard to say. First, you have to remember what situation our indoor team is in. The Silver Knights need great attendance with a winning 2015-16 season to even have a shot of returning for another. So far, the team has a 2-1 record with good turnouts at both its home matches. If the Silver Knights are able to stick around, I think it makes a bid for an outdoor team more feasible. It is also a positive note that the Syracuse University men's soccer team has made the post season for the past two years. This season, they won the ACC Championship and are going to compete in the Elite Eight this Saturday. If anything, this shows the Salt City has soccer potential within the professional ranks.
Not long ago, I wrote about Syracuse's potential of having an outdoor team. It came about when a campaign was created by the Salt City Supporters group to bring an outdoor team to Syracuse. In that article, I pointed out our city would be a better fit within a lower league in the soccer pyramid, such as the NPSL or USL PDL. In these leagues, the team would not have to build or rent out a major stadium for games. Most teams play in smaller venues, such as college fields or high school athletic complexes. Another positive aspect is the number of geographically close opponents the NPSL contains, such as FC Buffalo, the Kingston Stockade, Greater Binghamton FC, and now the RiverDogZ. This will keep travel reasonable throughout the season and allow for great rivalries to grow. Finally, an outdoor team would do well with the ability to keep local players in the area while giving them the chance to play professional soccer. Whether they are coming out of local colleges or from the Silver Knights, soccer players familiar with Syracuse and its soccer community would have the chance to stay in the Salt City while breaking into or advancing in their professional soccer careers. I don't think fans of the Silver Knights would complain having players from the team stay in town during the summer to play for an outdoor franchise.
For now, Syracuse has the Silver Knights to cheer and support. In Rochester, they now have another franchise to cheer on during the summer. Good for them! However, the question of Syracuse getting an outdoor team is not going away anything soon. Hopefully, that question will be answered with someone stepping up and bring the outdoor game back to the Salt City.
Thanks/Credit:
http://www.nationalpremiersoccerleague.com/home/901133.html
http://www.nationalpremiersoccerleague.com/scripts/runisa.dll?M2:gpx::72906+L2/+E+102