As I sit down to write this, I want to stress that this piece is completely MY opinion. Few things have divided our staff as much as this move, so I wouldn’t want any other writer to feel tied to this opinion piece - because that’s what this is, an opinion piece.

The news broke over the weekend, Oakland Roots would be departing NISA to join USL next year. Granted, the club hasn’t officially announced this, but Nipun Chopra, the Soctakes contributor who reported the story, is a journalist with a solid reputation for getting the story right, so I believe him. The twitter reaction was as expected when a big story hits, mostly opposition to the move, as USL has few friends in the NISA/lower league world. Interestingly, after the first wave, there was a groundswell of “calmer head” takes who defended the move, citing the lack of competition in the western conference. And now the news is simmering, no doubt waiting for the club to officially announce the move to set off a full-scale boil.

I don’t have any major gripe against the team running Roots, they’ve gotten most of their decisions right. The community-first approach should be lauded, celebrated, and encouraged. We need more clubs taking similar approaches in their own cities - tying your club to your hometown is smart for a host of reasons. And, best of all, Roots approach didn’t seem insincere or calculated but instead driven by a genuine passion for Oakland. All of that is good!

But as a NISA guy, there were some warning signs. The rapid switching of leagues indicated a lack of connection to any specific idea about where the club should play. Some have argued that their decision to jump ship from NPSL Pro (Hell Yeah, Brother) triggered the end (not sure I believe in that theory entirely). The founders of the club didn’t have allegiances to any league, as this was their first club and, of course, NISA is a recently established league, lacking roots (if you will). That combination made it easy for the club to keep its ears and eyes open for offers and interest. So when the opportunity came to join the bigger, more established league, they jumped.

Quick aside - I don’t demonize USL as much as many my fellow lower league people. I try to focus on the common connections we have and work to develop those into some sort of working relationship. That being said, the USL system has been poaching clubs from lower leagues on a consistent basis over the last few years. NPSL has watched multiple strong, established clubs jump ship for USL. NISA lost Miami FC and now Oakland. And let’s not forget that the PDL was once a thing. The USL is a CLOSED system and is grabbing up strong clubs from wherever they can get them. That should concern anyone, unless you’re a USL fan, I guess.

So some have said to me, “It was a business decision, Dan. The club is trying to find the safest place for their investment.” And, if you’re a brutal capitalist, so be it. Allow me to disagree aggressively.

We wouldn’t give fans this free pass, would we? When the fiasco happened in St. Louis last month, the critics were out strong against the USL fans jumping ship for the new MLS franchise. When lower league advocates have watched USL sides roll into cities and gobble up the fanbases of amateur sides, they cry against the lack of loyalty and commitment to club. I should know, I’m one of those people. We expect more of fan loyalty. There’s an expectation that the ties that bind should be enough to keep you bound, even when another club comes knocking.

If you argue that all leagues are equal, I’d push back pretty hard on that. Look at the agreements NISA has been working out with a host of regional leagues. Look at the multi-league regional cup that was held this summer. USL just wouldn’t do that. The management of the league has only partnered with one league, MLS, the rest have been acquisitions and cherry-picked defectors. And I’ve heard fans of the league claim that it’s obviously pro/rel, “look at the league set-up.” At least for me, pro/rel isn’t the measuring stick of a quality league. It’s an indicator yes, but how the league is run matters. I’d suggest that USL has shown ZERO movement on the issue yet, so all the goodwill in the world isn’t proof.

So why can’t we expect the same of clubs? Why is the safe money allowed for clubs? Why is ok for a club to take the bag and dip? NISA isn’t perfect by any means, but the league has shown a dedication to principles that lower league fans hold dear. Why can’t we expect teams to work out their differences and make it work? Why have we excused or forgotten the Ann Arbors and Asheville Citys of the world? Those clubs were important parts of an amateur league and jumped ship for USL*. And we could take it a step further, what about the GCPL clubs that jumped ship for the NPSL earlier this year?

When I’ve raised these arguments before, I get the standard, “That’s the way it is. The federation won’t do anything.” Are our only arbiters of right and wrong the federation? Can’t we begin to build the world we want right now, instead of waiting for Don Garber to change his mind**. I don’t live my life with ethicality and dedication to the truth because the president, the pope, or my mommy told me to, I do it because it’s the right thing to do, it’s the right way to live. We live in a time when that seems old fashioned, but I’ll die on that hill.

So if you want a different pattern from the one we’re currently in, change it. Why can’t we expect amateur leagues to work together and grow the game? Put the egos aside and do something lasting for a change. The NPSL and UPSL should be working together, that’s obvious to EVERYONE***. Sit down at the table and work out an agreement that benefits the clubs you “serve” and the game in general. We can do something great if we worked together. That goes from the fans to league operators to a host of club owners who have straddled the fence for too long. Decide to lead with conviction and passion instead of where the money is. Maybe you fail, but you got into the soccer ownership game, it was a risk from the beginning.

So for all the owners in UPSL and NPSL who complain about the operations of your leagues, do something about it. Hold people accountable, go on the record, stand up for what’s right. Change the state of things. And for the owners who are considering jumping to USL, think carefully before you join that system. Is it aligned with your values? Do you trust the people in charge? What say will you have? How much control will you retain? Is it worth it?

So that’s it. My rambling rant on the Oakland Roots move to USL.

As a fan, I’m tired of the lack of expectations for clubs. You won’t get a free pass from me. The safer way isn’t the right way. Sacrifice is required to build anything great.

- Dan Vaughn

*And yes, we don’t know the full stories with those clubs, but I’ve reached out to both to discuss their exits and both declined to comment.

**I know Don Garber isn’t the head of the fed, but he’s the driving force behind most of what they do. Also, no, he will never change his mind.

***Except to the people in charge.