ClapNot according to Rob Clark, owner of the Rhinos. He stated this morning that nothing has changed and he is still waiting until the end of the season to make a decision if his team will stay with the North American Soccer League or move to the new USL Pro League.
However, a half hour later IMS was alerted that USL was featuring the Rhinos on their website with a story about their playoffs along with a team page and link in the “USL First Division” page. The only other teams with links are the two USL affiliated teams: Austin Aztex and the Portland Timbers.
When Clark was contacted again he told IMS that he had given his permission to the United Soccer Leagues but did not elaborate.
The USL was also asked to respond to the Rhinos’ coverage on their website. Spokesperson Jay Preble stated: “We have covered the USSF DII League on our website all season long, and the Rhinos have recently authorized us to cover their individual team.”
Preble acknowledged that their website has not printed any other stories of non-USL affiliated D2 teams this season unless they were game reports.
