Ajaxtalk

No, we're not talking about Ajax USA here (that's us!) but about Ajax America! Ajax have officially re-branded Ajax Orlando into Ajax America today. The new official Ajax America website is already up: http://www.ajaxamerica.com/

And so is our news report on Ajax USA:
http://www.ajax-usa.com/news/2004-2005/ ... erica.html

This thread is the place for discussions about Ajax America, Ajax's U.S. 'satellite club'!

K.

What's weird about this is that when AO started they wanted to be named Ajax America, but Ajax (rightly, I thought) said resolutely 'no'.

Now suddenly, it's Ok.

What gives?

I wonder if this has to do with the shirt provider/sponsor controversy?

Press release from Ajax America:

Ajax America Joins Forces with the WPSL
The WPSL team formerly known as Ajax of Southern California joins soccer conglomerate Ajax America.

Orlando, FL – (June 17, 2005) – The Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) team, formerly known as Ajax of Southern California, will compete under the name Ajax America effective immediately. This new acquisition expands Ajax America’s lineup of premier soccer teams to include a women’s soccer club for the first time in company history.

“Ajax is pleased to welcome an elite women’s club into its multi-faceted soccer organization,” stated Barry Hulshoff, technical director for Ajax America. “The opportunities and growth in women’s soccer are numerous and we look forward to a successful partnership with the WPSL for many years.”

Through the WPSL team in Southern California Ajax expands name recognition throughout the United States. The team is coached by Brian Boswell and currently has 2 members of the US Women’s World Cup team on their roster, Abby Wambach and Shannon Boxx. The squad, which is now called the Ajax America Women, will play out of Los Angeles and have won 2 US National Championships. They will be competing in the US finals in Dallas this August.

They probably wanted to rename it to Ajax USA, instead of Ajax America, but found out that all url's were claimed! ;)

LXIV

That might be, but they've never asked about that. And to be honest, I think Ajax America is a better name. It's not based on initials (like USA) and it encompasses the continent (Canada and Mexico) by association.

Plus, I think Ajax fans already have a certain expectation for Ajax USA. :-)

ajaxusa schreef:That might be, but they've never asked about that. And to be honest, I think Ajax America is a better name. It's not based on initials (like USA) and it encompasses the continent (Canada and Mexico) by association.

Plus, I think Ajax fans already have a certain expectation for Ajax USA. :-)

I didn't know America was limited to Canada, the United States of America and Mexico..... How ethnocentric !!

:D :D :D :D

I heard a rumor today (from a very credible source) that Ajax America (formerly Ajax Orlando) is making inquiries about joining MLS. I have no further info, but if true that would be a major step forward.

ajaxusa schreef:I heard a rumor today (from a very credible source) that Ajax America (formerly Ajax Orlando) is making inquiries about joining MLS. I have no further info, but if true that would be a major step forward.

I guess now we'd be talking !!

The rumors are true.

BTW www.ajaxamerica.com
:)

gforce99 schreef:The rumors are true.

BTW www.ajaxamerica.com
:)

What rumours do you mean?

K.

The rumor is true that Ajax America is seriously interested in buying a MLS franchise.
The team they are interested in is SJ Earthquakes. Which makes sense since they just took over the premiere WPSL team in California.
They might move it, if they feel they can find a better venue (ie Orlando, FL)

Wouldn't mind seeing the Ajax name on an MLS franchise, as long as it's not a dog of a franchise, i.e. Chivas-USA( :pukey: ).

I don't believe that AA wants to join MLS. With MLS single entity, it makes the youth academy and all of that go to waste.

I agree the single-entity nature of MLS doesn't seem Ajax style, but my sources are pretty legit. Otherwise I wouldn't talk about it.
In fact Ajax's committment to player development and control seemed better suited for USL First Div then MLS.

However, it does seem Club America is very close to getting the Quakes so maybe only Kansas City or an expansion team is possible IF Ajax America gets a MLS team.

By the way: isn't it a bit of a worrying sign that Ajax.nl never mentioned Ajax Orlando's name change? No news report. Nothing. In fact: there is a link to 'Ajax America' on the Dutch-language homepage, but it takes you to http://www.ajaxorlando.us/ instead of the new website. On the English-language homepage there's still a link to 'Ajax Orlando'.

What does that mean? Have Ajax already lost interest in their own satellite club? Why do they invest in a project like this and then lose interest? The least you can say is that Ajax America does not seem to be too much of a big thing for Ajax... (although Arie van Eijden or any other Ajax 'suit' will tell you that it is, obviously...).

K.

Well if the mother ship doesn't care, its their loss.
You would think America would be too big of a potential market to ignore.

Don't you think?

gforce99 schreef:Well if the mother ship doesn't care, its their loss.

Absolutely...

You would think America would be too big of a potential market to ignore.

Absolutely...

:nooo:

K.

gforce99 schreef:I agree the single-entity nature of MLS doesn't seem Ajax style, but my sources are pretty legit. Otherwise I wouldn't talk about it.
In fact Ajax's committment to player development and control seemed better suited for USL First Div then MLS.

However, it does seem Club America is very close to getting the Quakes so maybe only Kansas City or an expansion team is possible IF Ajax America gets a MLS team.

just noticed you are in FL, where at? im in ft lauderdale.

in the middle, near Orlando.
Enjoy the Gold Cup?

Relationships between Ajax America and Ajax Amsterdam are a tad strained at the moment. You have to remember that the management at AA has a fair amount of autonomy, and they don't always do what Amsterdam would prefer.

gforce99 schreef:Well if the mother ship doesn't care, its their loss.
You would think America would be too big of a potential market to ignore.

Don't you think?

Nah, we got stuck with a crap group in Miami this time around.



Anyway big news that affects a possible AA move to MLS. MLS has decided that teams will have the rights to players they develop.

astabooty schreef:
Anyway big news that affects a possible AA move to MLS. MLS has decided that teams will have the rights to players they develop.

Really when did they announce this?
Anywhere we can read it?

That is a bit of news and very substantial to IF AA does get a MLS team.

You want to believe that Ajax are 100% committed to this relationship. After all , their name is on the shingle next to the entrance. But, I'm not certain.Not certain because of CF situations like GBA and Ashanti Goldfields.I hope the development set-up mentioned in the last several posts does take flight. Never much cared for the single-entity MLS,but given footballs success and failure in this country,I understand the thinking.

gforce99 schreef:

astabooty schreef:
Anyway big news that affects a possible AA move to MLS. MLS has decided that teams will have the rights to players they develop.

Really when did they announce this?
Anywhere we can read it?

That is a bit of news and very substantial to IF AA does get a MLS team.

http://www.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/mls_news ... &fext=.jsp

ajaxusa schreef:I've heard some interesting scuttlebutt (sp?) that Ajax America (formerly Ajax Orlando) will be making a public announcement soon (this week) regarding their plans to take an equity stake in an MLS franchise. It sounds very serious (in a good way). We'll run a news story on AUSA as soon as we have official news to report.

K.