Syracuse Salty Dogs

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Image:Syracuse FC.jpg The Syracuse Salty Dogs were a professional men's soccer team in Syracuse, New York. They are a member of the United Soccer Leagues' A-League. The official club name was Syracuse Football Club, under the Syracuse Pro Sports Group, and it was founded in 2003, when the Salty Dogs played their first season, which they ended 11-12-5. Most home games were played at Alliance Bank Stadium (formerly P&C Stadium). The team suspended operations in October 2004 and did not play in 2005 or 2006. Groups have been working to return professional soccer to Syracuse in the future.

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Financial Difficulties

Despite having the third-highest attendance in the A-League during its two years of play, the team faltered financially. Much strain has been put on its budget as a result of using Alliance Bank Stadium, which is run by the Syracuse Sky Chiefs. The team did not have a good relationship with the Sky Chiefs. During their first season, the team was forced to play several home games at a high school football field in Liverpool, NY. During its seond season, the team's playoff home games were in Cortland, NY for similar reasons.

During its second and last season, there were proposals to build a downtown soccer stadium near Armory Square. After the team's folding, Matt Driscoll, Syracuse's mayor, stated that realization of such a stadium is only feasible if a team returns. Ironically, without such a stadium, a team's return is less likely. The Syracuse Pro Sports group is expected to file for bankruptcy.

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