Matthew Glenesk and Kevin Johnston

matthew.glenesk@indystar.com

UPDATE (6 p.m. Dec. 6): The fate of the Indy Eleven and the North American Soccer League will remain up in the air for at least another week. U.S. Soccer announced Tuesday night that it has decided to push back its decision on whether or not to sanction/recertify the NASL and USL.

"We expect to have further discussions in the next 7-10 days as we focus on the resolution of this important matter," a U.S. Soccer news release said.

In response, the Eleven thanked their fans and partners for their continued patience as they wait to learn the Eleven's fate.

“To our fans & partners. We cannot thank you enough for your incredible patience as these unique circumstances continue to be resolved. Know that Indy Eleven continues to plan ahead for the 2017 season at Carroll Stadium and that we provide updates as possible.”

ORIGINAL STORY

For now, the Indy Eleven have a home in the North American Soccer League.

But for how much longer?

The future of the NASL hangs in the balance — its status as the second tier of American soccer and its very existence. Last week, U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati met with representatives from the NASL and the United Soccer League at the NASL board of governors meetings after news that the league's flagship club and defending champion New York Cosmos were teetering on the brink of folding.

The parties left the bargaining table without a concrete solution in place, leaving the NASL’s future in limbo.

The next opportunity to make headway will be at the USSF’s board of directors meeting in New York this week. The NASL has lost three teams this offseason, with the possibility of more defections to the USL or clubs simply ceasing operations. That upheaval puts NASL below the USSF's Division 2 threshold of 12 teams, and it's possible the league could dip below eight teams, the threshold for Division 3 status. The NASL could apply for a waiver from USSF, but nothing is guaranteed. The USL, U.S. Soccer's third-tier league, will seek second-division status.

A lot depends upon a planned announcement from the Carolina franchise Tuesday, which many expect to include a rebranding and stated intentions to leave NASL for USL with an eye toward future Major League Soccer expansion.

So what are the Eleven's options? That will become clearer after Tuesday's USSF meeting. Among the possibilities:

• The NASL could receive its Division 2 or Division 3 waiver from USSF and hope future expansion teams rebuild the league.

• The Eleven move to the USL, a league with at least 30 teams slated to play in 2017, including franchises in Louisville and Cincinnati.

• The NASL and the Eleven could cease operations for a year as the league seeks out expansion teams for the 2018 season.

• Or the extreme — Indy Eleven could just go out of business.

"Indy Eleven continues to plan for the 2017 season in conjunction with other committed clubs and owners that are working hard on a path forward for the NASL,” a team official told IndyStar.

The NASL and USL declined requests for comment.

According to a report by Sports Illustrated's Brian Straus, if one or more NASL teams shuts down or leaves before the league can secure a waiver from USSF, the league could collapse on its own.

"NASL clubs considering a move to USL likely will have to pay to do so, and they must decide quickly whether to bet on the NASL’s survival or bolt for the USL," Straus wrote.

An Indy Eleven official declined comment on whether the team has reached out to USL.

Although there are benefits to having second- or third-division status, there is no promotion/relegation in the United States, so clubs don't move up or down the leagues based on individual season performances. Second-division clubs may have advantages with advertisers and be able to lure more talented players.

At last week's board of governors meetings, a proposed merger between USL and NASL was rejected as well as NASL's offer to play interleague games, according to Sports Illustrated.

The Indy Eleven average 8,396 fans a game — second-most last season in NASL — and are still selling season ticket packages for the 2017 season.