I am not going to fib to people - it has been difficult." Tom Payne, the Puerto Rico FC president, is reflecting on his club's off-season which, by any stretch of the imagination, has been as turbulent as it gets.

Just six months after Puerto Rico FC formally got up and running, the club were plunged into disarray late last year when the NASL appeared on the brink of going under.

Payne had hoped to start reshaping the squad and improving the club's business but without knowing what league Puerto Rico FC - who are owned by New York Knicks superstar Carmelo Anthony - would be playing in, he was completely hamstrung in his plans.

To make matters worse, two players decided to leave the club as they were unhappy with the state of the NASL.

And then, just as things turned for the better, with the NASL being awarded division two status by the United States Soccer Federation, PRFC were hit with another major bodyblow.

Despite having qualified for the Caribbean Club Championship by reaching the final of the Luis Villarejo Cup - a Puerto Rico federation tournament they won in November - the club were not included in the group stage draw when it was announced last month.