The North American Soccer League, the professional soccer league formed in part by owners of the Carolina RailHawks, held its inaugural annual meeting in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. from Jan. 7-10.

Representatives of the 11 member teams made key decisions following the announcement by the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) that teams from the NASL would play in a league administered by the USSF in the 2010 season.

The league originated in November, when a group of former United Soccer League franchises, led in part by the RailHawks ownership, broke away from the USL.

The former USL teams formed the rebel league because they wanted more say in league operations and better branding.

After almost four months of public bickering between the two sides - and at least one threatened lawsuit - both leagues were denied official sanctioning by the U.S. Soccer Federation, which governs organized soccer.

The USSF cited long-term sustainability and a lack of financially viable teams by the two leagues as a problem area and forced the two sides -- which had been bitter enemies throughout the break-up process -- to make a one-year compromise or risk losing sanctioning.

The league's teams said they will work with the USSF and representatives of the three teams from the United Soccer Leagues that will be playing in the combined 2010 USSF Second Division League to finalize the schedule for the season as soon as possible.

The members also unanimously approved a partnership with MRX, an event and technology company in Canada, to build an online network for the NASL and its member teams. The league's official Web site, NASL.com, launched this month. The site will serve as the portal for all information regarding the league and its clubs.

Other decisions made by the members included:

The establishment of Board of Governors committees that will handle finances, expansion matters, marketing, broadcast and competitions.

The submission to the USSF of recommendations regarding competition-related matters for the 2010 season.

League executive staffing hires which will be announced in the coming weeks.

NASL also announced the hiring of Kartik Krishnaiyer as its first director of communications and public relations.

"It was a productive weekend where we laid the groundwork to ensure the league's success and sustainability for years to come," Carolina RailHawks president Brian Wellman said in a statement "Having the owners make decisions on the business side of the NASL will quickly advance the league and teams in terms of exposure, commercial viability and quality of play, all of which the fans deserve."

The NASL is comprised of the Carolina RailHawks, Crystal Palace Baltimore, Miami FC, Montreal Impact, Rochester Rhinos, AC St. Louis, Tampa Bay Rowdies, Vancouver Whitecaps and a team in Minnesota whose name is still to be determined. In 2011, these teams are expected to be joined by teams in Atlanta and certain other cities to be named later, the league said.