The proposed new professional soccer league swelled to 10 teams today after Rochester announced its plans to join the North American Soccer League along with the Carolina RailHawks and other United Soccer League defectors.

Rochester was thought to be a team that RailHawks owner Selby Wellman had referred to as "on the fence" after the new league submitted an application to the United State Soccer Federation for approval. That application is still pending at this time.

Wellman, in a question about which months NASL would want to play in, had mentioned Rochester as one of the "cold weather" franchises despite Rochester not being in the initial plans.

The move could leave the USL's first division with just five teams for next year. Six former USL franchises (Carolina, Tampa, Vancouver, Montreal, Minnesota and Miami) have joined the proposed NASL while another (Charleston) is moving down to the second division.

The proposed league still needs USSF approval for next year. The USL has already said it will look at all actions to keep some of its teams, which it claims are still under contract to play in the USL, within the league.

Rochester CEO Ron Clark said this in today's press release:

“We evaluated the situation very carefully and decided that the best decision for the future of the Rhinos and soccer in Rochester was for us to join the new NASL,” Clark said.

“Soccer is maturing before our very eyes. We are joining a family of team owners who are committed to investing in our league and their teams to further the development of players and support the future growth of the sport in North America. The NASL is a new beginning for soccer in Rochester.”