It shouldn't really come as a surprise that the NASL received its sanctioning.
The USSF set their standards too high for Division 2 but weren't willing to knock a block out of the development pyramid just to stand on the principle of their goals. And despite the recommendations of their own review committee to deny sanctioning, the board went ahead and gave provisionally approval anyways. But sources from both Canadian clubs, who had been sharing information throughout the process - and for the most part had showed little doubt that they'd receive approval - expressed surprise at the 6-5 vote. Even more surprise that both the MLS commissioner Don Garber and USSF president Suni Gulati abstained from the vote.
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Their shock over the division of the vote is well placed. And there is a lot to this, and what went on behind the scenes this past weekend, that strikes me (and them) as strange. In the weeks ahead, Canadian Soccer News will take a look at the motives that drove this decision and what's next for D2 soccer.
Some here believe what's next for D2 won't involve NASL after this year.
For now though, read this thorough summary by our friend Brian Quarstad at IMS Soccer News.