MLS club Houston Dynamo are determined to strike up a partnership with a USL PRO league club.
The Dynamo are currently without an affiliate in US Soccer's third tier competition but president Chris Canetti is confident something can be arranged for season 2014 and beyond rather than placing its own team in the league.
"At this point, we're ultimately leaning in the direction of going with an affiliate," Canetti said.
"We believe at this point that's the most effective and efficient way of going about it rather than having our own USL PRO franchise at this point.
"Quite frankly, it's economics. When you have your own team, you're wholly responsible for the franchise. I'm not sure, with the stage we're at as a club, that's a burden we need to take on.
"Down the road, having our own USL PRO franchise continues to be an option. In the short-term, 2014, an affiliate is the way we're leaning. Continuing to determine whether starting our own franchise is viable will continue to take place."
