MLS Expansion?

I've been seeing a multitude of rumors around the net about possible expansion options the MLS is looking at.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story ... 28&cc=5901

That article is about Seattle hoping for a team. I've also seen articles for new teams in Minneapolis (based in a horse track!), Philadelphia, and a rather LARGE calling for Boca Juniors to possibly start a club in Miami.

Question is to you who follow the MLS, do we need more teams? And if we do, where should they be?

I, personally, think more successful teams could be nothing but good for the league. Let us all look at Toronto this season and see how great they have been. I also think Miami and Seattle would be fine additions. In all there should be about 3 new teams by 2010 in order to even up the conferences a bit more.

 

There has been a lot of talk around Cleveland having an open invitation from MLS as long as they can get a stadium deal which has taken some time, but is still ongoing

 

1. San Jose is already set.. EVENS OUT LEAGUE to 14 and a mistake in my view. Should not have been awarded until the first footer on a new stadium was poured.

2. LAST thing we need is another New York Team {rumored}. When Red Bulls sell out for NE or DC then we might think about it. Or at least when they get a stadium, really get one I mean.

3. How is the attendance at Miami FC? No, no, no. Not even Tampa was as big an embarrassment to MLS. I dont see how Boca Jrs can fix that.
- fortunately that's a way off and wont affect GBS at Crew in the least.

4. I like Seattle/Vancouver as a candidate. They've always been strong A-League {what was wrong with calling it 'A-League' ?!!!!!}

5. Philly already has a prospective site {NJ south, actually} and natural rivalry.

 

By all accounts, the people I have talked to said the Fusion had poor attendance because of the actual location of the stadium. Apparently it was in an undesirable place. But even still, I'd be surprised to see a team there flounder with the large Hispanic population there.

And I would be sick if NY got another team. The Red Bulls barely seem to be holding on as it is, and if it weren't for Angel, they would still be a joke.

 

Good call Fog on the A-league, never really thought about that.

Miami would be a disaster, that town is easily the worst in terms of attendance to any of their pro-sports franchises (except for Hurricanes football )

I have to think w/the success of Toronto, that Montreal would certainly have to be in the mix.

 

5 teams by 2012? What? There's not enough talent to satisfy that many competitive teams - I think the league should relax for a few years once it does hit 16 teams (the current plan, I think, for 2010).

Now, which cities do I want to see get franchises? The next two will likely be Seattle and Philadelphia - two cities that support their soccer team well enough (except Philly doesn't have a team...just a supporter's group).

Beyond that, any place that has an investor willing to pay the expansion fee and are willing to build a soccer-specific stadium will get an audience from the league. This could be Las Vegas, Cleveland, St. Louis, NY2 (in the middle of the city, NYRB is in north NJ), etc.

And NYRB is sitting third in the Eastern Conference (tied with DC), how in the hell is that any more of a joke than...say...Columbus, Chicago, or Toronto (but their fans are PASSIONATE(tm), yeah, if passion = throwing streamers, then there you go. Chants and songs don't win games, TFC.)

 

Sorry about the NY thing...
But i'm not in a pissing contest here. When NY gets in their new stadium and sells out for their rivals then they can be considered for a second team. And I'll say 'Yeah!' Mets/ Yankees, Jets/Giants are GOOD THINGS!

As to their current standing... remember how the pop charts used to be listed? Yeah.. they are third, with a ROCK! They probably wont make the playoffs.

JP Angel is trumped by C Reyna, I'm afraid. Anyone ELSE want to bring in an over the hill US star? And i'm NOT talking about McBride.

 

Garber wants 18 teams by 2012. Thats equals one new team per year for five years. He's crazy, nuts! Someone needs to sit him down and bring him down to earth. I think we have a good level of play right now( many disagree) but five new teams is gonna kill it. Theres shouldn't be a hurry to expand, thats how mistakes happen. Explain to me, whats the upside of having so many new teams so soon?

Look at the mess that is Chivas. We are only three years in and they can't draw 12k. At this point its a failure.

As for where the league should go. Montreal, Vancouver, maybe Philly, Seattle if they're going to build a stadium.

 

how bout San Antonio Don?

 

RE: Re: MLS Expansion?

i believe San Antonio was talking to MLS at one time, but when the Quakes moved to Houston, that pretty much stopped any momentum that a MLS to San Antonio deal had been building.

major sports leagues (read NFL & MLB) are a little leary of putting teams in San Antonio for some reason. i know why the NFL balks -- Jerry Jones doesn't want to lose the HUGE fan base that the Cowboys have in SA. as for MLB - they may feel that the Texas MLB market is saturated with the Astros and Rangers.

 

hey Don

do you think that Austin would be a good choice for an MLS team? they have a great soccer culture and progressive city leaders (something that SA has NEVER had). of course - i don't think it'll ever happen, but stranger things have as we both know.

one thing about Austin is that they don't feel that they need professional sports to give their city an identity -- which they don't. they are, of course, the Live Music Capital of the World!!!

 

You're right about Austin - no pro teams can compete with The University.
Philly and Seattle are the next two.
Nobody has mentioned Phoenix as a possibility - yeah, it is hot, but I think it might work there.

 

you guys are right on about The University ruling the sports scene in Austin.

when i said "soccer culture" i meant - BIG soccer community. i played in the SA leagues for a long time, but the tournaments in Austin were way more organized and supported than any i was ever a part of in SA.

i'd love to see an MLS team in either SA or Austin --- just so i don't have to go to Houston (man, i hate going to Houston) or make that crappy trek all the way up I-35 and out to Frisco to see FC Dallas.

even though it is twice as long of a drive to Dallas than it is to Houston -- my wife and i chose to go to Frisco to see the FC Dallas - Houston Dynamo game. THAT is how much i hate going to Houston - LOL.

 

Red Bulls are a New Jersey club. Giants Stadium is disgusting, and with better transportation available to Red Bull Park, there is going to be a sharp increase in attendance. People from Manhattan and Newark are going to flock to Red Bull Park, and I wouldn't be surprised if they start averaging 20K a match.

But the plans for the second MLS club is to have it in Queens, the most diverse county in all of the US. The Mets want to operate it, and Omar Minaya will be helping the club if that does happen. If you get a good Irishman, Ecuadorian, and Mexican, attendance could be off the charts. Especially if the SSS is placed near CitiField near Corona Park.

I like Seattle, the Sounders hold the record for highest match attendance ever, with over 24,000 people going to Qwest Field to witness their first ever match. Although attendance has dropped, thier still a good condidate.

Not too big on Miami though, if Miami FC's attendance goes up to around 3,500 then have a club there.

Montreal is fine with the USL club (which is averaging more than the Wizards and Red Bulls), and I think if MLS gets a club in Montreal, attendance won't go up all that much.

 

Whatever happened to all the rumors of Rochester ever getting a MLS team? I heard their attendance was always great in the A-League years ago. I haven't heard much since then.

 

Here is a little article I found in the St. Louis Post Dispatch about a possible new soccer only stadium being built in Collinsville, IL just across the river from St. Louis.

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/s ... enDocument

 

What about Philadelphia? They already have so many fans who REALLY want an MLS club. Are they going to have to settle for a USL 1st Division club named Philadelphia 1776?