MLS Expansion--Where Next?

[Rover]

OK, so maybe we don't care about expansion since WE'RE IN!

But expansion is still a big deal. Could be 2006, could be 2007 or 2008, but we're looking at possibly 2-4 teams in the next few years.

Who's next up for expansion? The last round was not easy to follow, with the lucky cities changing on what seemed like a daily basis. Remember when Cleveland was a sure thing? Seattle? Salt Lake a longshot? MLS won't put two teams in LA?

So what's next? Will The Smurfquakes or Wiz move, complicating the whole issue?

I'll give it a try. I think Seattle has a very good shot at the next expansion. Ownership is a problem--MLS wants Paul Allen to get on board, but interest has not been strong. But I have to think we'll find a way to put a team in the Northwest, where soccer culture is strong (could be Portland).

Next, I'd go for either Houston or San Antonio. I'd prefer San Antonio, but both are good candidates. There are political issues in both, although the SA leadership has been very supportive of MLS and the stadium issue.

After that, I know a lot if east coast types who think Philly should get a team. Minneapolis, St. Louis, and Atlanta are also candidates just by size and region, but I've yet to see a viable owner step forward.

And then there's Rochester, with a history of strong support for their Ragin' Rhinos and a stadium in the works.

So, what new cities will RSL be playing in by 2010 (OK, we haven't played in any yet, but you know what I mean).

[SoccerPrime]

Toronto and Houston have got to be the front runners now. (well this week)

[Czar Jake]

MLS Expansion is very fickle. It doesn't REALLY matter that much which city wants it the most, or which team already has supporters, or which city has a soccer culture, etc.. The only thing that matters is if someone is willing to PAY for the team. Wherever someone wants to open their checkbook, that place gets a team. (RSL is the best example of that by far, but Chivas shows it too)

That said, I'll guess:

Houston (America will put a team there)
and
Toronto (Because that's where the new buzz is)

I guess I agree with SP.

Seattle, Portland, Rochester all have the peripheral stuff but nobody opening up the checkbook. Cleveland WAS a sure thing, until the other sure thing (besides taxes) hit the investor. Atlanta would be nice just to get the South involved.

[SoccerPrime]

Supposively Portland's MLS chances are based on interest from MFL's Club Pachuca.

Read more here: http://www.onewolfsoccer.com/
http://www.users.qwest.net/~dallen3/timbers.html

[Czar Jake]

Originally Posted by SoccerPrime

Supposively Portland's MLS chances are based on interest from MFL's Club Pachuca.

Read more here: http://www.onewolfsoccer.com/
http://www.users.qwest.net/~dallen3/timbers.html

Thanks Prime, I wasn't aware of that. I hope if they get a team, they remain the Portland Timbers and don't become "Pachuca USA" 😲

[GoReal]

I think MLS needs to be very careful with expansion. They don't want to make the same mistake as the NHL has done by expanding too fast. At least that is one of the reasons that many sports radio personalities pointed to their demise this year. I think this league needs to stay with fewer teams so that the quality of play doesn't become watered down. Does anyone remember the Tampa Bay Mutiny and their horrible season(I think it was their last year when they had Barclay as one of their starting forwards). Casual fans will not support a team like the Mutiny.

Also after MLS cut back on the two Florida franchises everyone was talking about how the quality of play in the MLS was so much better. So expansion will be a tough question to answer. There are alot of soccer fanatics out there, but not enough to fill a stadium or even half-fill a stadium. Look at San Jose and the success they had while Landon and others were there and they still can't put enough warm bodies in the seats to stop the questions about whether they'll move or not. I think it depends on the number of casual fans and whether they can be "converted" to the other side, our side.

It would be fun to see, but MLS has to be very careful. I don't want to lose this league like the NASL(?).

It'll be interesting to see how "our" MLS team does this season with attendance??? That would be another intersesting post.

Anyway, that's IMHO....GO ReAL!!!!!! 😕

[Deuce]

Yeah I have not been to the north west yet so it would be cool to get a team up there just so I can go on a road trip... apparently haven't learned my lesson yet! :D

And I am sure that MLS will be sure to put a team there since I want to go there... 🙄

Also I am not sure but wasn't Las Vegas in the mix somewhere for a MLS expansion? or was that baseball?

[Neil]

I'm voting Houston and Toronto. Why Toronto? Because anything America does, Canada wants in on.

[Rover]

I know Toronto's the hot pick, with Sean Wheelock joining the Chamber of Commerce pitch for expansion. I'm not convinced. I'd like to see the next round go to American cities, period. I'd favor San Antonio and Seattle for regional reasons, although Texas already has a team. Maybe Toronto for the round after next.

I think San Antonio would be as good a place as any for Club America to place a team, if MLS still wants to continue down seedy cheetos road. Only this time, make sure the expansion is in a NEW market and the new owner commits to building a NEW stadium. After all, that was the criteria for the last expansion, even if MLS kinda conveniently lost that memo when they signed up sc.

Houston--doesn't excite me. Maybe I've got too many relatives there. If I had to choose a road trip destination, Houston is no competition for San Antonio. In August (or July or June), I wouldn't want to be near either of them.

Of course, Houston has the dome(s) . . .

[montgjules]

Everyone talks about how the Blitzz paved the way for RSL. If that's really true, are their other lower league teams that are likely to pave the way for MLS teams?