Where could the MLS be expanded to? (leagues, Beckham, Nets)

[Interpol76]

Originally Posted by RjRobb2

An announcement will be made by March 19th.

Word is that Vancouver is pretty much a lock with either St. Louis or Portland getting the other bid.

What??? No Montreal???

[pirate_lafitte]

Originally Posted by RjRobb2

Yeah, thats a great idea considering the current NY franchise has done so well.

In all seriousness, NY is in the lower portion in the league in attendance. They dont need a second franchise in NY anytime soon.

Here is an idea. A soccer franchise for NYC only and a soccer franchise for New Jersey.

I think the New York Red Bulls should keep their name, but relocated to Brooklyn or Queens.

Instead of the NY Cosmos, how about the New Jersey Cosmos and have them play in Newark.

[pirate_lafitte]

Does anyone think a team in New Bedford,MA or Providence,RI could work out? I am thinking the Whalers or Pescadores.

[RjRobb2]

Originally Posted by Interpol76

What??? No Montreal???

The Montreal bid has been on the rocks for several weeks. The ownership group isnt wanting to pay the expansion fee among other issues. It isnt even certain if their bid is still on the table.

[Finger Laker]

why would you expand to seattle and then immediately to portland or vancouver

i can see trying to create a regional rivalry - but you're just as likely to cannibalize your fan base

[Interpol76]

Originally Posted by Finger Laker

why would you expand to seattle and then immediately to portland or vancouver

i can see trying to create a regional rivalry - but you're just as likely to cannibalize your fan base

Because...Portland, Oregon is probobly the soccer capital of America. And vancouver has a huge soccer fan-base as well. Plus, the three teams were big rivals when they were all in the USL.

[krudmonk]

Originally Posted by Finger Laker

why would you expand to seattle and then immediately to portland or vancouver

i can see trying to create a regional rivalry - but you're just as likely to cannibalize your fan base

The Whitecaps, Sounders and Timbers have existed for decades (on and off). Having one in MLS does not lure fans from the other two cities. Seattle is not being cannibalized at all.

[pirate_lafitte]

Originally Posted by krudmonk

The Whitecaps, Sounders and Timbers have existed for decades (on and off). Having one in MLS does not lure fans from the other two cities. Seattle is not being cannibalized at all.

How big of a metro do you need to have a soccer team? The reason I ask is that if soccer is as provincial as I think, could MLS teams be possible for places like Omaha, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and Buffalo.

[RjRobb2]

Originally Posted by Finger Laker

why would you expand to seattle and then immediately to portland or vancouver

i can see trying to create a regional rivalry - but you're just as likely to cannibalize your fan base

It's not about the city, it is about the ownership group. The city is a factor but it all comes down to which ownership group has the total package.

[RjRobb2]

Originally Posted by pirate_lafitte

How big of a metro do you need to have a soccer team? The reason I ask is that if soccer is as provincial as I think, could MLS teams be possible for places like Omaha, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and Buffalo.

Kansas City and Columbus have MLS teams and they are about the size of the cities you mention.

But, again it isnt about the city, it is about the ownership group. KC and Columbus have teams because a strong ownership group (Lamar Hunt) put in bids to have teams there.

So, if a strong ownership group for the cities you mentioned come along, they will likely get teams. But, there has been no talk about ownership groups in those cities so I dont see it happening any time soon.

The MLS doesnt put teams in cities, the MLS grants teams to qualified ownership groups.