OT: Major League Soccer adding 4 teams by 2020

[af102]

http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1511148/mls-plans-add-4-teams-2020?cc=5901

This is on top of the new NY team that was announced earlier in the year, so that means we will be sitting at 24 teams in 7 years. That is a pretty significant change in expansion policy from what they had been preaching recently- slow and steady.

Right now, the list of cities looks to be topped by Orlando (basically already a lock with an ownership group and a stadium in the works), Miami (David Beckham and Marcelo Claure), and Atlanta (Arthur Blank and the new Falcon's stadium which is being designed for soccer). The last spot is a mystery, with St Louis, San Antonio, Detroit, Las Vegas, and Minneapolis all saying they are interested. It will really come down to who can round up an ownership group that is willing to build a stadium in a metro area (the suburb/soccer mom model is dead) and fork over the $100+ million expansion fee.

 

[skb124]

After thinking about this, I really don't like this idea. As a whole, everyone always talks about the MLS gaining in regards to competing with the best teams in the world. So how is adding 4 more teams which will split apart the limited stars even more going to increase the quality of the teams? I would love to have a team near Mississippi though

 

[GratefulDawg.sixpack]

If they are going to do this, they should expand in Orlando, Atlanta, St. Louis and Minneapolis. They need some Southern teams.

Miami and Las Vegas are terrible sports towns. I don't care what David Beckham wants to do - a franchise in Miami will fold. Detroit is, well, Detroit. They don't need another team in Texas.

 

[Brad Stevens.sixpack]

I would usually agree with you about Miami, but if you consider the Hispanic population in Miami, I think it would do really well. I know with the history of sports teams there, there is no reason to think that will change, but I bet Beckham has his population sample in mind.


ETA: I am against adding teams, though. Like skb said, more teams equals weaker league in my mind.

 

[KurtRambis4]

The last

MLS team in Miami didn't do so well...

/Fusion

 

[patdog]

MLS hasn't been going too slow and steady lately. They've been exploding. They've added 9 teams since 2005. So 5 more in the next 7 years is really slowing the pace down a little. I don't like a Miami team. That town doesn't support any college or pro sport well, and as Kurt points out, soccer is no exception. I like Orlando, Atlanta, St. Louis & Minneapolis for the 4 new teams.

 

[dawgs.sixpack]

doesn't MLS draw more people per game now than the NBA and hockey? i'd say smart expansion moves over the next 7 years will be fine. soccer is continuously growing in popularity among kids, teens, and young adults. i'm sure MLS has a tv contract coming up soon, which might be the driving force behind expansion talk, and i'd imagine that contract will be much bigger than the current one. if popularity continues to grow and tv money grows, MLS will be able to compete for more better players. maybe not many guys in their prime playing in a big 5 euro league, but i can easily see MLS competing for and luring many of the best players from the next level down from the big 5 euro leagues.

 

[esplanade91]

After thinking about this, I really don't like this idea. As a whole, everyone always talks about the MLS gaining in regards to competing with the best teams in the world. So how is adding 4 more teams which will split apart the limited stars even more going to increase the quality of the teams? I would love to have a team near Mississippi though

Well I think the reason top soccer players don't generally play in the MLS is the stigma left over from the first 10 years... backwards clock, wacky rules, and 1980's names like NY/NJ Metrostars.

I think by adding 4 teams and tying them into the Premier League like the New York team is going to be (Manchester City) establishes legitimacy. Some Mexican league and European guys might choose to come over now if we add teams that aren't in Kansas City and Newark, NJ.


How is Las Vegas not a great sports town? It has a great basketball scene (recently held All-Star game, UNLV just had the #1 pick). It'll never have an NFL franchise because it's too close to LA and it would probably have the smallest following nationally, and an NBA franchise has too many night games too many times a week so casino execs would never allow that to happen... but an MLS team is perfect. I think NYC, LV, ATL, and Min would be great.

 

[Cow College]

I think Atlanta is a terrible sports town as well. However they seem lIke a soccer town. They drew 54k plus for non US games in Quarterfinals of Gold Cup. US game drew 70k plus.