Here's what Garber has to say when lead into a question about the Cosmos: "SI.com: The only group publicly aiming to be the 20th MLS team is the New York Cosmos. Garber: Publicly. SI.com: They've hired Eric Cantona, Pelé and Cobi Jones, among others. What are their chances? Garber: I have a lot of respect for what [Cosmos CEO] Paul Kemsley and his partners have done to relaunch the Cosmos brand. They'll be the first to say to realize their goals, they need an MLS team, and we've been in detailed discussions with them to see whether or not that's something that can come to fruition. Before we can do that we need a stadium plan, which we don't have at this point, though we're making progress with the City of New York, which is supporting us on trying to find a suitable location. There are others much less public than the Cosmos who continue to express interest. Sometime by the end of the year we'll have a better sense as to where we're going with the 20th team. But I'm committed to trying to finalize a deal so it can be here in New York." Clearly he's leaning one way, despite the fact that he doesn't know where the money being put toward that group is coming from and that the owners of the Mets owe something close to a billion dollars after getting swindled by Bernie madoff. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/grant_wahl/03/11/MLS.Don.Garber/index.html In this article about how the Wilpons would make great owners, Detroit gets a slight mention. According to this article, the League really wants the 20th team in New York City and will work to make that happen http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/soccer/wires/03/11/Wilpons.MLS.ap/index.html
I don't think this one has been posted... http://www.northjersey.com/sports/117845358_Garber_OK_with_Wilpons.html
^^ I remember watching that game between Detroit and Tulsa (Yes, I'm that old ). I also remember the following month the Express came to my hometown of Sarnia, Ontario to play a friendly with Sarnia City, where Detroit spanked them 4-0. And this was just before Trevor Francis, a world class player in his prime, would hook up with the Express and lead them to a division title. Good times for soccer in Detroit.
Press like this only helps, been getting feedback from new fans and non-soccer fans that they think it would work here and would be interested in checking it out. Once you are part of a supporters section it is hard to dislike soccer, it is intoxicating.
Surprised no one's posted this yet. John Niyo of the Detroit News posted on the Timbers Army singing the national anthem before their opener vs the Fire, then put a link to the MCS site on our push for an MLS team in Detroit. How the Star Spangled Banner should be sung at a sporting event
We're back in the Detroit News, and more of the focus this time, as our viewing party for the Women's World Cup final was the point of the whole article. Soccer fever grips Metro Detroit as Japan tops U.S. for women's championship
There has been tons of news lately thanks to the Apostolopoulos family and the motor city supporters.post links to the story's here.