Ok... since Indy got a NASL team... does that mean that GARY has the inside track in Indiana? It has a large population and will have a natural rivalry with Chicago!
Only team that could thrive in Gary would be a PDL team IMO. At that point it's too close to Chicago. Still, if i were to place a PDL team in northern Indy i'd put a PDL team back in South Bend. Just my opinion. Is Gary improving?? It's been in decline for quite some time. My experience has been in passing to Michigan or Chicago as i'm from central Indy.
I myself live in Minneapolis... we have a team outside of Mpls, but I would prefer to have another team accross town in St Paul where we can "heckle" as the away team. With that in mind, I would love to see another team in the Chicago area, one closer to the heart of an urban area. As Indiana does not have another "major" area that I am aware of, I thought Gary would be ideal as it is driving distance from both chicago and indy and has a population large enough to support a team.
I would suggest South Bend over Gary at this point. Regardless, i dont think any northern city team could house a team any higher then a PDL side. I dont think Gary is much of a soccer city to begin with, but i could be wrong.
Either works for me... in the end, I just want "More". More teams, more commitment from USSF, more development of talent...... Just more. A high level survey identified 60+ markets capable of supporting an MLS team with average attendance above 10k per game. With 20 of those being able to support 2+ teams. In england, cities with populations of 200k support 2+ teams and have stadiums with 10-15k capacity. I don't think this is beyond expectations in the USA. Will this happen tomorrow... NO. But once soccer has matured in the USA I absolutely can see 32+ teams at each D1-D3 within 15 years (16+ in East/West of each tier).
I don't really see either doing all that well. Fort Wayne would be better. I know there's the Fort Wayne Fever, or used to be. Some type of lower level academy thing. But if you're going to place another team in the north, it might as well be in Gary. I think it would be better to try and draw from all of the lake counties rather than limiting yourself to South Bend, where they already have Notre Dame.
I agree Fort Wayne would be better I don't know if they still have one but I think/thought south bend had a PDL team.
Does the owner have MLS ambition? Does the owner want to have a soccer specific stadium in downtown? Does Indy have a grassroots movement for MLSIndy?
The owner wants to be as competitive as possible. If that means MLS, then sure. Soccer specific stadium is in talks in the next 3 years with a possibility of 20,000 straight away (ticket sales have been that good) and Indy used to but it has been deleted since the people on that page wanted to support Indy 11 and the NASL
Yes and no. As Daniel mentioned the ownership merely wants to be a competitive team regardless of league. They have also been in communication with various developers to create a SSS. As for the grass roots they will work with local clubs but they have no ambition of creating their own grass roots program
They have 7 years until MLS's 24 by 2020 deadline. Plenty of time. Enjoy NASL first and then lets talk.
I think Indy will definitely move up to MLS and take a spot 25-30/32. MLS loves these three team rivalries. Columbus-Chicago-Indy
Just like they 'stopped' at 20 or 16... Pause they may pause at 24, but so far the indications are not that they will for sure. If Inday does not make 24, but they come in with a solid plan and dowry there is no reason to believe that Garber and the BOGs would turn them away.
I kinda do believe it. At least they will stop for a while. but if they don't thats swell for us in indy Just some other news here. Indy Eleven has reached its season ticket deposit cap at 7000. Waiting list has now begun. Also at a local meeting the stadium was discussed. Indy Eleven said they are already working on stadium sites and want to have the stadium in 2017. surprisingly they want to build it 20,000 right away.
not so surprisingly, they have the demand apparently. but I get what you mean, they could've tried the scorpions route of building for NASL with space to grow for MLS, but they seem quite confident in their ability to appeal to the market and attain a franchise. how deep is the wieners pockets anyhow? I'd like to know how much the team has to make up to pay the expansion fee and everything else. edit: lol, I meant to ask how deep the "owners" pockets are, auto correct strikes!