http://www.jsonline.com/sports/socc/sep05/354361.asp This article is alright until the end with the expansion details. MLS currently has 12 teams, including first-year franchises in Salt Lake City and Los Angeles (Chivas USA). Garber said the next round of expansion should come in 2007, when Toronto is expected to join the league, and 2008, with one additional team. In addition to Milwaukee, other candidates for the 2008 slot are Cleveland, Houston, Philadelphia and Rochester, N.Y., Garber said. The league is also seeking to move its Kansas City franchise to a city with a soccer-specific stadium, although Garber indicated that should happen before expansion occurs.
What continues to be frustrating to me is the hesitancy of the city with regard to the park east site. Of course something could be going on behind the scenes (although no one has heard anything) but I have not seen any other proposals for the park east land. The casino is not going to be there, what else do they have up their sleeve?
I've always wondered that too...if not soccer and a mixed use development, what is their plan? But, on the other hand, I also read early on (or I was told) that the city doesn't necessarily feel a need to "rush" to put anything on this site. So maybe they don't feel that anything has to go on the site, at least not right away.
Hey! Garber mentioned that GAM had just recently been re-signed to a contract that earns him "$ 1 million per year". He then went on to mention that it was an important contract not only because of what it meant to GAM, but also because of what it meant to other players, and the next generation, as they could see that $$$ can be made in soccer, as opposed to basketball, football, baseball, etc. Garber was indeed "in the crowd" at the game, walking on the concourses at halftime. Thankfully, he didn't remember me as the drunken guy who got his attention at halftime last Saturday. Hope for good weather (which will bring walk up sales), and bring friends/family with you. That's all anyone can do at this point. And thanks to all (Bob, Ben, Joe, etc) who have helped spread the word.
Mmm, I wonder who that could be. Maybe a player who speaks with a English accent, is married to a pop star, has appeared on a FSC commercial saying what great country the US is and he would love the opportunity to play here. Also, looking forward to driving up to the game this saturday. It should be fun and hope there is a good turnout.
Accidently wrote "Garber's coverage" instead of "Gardner's coverage." In my conversations with Garber and Gardner both mentioned that Zach had really hung one on at the Mexico game. "See?" I replied, "that's why you need the soccer specific stadiums to secure the concessions!" I didn't mention that Zach had likely smuggled in a half a case of Spotted Cow.
