Houston, we have a problem.

[setpiece]

Thoughts and comments on how the Houston and San Jose situation affects us in Philly??

Will the "Bay Area" expansion team be in lieu of a possible Philly team? Will our situation be adversely affected?

I'm curious to know what everyone thinks?

[SoccerPrime]

Easy answer.
Lamar Hunt sees the benefits of moving a team from a smaller market to a bigger one (ie SJ to Houston) and does the same with KC to Philly.
:)
Of course Philly still has the problem of where to play...

[CL_2004]

Easy answer.
Lamar Hunt sees the benefits of moving a team from a smaller market to a bigger one (ie SJ to Houston) and does the same with KC to Philly.
:)
Of course Philly still has the problem of where to play...

If MLS truly wants to be "MAJOR LEAGUE" the move to larger markets is the key. If the Houston project becomes successful for the 2006 season look for them to make a similar move for KC to larger market as well(Philly, Atlanta, etc.)

[PhillyMLS]

Thoughts and comments on how the Houston and San Jose situation affects us in Philly??

Will the "Bay Area" expansion team be in lieu of a possible Philly team? Will our situation be adversely affected?

I'm curious to know what everyone thinks?

No effect really. Philly has been seen, as far as i know, as an expansion candidate for 2008 or later. SJ could be up and running as soon as next year. The only situation that affects us is the stadium situation. Get that resolved and we are in. Houston had an interim solution; we don't.

[skyscraper]

The main problem, as we all know, is that we have no sss planned (as far as I know.) I'm sure that if we had one in the works, someone would move a team here or we'd move to the top of the expansion list. It's a chicken and egg problem: no one wants to build a stadium if there's no team, and there won't be a team without a stadium. I have spoken on the absurdity of requiring new teams to build stadiums before so I won't repeat myself here. But I do think one side or another is going to have to make a leap of faith and move on this, and it's probably going to have to be on the team side. Once a team establishes itself, then they'll talk stadium.

[denver_mugwamp]

The main problem, as we all know, is that we have no sss planned (as far as I know.) I'm sure that if we had one in the works, someone would move a team here or we'd move to the top of the expansion list. It's a chicken and egg problem: no one wants to build a stadium if there's no team, and there won't be a team without a stadium. I have spoken on the absurdity of requiring new teams to build stadiums before so I won't repeat myself here. But I do think one side or another is going to have to make a leap of faith and move on this, and it's probably going to have to be on the team side. Once a team establishes itself, then they'll talk stadium.

Firstly, I don't see how the San Jose/Houston situation affects Piladelphia at all. There's still expansion slots to be had. Any city that can come up with an investment group will have a pretty good shot at getting a team.

And as for the stadium issue, the simple truth is that it's impossible for a MLS team to reach profitability without control of their venue. Not only would MLS hesitate to get into that type of situation, but any investor is going to run the numbers and realize that it's a fact. If there is indeed a Philadelphia group looking at MLS, then you can bet that they'll have a pretty good idea of where they're going to put the stadium before they sign the check for the expansion fee.

[Looper121]

Call Me crazy, but I think it helps. Yes, Helps. Sad as it is for SJ, they will not have a team any time soon. If MLS couldn't get an investor to build a stadium in 10, what is there to believe that someone will just pop out of nowhere to build a stadium for a "new" Earthquakes team. Houston receives a relocated team eliminating them from teh expansion pool, pushing Philadelphia, (barring an investor of course), to the forefront of possible expansion cities maybe only behind Toronto. If someone doesn't step up here to build a stadium, obviously it's the same old argument. At this point though, there has to be 2 teams, a move of KC to city ?? doesn't help expansion obviously, so now it's time for someone to step either here or there. Hopefully here.

[D-Wall]

Call Me crazy, but I think it helps. Yes, Helps. Sad as it is for SJ, they will not have a team any time soon. If MLS couldn't get an investor to build a stadium in 10, what is there to believe that someone will just pop out of nowhere to build a stadium for a "new" Earthquakes team. Houston receives a relocated team eliminating them from teh expansion pool, pushing Philadelphia, (barring an investor of course), to the forefront of possible expansion cities maybe only behind Toronto. If someone doesn't step up here to build a stadium, obviously it's the same old argument. At this point though, there has to be 2 teams, a move of KC to city ?? doesn't help expansion obviously, so now it's time for someone to step either here or there. Hopefully here.

Right on Looper! I think that MLS is placating the San Jose fans like the NFL did with the Baltimore fans. I don't think they can get there acts together fast enough to get an expansion team for the 2007 expansion (even though the Oakland A's owner are looking to buy in). The may come back at sometime, but not within the next 5 years. Hopefully.

That leaves plenty of time for some wealthy investor to buy into Philly and build a stadium downtown. Keep hope alive.

[Adam Zebrowski]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=352435&cc=5901

mls abck to san jose...

I'd suggest the week of the mls draft. garber should make an annoucement about the 2007 expansion...

if san jose is added....then some one in the east is needed...

[D-Wall]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=352435&cc=5901

mls abck to san jose...

I'd suggest the week of the mls draft. garber should make an annoucement about the 2007 expansion...

if san jose is added....then some one in the east is needed...

And the seems to be Toronto. Boooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!

[SoccerPrime]

Yes, a new SJ team would just balance out the new 2007 MLS with 14 teams (because of Toronto coming in).

However, if we can get Milwaukee to get ready by 2008, then MLS can boot KC back to the West and Philly will be needed. I know, pipe dream.

[Looper121]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=352435&cc=5901

mls abck to san jose...

I'd suggest the week of the mls draft. garber should make an annoucement about the 2007 expansion...

if san jose is added....then some one in the east is needed...

Damage Control. San Jose won't have a team in 2 years, you can bank on that nugget of wisdom.

Maybe at teh draft will be the announcement of Phildelphia MLS. I wouldn't take that nugget to the bank though...

[Looper121]

Double Postage. Go MLS Phila.

[cro4life]

houston coming off the list of possible expansion candidates gives philadelphia a higher chance to land a MLS team than san jose staying put, and america (who ever owns them) investing into houston as an expansion team. kc i think would stay in the west, if they do relocate probably to a city in the west (garber mentioned at mls cup st. louis) unless sj miraceously gets an expansion team in 07, which we will not see happening until a sss is guaranteed. so philly is competing with itself and st. louis for 07 (pending investor )

[skyscraper]

so philly is competing with itself and st. louis for 07 (pending investor )
First, what does it mean to be competing with oneself for an expansion spot?
Second, I wish it were down to just 2 markets vying for a spot, but remember that Salt Lake City came out of nowhere, and the same could happen again in the next round. We are competing against basically every other substantial market right now, can't rule anyone out. If there is an investor and a stadium, basically that's all you need.

[cro4life]

First, what does it mean to be competing with oneself for an expansion spot?
Second, I wish it were down to just 2 markets vying for a spot, but remember that Salt Lake City came out of nowhere, and the same could happen again in the next round. We are competing against basically every other substantial market right now, can't rule anyone out. If there is an investor and a stadium, basically that's all you need.

well garber listed philadelphia as possible expansion city, but he said that houston was the leading contender to land an mls team, and they just did, and toronto is all but done. but he has forever had philly up high on the list and now that the top competitors are taken care off ( well almost w/ T.O) i have the feeling philly is next.
the competing with oneself is philly and its "possible investor". if we have one we're in the mix if not then we're out of the running. obviously any city w/ a investor and sss plans can land a team but i have a fellin its philly's turn

[dcajedi]

one would think that there will be quite a bit of pressure on garber to give out some information on expansion at the draft. but who knows.

[SoccerPrime]

If it helps anyone, according to this study done last year, Philly would now be the #1 sports market in the US without MLS soccer.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6143100/
Enjoy!
Happy Holidays!

[edogg]

When will they announce expansion cities?

[SoccerPrime]

When will they announce expansion cities?
There is no set date.

But if there is to be a 14th team to come in with Toronto in 2007, then I suspect they must announce something by summer of 2006.
:cool: