MLS to Atlanta/Silverbacks Supporters Group

[BigKahuna]

Guys, in light of recent news regarding MLS expansion, I'm almost 100% sure that if we are to see a MLS team in Atlanta, it will be when the Silverbacks are able to move up. I think our best chance of attaining our goal is to support the Backs while actively campaigning for an MLS bid. So I would like to propose that we start a group with duel objectives: 1) To support the Atlanta Silverbacks along side of Westside 109 and 2) To push for Atlanta Silverbacks promotion to MLS as early as possible. I already have tons of ideas for this group as far as name, colors, website etc, but I just wanted to throw that out there and see what kind of response I get from you guys.

Please let me know and if the response is good, we can get this thing rolling.

[AAGunner3]

How bout a link to the news for the work challenged? Fine. I'll go search for it myself. :P

[AAGunner3]

I assume it's the following?

Garber said the league hopes to have a new team in the Bay Area no later than 2009. That team could begin play as early as 2008, should a stadium resolution be near.

"We need to be in a position where we have a stadium commitment so that we're not back where we were last time around," Garber said. "We would not -- at this point -- accept the exercising of the option unless a soccer-specific stadium plan was in place."

"We need a really firm path to a venue before we'd even impose ourselves on Major League Soccer," added Wolff. "If there was an interim place to play, we would, but we will not do that unless we really know we're headed for a venue."

Wednesday's announcement comes on the heels of MLS unveiling its 13th team, which will begin play in 2007 in Toronto in a soccer-specific stadium that is currently under construction. Garber said on the call that the league has set a goal of having 16 teams by the end of the decade.

"It's our plan to add a 14th team in 2008. That team will likely come in the Midwest, likely either St. Louis or Cleveland or a number of other places that we're looking to that could represent our 14th team," Garber said. "Obviously, we've got two additional teams. We hope that San Jose will be one of them and a number of other markets from Philadelphia, San Diego and a number of other places that could fill in that 16th spot." (http://www.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20060524&content_id=60128&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp)

[BigKahuna]

I think that Atlanta's chances of being in MLS for the 16 team expansion are slim. But I think we should be top of the list after that as long as the Backs are selling out. I was told by the team President that they will expand the stadium as fas as they can based on demand and if we get it up to 15k+ by 2010, we surely will be a front runner for promotion and become the 17th team. So thats what the goal of this group will be...to support the Backs and make MLS a reality.

[neasdengooner]

I am interested in this
Cheers neasdengooner

[BigKahuna]

I'm working on getting a website up...i'll be awhile and we may not have any true organization til nex season, but I am working on this.:)

[BigKahuna]

See http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=361110 for more info.