Vancouver, Montreal should be "promoted" to MLS

[zoltan malev]

Construction is soon to begin on Saputo Stadium in Montreal (12,500 capacity) and a 15,000 seat SSS is in the public review stage in Vancouver. So the potential exists to "promote" the Whitecaps and Impact - 2 of the best-run and best-supported USL-1 sides into MLS in a couple-few years. It should be noted that both of these stadiums are designed to be fairly easily expandable. The teams would require some kind of expansion draft in order for them to compete but it would make sense for these existing organizations to join MLS rather than establishing "expansion franchises". (how un-footie!)

[athletics68]

Construction is soon to begin on Saputo Stadium in Montreal (12,500 capacity) and a 15,000 seat SSS is in the public review stage in Vancouver. So the potential exists to "promote" the Whitecaps and Impact - 2 of the best-run and best-supported USL-1 sides into MLS in a couple-few years. It should be noted that both of these stadiums are designed to be fairly easily expandable. The teams would require some kind of expansion draft in order for them to compete but it would make sense for these existing organizations to join MLS rather than establishing "expansion franchises". (how un-footie!)Not likely the USL would give up teams to the MLS.

[MintyDude]

Send ANYBODY to the pacific NW... Traveling to Carson California to catch an MLS game is ridiculous. I spend about 12x as much on gas than I do on the ticket.

[metros11]

Construction is soon to begin on Saputo Stadium in Montreal (12,500 capacity) and a 15,000 seat SSS is in the public review stage in Vancouver. So the potential exists to "promote" the Whitecaps and Impact - 2 of the best-run and best-supported USL-1 sides into MLS in a couple-few years. It should be noted that both of these stadiums are designed to be fairly easily expandable. The teams would require some kind of expansion draft in order for them to compete but it would make sense for these existing organizations to join MLS rather than establishing "expansion franchises". (how un-footie!)

I think MLS should 'promote' Rochester first, since they already have a stadium. And I don't see them doing it without a $20M expansion fee.

[tguy24]

Also it should be noted that both the Montreal Impact and Vncouver Whitecaps are owned by Billionaires and if they ant to be promoted they should pony up the expansion fee.

[IceFunk]

Saputo already said he hates single entity, and Kerfoot has commented on how he wants to grow the USL, and is not interested in MLS.

Nuff' said.

btw, MintyDude, if you drive all the way to Carson, California just to see MLS soccer, that is ludicrous. You have a very successful pro soccer team in your backyard, not to mention one of the most exciting derbys in the country. While MLS may up the financial soccer circut in the area, I find Cascadia to be one of the biggest soccer hotbeds in North America.

[athletics68]

Saputo already said he hates single entity, and Kerfoot has commented on how he wants to grow the USL, and is not interested in MLS.

Nuff' said.

btw, MintyDude, if you drive all the way to Carson, California just to see MLS soccer, that is ludicrous. You have a very successful pro soccer team in your backyard, not to mention one of the most exciting derbys in the country. While MLS may up the financial soccer circut in the area, I find Cascadia to be one of the biggest soccer hotbeds in North America.
Good point. To be honest I don't see USL as a subordinate league to MLS but a lesser cousin. They're too different for any team to be promoted from USL to MLS. Players maybe, but not teams.

[shinzui]

USL and MLS are in competition with one another. Also, Toronto's expansion contract guarantees that they will be the only Canadian MLS club until 2009 or 2010.

[hipityhop]

So these cities should be promoted because they are in the process, or might in some future year build soccer stadiums? And they should be teams in MLS?

Doesn't MLS have to want them first? And doesn't these cities want to be in MLS also? And don't they have to have owners willing to pay 30 million to get a franchise, and take part in the profits and losses of the whole league?

I think there are lots of questions to answer before they SHOULD get a team in MLS.......

[CL_2004]

Not likely the USL would give up teams to the MLS.

I don't think its up to the league to restrict teams withdrawal. I may be wrong.

[MintyDude]

btw, MintyDude, if you drive all the way to Carson, California just to see MLS soccer, that is ludicrous. You have a very successful pro soccer team in your backyard, not to mention one of the most exciting derbys in the country. While MLS may up the financial soccer circut in the area, I find Cascadia to be one of the biggest soccer hotbeds in North America.

I'm a sounders season ticket holder.

Games in Qwest Field pale in comparison to SSS.

[sounderfan]

I'm a sounders season ticket holder.

Games in Qwest Field pale in comparison to SSS.

Perhaps, but Seattle MLS will start at Qwest, if it starts at all.

[vyertago]

Perhaps, but Seattle MLS will start at Qwest, if it starts at all.

That may be true, but 15,000 people in that stadium probably helps a little bit with the atmosphere compared to 4000.

[IceFunk]

That may be true, but 15,000 people in that stadium probably helps a little bit with the atmosphere compared to 4000.

not if it's 10,000 of those 15,000 people sitting on their hands. Large attedance numbers don't do squat, unless you like hearing about how Susie soccer mom loves her van. You need electric fans to create an electric atmosphere.

MLS Seattle will not be any different. People who will go see MLS Seattle will be corporate whigs, casual fans, and Susie...

Careful, you might trip on some orange peels on the way out...

[MintyDude]

Perhaps, but Seattle MLS will start at Qwest, if it starts at all.


I'm quite aware of that, which is why I so strongly support a Vancouver team, despite their stance with the sounders.

[HSEUPASSION]

not if it's 10,000 of those 15,000 people sitting on their hands. Large attedance numbers don't do squat, unless you like hearing about how Susie soccer mom loves her van. You need electric fans to create an electric atmosphere.

MLS Seattle will not be any different. People who will go see MLS Seattle will be corporate whigs, casual fans, and Susie...

Careful, you might trip on some orange peels on the way out...

He's right.

1,000 supporters makes a better atmosphere than 10,000 customers. It's not as good for the pocketbook, but it feels like a match instead of a social event.

[lawrenceterp]

He's right.

1,000 supporters makes a better atmosphere than 10,000 customers. It's not as good for the pocketbook, but it feels like a match instead of a social event.

Why can't you have both? Seems to me that a Seattle based team would draw close to 20k in it's first year (maybe more as they've shown an ability to draw in big numbers before). Who knows how many, but I'm betting that at least 1000 out of the 20k would qualify as a "supporter".

[jeffconn]

I don't think its up to the league to restrict teams withdrawal. I may be wrong.

Teams have withdrawn from the USL before. A handful of upset California clubs quit the USL and started up a rival league, now called the NPSL.

[HSEUPASSION]

Why can't you have both? Seems to me that a Seattle based team would draw close to 20k in it's first year (maybe more as they've shown an ability to draw in big numbers before). Who knows how many, but I'm betting that at least 1000 out of the 20k would qualify as a "supporter".

You can, but standing tends to turn off the other types of fans. My friend, who's attended every Panthers game (even in Clemson, SC) has been told to sit down on numerous occasions by other people in the stadium. Those people are representative of the typical American sports consumer.

[IceFunk]

Why can't you have both? Seems to me that a Seattle based team would draw close to 20k in it's first year (maybe more as they've shown an ability to draw in big numbers before). Who knows how many, but I'm betting that at least 1000 out of the 20k would qualify as a "supporter".


20k on the first game only, and that will be terribly inflated, like it often is in different sports and leagues, including our own USL.

1,000 is a stretch, it's about demographics. If the ECS were smart, they'd be recruiting "urban" folk, then again...it's the ECS (orange slices, capri suns, and donuts :p ).