PHX Soccer Development is hard at work

[Siff]

Today's AZ Republic has a brief article about MLS in Phoenix: http://www.azcentral.com/sports/azetc/articles/0707phxsoccer0708.html

The article doesn't say much directly, but it points to the hard work and behind-the-scenes action that is taking place in our backyard. Good luck to PHX Soccer Development as we await our own soccer team to support. Thank you for your hard work Dana!

[soco]

Go, Dana, go!

[JDevellish]

Should this delayed meeting with MLS be interpreted as a positive or :( in our advancement to get a team?

Also, losing Benson a good sign or :eek: ?

I don't know who else is in Dana's PSD group, so I have no understanding if these two seemingly negative points in the article are important or not.

Nonetheless, I didn't get anything positive from Jose other than we're in the news, (as a Sun Devil fan, I'm used to reading negatively slanted news in the AZ Repugnant). :p

[Siff]

Should this delayed meeting with MLS be interpreted as a positive or :( in our advancement to get a team?

I think the facts of the article are neutral at best. The meeting didn't happen this week, but it will happen in the future.

Also, losing Benson a good sign or :eek: ?

The sentence in the article is referring to a press release that PHX Soccer Development put out clarifying the relationship between Benson and PSD. Benson used to be Executive Director of the Phoenix Regional Sports Commission and as such worked with all groups involved with sport, including PSD. Since he is no longer with the Commission, he is no longer "working" with PSD. The Republic's statement was truthful, but a bit misleading on the relationship.

I don't know who else is in Dana's PSD group, so I have no understanding if these two seemingly negative points in the article are important or not.

Nonetheless, I didn't get anything positive from Jose other than we're in the news, (as a Sun Devil fan, I'm used to reading negatively slanted news in the AZ Repugnant). :p

I think the main thing to take away from this article, for Phoenix MLS fans, is that things are happening even when BigSoccer, MLS, Phoenix Soccer Development, the news, etc., are silent. Obviously it would be a lot more interesting to hear rumors and bits of news after they have gone through the media spin machines. I think that the way Dana and PSD are approaching this process lets all sides work together and not have to continually correct rumors both to each other and to the public.

[JDevellish]

Thanks for the clarification on Benson.

I'm not looking for disatisfying rumors, but I do expect that any sports "news" I see in the AZ Rag to have a negative slant.

[Sundevil9]

The Republic's statement was truthful, but a bit misleading on the relationship.



Sadly this statement not surprise me.

[HSV Hooligan]

If they were truly interested in generating buzz for an expansion team, they would release regular updates on things - even something like this "non-issue" - so that they keep their name and their plight in the spotlight. Keep the fans informed, keep them wanting more, and indicate that things ARE taking place and moving forward for a new team in the area.

[Z010 Union]

If they were truly interested in generating buzz for an expansion team, they would release regular updates on things - even something like this "non-issue" - so that they keep their name and their plight in the spotlight. Keep the fans informed, keep them wanting more, and indicate that things ARE taking place and moving forward for a new team in the area.

I disagree...often times the expansion plans that see light are the one's that die on the vine.

[Sundevil9]

I disagree...often times the expansion plans that see light are the one's that die on the vine.

I'm with Bryan on this.

This is also why I don't think there's much to that Vegas bid. They seem to do a lot of drum beating in the press, but there's doesn't seem to be any real connections to the league or government(s).

[SWSoccer]

I hope PSD is hard at work. Because you can be sure the other cities competing for the next 2 MLS slots, beginning play in 2009 or 2010 have groups that are working very hard.

St Louis has a SSS plan in place and has presented it to the city council of Collinsville, ILL. They expect an answer from the city at the Sep 10 meeting.
Here is a public statement from St Louis Soccer United (http://www.stlouissoccerunited.com/content/view/48/73/), the group that made the presentation(which was made public this week).

Great optimism in Philadelphia by our friends at the Son's of Ben (http://www.sonsofben.net/) can be attributed in part by the recent news article (http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/20070824_Bob_Ford___Area_slowly_scoring_an_MLS_team.html) in which Ed Rendell, Governor of Pennsylvania expresses his support for an SSS in the southern suburb city of Chester.

And then there is Seattle, which whose Big Soccer (http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=965) section has been very active in light of the glut of publicity claiming at least 3 groups, including the current owner of the Seattle Sounders with serious interest in snagging an MLS franchise. This piece from the Seattle times (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/stevekelley/2003847485_kelley22.html) gives a bit of info. Here's another found at SI at CNN (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/soccer/08/09/bc.soc.mls.seattle.ap/) online.

Then there are the 2nd tier candidates, including

Milwaukee ... have you heard about the Race Track/Soccer stadium idea (http://blogs.jsonline.com/businessofsports/archive/2007/07/30/one-more-soccer-stadium-idea.aspx)?
Miami ... mentioned in the same story (http://www.theoffside.com/south-america/boca-juniors-mulls-starting-an-mls-expansion-team.html) as Phoenix about Boca Jrs and MLS
NY(yes a 2nd team in the NY metro area)
Detroit ... pretty quiet at the Big Soccer Detroit thread (http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=225950)
Portland OR ... The northwest (http://seattle.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2007/07/30/story2.html?t=printable&b=1185768000%5E1497311) is an attractive market
Atlanta ... 4th largest media market
Cleveland ... The lastest I've found (http://www.ohio.com/news/top_stories/9232466.html)
Oklahoma ... not much happening here as far as I can see

and that's not to mention Vancouver and Montreal, not to be ignored given what's been happening with Toronto FC

When will the league announce? Who knows. But if any two of the above groups is able to put the package together, why would the league wait?

Some questions(probably the same ole questions) are ...
Is PSD the only group currently interested in MLS in Phoenix?
Is there a community in the area ready to help out, in any number of the ways we know, i.e. land, tax relief, etc.
Whether a community steps up or not, can PSD or any other group come up with(and be willing) the $200mil (?) for franchise fee, domed stadium, operating capital, etc ?

Am interested in hearing what other people interested in having MLS come to Phoenix are thinking.

[Tucson_soccer_fan]

Where do I send my check?

[JDevellish]

I hope PSD is hard at work. Because you can be sure the other cities competing for the next 2 MLS slots, beginning play in 2009 or 2010 have groups that are working very hard.


I hope that we are not Johnny come lately to this round of expansion, but I know that Dana Gagnon is hard at work to get it done.

I am a new fan, attending my first soccer match just last February. So far I have tried to show support of MLS by purchasing their Direct Kick package & watching every match I can - luv my DVR! Next is the MLSPR Chivas road trip.

I'm sure there are more possible new fans like me here in the valley and I have met plenty of old soccer fans. We just need to mobilize quickly enough to show MR Garber that we're ready to support the team & fill the stadium that Dana will bring us.

[Z010 Union]

When will the league announce? Who knows. But if any two of the above groups is able to put the package together, why would the league wait?



Great summary, wanted to answer your question. It is assumed that MLS will announce at least 2 teams on November 16th, the Friday before MLS Cup and traditionally the planned time for Garber's State of League Address.


Rep for the post.

[crfamazonense]

Does anybody think that Jerry Colangelo might get involved in bringing yet another team to the valley? I just wanted to know if any other groups were trying to bring us a soccer team.

[ajr_RSL]

didnt know where else to post this... I'm moving back to az after 6 years of slc. I picked up the joy of playing on a men's adult league here. I've had a hard time finding a league and a right one at that in mesa. I would love some help on where and what level of play... (this is all based on that the season is starting in fall)

thx ajr

[Palermo10]

Scottsdale has the biggest league I think. Ranges from Premier to DiIvision 3

[Siff]

There is also the Phoenix Adult Soccer League, based out of Tempe/Mesa. It is a little bit smaller than SUASL. www.phxsoccer.com

[ajr_RSL]

my only fear is all the sudden i'm playing with a bunch of high school chums that graduated a year ago... i'm 28 (still young in my opinion)

but thx for the info

[Palermo10]

I'm playing on a D1 team in Scottsdale, and I'm probably the youngest. I'm 23. We played a team last year that was pretty young but I think they were all 20+

[SWSoccer]

We at MLS Phoenix Rising (http://www.mlsphoenixrising.com/) have received a letter from Dana Gagnon, President of the Phoenix Soccer Development Company. It is addressed to the members of MLSPR. The purpose of the communication is to "update you on PHX Soccer Development’s efforts to bring MLS to Phoenix".

You can read the letter on the MLSPR website (http://www.mlsphoenixrising.com/).