architects in Chicago

[Mean_Machine]

Hey guys - I'm a Fire fan and a chicagoan, but a huge fan of your beautiful city and specifically the St. Louis Blues.

I just thought I'd let you know that I heard from a fellow club-seat holder with the Fire that the architects for Jeff Cooper were in Chicago a couple weeks ago looking at Toyota Park. I thought this was good news and figured I'd want to know if I were in your shoes!

Good luck, I'm rooting for ya'll to get a team soon so we can get the STL-CHI rivalry in soccer too!

[Sport Billy]

Thanks - hopefully we will be able to establish a friendly St. Louis/Chicago rivalry much like Cards/Cubs

[CSMAC]

If accurate, that's as much information from Chicago in 1 day on the possibilities of MLS in the Lou than has come out of the STL in 2 months.

Maybe the quiet before the storm? Let's hope so.......:confused:

[Sport Billy]

He's correct - we just need to be patient.

[McGinty]

Maybe the quiet before the storm? Let's hope so.......:confused:

I've heard there may be a story in the Post this week.

[sirfallsalot_2000]

I've heard there may be a story in the Post this week.

McGinty.....you leave the biggest teasers.....now I have to read the Post all week!

[McGinty]

McGinty.....you leave the biggest teasers.....now I have to read the Post all week!

It wasn't intended to be a teaser. That's honestly all I know! :)

[Redhawk1]

I met with a certain writer for the STL Post Dispatch last week and they intend to run a story on Cooper and the MLS expansion efforts this week.

Things are just about wrapped on the stadium deal....at least that's what KMOX said this morning. However, they said the stadium wouldn't be ready until Spring 2010. I really thought they were shooting for 2009 so we'll see what happens.

I suppose MLS could grant 2 other cities a team for 2008 or 2009, then bring St. Louis and another city in for 2010.

If we have to wait til 2010, I guess we'll take it. We're not going to be picky.

[bulldg27]

I think that it makes sense to wait until 2010. They would have to have everything with the stadium, access to the stadium, etc to go perfect in order to get it completed by 2009. Any thought or other input on the stadium plans?

[Redhawk1]

Well hopefully Cooper will go ahead with that new women's pro team next spring so at least we'll have some form of PRO soccer in St. Louis in 2008.

2010 is 3 years away. What good would it do to announce this fall that we're getting an expansion for 2010??? Good for planning though.

Is it possible that the team play in 2009 in a temporary location??

[Sport Billy]

Cooper has said many times that he plans on playing in 2009.
The plans are drawn and everything is ready to go.
They are just waiting for City approval.
I think they could pull it off.

Toyota Park broke ground November 30, 2004
Opened June 11, 2006

We could break ground Fall of 2007
Open Spring 2009

It's not a problem.

[Redhawk1]

From what I've been told by a few people "in the know," the WUSA won't relaunch until 2009. That's just yet another yet we have to go without pro soccer in St. Louis. No indoor or outdoor...men's or women's.

We may get pro indoor soccer back for the 2008-09 season, but a lot depends on the negotiations with Dave Checketts, owner of the St. Louis Blues and Scottrade Center.

[CSMAC]

Any more news on the STL Post Dispatch story that was mentioned here a few times?? I haven't seen anything yet, although I've been out of town the last two days........