Speculation: STL will be in, followed by Philly v. Seattle

[P@rick_STL]

With three viable groups vying for two 2009 expansion teams, MLS will aim to secure two new soccer-specific stadiums. The league wants more soccer-specific venues in the future, and will use this competitive expansion situation to establish precedent.

In St. Louis on Monday (10 Sep 2007), the Collinsville city council will most likely authorize public financial support for the stadium-complex, conditional upon the granting of an MLS franchise. If this happens as expected, MLS will, within a few days, award a franchise and allow the construction process to commence.

Immediately, ownership groups and lawmakers in Seattle and Philly will be told that the final expansion slot will be given to the group with a secured plan for a soccer-specific stadium. This clear signal will be used to encourage law-makers to finalize Collinsville-like deals quickly. It will be a race to secure a deal, so that the 16th franchise can begin construction in time for the 2009 season.

With ambitious plans for future expansion, MLS will have wisely established a strong precedent for winning future franchises. In future expansion rounds, fans and potential owners will point to the unfortunate loser in 2007 when justifying their strategies for securing an expansion team.

[Z010 Union]

I'd love to agree, but I can't. Notice that Garber said 15th team in the west. Since it's not the Jefferson administration, I bet the Western team is Seattle. So it's St. Louis v Philly for #16. :(

[Seph]

I'd love to agree, but I can't. Notice that Garber said 15th team in the west. Since it's not the Jefferson administration, I bet the Western team is Seattle. So it's St. Louis v Philly for #16. :(

True, but Garber is also known for going back on things he says. (60 to 90 days...60 to 90 days...)

[sounderfan]

This scenario was recently suggested to me...

2008...San Jose
2009...Seattle
2010...St. Louis & Philadelphia
2011...Vancouver or Portland
2012...NY 2 or Montreal

[Revs007]

This scenario was recently suggested to me...

2008...San Jose
2009...Seattle
2010...St. Louis & Philadelphia
2011...Vancouver or Portland
2012...NY 2 or Montreal

What? Seattle in 2009? Have we gone mad!!!!

St Louis in 09. Followed by Philly or Seattle in 2009 or 2010.

My money goes to Philly pending the Chester deal.

[Yellow Cash]

I'd love to agree, but I can't. Notice that Garber said 15th team in the west. Since it's not the Jefferson administration, I bet the Western team is Seattle. So it's St. Louis v Philly for #16. :(

Everyone living on the East Coast knows that St. Louis is in the "West". You should know that if you're from the Philly area!

[jfranz]

This scenario was recently suggested to me...

2008...San Jose
2009...Seattle
2010...St. Louis & Philadelphia
2011...Vancouver or Portland
2012...NY 2 or Montreal

Why would the league add only one team in 2009 and go to an odd number of teams? And then add two more the next year, to keep it an odd number? And add a total of 4 teams in only three seasons - talk about expanding too quickly and not allowing the talent pool to keep up and/or new teams to settle.

Especially if the Collinsville vote goes as expected and the stadium is up and ready to go in 2009, it makes no sense at all to let the shinny new stadium sit around for a full year unused. I don't find this plan believable at all. Sorry sounderfan, but please explain the logic behind Seattle getting a team in 2009 (in Qwest), while STL has to wait a season, leaving the new stadium empty and the league with an odd number of teams in 09. That's total nonsense.

[McGinty]

Sorry sounderfan, but please explain the logic behind Seattle getting a team in 2009 (in Qwest), while STL has to wait a season, leaving the new stadium empty and the league with an odd number of teams in 09. That's total nonsense.

Get ready for a lecture on how we have "unhealthy obsessions" with SSS. :rolleyes:

[sounderfan]

That timeline was a suggestion sent to me from an Earthquakes fan.

Until clubs are officially announced, the year(s) of entry are in flux. The league has stated it hopes to add two teams in 2009. Whether that can happen or not of course depends on getting all of the groundwork issues solved and stadia raised.

I think we'll see some changes in the timeline just because these things are not an exact science.

Waiting for one club (Toronto) is different that waiting on two or three to get ready between now and 2010.

[sirfallsalot_2000]

Kick Kansas City back into the west, there's your western team!

We will all find out literally in the next 60-90 days. No fooling on this one!

[WerderBremenYank]

Kick Kansas City back into the west, there's your western team!

We will all find out literally in the next 60-90 days. No fooling on this one!


Agreed with you.

KC will move back to the Western Conference should STL get a team.


Would love for opening day to be against Chicago or KC :)