[Huss]

MLS in SLC. Grade the decision...

[Boz]

A+++++++++++++++

Just wait, anyone who thinks this was a bad decision, just wait. I think any true fan of soccer would appreciate the fact that the league is expanding anyway. Where it expands to, who really cares. As long as the passion of soccer is spreading across the best country in the world, we should all be happy. Can't wait to see SLC.

[perctarit]

I say 'B', with the answer to the intangible deciding it in the long run.

The plusses:

Expansion is a good of league vitality.

Having someone of Checkettts' stature associated with the league is exceptionally good. If he likes it, the rest of the sports establishment may take a more serious look.

The minuses:

Salt Lake City is not the major media market that MLS would otherwise like.

Until the expansion was announced, SLC didn't seem to have any especial reputation as a soccer hot-bed, which raises questions about it's desire for, and ability to support , a team.

The intangible:

Is the talent base in the US broad enough to stock one or two more teams?

perc

[mellon002]

I say A. The more I think about it, the more it seems to make sense. It's a big area, lots of money, and only one other major sports league in town. Checketts seems to be an exciting owner. Of course we won't know if it's really a great move until a year or so from now, but at this moment, SLC appears to be a good choice.

[urtel]

Originally Posted by slcboz

A+++++++++++++++

Just wait, anyone who thinks this was a bad decision, just wait. I think any true fan of soccer would appreciate the fact that the league is expanding anyway. Where it expands to, who really cares. As long as the passion of soccer is spreading across the best country in the world, we should all be happy. Can't wait to see SLC.

What about when the MLS expanded to Miami and Chicago? The MLS was playing to the area's populations being Chicago's Polish and Miami's Latinos. Now look, both of the Florida franchises are defunct. Who is Salt Lake City playing for? Mormons?

Whenever I hear expansion I think of Rochester. I, like many other area fans, are ardent supporters of the club. Last week when Montréal came to town, we were just shy of sell-out. If expansion fever were to hit Rochester, it'd help the piss-poor economy of Western NY.

[Beakmon FC]

Originally Posted by urtel

If expansion fever were to hit Rochester, it'd help the piss-poor economy of Western NY.

That's absolutely brilliant logic! Right on a par with "The Supermodel should go out with me because I haven't had a dat ein six months.."

[Beakmon FC]

Originally Posted by Beakmon FC

That's absolutely brilliant logic! Right on a par with "The Supermodel should go out with me because I haven't had a date in six months.."

[Bertico84]

Originally Posted by urtel

What about when the MLS expanded to Miami and Chicago? The MLS was playing to the area's populations being Chicago's Polish and Miami's Latinos. Now look, both of the Florida franchises are defunct. Who is Salt Lake City playing for? Mormons?

I dont think Tampa fell because of a lack of team support. Its just we had no investor. :-(

[ag944]

Originally Posted by slcboz

A+++++++++++++++

Just wait, anyone who thinks this was a bad decision, just wait. I think any true fan of soccer would appreciate the fact that the league is expanding anyway. Where it expands to, who really cares. As long as the passion of soccer is spreading across the best country in the world, we should all be happy. Can't wait to see SLC.

I hope the franchise does wonderfully. I'm a bit shocked they haven't awarded a team either in the Pacific Northwest or to the Rhinos. I've witnessed a little bit of Portland's and Seattle's fan base and have been impressed. The Rhinos have been a great squad with a great following. Utah came out of the blue for me, though I guess the Blitz has done okay.

I really don't care if a market is big or small as long as the stadium is packed.

----Mark

[ag944]

Originally Posted by urtel

What about when the MLS expanded to Miami and Chicago? The MLS was playing to the area's populations being Chicago's Polish and Miami's Latinos. Now look, both of the Florida franchises are defunct. Who is Salt Lake City playing for? Mormons?

Whenever I hear expansion I think of Rochester. I, like many other area fans, are ardent supporters of the club. Last week when Montréal came to town, we were just shy of sell-out. If expansion fever were to hit Rochester, it'd help the piss-poor economy of Western NY.

Miami was a stupid place to expand. There are lots of Central and South Americans, and Haitians in Miami, but it is a predominantly Cuban town. Cubans play BASEBALL. Soccer is less popular in Cuba than in the US. I think that the reason they got the expansion team is that the Commission at the time (whose name escapes me at the moment) was half Cuban with lots of business ties in Miami.

I agree that Rochester deserves it, though, are they still playing on a baseball field?

----Mark