Garber and Co. wanted a team in New York City proper in the worst way possible. And, boy, did they get it! /rimshot the Detroit soccer community, those who had high hopes of an MLS team in the Motor City It would seem the "Detroit soccer community" doesn't want MLS in town; indeed, they've made this clear on multiple occasions.
I think you're talking about the Detroit City FC supporter group, who don't speak for everybody in the Detroit soccer community. Other soccer fans in Detroit were for MLS there.
Exactly. There is loud minority of people in SE Michigan who want nothing to do with MLS. They tend to be DCFC supporters. For some reason people have assumed they speak for all soccer supporters in this state. I can assure you they do not. I have ZERO doubt that if Detroit gets a team, it will have strong support.
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/s...-bring-retractable-roof-ford-field/780305002/ Detroit News Sports @detnews_sports Jul 12 Retractable roof for Ford Field one possibility for MLS expansion
I'm pretty sure that's not the issue.. Unless they are talking about an internal retractable roof like they have in Vancouver.
Then why would they be talking about it? What, in your opinion is the issue aside from a SSS? That said, I can't imagine this upgrade/update to Ford Field costing less than what a SSS would cost. Maybe 200-300 million? Not sure why or how this would make sense and not a SSS that is now completely off the table. Also, what's an "interior retractable roof"? I've never heard of that.
MLS doesn’t have an issue with artificial turf and Atlanta and Vancouver are mostly enclosed. Here’s what Vancouver does for their stadium: Those sheets on the side hide the second deck and gives it a more “intimate” feeling. Atlanta was going to have something similar, but they ended up not needing it, so I’m not sure why they’d care about Ford Field having a dome. What they care about is a small crowd rattling around a huge NFL sized stadium.
That makes sense. Thanks. While I don't think we'd be an Atlanta, I think the support for soccer here is huge. We would have no problem getting 30-40000 a game. Contrary to what DCFC fans would have you believe.
I'm surprised nobody has brought this up. But, then again, their might be a good reason for it. Ford Field Retractable Roof A No-Go. https://www.freep.com/story/sports/2018/10/18/detroit-mls-expansion-ford-field-roof/1681151002/ So, unless Gilbert and Gores and the Fords decide to turn around and decide a 20,000 plus open air soccer specific stadium at the jail site is now ok, that means no MLS team for Detroit. Thanks for nothing you three numb nuts!
It sounds like MLS wants to be in Detroit. Any chance some other investor rolls in with plans for a stadium? Long shot I know. And do you guys really think this will put the final dagger in our bid?
Yeah, pretty much a long shot at this point. Maybe Detroit City FC wants to make a huge leap and grow itself into a top flight team in a top flight league. But they seem to want to remain a cozy comfy little team that makes a whole lot of money with very little oversight than to think big. The only hope now is, as I've stated before, Gilbert, Gores, and maybe the Fords do an about face and decide to build an MLS specific SSS on the jail site. And I don't see that happening. Gilbert pretty much has what he wants in the land and he's going to do what he wants with it. Which will not be a stadium. Gilbert and his cohorts took us all for a ride, the weasels!
Can we close this thread since our bid is dead? I hate coming on here and seeing our city's name knowing full well we will not get a team unless we get a SSS. Garber stated that a couple weeks ago when being interviewed about St. Louis. No way Gilbert/Gores go back to the idea of building a SSS after already going away from that plan. Our only hope is new investors which I cannot see happening. So again, let's shut this bad boy down.
Don't know if this is any consolation, but st louis has been in the expansion hunt on and off for about ten years, and is currently on their third ownership group. I wouldn't give up unitl MLS says no more (and means it)
Thanks man. I hear what you're saying, I just don't see any coming back from this. You guys look awesome though! Good luck to you guys
Might as well keep a thread for a hypothetical MLS team, whether its 5 or 10 or 20 years away or it never happens. There will always be sporadic discussion about the possibility with a market this size. Good to have a place for it. I'm a Crew fan and will not be a Detroit MLS fan ever....but as a Toledoan less than an hour away....I'm interested in the possibility of a team because I would go to every road game we have in Detroit and any interesting friendly the team might have.
Detroits not dead yet. This was posted back in April... “Garber specifically mentioned Detroit when asked by reporters Thursday about possible additional expansion markets, according to a transcript provided by the league. "We have been in discussions with, in Detroit. I'm regularly speaking to Mayor Duggan in Detroit and I think that it is a great soccer market," he said.” https://www.crainsdetroit.com/sport...t-dead-yet-expansion-process-adds-more-cities
It's dead man. I read that quote a few months ago and didn't really understand what was meant by it. Why would he be talking to Duggan? Duggan has nothing to do with the expansion group other than being the mayor of the city that the expansion group "wants" to bring a team to. The fact that he's not talking (implied based on his comments) to the expansion group itself is very telling. With the emergence of St.Louis, Charlotte, and Sacramento and Phoenix hanging close behind as expansion options, we are done. And it's truly disappointing.
This came up in the 1970s Soccer USA Facebook thread today... I don't think I will ever forgive Trevor Francis and Detroit Express for scoring 5 goals and beating the Quakes 10-0 but he was a great player nonetheless.... It would be cool to see the Detroit Express again.....
I remember that game. So freakin' unreal. Trevor Francis was a world class striker playing at the peak of his career for the Express, unlike many other NASL star players from overseas. And yes, it would be cool to see the Detroit Express again in MLS. But that ain't happening soon, thanks for nothing, Dan Gilbert.
Detroit came back to San Jose exactly a week later and beat the Earthquakes 4-3. The Quakes showed better and woke up but I think Trevor still scored a goal or two in that game. He was an incredible player. If Nashville and Charlotte can have one, I'm sure Detroit can put a team in place as well.
Now that Sacramento hits the skids and is on the outs. Don't be surprised if Detroit emerges as the 30th club. Many people thinks that Las Vegas and Phoenix are the frontrunners, but I don't think you can say that at this time. I believe everyone is at the level. After being burned by Ron Buckle. Then having even bigger money in Gores, Gilbert and the Fords, waiting in the wings and the possibility of getting 350-400M for the expansion fee. You have to think they will get another look.
I probably don't know the whole story, but wasnt the jail site development Gilbert's thing? Is it possible that Gores and/or the Fords could still be interested going forward? If you could bring in the Illitches to replace Gilbert, you'd be sitting good.
I'd love Detroit bid just to see the faces of suburbanite Yuppies that are the Norhtern Guards. In fact name them Motor City SC.