Collinsville city council approves annexation of land for STL MLS SSS

Discussion in 'MLS: News & Analysis' started by Nidal Baba Superstar, Sep 10, 2007.

  1. Chris '66

    Chris '66 New Member

    Aug 9, 2007
    Brooklyn, NY
    Good luck to Cooper and company. The irony of the whole KC-StL MLS "rivalry" is that most educated guesses point to KC shifting to the West Conf to allow both StL AND Philly to get in at the same time. KC has been described as having a more western feel to it and it is closer to Houston and Dallas while that StL-Chicago "animosity" has real roots.

    There is NO WAY that MLS will choose Seattle and their NFL size stadium over the Collinsville and Chester (Philly) plans IF both get approved by December. It would destroy any and all credibility/leverage Garber has with communities/ownership groups seeking to join the league. Letting San Jose in without a signed/sealed/delivered plan (although it does appear on track) should be left as a one-shot good faith deal since they had a team previously and MLS loves the Bay area, and to balance the conferences.

    In fact, if this plays out, going forward I cannot see ANY SITUATION where MLS should allow a new team to play in an NFL stadium for more than half a season. With 16 teams, Garber's original vision is complete, to grow the league and then let it flourish. Seattle/Portland/Vancouver/Montreal/NYC will just have to follow the lead and make it so they enter the league ready to roll from day one.

    Speaking of rivalries, it would be cool if one year two of the three PNW teams got in at the same time, say Portland AND Seattle. Then KC could switch back to the east.
     
  2. triplet1

    triplet1 BigSoccer Supporter

    Jul 25, 2006

    I hope what you say is true, but there are certainly reports on the expansion forum that Seattle is all but a done deal. Still, if Philadelphia and St. Louis are ready to go and willing to commit to soccer specific stadiums, I can't believe MLS would turn either of them them down -- especially having worked with both markets for some time -- but stranger things have happened.

    The only thing about St. Louis and Philly that gives me pause is that not much is public about the prospective ownership groups. That too could make a significant difference to MLS, but if ownership is an issue, you would think MLS would have warned them of those concerns by now.

    The best news for MLS is that local government officials in Collinsville and Chester really appear to want these teams and say publically they will do their part to get these stadiums done. A lot has changed for the league.
     
  3. The_Drizzle

    The_Drizzle New Member

    May 17, 2006
    Kwassa Kwassa
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Didn't Garber say earlier this year that he'd like to have 18 team by 2012? He may work out a deal with one of these groups and make them guaranteed for the next round while he figures out who the 18th team would be.
     
  4. sillinois

    sillinois New Member

    Feb 28, 2007
    Looks like Saint Louis is in. Thank God for that. I am sooo looking forward to going to the new SSS. I really do think this is not only going to be a raging success in Saint Louis, but I also think this will help "Unite" the Saint Louis area and increase the importance of the Illinois side. I couldn't be happier.

    There is simply no way that MLS can tell Saint Louis "no" at this point. That would be a colossal publicity blunder. Every other expansion city for the next 50 years would say, "Well, remember what happened to Saint Louis. Why should be believe or trust MLS?" If you think it is hard to get SSS approved now, it would be nearly impossible if MLS did something like that. If so, San Jose would become the norm. MLS would have to award a team first and then work out the details of the SSS. Some would not come through so you would have to move a lot of teams. That is the wrong way to do business if you can avoid it. We have already been there done that and seen a lot of teams move.

    As to Philly and Seattle, I think Philly is clearly next in line. I know Garber made a statement about a "West Coast" team, but he could always back track on that (KC moving to "West" - San Jose "West Coast" team he was referring to). I think Garber is just pressuring Philly and trying to make everyone believe there that they have a legitimate shot in this expansion round, but that the door is quickly closing and if they do not act quickly, they will be left in the cold. Also, by making the statements he did, he also increased the pressure in Saint Louis, to assure everything moves smoothly, which it did. With Philly now moving forward, it looks to me as though Garber's statement had exactly the intended effect. (1) Makes sure the vote in Saint Louis goes smooth - check. (2) Increase the pressure in Philly and move them toward votes - check. (3) Raise hopes in Seattle, get people excited, pressure them to build a SSS, and admit them first in the next round of expansion (partial check).

    At this point, I think Seattle is an option only if Philly fails. Playing in Football stadiums is the old MLS. SSS are the new MLS. Everyone knows this. I don't care how good Quest is for soccer, 1/2-3/4 of the seats will be empty every match. That is not what we want in an expansion franchise and you can negative rep me all you want. It is simply the truth. If Philly gets a SSS that can be complete in 2010, they are in with Saint Louis. If Philly fails, Seattle (and Quest) is the backup plan. That is how we move forward.
     
  5. jfranz

    jfranz New Member

    Jun 16, 2004
    Portland, OR
    While this may be true about Philly, it is most definitely NOT true about the ownership group in St. Louis. Jeff Cooper and his associates are very well known to both MLS and people who have followed the league - he's the guy that tried to relocate RSL back when their own stadium was teetering on the edge. Cooper has major assets, and, he's not just an interested owner, he is a passionate soccer fan! He has played the game his entire life, including in college, and he is on the board of Brentford FC in the English League Two (4th Division) - and you don't get involved with a minor English club in the 4th Division for the fame and money. He is already involved with the growing local supporters scene, and keeps a blog about the potential team.

    Mark my words, if/when Cooper gets an MLS franchise, he'll be one of the best owners in the league.

    Your can read more about him at:
    http://www.stlouissoccerunited.com/content/view/25/72/
     
  6. Sportsfan1

    Sportsfan1 Member

    Jul 22, 2007
    St. Louis, MO
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    this is great news for the mls and st collinsville.

    I am excited to be able to see these games first hand.

    however...its disturbing that there is zero coverage in the sports media here of this..zero talk on sports radio, and the main sports message boards.

    I guess soccer fan isnt sports fan or something
     
  7. Andy_B

    Andy_B Member+

    Feb 2, 1999
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    At this point its more a business story than a sports story IMO. If and when a team is granted is when it will become more of a sports story.

    From the news thread

    Collinsville forges ahead on stadium-St. Louis Post Dispatch
    Collinsville City Officials Take Step towards Soccer Stadium-KSDK News
    Collinsville City Council Authorizes Pre-Annexation for MLS Soccer Stadium, Development-News Wire
     
  8. Sportsfan1

    Sportsfan1 Member

    Jul 22, 2007
    St. Louis, MO
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I just dont agree with you.

    this is more than just bussiness....it means there will be an MLS team here...and there is no buzz or talk....most people dont even know about it.

    and the location is garbage....people can spin it however they want...but I would think there would be atleast a small buzz abotu this...there is none.

    the only advice I give them if to market it big time..and try to not schedule home games when the cards are playing at home.
     
  9. usbfc

    usbfc New Member

    Sep 8, 2000
    New York City
    Have you BEEN around for the history of Major League Soccer and seen what NFL stadiums do to the game - yes, including stadiums in places like New England that were designed 'with soccer in mind'? Even the NE owners know they have to build a SSS stadium. It is bad for the game.

    Further, if a SSS can be in place for day one of the club, any way you paint it, that market (within reason) should get a club over one in which play will begin at an NFL stadium and there's no deal for stadium. I am still appalled that San Jose was given a club without a deal in place or place to play. That was a huge idiot move by MLS.
     
  10. MLS gets little mainstream press anywhere. I don't think that is any way to judge whether there is interest or not. For the most part, the mainstream media acts as if the league doesnt exist. If they are actually awarded a team by the league I'm sure you'll hear more.
     
  11. Sportsfan1

    Sportsfan1 Member

    Jul 22, 2007
    St. Louis, MO
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    right.

    I do think if they market well..and get very very involved in the local youth soccer community..they can get people out there.
     
  12. MLS1FAN

    MLS1FAN Member+

    May 11, 2004
    Miami Beach,FL
    Club:
    Manchester City FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Garber has always stated he is looking for the best investor/stadium situation for granting an expansion club to a city ( with the exception of San Jose). The stadium issue is the most important factor for MLS expansion, recently many people have been talking about Seattle, but they don't have a strong stadium deal on the table.
    I would think Garber will go with a St Louis club in the west and a Philadelphia club in the east for 2009 expansion. MLS is also looking to have a Toronto like atmosphere in any new expansion city and they feel Philadelphia can bring that and St Louis is known to have the best soccer supporters in the mid west. I think Seattle will be in the next round of expansions, maybe with a 2nd New York club in the east.
     
  13. I am interested in your take on location. Is it good or bad? Hard to get to for the majority of people in the area? Public transportation options?
     
  14. scheck

    scheck Member

    Mar 13, 2007
    Denver
    Club:
    Colorado Rapids
    Nat'l Team:
    United States



    I thought it was an easy joke to get.
     
  15. SixKick

    SixKick Moderator
    Staff Member

    Nov 13, 2000
    Club:
    Club América
    Nat'l Team:
    Mexico
    Sarcasm, dude. Sarcasm.
     
  16. aosthed

    aosthed Member

    Jul 16, 2004
    40º30' N 111º52' W
    Club:
    Real Salt Lake
    Nat'l Team:
    Sweden
    Why wouldn't "educated guesses" suggest single table format once the league has 16 teams? ... it works for a perfect 30 game season.

    The current playoff is a bit of a step in that direction with qualifying the best 8 records league wide for the playoffs...
     
  17. Sportsfan1

    Sportsfan1 Member

    Jul 22, 2007
    St. Louis, MO
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    the location is good as far as being next to 2 highways.
    its a great location for people in IL and people right accross the river.

    im not sure how a pro team being in IL will effect st louis people...I just hope alot of st louis people dont feel like its not apart of st louis..so it doenst count.

    people in south county will have a long drive..but not much traffic..

    west county will be very hard to get there becuase of construction on the major interstate thats runs threw st louis.

    north county..not to bad....NW county where its a soccer hotbed will be a far drive and some traffic.

    the location is ok...could be better...as long as atleast 50 percent of the support comes from IL..whos population is much smaller it will work.
     
  18. jasontoon

    jasontoon Member

    Jan 9, 2002
    Seattle, WA
    Club:
    Seattle Sounders
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    For one thing, it does NOT mean that there will definitely be an MLS team here, yet. Only an MLS announcement means that.

    Seems to me like there's been quite a bit of coverage on the news and in the Post about it, too. I'm not sure what you were expecting. This city council vote was never going to oust the Cardinals and Rams from the top of the sports newscasts. I expect the actual awarding of a franchise will, for a day or two at least.

    Maybe you don't realize how little coverage soccer gets in most cities. Most of the local sports-media personalities here are comfortable with the game and support the expansion. I don't think we have many of the know-nothing sports-talk goons that seem to dominate other markets - the kind of guys who will never, ever talk about soccer. On soccer, the St. Louis sports media is miles ahead of most cities.

    The location is "garbage" only if there are better options. Cooper spent the last few years meeting with politicians all over the metro area. If there were a better option, he'd have found it. Would you rather the nearest MLS team was in Kansas City, or Collinsville?
     
  19. jfranz

    jfranz New Member

    Jun 16, 2004
    Portland, OR
    Sportsfan1, there is something that you badly need to recognize about the mainstream media and the invested powers of the past. They don't embrace change. They don't set trends, they resist them - until they are compelled to adopt (so that they can exploit) them. And then they bunker back down to resist a new trend that they didn't start and don't yet control.

    The concern isn't the "mainstream" reaction to this news. The concern is: 1. is there a buzz in the soccer community, and 2. is this a substantial community?

    In St. Louis, the answer to both of those concerns is yes. And, given time, that community will grow, the balance will tip, the mainstream will move, and the sad validation you seek will be yours. Until then, just enjoy your status as trend setter and/or early adopter. ;)
     
  20. uclacarlos

    uclacarlos Member+

    Aug 10, 2003
    east coast
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Nat'l Team:
    Spain
    Huh????

    Why is Indianapolis relevant????
     
  21. peledre

    peledre Member

    Mar 25, 2001
    Sioux Falls, SD
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    How do they expect to be ready to play in '09? This is only the first step in a long process, I would be surprised if stadium construction started any sooner than next summer, can they put it up in 8-9 months, or will they play at a temp. location in '09?

    Anybody with a good memory know how long it took for PHP to open up after the ISD in Dallas agreed in principal to the deal?
     
  22. Sportsfan1

    Sportsfan1 Member

    Jul 22, 2007
    St. Louis, MO
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    we have a local station called CW-11...or KPLR.

    I believe they will be able to carry some games.

    the blues of the nhl are on there 25 times a year.
     
  23. MLS1FAN

    MLS1FAN Member+

    May 11, 2004
    Miami Beach,FL
    Club:
    Manchester City FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I think this style of single table with a 8 team to qualify in a playoff structure is the best single structure for America and it has an American stamp on it! I think it would be more competive than the European example in the Permier League and we don't need to demote or promote teams to the league to make it work...
     
  24. peledre

    peledre Member

    Mar 25, 2001
    Sioux Falls, SD
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Because the Colts-Wizards game is going to be awesome. People will come to see the Conrad-Harrison matchup alone.
     
  25. bigsquirrel

    bigsquirrel Member

    May 29, 2007
    Pimphis
    Being several hours south of STL (in Memphis), I can truthfully say I'm really excited about St. Louis getting an MLS team. It will mark the closest team in proximity to another untapped hotbed of soccer. I know quite a few soccer fans here that are equally excited about the potential of a team up there, as it means "we" could have a team to root for.

    Now if we could just get a USL team or something. :rolleyes:
     

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