Expansion team in Chicago?

I'm guessing this is the crabs-like rumor about America following Chivas's suit and bringing a team here.

Again, that's a guess.

 

Yeah - this isn't the first time I've seen a rumor here about another team in Chicago.

Personally, I think it's a bad idea, especially when MLS is already only in 10 cities. But, the Fire have such strong support, it's hard to imagine another team moving in and building any decent fan base.

I mean, a new MLS team could move in down the block, and train in my back yard, and I'd root for them with the passion I reserve for Dallas, LA, and the Metros....

I'd really be shocked if there were anything to this.

 

Oh great, just what we'd need, Anglo and Mexican teams in MLS. What will be MLS's motto: "Dividing ethnic groups through soccer"? Yes, MLS needs money, but I'd prefer to stay as far away from becoming the MFL's little sister as is humanly possible.

And haven't they learned by now that ethnic marketing doesn't work, particularly among immigrant groups who can watch all the games from their "old country" on TV and who therefore have no great reason to switch their allegiance? Why don't they start a team made up of 11 year-olds to capture the huge soccer-playing youth market while they're at it?

 

Because the Burn players will commit seppku when they lose to the 11 year-olds?

 

I'll start calling all my Hungarian friends.

Seriously, who would that "different" market be right now in Chicago? What 20,000-strong group would come to the Fire who refuse to go to Fire games now?

Yeah, when your sport is popular enough to support two teams. My beef was more with the idea of starting an "ethnic" team than with the idea of two teams in one city.

 

That would actually make it more grounded in reality than most expansion stories.

 

I will root for Club America Chicago with the same passion and emotion I have for the White Sox.

 

I was being facetious to slam both the story and the forum.

 

SECRETS AND LIES

 

When the Fire start averaging 20K or, better, yet, when games like our recent CCC match draw 20K, then I'll start believing that Chicago or any other MLS city can support two MLS teams. Until then, no offense, but I'm dismissing this idea.

 

Think of the road trips though!

 

I've often advocated for a second Chicago team, but I doubt it'll happen soon. It could be a lot of fun though.

 

That's all well and good but who are these fans? Why would they go see one MLS when they've spent six year resolutely ignoring the current one?

 

Right now the goal for MLS should be to have it's teams drawing a 20k (Ok, 9k for Dallas) average instead of having multiple teams in the same market drawing a 10k average. Solidifying the current teams further and building a larger foundation across the country is the best way, not oversaturating markets that already support a team...even if it is the best one.

 

I'll take off my burn glasses for a minute and say I think its a great idea. Chicago has some good passionate fans. If you were to tell me would I rather have one team getting a consistent 20K or two teams in the same area getting 10K a piece "at this stage of the league" I would say give me the two teams.

With the Dallas Burn moving to the far suburbs, I would love a team to eventually move back to Dallas. I dono't know the Chicagoland area, but I can't think of anything better than an inter-area rivalry than between the city guys and the suburban guys.

You guys have the White Sox and the Cubs. Why the hell not?

I think phase two should be four more teams in four other relatively big markets. But phase three should be to expirament with the cross town rivalries.

 

I'm for the idea of two teams in a city, just not yet. The Cubs and the Sox were early cross-town rivals, but it was a different economic time. Within the next decade if MLS can continue to grow, then two-team cities will become a reality.

 

For the love of God, if the MLS are going to expand do it in other cities. Houston, Philly, Seattle and so on. Let other cities have a team to support...spread the love around.

So ends the lesson.

 

Why do I get the feeling Garber's idea of two teams in each MLS city revolves around every team just putting on their third jersey and playing twice as many games during the year...

 

why?
give me an honest reason why MLS should go to a city simply based on the fact they dont have a team.I personally agree with Liam that Chicago could support another Div. 1 side;if the they played at the right place and had strong management.

with the Fire eventually playing in Bridgeport ;a team located in the rapidly expanding NW/FW suburbs could do really well.The Fox valley region alone is on pace to surpass many MLB cities in population.It is also a very diverse region home to a large hispanic population ,scores of youth teams, a large and affluent middle class, and it is home to possible corporate sponsors.

Elgin, although not a good fit for a stadium if there was only one team in the area.would be an excellent place to locate a second team.its very accesible from NW cook,McHenry, Lake and Kane counties.areas where some of the regions fastest growth is located .Within a twenty minute drive there are three towns of over 100,000 each (Elgin,Aurora,Schaumburg).I would guestimate that within that radius there is a population base in the ballpark of 750,000.

I think a team in Elgin would draw fans other areas as well.it would give the Fire a run for their money the first couple of seasons when it comes to gate reciepts, but I think in the long run it would be only positive.There needs to be MORE opportunites for people to go out and see a Soccer game not less.

If an investor steps up to the plate and proposes something of worth, I dont think the league should ignore it.Chicago is a Great sports city.And I think Soccer is much more popular and has alot more potential in the area then some people think.

 

Spot on. I don't think the league CAN ignore it either.

 

Catfish, Catfish, Catfish

"the MLS"

It's enough that we have to constantly remind the foreigners, but a Section 8'er

Because of your track record, I'll let this one slide. But, just so you know, I expected better from you.