Featured: Our Football, Our Future: Part I

CagedMonky · Aug 11, 2009

By Andres Roberto

To USL, or not to USL, that is the question.
Definitely not an easy task bringing a professional franchise to San Antonio, let alone a franchise that might not be accepted by everyone. And lack of support has already brought a premature death to the world’s most popular sport in this city. But as the reports continue to surface of a USL-1 club in the works to be granted to San Antonio I have a few questions.
Should we settle for a USL-1 team?
Appropriately enough, Spurs Sports & Entertainment is in negotiations to bring a United Soccer League-1 (USL-1) team into San Antonio, as an MLS team proved to be too expensive. I for one understand the logic, let’s start small and see where that leads us . . . . right? But where will that lead us?
The Seattle Sounders were lucky enough to be promoted but they have a rich history of the sport existing in the city for almost a decade now. The Sounders had both things necessary for success going for them, an ownership group who was dedicated and was willing to spend the money needed to fund the establishment of the franchise, and a fanbase that was mad for the game, and clearly mad for the team.
The MLS is not in the business of promoting teams from the USL-1 unless they are in a city that has the resources to support a major professional team.
So if we can’t support a major professional team now, what makes us think we can support a major professional team in the future? I don’t want to seem like I’m being negative, I think the USL-1 in SA is a good thing, don’t get me wrong.
But I honestly think that SS&E and the city are not exploring all available options.
Reading an article from Match Fit USA I realized that the politics of bringing an MLS team to a city is rather complex, and often times quite ruthless. The article reported that DC United could be moved from Washington, DC if they didn’t build a new soccer specific stadium.
If you’ve been following the MLS from the beginning, like I have, you would know that this would be a tragedy. The New England Revolution are also in a similar predicament, with a lease to a stadium that neither fits their needs or their attendance to regular season games, being superfluous at best.
The article focuses on the possibility of the team being moved to St. Louis who themselves, had a deal fall through for an MLS team but looks slated to be awarded one very soon. Apparently there is no wanting for choice with regards to a stadium, as there have been three groups proposing sites and plans to build one, since then.
It always seems like other cities have more resources than San Antonio, why is that? What are some possible solutions for this dilemma? I’ll explore some of my own answers in Part II, but I want to hear some of your thoughts on the subject.
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http://www.crocketteers.com/2009/08/10/our-football-our-future-part-i/

jhope · Aug 12, 2009

Great Article Andres. MLS could be a great option for San Antonio as could USL. As a fan of both I would love to see an investor take us to the MLS level. However, MLS will most likely stop at 20 teams for several years. With Montreal and most likely St. Louis as potential franchises for 19 and 20 I don't see San Antonio being on the short list for expansion any time soon. Even with a sound investor backing a bid. That does not leave out the possibility of a team moving to San Antonio. You talked about the DC United situation and one might even include Chivas USA in that mix.

A USL franchise in the meantime may be the only option. I do hope though that the investor/operator, may that be the Spurs or someone else, puts the necessary effort to grow the franchise and make it a top notch team. I would hope the focus would be franchise development. If our city supports the building of a stadium for the team I don't want the investor dropping the team after a few years and using the stadium exclusively as a concert venue. Don't get me wrong I support a multi use facility because concerts bring in tons of money but I fear the focus is a stadium for concert venues and the hell with the development of the team.

I want a pro soccer team in San Antonio that wants to win a title. And an investor willing to make that happen.

Jerry Jones are you listening?

SoccerPrime · Aug 14, 2009

Just one clarification, New England Revolution is owned by the NFL Patriots and Gilette Stadium owner/operator Robert Kraft. The Revs are playing for free at the Razor. Much like the Seattle Sounders, just with less fans. So the Revs situation is really nothing like DC United.

Besides that, spot on.