MLS Expansion?

I'm not totally sure on overexpansion worries on the talent pool, or on the economic situatuion. I am, however, concerned about soccer's lack of a consistent fanbase in some of these untested markets. Take Philly, for instance. I know most of us SoB's are going to buy tickets and jerseys and help the club and league be profitable. I know Seattle and Toronto are in the same "league" as Philly, but here I'm concerned about those who are not hardcore fans. Most that I have talked to, are convinced soccer is about as exciting as "watching paint dry." We all know that if one has an emotional investment in the sport, there isn't anything like it in the entire US sports landscape.

With Philly as #16, and #17 and #18 due to be awarded in the coming weeks, I hope MLS ends up picking the right markets to make sure those fanbases are more like PHI, SEA and TOR, not COL, DAL and CHV. As long as MLS can acheive profitablility leaguewide in 2009, the salary cap can be raised, and MLS can start keeping some young American talent, instead of shipping them off to Endhoven, Villareal, Fulham, or even Manchester United.

MLS should put a moritorium on further expansion until 2020 at least. I know that guys from Portland, Atlanta, Ottawa or NY2 are going to be upset about that, but the league needs to stabilize. After 17 and 18 in 2011, the league will have expanded by 80% in 7 seasons. I'm glad that for this round of expansion, there were more bids than the NFL got during the expansion derby of '93. Let the league come into its own with 18 clubs, and let MLS truly become Major League Soccer before we start worring about 24 teams playing a 34 game schedule, absorbtion of USL-1 into MLS-2, promotion and relegation between the two sides, etc. My hope is that one day, US Soccer in general and MLS in particular can be named in the same breath as better European and South American leagues, with the speaker being able to hold a straight face.

 

2011 : Miami and Vancouver
2012 : NYC and Montreal

 

While I do admit the thinning talent pool is a bit of an issue, I don't think MLS will be expanding too fast as long the expansion teams can keep 18k+ people in the stands at each game (or, in other words, profit overall). Since we're still a relatively young league, the important thing right now isn't quality but sustainability, and that will come with expanding into good fanbases. I think that, as long as there are cities excited enough to support teams with that kind of attendance, then by all means keep expanding.

 

I don't think it is,right now anyway, as much of a thinning of the talent pool issue as it is of a salary restriction. Most middle of the road guys can make as much or more money in the USL as MLS due to an MLS team signing a few high paid stars to boost attendnace. Also, other middle of the road guys can make much more money in leagues outside the USA. Take a look at what some of the Scandinavian leagues are paying guys that are just OK here in the MLS. MLS needs to boost the cap.

 

You could just as easily rephrase the poll question like this:

Does your city have an MLS team yet?

 

Not if we get in in 2011, we won't be.

 

I really don't think so. Thinning of the talent pool, weak economy, and identity aren't the issues at this point. This issues are financial stability, profit, and expanding the fan base.

Yes, the economy is having a recession, but MLS will be better off than other sports considering their prices are already much lower. And by having more teams in more cities, the league is getting more fans and more revenue.

If MLS can expand by at least 4 teams in the next few years (hopefully more), survive the recession, and acquire more fans, then expansion is exactly what will launch this league. Then after that, they can begin to make the necessary changes to ascend into the ranks with the best leagues in the world.

 

2010-2013
Miami ,St Louis, Montreal, Portland ,Vancouver and Atlanta

 

qft

 

But another thing that will make the MLS look not-so-major is that it still seems somewhat regional, and not national.

And as far as proven fanbases, we know that Portland and Vancouver at least will blow many other cities away. And probably St Louis and Montreal (once the owner wants in) will be able to get the fans, too.

I would say expand, but make sure you expand into cities that care. After that, the people in big cities that don't have an MLS team might start wanting one (not just the owners, but the general public).

So; I think that Vancouver, Portland, and St. Louis are all great places to vie for the 2 spots in 2011, and that expansion will most certainly be good for MLS. Give the city that is left out a team later on, and that still leaves NYC2 and Montreal later on, in addition to any other city that would have a high interest level.

Looking at recent expansion (and one transfer)
Houston: support from the fans (and now the county) is there.
Toronto: support and interest is definitely there
Seattle: support and interest from everybody is definitely there
Philadelphia: support and interest is definitely there

MLS has done well with choosing places that have good support in the last few years. When the new cities embrace their new sides and take soccer seriously (MLS in particular), that is definitely good news for all of us fans.

 

I like the Rogues name, but not sure about the 'elephant kicking a soccer ball' logo.