http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20080208&content_id=138306&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp Not much of a secret, but here's the article anyway... The updates also go on to talk about the possible All-Star opponent (Liverpool, Newcastle, or a German team), the possible World Cup qualifying sites (all being MLS stadiums), and the fact that the proposal for EPL regular season matches outside EPL would exclude the chance that you'll see a "clash of the titans" type of match...
Wait, so this Jeff Cooper is the prime mover? Well, at least that should clear up some cosmological questions.
It's easy to expect the Demiurge to have a little more pull with investors. But never underestimate the power of Yahweh to cloud the minds of material beings. - Paul
Seattle gets to come in solo... If we are also allowed to have an expansion draft, then that's a plus for us to have the picks to ourselves. (There has been some talk that we might not get one because of our agreement to territorial rights to a number of possible 2008 USL-1 Sounders players.)
the MLS All Stars would prob beat the crap out of Newcastle after the season they've had... poor newcastle.
A pain, but with 15 teams they could have a pretty easy 28-game schedule, clearly. They could still tie.
unfortunate yes, but meh, there's bigger fish at the moment. There's no rush IMHO. The only right thing is to give it all time to develop.
Yes, Montreal could join up for 2009 if they really wanted to. Pay off TFC for that last year of Canadien exclusivity, start adding to that new stadium now, voila, you are done and ready to roll the Great White North Derby. MLS has to make all north Americans equal in terms of the player status, so the sooner the better. That dude Sabuto is a mega millionaire as they want, so what is not to like?
Like any MLS team, a Montreal team would mean more roster sports that would potentially be used on Americans--some surly would. I'm sure MLS enjoyed the additional revenue TFC brought into the league last year, which also helps American soccer. Based on the evidence out there, Montreal would be as successful. Your opinions on my country are well known by those of us that follow BigSoccer closely. It's a good thing those in power at MLS don't share your myopic view of the world. If MLS doesn't grant Montreal a franchise in the future, it won't be Montreal that is losing out.
Maybe we could keep nation-bashing off of N&A. Or, at the least, make an effort to actually be original or humourous when doing it, rather than cliched and boring.
This is a good thing in my opinion. While unbalanced 2009 would be a pain, I think Seattle should get to come in alone, especially if they end up having an expansion draft.
I'm certain that this is the answer to SOME question. It's just that it's not the answer to MY question. You said that Montreal "deserves" to be in MLS. My question was: "why?" "Because more Americans would get roster spots" is irrelevant. Put an MLS team in Souix Falls and there will be the same number. Montreal adds nothing to the equation. I have no direct knowledge of what, if any, "additional income" MLS received due to TFC's league entry. If you do, please be so kind as to share it. If not, then we are forced to conclude that you are now officially clutching at straws. "Deserving" a team and "thinking having a team would be really, like, cool" are actually two different concepts. You know nothing whatever of my "opinions" of Canada. My opinions on whether Canada belongs in MLS are indeed well known and I stand by them. More and more every day. If Canada is offended by my opinions on the subject, then they ought to take all those multitudes of "great soccer towns" full of "great soccer fans" and "great soccer stadiums" and "deep pockets owners" dying to invest in soccer, and start their own league. As for Canada itself, I have spent much time there. Growing up in Rochester New York, we used to zip across the border for drinking and fireworks a lot. And I'll get into Paulette, the girl I was madly in love with in Toronto - and who had a twin sister named, improbably, Pierette, and I was too young and dumb not to appreciate the possibilities - some other time. Suffice it to say that I know Canada quite well and think very fondly indeed of it, although now that it's become the Republic of Trudeaupia and is putting people in jail for having opinions I'm less enamored than I used to be.
I don't see how the unbalanced schedule can be but so bad. It's home and away vs. the other 14 teams (28 games) and 2 other random games, 1 home and 1 away. The hard part will be the stupid bye weeks again.