Miami was a unique situation, and one that wasn’t permitted to take the field until a stadium was built. But yeah in general a stadium needs to be built before a team starts as most alt stadiums suck for soccer in this country (looking at you NYCFC).
I would say a team needs a "solid stadium plan" in place. I mean really - if MLS had known that SJE would be at Buck Shaw for six years, would the franchise have been rebooted? Granted, there had been a "solid stadium plan" for that entire time, but the FMC site didn't get approved for construction until the beginning of the 2010 season (a/k/a year #4). I'm secretly hoping that if MLS Cup does end up in NY that they force NYCFC to play it over at RBA or at MetLife. I seem to recall some schvitzing in the league when SJE won the Supporters Shield while playing at Shaw about the prospect of having the MLS cup in Santa Clara. I even joked that Spartan Stadium would be available but the SJE folks were having none of that. Fortunately for the league, SJE were dispatched in the first round by the smog-encrusted galactiholes. Where SRFC is concerned, we found out first-hand just last Saturday night that the CalExpo stadium is not a viable location for any sort of severe inclement weather, particularly lightning. Fortunately that's a rare occurrence around here, but it happened and the on-site staff had no earthly idea what to do with 8000ish people in an all-metal tilt-up stadium with an active lightning storm at hand. Simply put, a new stadium - whether for USL-C or MLS purposes - needs to be built. Unfortunately, the "new" ownership is MLS-contingent, and so there will be no money for a USL replacement facility...it's MLS or Bust right now, and we're all feeling kinda busty right about now.
If @MLS waits long enough maybe the Republic will just go away. pic.twitter.com/BJNafc571Q— Sacramento Soccer Liker (@sacsocliker) October 5, 2019
I mean Garber has always had a hard on for San Diego, and Donovan is as close to MLS royalty as exists... so it really comes down to if MLS is willing to accept this 35,000 seat stadium as a long term home for one of their teams.
Given the way Nagle tried to shiv Warren (see back to page 93 or so in this thread), that would indeed be some spicy payback.
FWIW, it might be illuminating to head on over to the SD Candidate Cities forum to see what they think of all this. (It has not even been mentioned that I can see, at least recently).
I got to admit, I thought this would be done & dusted by now. They delay has me a tad concerned. Not doomish, but .....
Here we go again with the Bee... Sources said league officials will hold a press conference in downtown Monday followed by a fan event in the afternoon, celebrating the franchise award. I want to believe. I really do. But we're also up to page 143 on this thing.
The language is subtly different this time around tho' The team issued a statement Tuesday saying it looks forward to sharing information in the coming days: “We share the great excitement and anticipation in our community about Sacramento’s bid to join Major League Soccer. We will continue to respect the MLS expansion process and remain confident about the future of our club and our city. We look forward to sharing more information in the days ahead.” Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, who served as a deal facilitator, declined comment pending a formal league announcement. And MLS "declined comment". Considering last time they said the report was "erroneous", it at least rings a bit more true this time. Still, not calling it done until MLS announces a press conference in Sacramento.
This one may be different... All my sources say yes on Monday - been the best kept secret for 3 weeks.— Michelle Dapper (@KCRAdapper) October 16, 2019
Meanwhile, over at SRFC HQ... We will continue to respect the MLS expansion process and remain confident about the future of our club and our city. We look forward to sharing more information in the days ahead. (2/2)— Sacramento Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) October 16, 2019
For all of you faithful on the ledge of doom I hope Monday is not another Lucy day. Do come in from the ledge before celebrating.
2015 I would have been excited. 2016 I would have been stoked. 2017 I would have been elated. 2018 I would have been relieved. And now it's just kind of bitter-sweet. Assuming...
Don't fall for the Sacramento Bee's happy-talk propaganda! Exclusive: Sacramento expected to be announced as 29th Major League Soccer team Monday @sitruc ...