News: Wednesday, Dec 09, 2015

Interesting that John Thorrington and Ali Curtis were specifically two of the former MLS players Garber mentioned (as guys who are staying in and with the game/league to help its future) during Donovan's long interview of Garber ahead of MLS Cup 2015.

 

Ever the optimists.

Then again, it looks like Beckham might actually be closing in on land for a stadium in Miami, so I suppose anything is possible.

 

Vegas is founded on unwise optimism

 

Las Vegas. Always a bridesmaid, never a bride. Probably best that way.

 

Yet another Former Fire Player finding somewhere else to work other than Chicago.

 

i wouldnt gamble on a LV franchise in MLS in the next round of 4 expansion

the bigger issue is whether MLS brass and owners go for sure success bets in sacramento (California already has 3 franchises) and San Antonio (texas already has 2 franchises); my guess is that sacramento can not be ignored and will be in MLS no later than 2020 with 1 other franchise to balance out the league to an even number of 26

the issue of expansion comes down to not only the market, but the MLS desire to expand its usa footprint in areas like the south-east and mid-west states- also, as we all know, it will come down to a top-notch ownership individual/group, a SSS in place in or near the DT core, the potential for corporate investment, the thumbs-up and infrastructure support/taxation benefits from local and state politicians, the demographic numbers to attract a young and soccer-motivated community and a history and willingness to support the team from a strong fan base and supporter's group

san antonio comes the closest to meeting all of that cirteria, but i dont think its a sure bet they will get #26 as then both Sac and S A would be in the western conference and some type of realignment would have to be done -AGAIN

i think that #26 will come from a city in the south-east to mid-west area and become part of the eastern conference

as for my country of canada- NADA- maybe a franchise in #27-30 which will be 2022-2026- even that is a longggggg shot

 

i think MLS is right-on with this decision- the All-Star game needs to be a major focal point for selling the league and promoting soccer in the USA and Canada

 

Minnesota United picks Mortenson to build St. Paul soccer stadium

Mpls St. Paul Biz Journal

 

I'm just curious; has that been a problem in the past?

 

Exhibit no. 1: Robbie Keane

 

http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/...geted-allocation-money-homegrown-player-funds
this is big news right??

 

Sounds like the Bruce Arena rule. He is always trying to pull this off

 

Should we have a betting pool for how much Garber is going to fine him when he kvetches about it next year?

 

Sam Cronin was named to this year's ASG because other players bailed and essentially he was in the area and played the right position. Sam Cronin!

(So was Clint Irwin but that was because Rimando wasn't sure if he could go but was actually there, and you could argue that Irwin was playing at an all-star level int he first half of the season. Also Irwin was the only player to suit up and not play in the ASG.)

 

Liam Ridgewell was named to the ASG last season as well because someone bailed out. He had played two games in the league at the time.

 

No reason Republic can't come in with SA. There is precedent in other leagues. And MLS gives a rats ass about uniform scheduling. SA is going to be quite far along by this time next year

 

Yeah, I think they'd gladly just move KC again or whatever. Plus by that time they may go to conferences with divisions.

In general, in SA, the government and the Spurs both look interested, but not so interested that they couldn't pretty easily back out, and we haven't gotten to the brass tacks of how much the stadium upgrades will cost and who will pay for them. I would give SA a 60 or 70% chance of happening.

And interestingly, though things can certainly happen fast in this game, all other proposals seem much further away than that--just ideas and hopes at this point. It is entirely possible that even though they have authorized going to 28, they stick at 26 for a while first.

 

Minnesota would move East (assuming it enters in the West)

 

Well, part of that was because the PR folks for the league confused him for Liam Neeson. They really wanted that star quality.....

 

I had no idea. I guess I don't really follow all the comings-and-goings of the ASG; I just turn it on and watch.