Which city do you think is most likely to be the next expansion city?

Where was San Jose? Smart money would bet on them!!

 

The Milwalkie Talkies

(it's spelled wrong, but I don't know how to spell it either )

 

The Sea-Port Floating Logs

 

Yes, San Jose has suffered a setback, however, Wolff is now working with the city to find an alternative site in San Jose. We are still cautiously optimistic Wolff can pull this off. One silver lining in having the SJSU deal collapse is now any stadium Wolff gets built will not have to have design compromises to accomodate college football.

 

Totally agree, Garbs needs to just go ahead and bring back the Quakes. The stadium issues will work itself out, Wolff can get it done look what he did for the A's. Who needs to watch the beautiful game with football lines anyway?

 

But, it's not Garber's call. No stadium deal, no Quakes, it's that simple. If Wolff can secure a stadium deal by 2009 the Quakes will return.

 

Im sure that San Juan will be the next expansion the PR Boricaniers, lol MLS is silly.

 

Very unique poll.

 

So did Philly and Cleveland....Not saying Atlanta will be the next one, but it has a better shots than some on that list. Garber was here just last week talking with potential investors

 

No, Philadelphia did not fall through...a stadium is still on the plans...Rowan fell through last year. The current plans involve something different.

 

I love this. We should have a poll every 3 months for this, because the result changes each time (until the actual announcement is made)

3 months ago (imo) San Jose, Philly, St. Louis

Now: Portland, Philly, St. Louis or San Jose

With each word out of Garber's mouth, another city becomes the front runner. Sadly, I don't think anyone will have a team for '08. AC STL for '09!

 

Tampa or St. Pete in 2010

 

That's a classic! A real hoot

 

http://www.neoprosoccer.com/
That ain't a joke either. MLS will come here eventually, it may not be the next team, but I see it happening within the decade.

 

"Milwaukee"

 

and now for something completely different...

 

actually it's pronounced milli wah kay...

 

San Jose is a given... Can't be 100% considered an expansion team... I'm also likin' Portland, Vancouver, and two southeastern teams... (One in the carolinas and one in florida) First expand to all parts of the country, than fill in other cities (St louis, cleveland) already near current teams...

OOPS!! forgot Las Vegas!! Definitely must go there...So, 6 fo' sho's...but i guess only 3 by 2010...3 more by 2014...one more for good luck (jk, need 20 team league, not 19) by 2016...Unless KC really starts having an even more disgustingly looking crowd, they can be moved to places like st louis, cleve's, philly...u get it...

 

Glad you're not the commish. So your steps are

1 - Regift a stadium to an area whose attendance we derided in it's latter years

2 - Fill in the blanks

3 - Give it to cities that want it but are near to other teams

 

...so where do u think mls should/shouldnt expand?

 

My biased answer first - Philadelphia should be in the next three cities. 160 member supporter club without a team of any kind. 2,000 plus member mailing list for Philadelphia Pro Soccer Foundation. Philly is also the #4 Media Market (important for ad dollars) and completes the big 4 Atlantic seaboard rivalry (Boston, NY, Philly, Washington).

Now my unbiased assesment for the other 2 by 2010, and 2 past that for 2012.

Tier 1

1. Portland - footprint expansion - significant fan base in place
2. St. Louis - Soccer history, rabid support of baseball - imagine how they'd sound for soccer
3. San Jose - Attendance woes could be blamed on ownership, but still am concerned - real soccer fans should have come out regardless of advertising
4. Phoenix - Growing market, good grassroots energy, former MLS guy in leadership group

 

i agree...phoenix is becomin a hot topic...
but vancouver is already gettin a 15,000 (expandable to 30,000...dont no how...) seat stadium in the "magical year" of 2010...with a pretty good team in the usl...

ur rite that it mite be risky going bak to the southeast, but there are 4 usl teams therr and imo space for a stadium (dont no the specifics)

and las vegas...i hav a couple dif opinions wit them...could work out, might not...

 

Canadian expansion is an interseting topic to me not sure how I feel about another country jumping in line ahead of our cities. Southeast, IMO, is not a good professional sports market because of the transient nature of the market. There are so many transplants that folks only show when they are winning.

To me a NY/Philly rivalry would be a sight to behold. It could be more fierce than LA/Chivas. Both city's fans hate each other and travel well. Hell, we're working on a bus trip to NY for 6/16 just to cheer against Red Bull.

I think Vegas could be a pawn to get another city to suck it up and get their finances in order for expansion by 2010 or to get another sport to get there. Garber is good at mentioning every city, but I think expansion needs to be measured and deliberate aiming for passionate fans and valuable markets (in terms of rivalry and history), I am sure the league has targeted markets and is working to align investors to expand where they want to.

But, the bottom line is money. If a bajillionaire wanted to build right near Red Bull stadium or North Dakota, as long as they had $$$ and an SSS, they'd be in. It's still a little like the Wild, Wild West.