David Beckham’s search for a spot to put his MLS expansion team hasn’t been going very well. But a new option has fallen his way, with a group of property developers asking him to look at a plot of land they had planned for a luxury casino. The area isn’t in the heart of downtown, but does have skyline and ocean views with close proximity to downtown that could make it an option.
In other expansion news, efforts to bring an MLS franchise to Las Vegas are already hitting snags. The Las Vegas City Council couldn’t put their support behind a proposal for a $200 million stadium — but all hope isn’t lost as the vote was pushed back to be reconsidered.
And Carlos Bocanegra is retiring after this season, his 15th year as a professional. He has 110 caps with the U.S. Men’s National Team, tied for seventh of all time, but hasn’t featured for country since 2012.
Here is a rundown of all the stories featured on SBI Thursday:
U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM
Bocanegra to retire at end of 2014 season
USMNT 1, Czech Republic 0: SBI Player Grades
USMNT 1, Czech Republic 0: Five Observations
MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
Beckham invited to explore new downtown Miami stadium location
Kings owner purchases stake in Sacramento Republic, eyes move to MLS
Decision on Las Vegas’ proposed stadium deal pushed back
Rolfe sidelined 6 weeks after left forearm surgery
MLS Insider: Arsenal greats inspire New York Red Bulls’ Bradley Wright-Phillips
SBI MLS Rookie of the Month: Tesho Akindele
SBI MLS Team of the Month (August): LA Galaxy
INTERNATIONAL SOCCER
International Rewind: Italy surges past Dutch; France tops Spain; and more
Thursday Kickoff: Wembley in line to host Euro 2020 final; Costa Rica beat Nicaragua; and more
Soccer Thursday: Your Running Commentary
The fact that no one in the MLS has made a stupid move for Ronaldinho shows how much the league has progressed.
And as for a MLS franchise in El Paso…I feel bad for anyone that thinks that there’s any sort of chance that it’ll ever happen.
el paso is like portland, austin. its a city looking for change and crazy for soccer 🙂 to be honest el paso can easily pack a 18,000 seater
God help us all if this Ronaldinho obsessed, El Paso nut case has his home town awarded an MLS team.
By the way, my hometown of El Paso tx is really taking serious the fact of MLS in El Paso tx and we don’t get national attention like San Antonio, Vegas and Sacramento.
http://www.kvia.com/news/mountainstar-sports-group-says-theyre-still/27867200
I don’t know much about Texas geography or demographics, but I wouldn’t think El Paso has much chance to get an MLS team given the circumstances. There’s really only one spot left in the 24 team plan. And San Antonio sounds like it’s miles ahead of the competition.
Your hometown San Antonio is making a mistake with the stadium design. There are too many cheap owners in MLS that limits its growth..
The new San Antonio stadium rendition needs to be 35,000 – 40,000 with a retractible roof.
Your climate is horrendous and the day games will look draining on TV
You’re wrong about the size. It’s good for teams to have high demand for tickets (see Portland, KC, Seattle). It’s not good to have 15,000-20,000 empty seats (see New England and DCU).
The word in Mexico is that ronaldinho is going to ligaMX, to the same team where Vancouver whitecaps camilo is playing. So like I said before, ligaMX is following MLS footsteps, and will not let MLS get bigger than them.
Ronaldinho is going to do wonders for ligaMX, only if MLS would have open their wallet.
He’s old. LigaMX is a retirement league.