And then there were five.
Atlanta dropped out of the MLS expansion race last week, citing trouble getting commitments from its potential partners for a 2011 target date. The news, which got a bit lost during MLS Draft week, means that St. Louis, Miami, Portland, Vancouver and Ottawa are the lone remaining candidates for the two expansion slots for 2011. Montreal had its bid removed from consideration.
Was Atlanta, led by Atlanta Falcons owner and Home Depot founder Arthur Blank (pictured), really an option for 2011? It appears we will never know, although Atlanta still seems to be holding out hope for 213.
So who are the favorites? I would still say Miami and St. Louis are the picks, although Don Garber continued his tradition of telling the St. Louis ownership group that it needs to get stronger financially. That would give some hope to the bids in Portland and Vancouver. I'm still not sold on Ottawa being a viable option.
What do you think of Atlanta dropping out? Share your thoughts below.
It will save us the trouble of having to move/contract that franchise in 4 years.
Good riddance, indeed!
I really disagree with Ives on something. At some point, it would be a fantastic idea to have some sort of combined format to fit in all these cities. I’m not how anybody can see 36 teams or whatever in an A and a B league with promotion and relegation as a bad thing. Of course this is decades away but once MLS is seen as completely stable, I don’t think the prospect of relegation into the B league will be that off-putting to owners. The simple fact is that the U.S. is the size of Europe and has too many major cities to have one league, especially if MLS wants a national presence. Having one league has worked for the other sports, but I still say that having some promotion and relegation would be amazing.
Where does this leave the “former” Silverbacks fans? Without any sort of professional soccer in Atlanta.
“I have a question…is the talent pool a static thing in the US and the World? The better MLS gets (along with its and other’s youth development program), the more young athletes will be attracted to it as a professional career. “Talent dilution” is only a problem if MLS does things willy-nilly financially- which Mr. Garber- for all his faults- does not appear to be doing.”
when Brazil is sending over 1,000 players outside of the country every year but MLS only has 10 there is no problem of talent dilution in MLS.
When the Arab world has over 400Million people and has won the last 5 CAF club champoinships but MLS only has two players there is NO risk of talent dillution.
When MLS has less than 2 dozen players from the caribean there is no risk of talent dillution.
When MLS has less than a half dozen from Australia there is no chance of talent dillution.
When MLS has fewer Canadians than play in GERMANY there is no chance of talent dillution.
MLS could double in size IF it scouted South America, Africa and the Enlish language world better, and still have higher quality of play.
Wait until markets stay in USL1 more than 2 years before assuming their the backbone of some competitor. MLS isn’t scared of Austin, Charleston, and Rochester as some sort of direct competitor. Anyways, ask some Rochester fans how financially healthy their team is. Cleveland and Tampa are far from having long-term stadium solutions. MLS has most of the top markets locked up.
USL definitely has a place in US pro soccer but they’re nowhere near positioned to rival MLS long-term.
Miami would be a disaster… Other than for football, Miami is one of the worst sports towns in the country, and I say this as a south floridian. What makes this worse is that I can absolutely see the MLS bowing down to the Miami bid simply b/c Barcelona is involved. If the name of the team is called Barcelona USA, I’m gonna murder someone!!!!!
As far as roadtrip destinations for visiting supporters – Vancouver and Miami would be ideal.
I have a question…is the talent pool a static thing in the US and the World? The better MLS gets (along with its and other’s youth development program), the more young athletes will be attracted to it as a professional career. “Talent dilution” is only a problem if MLS does things willy-nilly financially- which Mr. Garber- for all his faults- does not appear to be doing.
The USL shouldn’t been seen as a direct competitor, the USA is just too big for one league. These two will run along side of each other for the next 10-20 years and then work out some kind of new format.
I agree Miami 2010 and St Louis 2011 or Vancouver 2011.
USL is going to start rivaling MLS.
They gain great cities in St Louis, Cleveland, Austin, and Tampa. Keep Montreal. Possibly keep Vancouver and Portland. Already have nice set ups in place at Rochester, Charleston, and Puerto Rico (which is going to be supported now by a domestic feeder league).
The USL is set up to grow soccer, and that is what is happening.
Time to see the USL as a serious player in the USA, and the US Open Cup becoming a serious tournament.
Miami Miami Miami Miami Miami Miami Miami Miami Miami Miami Miami 2010!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Miami 2010. Make it happen
Mikey- “Anyone wanting a team in Miami is stupid. Miami makes Atlanta seem like a great sports town. They will struggle to draw 10k a game by year 2. Too many other diversions there.”
I venture you’ve never lived in Miami. Once you’ve been to the beach a few hundred times and absorbed enough silicone and beer in plastic cups you realize ( if you are a true soccer fan ) that Miami is missing something and is really not that exciting a town. Silly-cone chicks and cheap beer will always be available. BUT the opportunity for a franchise run by the great Barçelona will not. And if anyone can put together a killer team and inspire people to buy season tickets, its Barça Barça Barça!
Besides there is a ton of athletic talent in Florida that could be lured away from the terrific and brutally stiff competition of the great college football teams there.
Miami 2010 & St. Louis 2011. Make it happen Garber.
Garber Miami is ready for the news. Miami in 2010.
“Nearly every team in the league besides Columbus/Kansas City/ is a top20 populated city.”
And Real Salt Lake, and Portland, and Vancouver.
I think Portland is a longshot to get the necessary public funds and St. Louis is unlikely to get that MLS-level owner in the next couple months (they’ve been trying for years and the economy is rough). So Miami and Vancouver very well may be basically a done deal already. The Atlanta paper hinted as much. I think MLS probably made it clear to Blank and others where the bids stand.
Portland and St. Louis were probably my personal picks from the start. I want MLS in both. But right now MLS seems set to go with the strongest ownership groups. Hasn’t Ives hinted that we may hear an announcement by the end of the month?
Hey MIKEY you are stupid.
Miami 2010 Vancouver 2011
goog thought, Gordon Ramsey, good thought.
I see England or Portugal/Spain winning the right to host the World Cup in 2018. We should re-double our efforts for 2022. Surely we could win that. By that time we would be a huge soccer nation.
For 2018 we have England? Great chances.
Spain/Portugal? Great chances.
Holland/Belgium? Medium shot of hosting.
Russia? They have no shot.
China? Little shot since they have little interest in soccer.
Australia? Medium shot of hosting. I think their main rivals are England.
USA? Medium shot? Should go for 2022
Mexico? Medium shot of hosting.
I agree with the crazy guys supporting 20teams by 2013.
Miami, Vancouver, St. Louis, Portland.
Would have them all over the country in huge areas and especially capturing the feeling of the massive soccer fans we have. Plus we would have alot of derbys. And several places to hold a future World Cup
Messi is the best player in the world right now. I see him winning the Ballon d’or and FIFA Player of the Year Award next year with David Villa/Samuel Eto’o coming close.
As we expand to 20teams by 2013/2014, i believe Canada should have 1 team. I believe 1 or 2 should be the huge soccer cities that are currently in the running.
Either Vancouver or Ottawa.
Miami should be 1.
Portland/St. Louis. Both are soccer cities. Would be perfect.
Atlanta would work if fans wanted it to
New York. 2nd team in New York would work if Red Bulls were having success now.
DaveClark, 20 is enough teams. Nearly every team in the league besides Columbus/Kansas City/ is a top20 populated city.
20 is enough for our league and i believe FIFA sanctions 20 as the most for 1st division league. Why would we need 24 or 26 teams? Isnt that why NASL folded? Too many teams with not much talent. I can see 20teams by 2014 as acceptable and productive.
I think 20 is enough teams but i’m sure MLS might expand to 22/24teams.
So Miami, Vancouver, St.Louis, Portland, within 4-5years
and Atlanta, 2nd New York team, Phoenix and Cleveland.
People who say Atlanta is a bad sports town are either misinformed or stupid. And if we are going to decide where an MLS team goes based on how many fans show up at hockey and basketball games, I guess this means we have to move the Crew, along with the new Philly team, the Revs and the Metrobulls. The Thrashers and Hawks outdrew teams from those areas. I swear, most of you are nothing more than mindless sheep.
Who cares if the the league is a “national” league? The dilution in talent is not worth force feeding a team to a market that isn’t supportive. MLS needs to focus on raising the quality of play in the league, not competing with the other American leagues that have been around for 50, 75 and 100 years. If MLS focuses on building the league for the “soccer” fan instead of the “American consumer” it will be far better off in the long run.
Atlanta should only have a team if we expand to 22 teams or they move Kansas City.
I would rather agree with the Vancouver/Miami in 2011 and St.Louis/Portland in 2013.
NYFC – I’m pretty sure ther decision isn’t Garber’s. At most, he’ll get one vote.
Atlanta will support a team and MLS needs Atlanta and Arthur Blank. With economy as it is I’m disappointed but understand. Going through the process this time will be extremely valuable to Atlanta’s 2013 bid.
Miami & St. Louis – 2011
Atlanta & NY2 – 2013
20 teams is a good goal for 2013.
By then New York could get a second franchise if the Kansas City Franchise is moved because they are the only team in the league not bringing it. I also think Chivas USA will move to San Diego eventually.
“20teams is enough for the league”
Sure, because obviously 20 teams would be enough for the entirity of Europe. And it isn’t as if ESPN/FSC/etc would ever want to have teams in metro areas in the top 25 of the nation? right? I mean why in the world would anyone ever want to watch MLS in the following top 25 TV markets? I am not saying that all should be in MLS, but at 20 teams only half would be.
Atlanta
Detroit
Montreal
Phoenix
Riverside
Minneapolis
San Diego
Tampa
Baltimore
Pitt
Cinci
While some of these have a bit of TV overlap, I am unaware of local TV deals for them.
20 teams is not Garber’s goal, and it shouldn’t be yours. 20 teams means that MLS is NOT a national league.
I’d like to see a club in Saint Louis but I don’t think it will happen this time around. Miami appears to be a lock with backing from Barcelona. They may have all the money in the world but can they make it work? Miami had an MLS team before and they folded. I think Vancouver or Portland will be the other either city would be a natural rival to Seattle. Traveling fans is good for this league. If it was up to me I’d pick Portland and Saint Louis.
Of all the expansion cities only 1 we know for sure will have the fan support and buzz throughout the city like we see now in Seattle and Toronto and that city is Portland. Garber would be an absolute idiot for overlooking Portland with this next expansion.
And to all the people knocking on Ottawa. They happen to have the best stadium/brand/bid of all the expansion candidates. I fully expect them to be in the league within 5 years.
I was under the impression that Portland was a strong leader in this race, along with Miami. Portland/Vancouver would seem like Pacific NW saturation (when considered with Seattle), Ottawa seems like a real long shot.
St. Louis is a wildcard in my opinion. Having the draft there was a way to gauge interest, I wonder what Garber really thought.
Miami really has to have had a change in soccer dynamic since the previous MLS team. You can’t buy a loyal fanbase.
Atlanta I just don’t see, they are more like an Ottawa. Too small to get a team.
with this development, i really hope the mls does not end up leaving out an entire region of the USA
based on the toal package, how is Vancouver not considered the best of this bunch?? They have the support, they have the money and they have a good rivals in Seattle, hopefully Portland and Toronto.
Blank looks sad that his city doesn’t support pro sports teams
PORTLAND!
The Timbers have to be a pick for 2011!
Anyone wanting a team in Miami is stupid. Miami makes Atlanta seem like a great sports town. They will struggle to draw 10k a game by year 2. Too many other diversions there.
I feel sorry for ATL but the idea of a Barça team is really attractive. Miami has a huge West Indian population and they take their futbol very seriously.
Miami & St. Louis. Make it happen, Garber, and quit yacking about strengthening the financial position. St. Louis will be fine.
20teams is enough for the league. By 2013 we should have 20 teams. And USL should be expanded to say 16teams by 2016 🙂
We would have enough teams around and rivalries. Would be perfect.
I agree NATO,
Miami due to it being in 1 of the biggest cities in the USA and center of the Hispanic crowd. Plus Barcelona is sponsoring and will give it a huge advantage.
Vancouver. MLS wants another Canadian team. Better them than small Ottawa. Plus instant rival to Toronto and derby rival to Seattle
Portland. Instant derby rival to Seattle. Plus it has an already great sports audience, especially for soccer. Should be easy to get 20,000-25,000 crowds every match.
St.Louis. Same reason as Portland. They have a great soccer following.
MLS, listen up. No team is needed in Atlanta. They don’t even go to their basketball games. No need for another team in New York, since no1 goes to Red Bull games. Ottawa is too small and too close to Toronto. Montreal would be a great pick, buttoo late.
Miami/Vancouver in 2011
St.Louis/Portland in 2013.
Cap the league at 20teams. A 2nd New York team could play in the USL. They need to expand the USL to 16teams over the next 6-8years and strengthen it as a real 2nd division.
Good riddance
After Ottawa drops out as well and 7 becomes 4 will Garber realize that he asked for too much money?
Good – crappy sports city outside of Georgia Football. The biggest problem is that there are so many transplants, most people already have teams to root for. The only downside is if this makes an MLS franchise look less attractive to other investors.