MLS Expansion Thread

[Sex Panther]

Posted this in the wrong area earlier today.

The Mayor of Omaha, Nebraska is looking to bring MLS there. He says that the stadium they're building for the College Baseball World Series (its a relative term) would be perfect for an MLS franchise.

In related news, I say that I'd like to bring tons of cash into my bank account. A Citizen's Bank Green$ense checking and savings account would be perfect for about five million dollars.

In the end, its good to want, but neither of these will happen.

So wait, you're ok with bringing an MLS franchise to Omaha, but not to a Canadian team huge with soccer like Calgary? :S

And what's the cap on the # of teams Don Garber plans to keep the MLS at?

[agoo101284]

I'm opposed to Omaha. There's no soccer history there to speak of, so it shouldn't be a priority, unless there's some unknown soccer history I'm unaware of. The only midwest location I would consider is St. Louis, which is a solid ownership group away from having a squad. I'd prefer a New York City team or something in the southeast to anything. Maybe they could consider Omaha if MLS ever develops the reserve division into a second division league in coordination with USL and NASL clubs, but I would doubt that would ever happen.

As for the number, I think its 20 to 24 max. I don't think FIFA regulations allow more than 24.

[Sex Panther]

I'm opposed to Omaha. There's no soccer history there to speak of, so it shouldn't be a priority, unless there's some unknown soccer history I'm unaware of. The only midwest location I would consider is St. Louis, which is a solid ownership group away from having a squad. I'd prefer a New York City team or something in the southeast to anything. Maybe they could consider Omaha if MLS ever develops the reserve division into a second division league in coordination with USL and NASL clubs, but I would doubt that would ever happen.

As for the number, I think its 20 to 24 max. I don't think FIFA regulations allow more than 24.

I've been hearing that St. Louis is a viable option but i'm not sure the city will back that, seeing as how the Rams and Blues have lost stakes on profits. I like the idea of a Florida team like Miami with a soccer team. A beautiful, cosmopolitan city on the uprise and a great sports base. I'd also love for San Fran to get a team, but i'd find it hard to believe the MLS would allow California to pony up 4 squads.

[EPJr]

September 15, 2010 - Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) Omaha Vipers


(Omaha) - The Omaha Vipers MISL professional indoor soccer team today announced the signing of the first two players to two-year contracts with the team. Carlos "Chile" Farias is a Chilean soccer forward who has spent almost his entire professional career in the United States. He has played in five indoor and outdoor leagues including the MLS. He most recently played with the LaRaZa of Monterrey, Mexico in the MILS. He was the CISL rookie of the year in 1996 and made First Team All Star Honors in 1999, 2001 and 2004. In last year's MISL championship game, he was named MVP.

http://www.oursportscentral.com/serv...es/?id=4091513

[agoo101284]

I've been hearing that St. Louis is a viable option but i'm not sure the city will back that, seeing as how the Rams and Blues have lost stakes on profits. I like the idea of a Florida team like Miami with a soccer team. A beautiful, cosmopolitan city on the uprise and a great sports base. I'd also love for San Fran to get a team, but i'd find it hard to believe the MLS would allow California to pony up 4 squads.

Its a huge hot bed for soccer players, many of whom end up capped. St. Louis University won five of the first seven NCAA championships (the first was 1959, so we're not going that far back) and nine of the first 13. Five of the 11 players from the 1950 World Cup team were St. Louis natives. More recently Steve Ralston, Taylor Twellman, and Frank Simek call it home. Perhaps not great of late, but Twellman would have been a pretty big deal if he hadn't had some untimely injuries and possibly a career ending neck/head injury combo. Vedad Ibisevic was in St. Louis when he developed as a player and was spotted by Euro clubs.

AC St. Louis has gone poorly, but I think a lot of that is due to poor ownership and the disappointment of losing an MLS team. If I recall correctly, there were a couple of ownership groups looking at bringing MLS to St. Louis, but neither could get the required finances or support for a stadium together. St. Louis was basically a good ownership team away from joining MLS.

[EPJr]

LA Galaxy Legend Cobi Jones Departs the Club

January 10, 2011 CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy announced today that Cobi Jones, who has been with the club as a player and assistant coach since the inaugural season in 1996, has elected to leave the club to become the Associate Director of Soccer with the New York Cosmos, while also serving as an Ambassador for the club. The 40-year-old played for the Galaxy from 1996-2007 before becoming an assistant coach with the club in November 2007, a position that he held for the past three years. With Jones on the coaching staff, the Galaxy reached the postseason twice and finished in first place in the Western Conference each of the last two seasons, winning the Supporters’ Shield last season.

http://www.lagalaxy.com/news/2011/01...s-departs-club

[agoo101284]

That lets you know that they are pretty damn serious about going to MLS. Also, the youth development clubs they acquired are doing pretty well. A few days ago, Wilmer Cabrera called in 40 players for the Spring semester of the US U-17 Residency and two midfielders came from Cosmos West and a forward from Cosmos East.

[EPJr]

The New York Cosmos continue to make waves. After Cobi Jones, another soccer legend joins the club in advance of an MLS expansion bid: ex-Manchester United great Éric Cantona is the new Cosmos director of soccer. Check out the accompanying photos on the club site (http://www.nycosmos.com/).

The Frenchman makes a shock return to football today as Director of Soccer at New York Cosmos.

He said: "I am very honoured to join the legendary New York Cosmos. It's a big project, a wonderful project.

"The Cosmos are very strong, beautifully made, with a great past. It's kind of a mix between football and art."

Cantona vows to restore the glory days of the five-times champions and help build them into one of the world's best clubs.

He said: "I will do everything I can to help us first find our way to regain the No 1 position in the United States, and then for us to become one of the best clubs in the world."

Cantona will be officially unveiled in a blaze of publicity by Cosmos chairman Paul Kemsley, the flamboyant former vice-chairman of Tottenham Hotspur.

The Cosmos are set to return to big-time football in 2013

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...-football.html

[agoo101284]

The Cosmos aren't set to return to anything. They still don't have a home pitch or a team in any division of American soccer.

Also, Cantona reeks of a publicity grab, though a very strong one. Cobi Jones will be running things with Giovanni Savarese and Ted Chonopolous, while Cantona will join Pele and Chinaglia at appearances.

[EPJr]

NEW YORK COSMOS U-23 JOIN USL PREMIER DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE

May 4th, 2011 (Tampa, Fla.) – United Soccer Leagues announced today that New York Cosmos U23 will field a team in the Premier Development League (PDL), and will become a full member for the 2012 season. New York Cosmos U23 will play a limited exhibition schedule against PDL competition during the 2011 season, and will not be eligible for the playoffs or the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The PDL franchise will be led by longtime USL player/coach Giovanni Savarese, who is also a member of the 2007 USL Hall of Fame. A coaching announcement, along with the full roster and schedule will be posted by mid‐May on www.uslsoccer.com and www.newyorkcosmos.com.


COSMOS ACADEMY WEEKEND RESULTS

May 3rd, 2011 – Both Cosmos Academies had successful weekends with Cosmos Academy East teams picking up five wins against long-time rival, Met Oval, and Cosmos Academy West U14 and U16 Pre-Academy teams advancing to the next round of the National Cup. Full results are below.

Cosmos Academy East

*U12 White Cosmos Academy East vs Met Oval: 5-1 (Win)
*U12 Blue Cosmos Academy East vs Met Oval: 2-2 (Tie)
*U13 Cosmos Academy East vs Met Oval: 8-0 (Win)
*U14 Cosmos Academy East vs Met Oval: 8-1 (Win)
*U15 Cosmos Academy East vs Met Oval: 1-0 (Win)
*U16 Cosmos Academy East vs Met Oval: 1-0 (Win)
*U18 Cosmos Academy East vs Met Oval: 0-0 (Tie)

***Rescheduled game Tuesday, 5/3 for U14 Cosmos Academy East vs. Met Oval. Final result 5-1 (Win) with goals by Brendan Silva (2), Javier Gonzalez (1), Jonathan Uy (1), and Krenar Alimi (1).

Cosmos Academy West

Boys 14 96′s*
Cosmos Academy West vs. PVSC Exiles 5-0 (Win)
Cosmos Academy West vs. FC Manchester United 5-1 (Win)

Boys 14 97′s*
Cosmos Academy West vs. Santa Monica 1-0 (Win)
Cosmos Academy West vs. San Diego Surf 3-1 (Win)

Boys 16 Pre-Academy*
Cosmos Academy West vs. NHB: 2-0 (Win)
Cosmos Academy West vs. CZ Elite: 2-2 (Tie)

USSDA 16′s
Cosmos Academy West vs. Real Salt Lake: 2-3 (Loss)

USSDA 18′s
Cosmos Academy West vs. Real Salt Lake: 0-1 (Loss)

[Baracuda]

This is a crazy idea.

It's hard to believe that NY2 will be ready to go anytime soon, they aren't even close to a stadium.

We'll see what happens I guess.

[agoo101284]

There's no ownership group. The Wilpons were interested a while ago, but they're stuck in the Bernie Madoff fall-out and don't have the money anymore.

[EPJr]

COSMOS SQUAD FOR MATCH AGAINST MANCHESTER UNITED

July 21, 2011 - On Friday, August 5th, 2011, The New York Cosmos will be the first American club team to ever play at Old Trafford against Manchester United.

Honorary President Pelé and Director of Soccer Eric Cantona have put together a roster of world class stars and homegrown players and academy talent to play in Paul Scholes Testimonial Match.

The team that will take the field has accumulated nearly 1000 international caps as well as 2 World Cups, 5 Champions League Trophies, 21 Premier League titles, 4 La Liga titles, 5 Serie A titles and 17 FA Cups.

The match will also be shown live in the United States exclusively on Fox Soccer at 2:30PM ET.

For all of our fans in New York City, The New York Cosmos will be hosting a viewing party at the Football Factory at Legends Bar at 6 West 33rd Street, New York, NY 10001. Please join us as we watch the Cosmos take the field for the first time in over 25 years.

Full Roster:
Nicky Butt
Wayne Bridge
Chad Calderone *
Sol Campbell
Fabio Cannavaro
Ibrahim Diaby *
Stefan Dimitrov *
David Diosa *
Brad Friedel
Marvin Iraheta *
Robbie Keane
Brian McBride
Dane Murphy *
Gary Neville
Yanik Reyering *
Michel Salgado
Moriken Sangary *
Patrick Vieira

*Denotes New York Cosmos U-23 Player

http://nycosmos.com/news/cosmos-squa...chester-united

[EPJr]

Man United beats Cosmos in Scholes testimonial

MANCHESTER, England (AP)—Paul Scholes opened the scoring in his testimonial match on Friday as Manchester United beat the New York Cosmos 6-0 at Old Trafford.

Scholes fired home a trademark shot from 20 meters and England striker Wayne Rooney converted a penalty to give a full-strength United a 2-0 lead at the break.

With a Community Shield match looming against local rivals Manchester City on Sunday, United manager Alex Ferguson reshuffled his side for the second half.

The Cosmos, watched by its director of football—former United great Eric Cantona, went on to concede further goals from Anderson, Danny Welbeck and Mame Biram Diouf (2).

[EPJr]

New York Cosmos Invited To Las Vegas For Preseason Tournament Next February

Aug 5, 2011 - While the New York Cosmos may not be a Major League Soccer team yet, it isn't stopping the club from participating in a preseason tournament next February in Las Vegas, Nevada. According to The Las Vegas Review-Journal, the Cosmos will participate in the inaugural "Vegas Winter Kick" on Feb. 25 at Sam Boyd Stadium. The Cosmos' roster and opponent will be announced in October. This will mark the first time for the Cosmos to play in Las Vegas since the old NASL Cosmos played there back in 1977.

http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2011/...ournament-next

[EPJr]

A comprehensive breakdown of available cities for the 20th MLS team

MLS has come a long way from the early days,
and a host of cities would love to join the growing league.
Goal.com breaks down the available cities

Earlier this year, Major League commissioner Don Garber spoke about the intentions of adding a 20th franchise to Major League Soccer. Garber mentioned the lack of teams in the Southeast, and that the league only has a handful in the Midwest. While MLS has had a steady and consistent increase in teams over the last five years, having added seven during that time, Garber states the plan is for the league to eventually go beyond 20.

http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1110/...s-for-the-20th

[EPJr]

Sacramento reportedly lines up expansion bid
California capital Sacramento makes the case for MLS club


all the expansion talk about a potential second MLS team in New York City, prepare for plenty of speculation about a fourth in California.

A report this morning reveals that former California Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez, who sits on the US Soccer Federation board, is exploring the possibility of landing an MLS franchise for Sacramento, specifically the suburb of Elk Grove.

"I wouldn't characterize it as a long shot, but it's an endeavor that's in its infancy," said Sacramento attorney Dick Hyde, who is one of Núñez’s partners and worked on bringing MLS to Sacramento before the league’s launch in 1996. "I think Elk Grove is probably a really good spot for soccer."

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/12/14/412...ue-soccer.html

[EPJr]

Major League Soccer in Central Florida?
Orlando City making conversation and taking steps.


ORLANDO --
During Don Garber's state of the league address in November, the Major League Soccer commissioner targeted "probable markets for expansion" of a 20th MLS franchise. Garber mentioned Las Vegas, Detroit and "a group in Florida" as the frontrunners.

The "group" he was referring to was the Orlando City Soccer Club ownership, led by Phil Rawlins. The owner and president of OCSC has met twice in the past month with Garber and other MLS officials. One meeting was at MLS headquarters in New York, and the second came at the MLS Cup Final in Los Angeles.

Among the topics of discussion: The Lions inaugural season successes on and off the field, Orlando’s viability as a professional soccer market, and the franchise’s economic positioning to take that next step. Rawlins and his partners moved their USL franchise from Austin, Texas to Orlando with Major League Soccer in mind.

http://www.baynews9.com/article/spor...cember/354217/

[EPJr]

With New York City faltering,
Orlando makes MLS push


Major League Soccer is desperate for a presence in New York City. But The Big Apple isn’t exactly ready for MLS.

The comprehensive restructuring of the New York Cosmos expansion bid and the lack of public progress toward building a stadium in the five boroughs have thrust a once-unlikely candidate toward the front of the race for team No. 20—Orlando.

Read more: http://aol.sportingnews.com/soccer/s...#ixzz1nEPixhkt



Florida might see more of MLS than the combine and odd friendly in coming years. Commissioner Don Garber is set to meet with Orlando's mayor as well as potential owners in the area in March. In the lower leagues, only MLS-bound Montreal topped Orlando City's average attendance of 5,500 last year.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...ey-were-hoping

[EPJr]

"It's not if, but when" - Don Garber


I can remember a meeting very similar to this in Philadelphia a few years ago," said Don Garber, Commissioner of Major League Soccer. Philadelphia started MLS play in 2010 and is already a wildly successful franchise. After today, Orlando City is very much on MLS' list.

"It's not a matter of if, but a matter of when."

Those are the words, repeated several times during his media interviews after the Supporters Summit, straight from Commissioner Garber. He is fully behind Orlando City becoming an MLS team. All we have to do now is figure out the details. We're handling our end regarding the stadium solution and dealing with the City, but Commissioner Garber was quite clear - the supporters need to be involved.

Garber left City fans with several suggestions on how to proceed: •Grow the fan base
•Supporters need to engage more with sponsors
•Grow the sponsorship base (see point 2)
Other issues addressed were the status of MLS wanting a second team in New York and the possibility of a team in Miami. NY2 remains a focus for the league, but Garber also acknowledged that it will take time to get that franchise up and running. He also made it clear that MLS will not stop at 20 teams, but will not expand for expansion's sake. The league has a clear understanding of what needs to be done to become an expansion team, and Orlando City is very much on that path already

http://www.orlandocitysoccer.com/new...article_id=737

[EPJr]

MLS officials wrap up first exploratory visit to Carolinas



On the invitation of NASL second-division side Carolina RailHawks, Major League Soccer officials made their first formal exploratory visit on Thursday to the area of the Carolinas known as the Triangle — North Carolina cities Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill.

"It was a great day," RailHawks president Curt Johnson told MLSsoccer.com. "We were able to shine a light on the professional game here in the Triangle and have an open, honest discussion about the future."

That discussion included MLS president Mark Abbott, NASL commissioner David Downs and owner representative Aaron Davidson, business and political leaders, as well as RailHawks season-ticket holders and general soccer fans.

The day-long series of meetings and events, which included a fan Q&A and a media roundtable, was organized by the local NASL club with the intent of sparking a discussion about the future of the sport in the Carolinas and to outline the steps necessary to grow the game.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...isit-carolinas

[EPJr]

Major League Soccer wants to play on Pier 40


The league will present a plan Thursday to a task force of the Hudson River Park Trust, which controls the pier. The pitch comes as the trust struggles to line up new revenues.

Could those soccer fields on Pier 40 in the Hudson River Park be headed for a professional upgrade in the future?

Representatives from Major League Soccer on Thursday will make a presentation to a Hudson River Park Trust task force, whose members include community leaders and elected officials, to discuss the possibility of putting a field on the rapidly deteriorating pier, sources familiar with meeting said. A spokesman for the trust declined comment.

A Major League Soccer spokesman said its president Mark Abbott would address the task force to discuss the benefits of a stadium and what is involved in construction. The league has evaluated about 18 sites in New York City as it works on adding a 20th team. The spokesman said the league is in the early stages of looking for a site, and there is no time table for adding a squad.


Read more: http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article...#ixzz1t6lJH1Fa

[EPJr]

Report:
MLS close to deal for $300 million Queens stadium

Major League Soccer is close to securing a $300 million stadium in the Flushing Meadows area of Queens, according to a report by the New York Post.

The stadium, which would completely financed by the league, is awaiting approval from city and state officials but so far both have been very supportive. If the legislation goes through, it is expected that construction could start in 2013.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/report-...0084--mls.html

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/mo...icle-1.1136400

http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1110/...queens-stadium

[EPJr]

Orlando City Stadium Deal

It's no secret that Orlando City is trying to become the next expansion franchise in Major League Soccer. But what might be a surprise is just how close the team might be to announcing plans for a new soccer-specific stadium in Orlando.

While recent reports out of New York City have Mayor Bloomberg and MLS commissioner Don Garber "very close" to completing a deal to build a new $300M stadium in Flushing Meadows, Orlando City's front office has been quietly working with MLS, Orlando's Mayor, Orange County's Mayor, and private financers to finalize a plan of their own.

http://www.scoringthird.com/2012/08/...deal.html#more

[EPJr]

St. Louis joins race for an MLS expansion club


Lodging Hospitality Management -- a company owned by St. Louis Rams, Colorado Rapids and Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke -- on Thursday closed a $20 million purchase of the historic St. Louis Union Station complex on the southwestern edge of downtown. The group has big plans for the complex and has hired ICON Venue Group to explore how and where to build a 20,000-seat soccer-specific venue a block from the St. Louis Blues’ Scottrade Center and about a mile west of the Cardinals’ Busch Stadium.

http://aol.sportingnews.com/soccer/s...expansion-club

http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dai...ium.php?page=2