Expansion of Major League Soccer

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Major League Soccer is the top level of soccer in the United States and Canada. It was established in 1993 with ten initial teams. Since then it has expanded several times into new markets across the United States, and for the first time, beginning in 2006, into Canada. MLS has announced a further rise to 19 teams by the year 2012 and has signaled a long-term expansion goal of 20 teams by 2013. On February 14, 2011 at a Vancouver press conference, Commissioner Don Garber, noted that he wants to see a 20th team, probably in New York, added by the 2013 or 2014 season. He sees 22 teams by the end of the decade.[1]

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] Foundation (1993–1996)

Major League Soccer was established in 1993, as part of an agreement with FIFA that the United States set up a professional first division to gain the right to host the 1994 FIFA World Cup.[2] No successful professional outdoor soccer league existed since the North American Soccer League folded in 1985. Due to rapid over-expansion and poor franchise placement, the NASL collapse led future MLS leaders to be extremely cautious of establishing new franchises.

Initially twelve new teams were to be placed in carefully selected cities where a strong soccer market was thought to exist. This was scaled back to ten after potential backers could not be found.[3] Eventually 22 communities submitted formal bids to host an inaugural MLS franchise.[4]

The initial ten teams created were the Columbus Crew, D.C. United, the New England Revolution, the NY/NJ MetroStars, the Tampa Bay Mutiny, the Colorado Rapids, the Dallas Burn, the Kansas City Wiz, the Los Angeles Galaxy and the San Jose Clash. While New York and Los Angeles were awarded franchises, the next five largest American cities—Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, San Diego, and Detroit were all without a team.[3] Using American football stadiums, the new league kicked off in April 1996.

[edit] First expansion (1998)

In 1998 the league expanded for the first time rising from ten teams to twelve. The two expansion teams were based in Chicago and Miami. The new teams were the Chicago Fire and Miami Fusion.

[edit] Contraction from Florida (2002)

In January 2002, the league announced the end of its two Floridian teams: Miami Fusion and the Tampa Bay Mutiny.[5] This was for financial reasons. Both teams were withdrawn from the league and folded. No new expansion franchises were granted that year—so the number of teams fell to ten once more.[6]

The surprise performance of the US national team at the 2002 World Cup, where they reached the quarter final,[7] sparked a recovery in the league’s fortunes, and attendances once again began to rise. MLS began looking to expand once more with a number of cities interested in hosting new teams. The demand for an expansion team grew, which eventually allowed MLS to command an expansion fee of $40 million.

[edit] Second Los Angeles franchise (2004)

Main article: C.D. Chivas USA

In 2004, Los Angeles became the first city to host two MLS teams when Chivas USA was founded. They were linked to the Mexican powerhouse Club Deportivo Guadalajara and hoped to build a following amongst the Hispanic community. They share The Home Depot Center with the LA Galaxy, thus creating MLS’s first local derby game.

[edit] Salt Lake City (2004)

Main article: Real Salt Lake

Real Salt Lake were created in 2004, owned by Dave Checketts. They initially played out of Rice-Eccles Stadium at the University of Utah before moving to the Rio Tinto Stadium in October 2008.

[edit] Houston (2006) and San Jose (2008)

Main article: Houston Dynamo

In 2005, the San Jose Earthquakes were put on hiatus because of a failure to secure a soccer specific stadium. The players and the coach were moved to an expansion team in Houston, Texas where they became the Houston Dynamo playing out of the Robertson Stadium. The league insisted they had plans to return to San Jose. After a two-year hiatus, the San Jose Earthquakes were reactivated in 2007[8] and resumed play in the MLS the following season.

[edit] Toronto (2007)

Main article: Toronto FC

In 2005, the league announced the creation of a Canadian franchise to be based in Toronto.[9] This was confirmed on May 11, 2006 when the new team name Toronto FC and logo were announced.[10] The club played their first season in MLS in 2007, finishing at the bottom of the table. The introduction of the MLS into Canada took MLS into a separate country for the first time, mirroring the set-up in MLB, the NHL, and the NBA, which involve teams from both nations.

[edit] Seattle (2009)

Main article: Seattle Sounders FC

Seattle was awarded a franchise in 2007 in spite of the fact that the city did not have a Soccer-specific stadium or any plans to construct one.[11] However, they would play at Qwest Field,[12] now known as CenturyLink Field, which was built as a combined football/soccer stadium with an MLS team in mind, including soccer-specific features. They are sharing CenturyLink Field with the National Football League's Seattle Seahawks.[13] Following a vote by supporters, the team chose the name Seattle Sounders FC, because of its heritage in Seattle soccer.[14]

[edit] Philadelphia (2010)

Main article: Philadelphia Union

On February 28, 2008, MLS announced that the sixteenth franchise would be awarded to Philadelphia.[15] There had been a strong campaign to bring a team to the city with intense lobbying by supporters groups such as the Sons of Ben.

Philadelphia had remained one of the largest Metropolitan areas in the US without an MLS franchise. On May 11, 2009 it was announced that the team name would be Philadelphia Union.[16] The new team announced their intention to construct a 18,500 seat stadium in Chester, Pennsylvania, which ultimately became PPL Park.

[edit] Vancouver (2011)

Main article: Vancouver Whitecaps FC

One of three Canadian cities in the running for 2011 MLS expansion, Vancouver's bid was led by reclusive Vancouver businessman Greg Kerfoot, at that time owner of the existing Vancouver Whitecaps FC in USSF D2 Pro. NBA star Steve Nash was also involved as a minority stakeholder; his younger brother Martin was captain of the D2 Pro Whitecaps before his retirement at the end of the 2010 season. The city's bid for a franchise would be boosted by the proposed construction of the Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium, with an initial capacity of 20,000 and the potential for further expansion.[17]

Don Garber, who was previously involved in expansion with the National Football League called the bid presentation by Vancouver representatives Greg Kerfoot and Jeff Mallett, "one of the best I've ever seen."[18]

On March 7, 2009 the Globe and Mail reported that Vancouver's successful candidacy would be announced by the end of the month, and that Whitecaps owner Kerfoot was in final negotiations with MLS for a franchise to start play in 2011.[19]

On March 18, 2009, in an official press conference MLS commissioner Don Garber announced that Vancouver had been awarded one of two remaining 2011 expansion team spots. Vancouver continued to field the second-tier Whitecaps, first in the USL First Division for 2009 and then in D2 Pro for the 2010 season,[20] until the MLS team made its debut in 2011. The MLS Whitecaps began the 2011 season at the temporary Empire Field, sharing it with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League before both teams moved into the newly renovated BC Place Stadium in October 2011.[21]

[edit] Portland (2011)

Main article: Portland Timbers

On July 31, 2008, Merritt Paulson announced that he would apply for an MLS franchise for Portland as an MLS continuation of the Portland Timbers.[22] Paulson further outlined his plan by launching a website on September 3.[23] The MLS Timbers would play in a renovated PGE Park, which was renamed to Jeld-Wen Field by the time the team made its MLS debut in 2011, sharing with the Portland State University football team.

On March 20, 2009, commissioner Don Garber confirmed in a news conference that Portland would receive the 18th franchise.[24]

[edit] Montreal (2012)

Main article: Montreal Impact

Montreal has been a consideration by Major League Soccer since the league's founding and planning stages in 1993. On May 7, 2010, Commissioner Don Garber announced that Joey Saputo and the Montreal Impact would join the league as its 19th club for the 2012 season in the renovated 20,000-seat Saputo Stadium.[citation needed]

[edit] Further expansion

As of 2011, the nine largest metropolitan statistical areas in the United States by population without an MLS franchise are Miami, Atlanta, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis–Saint Paul, San Diego, St. Louis, Tampa–St. Petersburg and Baltimore. In addition to these, the cities of Buffalo, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, New Orleans, Pittsburgh, and San Francisco all have multiple major league franchises in other popular sports, but do not have MLS teams.

On March 12, 2011 MLS Commissioner Don Garber cited several markets that are involved in discussions with the league office about future expansion: San Diego, Arizona, Las Vegas, Detroit, San Antonio, South Florida and Atlanta. Garber said. “I believe we will be larger than 20 teams,” and “I can’t say when that will be. But I can’t imagine that when this league is fully expanded that we don’t have teams in the Southeast, that we don’t have another team in the Midwest, that we’re not even expanding to the southern part of California."[25]

[edit] Baltimore

In October 2009, the Baltimore Sun reported that Baltimore mayor Sheila Dixon has asked the Maryland Stadium Authority to explore the possibility of building a 17,000- to 20,000-seat soccer stadium to woo D.C. United to Baltimore. The proposed stadium complex, according to Dixon's letter, would be part of a "green mixed-use project" with access to light rail, Interstate 95 and the Baltimore-Washington Parkway. A potential location mentioned for the stadium is in the 42-acre (170,000 m2) Westport Waterfront project.[citation needed]

[edit] Detroit

On November 16, 2009, a Canadian firm led by Andreas Apostolopoulos won a bid to purchase the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan. According to the Detroit Free Press, the firm plans to convert the 80,000-seat indoor gridiron stadium into a 30,000-capacity outdoor soccer-specific facility.[26]

On June 8, 2011, Triple Sports & Entertainment has taken the formal step toward acquiring an MLS expansion franchise to play at the Silverdome in Detroit by submitting an application to the league.[27]

[edit] Las Vegas

On September 20, 2011, Dennis Porter says that Major League Soccer are looking to start a soccer franchise in Las Vegas. The Utility Services Director of the City of Henderson, Nevada has confirmed that MLS is keen to move a new club into a proposed stadium in the Las Vegas area and could potentially share the venue with a NBA team. “We know absolutely, positively, the MLS is interested in [a franchise] for Las Vegas,” Porter said. “They have said that themselves. “I think the developers are on the right track with the MLS and NBA possibilities,” Porter added. “With the more potential this can produce, the future could be very bright for the Las Vegas and Henderson areas.”[28][29]

On February 10, 2012, An announcement was made by developer Chris Milam’s companies, Las Vegas National Sports Center and International Development Management that they have secured private financing thru China Security & Surveillance Technology Inc. of Shenzhen, China, and its Chinese banking partners signing a “memorandum of understanding” providing for full financing of the 17,500-seat basketball arena and a separate 22,000-seat open-air soccer stadium.[30] Groundbreaking on the project is expected to begin in summer 2012 with an expected completion in 2014.[31]

[edit] Minneapolis

MLS has confirmed that there has been contact with the ownership group of the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings regarding their interest in an MLS franchise for the Twin Cities. The Wilf family, owners of the Minnesota Vikings, have indicated their interest in owning a MLS team if they are able to build a new stadium for the Vikings. “With the event of a full retractable stadium, our goal is to bring Major League Soccer ... to Minnesota,” Zygi Wilf said.[32]

Don Garber's focus has been on a second New York team as the 20th expansion team. However, Garber has said “If we can get it done in a reasonable period of time, then we’re going to go down a path to really focus on New York as a priority. But if we can’t get it done, we’ll continue to look at all those other markets that have been noisy about soccer, whether that’s all the ones I’ve mentioned in the past, Minneapolis, Atlanta, Miami.”[33]

[edit] New York City

It is reported that a second New York team is the frontrunner for the 20th spot.[34] Years ago[when?], New York Mets owner Fred Wilpon was looking to bring a team in to the borough of Queens. According to reports, the team would play in a newly constructed stadium near Citi Field. However, this interest has waned in recent years; with the Wilpon family having lost a lot of money in the Madoff investment scandal, their financial backing for a soccer team is seen as unfeasible. Citi Field itself held two national team soccer friendlies (exhibition matches) in the summer of 2011, but playing regular league soccer matches on an active baseball field (as opposed to former baseball fields such as Jeld-Wen Field or Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium) is not practical in the long run.

[edit] New York Cosmos

A potential resurrection of the New York Cosmos is being touted recently instead. Since the sale of the Cosmos name and image rights to Paul Kemsley, the new Cosmos stated intentions are to eventually join MLS.[35]

On November 6, 2011 it was reported that the New York Cosmos was changing ownership. Sela Sport of Saudi Arabia, a Saudi Arabian company, bought out the shares of former owner, chairman and CEO Paul Kemsley. A statement from Sela Sport said, "It is unequivocally the goal of this ownership group to become an MLS team in the most expedient manner possible, and decisions for the club will be made with this in mind." [36]

[edit] Other New York bid

On October 18, 2011, it was reported that Chuck Blazer, ex-NFL player Curtis Martin, and ex-Cosmos goalkeeper Shep Messing were teaming up to form an ownership group that would take the reins of a 20th MLS franchise in New York City to rival the New York Cosmos bid.[37]

[edit] Orlando

On October 25, 2010, Phil Rawlins and his investor group of Orlando City Soccer Club, announced their intentions of joining Major League Soccer within the next 3 to 5 years.[38]

On February 28, 2011, Orlando City S.C. announced they held a meeting with commissioner Don Garber and league officials concerning expansion. Topics covered included a review of the demographics of the Orlando marketplace, the level of potential corporate and fan support for soccer in Central Florida, and a detailed discussion on developing a roadmap for a successful future MLS franchise in Orlando.[39] The USL Professional Division club, formerly known as Austin Aztex, are believed to be gaining consideration from MLS officials to enter the league in 2013. With some slight drama surrounding the reformation of New York Cosmos, reports suggest that Orlando are in the running to follow Montreal Impact into North America’s domestic competition.[40]

Orlando City team officials met with Commissioner Don Graber again on November 10, 2011 for further discussions about joining the MLS as its 20th club in 2013.[41]

[edit] Sacramento

In December 2011, a group led by by former California Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez is exploring the possibility of landing an MLS franchise for the Sacramento area, with the suburb of Elk Grove as a possible stadium site.[42]

[edit] Failed Expansion Efforts

[edit] Cleveland-Akron

On November 30, 2006 the Wolstein Sports and Entertainment Group (the former owners of the Cleveland Force indoor soccer team) promoted the construction of a 20,000+ seat, retractible roof, soccer-specific stadium complex for a Cleveland-Akron area MLS club. "The Summit," as the project was to have been called, was to have been located on a site in Macedonia, Ohio along Route 8 between the Ohio Turnpike and Interstate 271.[43] The Summit was to have also included a 500,000 sq.ft. shopping center along with the stadium. Eventually, a ballot-initiative to fund the stadium via an increase in "sin" taxes was put to the voters where it failed.

[edit] Ottawa

On September 16, 2008, Senators Sports & Entertainment (SSE), the owners of the NHL's Ottawa Senators, unveiled plans to construct a C$100 million, 20,000 seat soccer-specific stadium in on a lot southeast of Scotiabank Place in suburban Kanata, with the intent of bringing an MLS expansion franchise to Canada's capital.

At the same time that the Ottawa Soccer Stadium proposal was made, the City of Ottawa was presented with a proposal to revitalize Lansdowne Park and Frank Clair Stadium. In April 2009, the City of Ottawa was presented a report on the merits of the SSE and Lansdowne Park proposals. The City held public hearings based on the report, which questioned the necessity of the spending, but gave a slight edge to the Lansdowne proposal. Councillors attempted to find out whether the SSE group would support sharing their stadium with a planned CFL franchise, but the SSE group rejected the possibility. Lansdowne proponents made it clear that an MLS team, or another pro soccer team, such as one in the North American Soccer League (NASL) would play at a renovated Frank Clair Stadium.

On April 22, 2009, the City of Ottawa Council chose the Lansdowne proposal over SSE as its choice for a new outdoor stadium. SSE Chairman Eugene Melnyk released a press release expressing his disappointment and directed SSE staff to stop work on the stadium.

On June 20, 2011, Ottawa was awarded an NASL expansion franchise to begin play at Frank Clair Stadium in 2013.

[edit] St. Louis

The Athletic Club of St. Louis was Jeff Cooper's bid to land a Major League Soccer expansion team. With his investment group St. Louis Soccer United, Cooper twice attempted to bring MLS to the St. Louis metropolitan area only to have both bids turned down in favor of other cities in 2008 and 2009. Despite approved stadium plans to build the $600 million Collinsville Soccer Complex in suburban Collinsville, Illinois, MLS was not impressed with the bid's financial backing and suggested Cooper expand his group of investors. As the price of the expansion fee rose, Cooper refocused his efforts to building a second division men's club and a WPS franchise.

AC St. Louis played one season in the USSF Division 2 Professional League before folding. AC St. Louis' sister-club St. Louis Athletica folded midway through it's second season.

[edit] Trenton

In 2001, a group of investors attempted to bring an MLS franchise to Trenton, NJ. The centerpiece of their efforts was a $31 million soccer-specific stadium to be built across the street from the Sun National Bank Center and with access to the under-construction NJ Transit RiverLINE. [44] The proposed Trenton MLS team was to have been named "Union FC." The club's efforts where thwarted by then MetroStars and future Philadelphia Union general manager Nick Sakiewicz, as Trenton was within The MetroStars 75-mile "ring" of exclusivity.

[edit] Bibliography

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  • Tossell, David. Playing for Uncle Sam: The Brits' Story of the North American Soccer League. Mainstream Publishing (2003).
  • Wangerin, David. Soccer in a Football World:The Story of America's Forgotten Game. WSC Books (2006).

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[edit] External links

Future expansion team sites
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