MLS Expansion Thread: Teams 25-28 Up for Grabs (12 applicants)

I made the following post in the San Diego thread but it seems relevant to your thread as well so I will post it again here:

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Mike Stone, the leader of a prospective MLS ownership group, hand-delivered San Diego's expansion application bid to MLS Commissioner Don Garber in an event held on Monday afternoon on the deck of the USS Midway in San Diego. The city's mayor, Kevin Faulconer, and MLS legend Landon Donovan also attended the event.

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Barring a wrench in the plans, such as student pressure that forces San Diego State to withdraw from the planned partnership, I feel that this strong bid by San Diego will secure one of the slots in MLS. It is clear that Garber likes the idea of a club there, they have the full support of the mayor and local government, and they are not asking for public finances. Moreover, San Diego State needs a stadium to play football in other than the old, cavernous Qualcomm Stadium that the city wants to demo in order not to pay millions in maintenance. Consider the economic mixed use development plans and a new large park on the site by a river and just about all boxes are checked.

Regarding Saint Louis, it appears that the city government threw the ownership group a lifeline by approving $60M in public finances toward the planned stadium. So the ship has been rocked but it seems that the path to MLS has been steadied, at least for the immediate future.

If Sacramento is #25, St. Louis is #26, and San Diego is #27, then that leaves Cincinnati, San Antonio, Detroit, Nashville, and Tampa to battle it out for the very last spot. I have a soft place for Cincinnati, all apologies to the supporters of Nashville. I think those tremendous supporters of Cincinnati deserve it and I hope the ownership group develops a solid plan for them.

jack, what is the support like for the Nashville USL club? Are they kicking off this year?

A team in Carolina or Nashville would be nice. Give ATL a rival.

Unfortunately NOLA won't get the stadium or the public support for a team, in my opinion. A team uptown would be amazing and I would be a season ticket holder from day one.

Well, that is my long term hope. I understand why it can't happen now as MLS is still growing, as are the other leagues. My hope is that these clubs that don't make the 28 continue to develop and prosper. And I hope that the working relationship that MLS and USL have together will lend itself to the idea of a pro/rel system in the future.

So I take it they're still holding a spot for Beckhams Miami team? What a waste, how many years has it been now?

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I understand why it can't happen now as MLS is still growing

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pure propaganda, it could easily happen now

(no message)

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Isn't St. Louis having trouble getting funding for a stadium

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You have a few who are running for mayor,that are grandstanding.

But, they are getting a better deal for city the longer it goes.

It was St.Louis city gives 65? or $50mil. And after last meeting the team owners backed down to City only giving $35mil, and City gets $2.50 per ticket tax.

For once the Aldermen actually did their job. Putting more money on the Billionaires to foot most of stadium bill.

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You have a few who are running for mayor,that are grandstanding.

But, they are getting a better deal for city the longer it goes.

It was St.Louis city gives 65? or $50mil. And after last meeting the team owners backed down to City only giving $35mil, and City gets $2.50 per ticket tax.

For once the Aldermen actually did their job. Putting more money on the Billionaires to foot most of stadium bill.

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I think the actual for the City was around 58 million. The City leaders did their job for sure. It's a financially neutral position for the city with the ticket tax. Could actually be a net plus at the end. Good for them. I know a couple people working in and around this bid. They were prepared to move ahead without any public financing at all worst case. The league and the ownership group are committed to making this STL-MLS thing happen.

Will be good for the league and good for st louis. Im not sure the average person around the country realizes the love for soccer that exists in the St Louis area.

The last WQ qualifier the US played in St Louis drew 43,433 in a game vs St. Vincent and the Grenadines at Busch Stadium III.

Every U.S. team in World Cup history has included at least one St. Louisan on its roster.

This City will embrace and love its MLS team. It will and is a no brainer for the league as well as the City and metro area.