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Who will join MLS first: San Antonio or Orlando City?

Posted on 7/2/13 at 7:23 am
Posted by alabamabuckeye
Member since Jun 2010
22357 posts
Posted on 7/2/13 at 7:23 am
I'm in FL, and there has been a lot of talk about OCSC announcing their entry into MLS this summer. But I know San Antonio is building (or has built) a new stadium in order to get their bid, right?

Just wondering who the Soccer Board thinks is next.

:nb4FloridaSportsSuck:
Posted by TheIrishFro
Member since Aug 2010
4709 posts
Posted on 7/2/13 at 8:44 am to
(no message)
This post was edited on 7/21/23 at 11:09 am
Posted by GABlueDog
Marietta, GA
Member since Dec 2008
8045 posts
Posted on 7/2/13 at 8:52 am to
San Antonio will not get a MLS club in the next ten years and may not ever get one. Garber has said there are no plans to add another club in Texas; its not a priority for them.

It is a priority to add clubs in Florida, per Garber's words on multiple occasions. Orlando sustained a temporary setback when they failed to secure some public funding for their new stadium but they have enough backing and momentum to eventually get this done in the next few years (3-5).

Miami is getting a club too. Its just a matter of finding the right ownership. I know people hate Miami (and generally Florida) for pro sports but Miami has to be a part of pro soccer in the US. It is in the long term plans. Guys from Europe and Latin America would love to play there.
Posted by Draconian Sanctions
Markey's bar
Member since Oct 2008
88509 posts
Posted on 7/2/13 at 11:10 am to
Miami and Orlando will be #21 and #22, book it.

After that it's anybody's guess
Posted by svb
Missouri Fan
Member since Jun 2012
3127 posts
Posted on 7/2/13 at 11:31 am to
Orlando.

The stadium they are wanting to build would be big enough for an MLS team at the time it is built (around 20,000), where as SA's stadium only seats ~8,000 and they built it with the intentions of having a solid NASL team.

San Antonio built a great stadium for an NASL team. I think they know that if they get an MLS team, it won't be soon. They did build the stadium to have the ability to expand to MLS size though which is good in case it does happen.
Posted by itawambadog
America, F Yeah!
Member since Nov 2007
21266 posts
Posted on 7/2/13 at 12:46 pm to
I think the best option would be to move Chivas to San Antonio. Chivas is an epic failure and the best thing to do would be to move then and start over.
Posted by nola tiger lsu
Member since Nov 2007
7565 posts
Posted on 7/2/13 at 2:51 pm to
quote:

I think the best option would be to move Chivas to San Antonio. Chivas is an epic failure and the best thing to do would be to move then and start over.


I support this. Then add 4 teams to the league, Miami, Orlando, and two others out of the viable markets, and settle in with a solid league with increased exposure.
Posted by svb
Missouri Fan
Member since Jun 2012
3127 posts
Posted on 7/2/13 at 3:00 pm to
I would rather Chivas move to San Diego as opposed to San Antonio.
This post was edited on 7/2/13 at 3:01 pm
Posted by DEANintheYAY
LEFT COAST
Member since Jan 2008
31975 posts
Posted on 7/2/13 at 5:51 pm to
With the way St. Louis has been selling out these friendlies as of late and the fact that they are a big soccer town, I would think they would be possible MLS destination. Have they been discussed much as a destination?
Posted by itawambadog
America, F Yeah!
Member since Nov 2007
21266 posts
Posted on 7/2/13 at 6:18 pm to
I don't know what the limit will be but I'd say for the next 10 years 24 teams would be the likely cap.
Posted by Nimbus2000
Member since Jun 2013
1250 posts
Posted on 7/2/13 at 8:54 pm to
I say go the American route and have 32 teams. 2 conferences of 4 divisions.
Posted by GABlueDog
Marietta, GA
Member since Dec 2008
8045 posts
Posted on 7/2/13 at 9:38 pm to
Yes, Garber has publicly said that another club in the midwest will happen in the future and they would really like that club to be in St. Louis. His actual words were "We really need a franchise in St. Louis." The reasons include the enormous amount of involvement in youth soccer present in the St. Louis area and the fact that St. Louis sits perfectly between KC and Chicago.

MLS' model focuses on building regional rivalries and St. Louis would bridge that factor well. The problem is finding a viable ownership group. MLS has searched high and low but has yet to have any luck. If St. Louis does not pan out, look for a club in Minneapolis, Indianapolis, or Detroit.
This post was edited on 7/2/13 at 9:40 pm
Posted by nola tiger lsu
Member since Nov 2007
7565 posts
Posted on 7/2/13 at 9:59 pm to
I think 23 and 24 (after two Florida franchises) will be 2 out of 3 of Minnesota, St. Louis, and Atlanta.
Posted by GABlueDog
Marietta, GA
Member since Dec 2008
8045 posts
Posted on 7/2/13 at 10:01 pm to
I would agree.

I would also throw San Diego in there too but they may get a relocated and rebranded Chivas.
Posted by WarSlamEagle
Manchester United Fan
Member since Sep 2011
24611 posts
Posted on 7/2/13 at 10:41 pm to
quote:

Its just a matter of finding the right ownership.

Beckham.
Posted by GABlueDog
Marietta, GA
Member since Dec 2008
8045 posts
Posted on 7/2/13 at 10:44 pm to
MLS is trying to convince Beckham to be the owner of Miami.

He is interested.

quote:

Beckham, accompanied by Bolivian born billionaire Marcelo Claure, who wants to team-up with him in owning a new franchise, visited two potential stadiums and met with the mayor of Miami-Dade County Carlos Gimenez, who handed him the keys to the county.

quote:

Together with British entrepreneur Simon Fuller, whose management company 19 Entertainment, handles Beckham's business affairs, Beckham later visited a 20,000 stadium at Florida International University (FIU).

This post was edited on 7/2/13 at 10:51 pm
Posted by WarSlamEagle
Manchester United Fan
Member since Sep 2011
24611 posts
Posted on 7/2/13 at 10:48 pm to
He had a clause in his LA contract that gave him the ability to create an expansion franchise once he retired from active competition.
Posted by TheIrishFro
Member since Aug 2010
4709 posts
Posted on 7/2/13 at 11:42 pm to
(no message)
This post was edited on 7/21/23 at 11:09 am
Posted by svb
Missouri Fan
Member since Jun 2012
3127 posts
Posted on 7/2/13 at 11:47 pm to
I would like to see 3 teams in Florida but I don't think the chances are that great until MLS goes beyond 24 teams, Miami could possibly be a good market with Beckham but Orlando and Tampa would be a good rivalry IMO. I just don't think 3 teams in FL is possible unless Atlanta doesn't happen, which I hope does happen because of ATL's good support of the Silverbacks. I also want STL to happen because it could create a good rivalry with SKC and would be a fun matchup.

I hope these are the teams added after NYC2:
Atlanta
Orlando
Tampa
St. Louis

Although I think Miami will get in ahead of Tampa, I would rather see Tampa I think.
Posted by TheIrishFro
Member since Aug 2010
4709 posts
Posted on 7/2/13 at 11:55 pm to
(no message)
This post was edited on 7/21/23 at 11:09 am
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