A couple of days ago I wrote about the possibility of Philadelphia becoming the home to an MLS expansion team within the next 3 years. Rob GZ pointed out how much of a stupid ass I am for saying that and not saying that St. Louis will have a new team in 2 years.
So I ask, what is the next 3 years going to see in terms of MLS expansion. We know San Jose next year. Is Seattle in 2009 a done deal? What about 2010. Give me your predictions in the comments. We’ll come back in 3 years and see who is right and find out if I really am a stupid ass.
This is what I see happening:
2008 - San Jose
2009 - Seattle
2010 - Philadelphia
What do you think?
11 Comments
I don’t see MLS going back to an odd number of teams. San Jose will join next year and then we’ll get two teams in either 09 or 10.
That would be smart to keep an even number of teams. No guesses who those next 2 will be?
08 - SJ (obviously)
09/10 - Seattle & Philly.
10/11 - St. Louis
11/12 - Atlanta
They’d add 2 “Eastern Conference” clubs in 2010-2012 IF MLS reverts to a single table format (doubt it).
IF that doesn’t happen, then there won’t be a team in Atlanta, thus another team in the “Western Conference” such as Vancover or Portland to compete with Seattle.
In the “Eastern Conference”, MLS should expand into the Southeast (again) and add a club in Atlanta, Carolina region, Orlando or as last resorts Miami and Tampa Bay (huge hispanic populations but no stadium deals, etc.)
OR one could expand to Detroit and place another team in NY to compete against RBNY.
Basically, MLS is following the NASL foundation. But it will be interesting to see how the expanison process plays out.
Could New York really support 2 teams?
Well the Metrostars-RBNY have never had success in MLS, so a 2nd franchise has consistently been rumored for quite some years now. The probably location would be on LI or upstate NY, i.e. Rochester.
I believe that NY could host 2 franchises in the future and start their own derby but it all depends on the demand and where MLS plans to expand to.
what about seattle as an expansion city as announced today? think things will work in the pacific northwest?
Yeah - congrats to you fans in Seattle!
i really think that the MLS is growing in a positive way, but… this league needs rivalry. New York and Chicago both need another team. The beauty of English Soccer is the rivalry between Chelsea, Arsenal, and Tottenham. MLS shouldn’t be afraid to allow more teams to expand quicker, and the idea of adding two or three teams to a city.
the way to do that is to change the names of these teams. not the Chicago Fire, but the SC Fire (South Chicago)
,Maccabi Evanston, FC Wrigley. it will make it more fun. similar to a chicago cubs/sox but they will be in the same division giving us more games.
hope you like it.
take it easy
I love that idea - but are there enough fans to support 2 teams in a place like Chicago?