The owner of NFL’s Atlanta Falcons is interested in bringing an MLS team to Atlanta. Major League Soccer is interested in putting a team in a major city in the south-east.
The stadium required to bring in a new MLS team to Atlanta could not be completed before 2012 which would likely be the earliest a team could be added.
Would this be another situation of an MLS team replacing a USL team or would a new MLS team play beside the Atlanta Silverbacks of the USL?
Related posts:
6 Comments
If you want expansion to Atlanta – I suggest you answer yes to this poll and get as many as you can to answer yes. http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/stories/2008/06/20/mlsatlanta_0620.html
Hi everyone,
It’s not intrusion but an humble request to the community here.
I have recently started an articles website and would request you (I will appreciate if you can) to please spare some time and post articles about soccer at my site.
Thanks
Prashant
http://www.depositarticles.com
I want to know why the MLS plans to halt at 18 teams. I personally would like to see them push on to 21 teams and go back to 3 divisions (East, West, Central). I hope to see more teams in the states but I honestly believe that you will see Montreal and Vancouver as the next 2 teams. If MLS does not hold at 18 and pushes on I believe you will see the next 3 teams come from either St. Louis, New York, Ottawa, or Portland by 2012. I would like to see a team in Atlanta but feel it is still several years away.
Here is what is listed on http://www.wikipedia.com
While no other cities have been named for the 17th and 18th spots, St. Louis is considered the next frontrunner. MLS has declared interest in Atlanta, Las Vegas, Montreal, Detroit, Portland, San Diego, Milwaukee, Ottawa, Vancouver, a return to Miami, and a second team in the New York City metro area. The latest city to enquire about an MLS expansion team is Ottawa; Eugene Melnyk, the owner of the Ottawa Senators NHL Hockey team, met with the MLS commissioner to discuss the possibility of expansion.
Where do you think the next team will come from?
One thing I find interesting is how the Commissioner has not kept his Blog up to date. He should have had something out about a week or two ago as he originally stated he would post every 2 weeks. Nothing new since June 6th, 2008. Maybe there is a big announcement on the way….
Ok, back on the expansion topic. I know MLS says that they are not comparing themselves to other major league sports and that they are doing it their way and their fans understand. However, this fan is going to jump on the statement of hold at 18 teams one more time. I just do not understand this logic when soccer is growing in huge numbers and the support for it is growing daily. I checked the other major league sports and this is what I found
NBA – 30 Teams
NHL – 30 Teams
MLB – 30 Teams
NFL – 32 Teams
MLS – 14 current expansion by 2010 to 16 w/ Seattle & Philly
Now, I know that the sport is only going to grow so fast but why would MLS be the reason or cause to halt its growth. Hold at 18. NO, NO, NO… I say we have to allow the league to expand as it will and can atleast until you reach 21 or 24 teams. Granted keep the standards and requirements there so that teams don’t come in and fold a year or two later but do not stand in the way or hold it back until the league needs to. If the league expands to 21 or 24 teams that means more soccer on TV, more exposure of the sport in various cities, more fans, and even greater support. Let the sport grow!
By my research and granted I am not on the inside. I am just using my PC but these seem to be the best options for expansion in the near future:
Montreal
Vancouver
St. Louis
New York (2nd Team)
in 3 to 4 years
Portland
Ottawa
Atlanta
San Diego
in 5 to 6 years
Miami
Milwaulke
Detroit
Bring the MLS to Atlanta. States like Tennessee, Alabama, the Carolinas, and the surrounding southern states will support the club. Guaranteed success.